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Inter-Thailand Flights   Bangkok Airways (PG)

PG flights are bookable on points through JAL, CX, EY and AB.

JAL
Required Mileage: Transferable from SPG. JAL uses a distance based award chart and allows up to a maximum of 7 stopovers (8 segments). To figure out how many points you will need, add up the total amount of miles that will be flown (can do this on GCMap.com) and then find the appropriate row in the award chart (http://www.ar.jal.com/ar/en/jalmile/use/partner_air/p_jmb/jmb_mile_ar.html). If you are traveling before 3/31/2017 there is a promotion for trips up to 4,000 miles (see http://www.jal.co.jp/121campaign/pg_discount/index_en.html for reduced mileage rates). The promotion makes JAL the best award redemption option for PG flights. 

Booking the Flight: The only way to find out if there is availability on the flight that you want is to call JAL. Recommended that you do so before transferring points. JAL doesn't allow you to hold a reservation so you have to hope that the flight doesn't get booked up while you're waiting for the point transfer to go through. Once the points post to your JAL account, call JAL back to book.
+1 800-525-3663 (5:00 - 18:00 PT) press 1 - 4 - JAL membership number - # - pin - # - 0 (for human or 1 for computer search)

Traveling with Infant: Tell JAL that you are flying with a lap child. They will put the infant on the reservation, but they will also tell you that you need to call PG directly to get the infant's ticket issued and pay for any taxes etc. JAL will only charge you for the adults on the reservation. Unless you speak Thai, calling PG won't work (when you press 9 for English when calling any of the Asian offices, the message will tell you to go to their website, and the office in Germany can't issue tickets). To add the infant, send an email to reservation@bangkokair.com with your confirmation number and tell them you want to have the lap infant's ticket issued. They will email you back with the price (data point: it was ~$96USD for CNX-USM-HKG for me) and ask you to reply with your cc info split into two separate emails for security (one email with first 8 digits, exp. and name on card, second email with last 8 digits, cvv, and billing address). I believe they only take Visa or MC. You'll then get an email back with confirmation.

Baggage Allowance: Economy passengers are allowed 20kg, infants (and dolls) are allowed 10kg. Excess weight on domestic flights will incur a charge of 80thb ($2.25ish) per kilo. International overage fee chart can be found here. Join the PG FlyingBonus program to receive an additional 10kg.

Contacting PG: In general, if you have any questions, the only way to speak with them in English besides email is PG Live Chat. You can find the link if you log in to your Flyer Bonus account. Chat reps are very helpful.

IMPORTANT: MAKE SURE TO PAY (JAL AND PG) WITH A CC BELONGING TO SOMEONE THAT IS TRAVELING ON THE ITINERARY. PG WILL SOMETIMES ASK YOU TO SHOW THE CC USED TO PAY FOR THE TRIP WHEN YOU CHECK IN, AND RESERVE THE RIGHT TO DENY BOARDING IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT.

CX
Required Mileage:

EY
Required Mileage:

AB
Required Mileage:



Bangkok   BKK/DMK

Hotels                                              Activities                                          Chabad                                                                Additional Info
Viengtai Hotel (Ohr Menachem)
Davis Hotel (Beth Elisheva)
Shangr-La (Even Chen)
Sheraton Resort (Hua Hin)
Riva Surya
Kao Sahn Rd
Night Markets (near stadium)
Shopping Malls
Grand Palace
Kanchanaburi (2 hrs away)
Floating Markets
Beth Elisheva (Financial & Shopping district)
Even Chen
Ohr Menachem (Kao Sahn Rd)
ALWAYS use meter in taxis and
   try to say destination in Thai - if you
   need help with numbers as Cbs ;)
(Free) sim in airport at kiosks -(true move(h- sim), dtac
   (happy(micro) sim for iPhone)
Songkran (water fight week)- April 13th!
Kosherthailand.com
BKK Luggage Lockers - 100 baht/day/bag (~$3)
Public Transport
Domestic flights:
   Air Asia, Tiger Air, Thai, Bangkok Air
Tailor:
   Rajawongse




Phuket/Patong/Koh Phi Phi/Krabi   HKT/KBV

Hotels                                                            Activities                                                                            Additional Info
Westin
JW Marriott
Sala Resort
Sheraton Krabi
The Pavilions
Holiday Inn Koh Phi Phi
Ritz Carlton Reserve
places w/ private pools
Beaches
Monkey Show
Cable Skiing
Longtail Boats
Island Tour
Koh Phi Phi:
Diving
Fire Show (wed is biggest)
Maya Bay (full day trip)
Nice Lookouts
Kayaking (to Monkey Beach)
Thai Boxing
Beware of summer weather; monsoon season
Best weather: Jan - May
Island Tour (can be done as a day trip or overnight):
   Andaman River, Maya Bay, Similian Islands, Krabi Islands,
   Koh Lanta (Emerald Cave)




Koh Samui   USM

Hotels                                                            Activities                                                                          Additional Info
The Conrad
Sunday Resort
Sheraton
Le Meridian
The W
Le Murrya (Near Chabad)
Fx Hotel (Near Chabad)
Beaches
Diving (Koa Phangan, Koh Tao)
Ang Thong Marine Park Islands
Water Sports (at chaweng and boh phut),
Safari Island (elephants, tigers, zip line)
Scooter (around island)
Kayaking $30
Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan Island trip w/ snorkeling
The Conrad will gladly make arrangements with
   the Chabad restaurant for Kosher food. Email them at usmks.fb@conradhotels.com




Chiang Mai   CNX

Hotels                                                            Activities                                                                            Additional Info
Le Meridien (10 min. Walk to Chabad)
Shangri La (2 min. Walk to Chabad)
Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi
Sukantara Cascade Resort
Maese Elephant Show
Maetaeng Elephant Park
Patara Elephant Farm
Thai Elephant Home
Thoms Pai Elephant Camp
Bamboo Rafting
Tiger Kingdom
Monkey Shows
Snake Shows
Crocodile Shows
Zip Lining
Trekking
White Water Rafting
Longneck Tribe
Gun Shooting
Night Safari
Temples/Palaces
Chiang Mai River Boat (To Cooking School)
Extreme Sports!
Repelling
Caving,
ATVing
Bungee
Segways
Rent motorbikes (5$ day)
3D museum right down the road from Chabad
   (if you have an hour or two to kill)
Sunday Market (ratchadamonoen  Rd, old city)
Night Market (Changklan Rd, near Chabad & Le Meridien)
Sat Night Market (Wua Lai)
Tiger Kingdom is best in morning
Use ישראל 669  as travel agent for trips
   (next door to Chabad)
Recommended Zip Line: Flight of Gibbon or Flying Squirrel,
   can be reserved through Yackov (המרכז המטייל)
   for best price.
When reserving tours, ask for a discount due to
   using your own transportation
Tailors:
   CM Tailors
His and Hers- 3 minute walk from LM on the way to chabbad.




Chiang Rai   CEI/4hr drive from CNX

Hotels                                                            Activities                                                                            Additional Info
Le Meridien
Four Seasons Tent Camp Golden Triangle
Black House
Queens Residence
Night market
Day trip to Burma/Myanmar
Waterfalls
White Temple
Ruaamit elephant camp
Pai village (3 hr drive)
Hot Springs
Scooters
Golden Triangle

« Last edited by CR on July 26, 2020, 11:38:14 AM »

Author Topic: Thailand Master Thread  (Read 742892 times)

Offline Moishebatchy

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1740 on: February 17, 2014, 03:21:20 AM »
TravelZoo has a deal on the Phuket Panwa Beachfront Resort - $339 for 3 nights, including airport transfers. At first, "Panwa" got me excited, since I remembered the pic above of the Sri Panwa. Some quick digging revealed, however, that it's not the same place - in fact, this one used to be a Crowne Plaza.  :-\

Does anybody know anything about this place, good or bad?

Also, does anyone know anything about the "new" Hyatt Regency Phuket - is it any good?

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1741 on: February 17, 2014, 03:31:57 AM »
Tons of nice villas.
Here's an example w/ a video and review.
http://www.neverendingvoyage.com/luxury-beachfront-villa-koh-lanta-malee-seaview-part-2/

Here's some stuff at Khao Sok.
http://jamie-monk.blogspot.co.il/2010/05/khao-sok-national-park-cliff-and-river.html
http://jamie-monk.blogspot.co.il/2012/07/khao-sok-fun-and-relaxation.html

Staying in a tree house would be quite the experience as well.

And you deserve it after all the good you've done for the DDF community. I dare say that I'm inspired to take up a collection plate to pay for your stay.

Offline rots5

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1742 on: February 17, 2014, 06:42:21 AM »
Remember anything near greenlands really means it can be in a swamp type area and very buggy.
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline Moishebatchy

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1743 on: February 18, 2014, 07:21:34 PM »
How often does JetSetter update their deals? I.e. Should I be checking every day, or every few hours? Or just once a week?

Offline rots5

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1744 on: February 19, 2014, 03:22:44 AM »
How often does JetSetter update their deals? I.e. Should I be checking every day, or every few hours? Or just once a week?
sign up for the emails.
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline moishatdansdeals

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1745 on: February 19, 2014, 11:37:52 AM »
I want to make a one way ticket from Israel to Thailand - or any of the cities/island in that region. What is my best way of purchasing a flight through (which) miles or points?


Offline moishatdansdeals

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1746 on: February 19, 2014, 11:38:20 AM »
*in July :)

Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1747 on: February 19, 2014, 11:38:29 AM »
I want to make a one way ticket from Israel to Thailand - or any of the cities/island in that region. What is my best way of purchasing a flight through (which) miles or points?
Which points/miles do you have?
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline moishatdansdeals

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1748 on: February 19, 2014, 11:43:58 AM »
BA, MR, SW, AA

Offline rots5

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1749 on: February 19, 2014, 01:09:58 PM »
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline moishatdansdeals

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1750 on: February 19, 2014, 02:19:14 PM »
"30k AA in biz OW"

Thanks.

Offline moishatdansdeals

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1751 on: February 19, 2014, 03:51:06 PM »
And whats the best way to fly someone from New York to Thailand? also in June ..

Offline rots5

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1752 on: February 19, 2014, 05:46:58 PM »
And whats the best way to fly someone from New York to Thailand? also in June ..
also AA i think 67.5 biz.

But there are so many options. You can book thru BA on (Emerites?)
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline daganster

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1753 on: February 19, 2014, 05:54:17 PM »
also AA i think 67.5 biz.

But there are so many options. You can book thru BA on (Emirates?)
It's 55k OW in J and 67.5k OW in F.

Offline daganster

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1754 on: February 19, 2014, 05:55:42 PM »
also AA i think 67.5 biz.

But there are so many options. You can book thru BA on (Emerites?)
How do you book Emirates with Avios? You mean AS?

Offline rots5

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1755 on: February 19, 2014, 05:59:57 PM »
How do you book Emirates with Avios? You mean AS?
Not sure anymore. I was thinking i think Cathay.
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline moishatdansdeals

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1756 on: February 25, 2014, 11:48:18 AM »
Is there a specific place (city) or way that is best to originate my trip when going to Asia from the US?

Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1757 on: February 25, 2014, 11:51:52 AM »
Is there a specific place (city) or way that is best to originate my trip when going to Asia from the US?
Pretty vague.

Where do you want to go? Based on posting in this thread, i would think Thailand, but want to confirm.
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline moishatdansdeals

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1758 on: February 25, 2014, 02:43:15 PM »
Pretty vague.

Where do you want to go? Based on posting in this thread, i would think Thailand, but want to confirm.

I plan to visit Thailand too. I can start anywhere out there if it is better economically.

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1759 on: February 25, 2014, 02:57:32 PM »
Is there a specific place (city) or way that is best to originate my trip when going to Asia from the US?
If you are using US Airway miles, J to N. Asia is only 90k RT w/ a stopover allowed, so it's an amazing value.