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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 750110 times)

Offline moishatdansdeals

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1760 on: February 25, 2014, 04:34:05 PM »
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.

From what airport to what airport?

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1761 on: February 25, 2014, 05:46:35 PM »
From what airport to what airport?
From the US to the countries in North Asia. Check their website for definitions of North Asia.

Offline Hudi

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1762 on: February 25, 2014, 05:48:55 PM »
Does anyone think USAirways will allow you to book CX J for 90k after March 31st? Maybe the first couple days until they restructure their chart?


Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1763 on: February 25, 2014, 05:49:29 PM »
Does anyone think USAirways will allow you to book CX J for 90k after March 31st? Maybe the first couple days until they restructure their chart?
If you want that flight, why wait?
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline Dan

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1764 on: February 25, 2014, 05:50:08 PM »
Does anyone think USAirways will allow you to book CX J for 90k after March 31st? Maybe the first couple days until they restructure their chart?
They'll probably have a new OW chart.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline Dan

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1765 on: February 25, 2014, 05:50:24 PM »
If you want that flight, why wait?
Good luck with that.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline Hudi

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1766 on: February 25, 2014, 07:52:03 PM »
If you want that flight, why wait?

You can't book CX yet with USair miles. Not until they join OW. Right now you can book on EVA, ANA, Air Canada to name a few of the *A elite.

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1767 on: February 26, 2014, 12:38:30 AM »
They'll probably have a new OW chart.
You think a new chart will be released by March 31st w/o any grace period to book under old rates?

Offline renar

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1768 on: February 26, 2014, 01:58:06 AM »
My husband and I are planning a trip to Thailand via Hong Kong. We plan to spend two weeks - 2 days in HKG and the rest dispersed among Thai cities. We can take two weeks off this summer June-August 2014 or wait and travel two weeks in mid Dec 2014-Jan 2015 (peak season). I know summer is monsoon season and I don't want to waste our trip in storms and unbearable humidity. We want to maximize our trip is it better to travel this summer or during winter?

Offline rots5

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1769 on: February 26, 2014, 04:18:55 AM »
It is not so humid during the summer. Its just gloomy and can rain. We went last year for 9 days it only rained at nights. Not once during the day. It also wasn't gorgeous sun beating down weather. It was nice and enjoyable.
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.

Offline chuchem

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1770 on: February 26, 2014, 07:30:20 AM »
It is not so humid during the summer. Its just gloomy and can rain. We went last year for 9 days it only rained at nights. Not once during the day. It also wasn't gorgeous sun beating down weather. It was nice and enjoyable.

+1 we also had nice weather.
Risk is always there, but you pay more in peak season.

No risk, no fun. You have to know if you want to pay more, as a insurance

Offline Drago

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1771 on: March 03, 2014, 08:17:50 AM »
Good reminder post about how to use JAL miles to fly Bangkok.
http://hackmytrip.com/2014/03/using-spg-points-book-bangkok-airways-via-jal/

Can be a very good value.

Offline AJK

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1772 on: March 03, 2014, 12:02:54 PM »
Very tough availability to USM.
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline Moishebatchy

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1773 on: March 03, 2014, 07:32:05 PM »
So what's the general consensus on Phuket: Anantara Villas or Banyan Tree?

Offline Hudi

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1774 on: March 03, 2014, 08:08:03 PM »
So what's the general consensus on Phuket: Anantara Villas or Banyan Tree?

Pavilions is currently on sale at jetsetter

Offline Moishebatchy

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1775 on: March 03, 2014, 08:15:42 PM »
Pavilions is currently on sale at jetsetter

I left it out for a reason. :P

Offline Moishebatchy

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1776 on: March 23, 2014, 03:27:37 AM »
Looking for a driver from Phuket airport to the Chabad house for lunch, then continuing on to The Pavilions (similar to what Dan wrote in his TR, except staying withing Phuket, not going all the way to Khao Lak). It appears from this thread that the driver Dan used has "Khao Lak" in his email address, implying that he may not be interested in a fare that is entirely within Phuket... does anyone know if that is indeed the case or not?

In summary... what would be the best way to get from the airport to Chabad, and then to The Pavilions? :P

Offline Vosizderneias

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1777 on: March 23, 2014, 03:46:01 AM »
There is no chabad house in phuket, at least since i was there

Offline rots5

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1778 on: March 23, 2014, 04:11:59 AM »
There is no chabad house in phuket, at least since i was there
yes there is very much so! 3 blocks before bangla rd, same side its in the back of a larger ally way

Looking for a driver from Phuket airport to the Chabad house for lunch, then continuing on to The Pavilions (similar to what Dan wrote in his TR, except staying withing Phuket, not going all the way to Khao Lak). It appears from this thread that the driver Dan used has "Khao Lak" in his email address, implying that he may not be interested in a fare that is entirely within Phuket... does anyone know if that is indeed the case or not?

In summary... what would be the best way to get from the airport to Chabad, and then to The Pavilions? :P
WHOA!!! PAVILLIONS, its great!

Try emailing that guy, (he was willing to do exactly that when i was there, but i never followed thru...) Hes a drop cheaper than one that youll get in the actual airport... BUT its annoying to communicate with them sometimes in the airport.
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 #1779 on: March 26, 2014, 05:34:48 AM »
Okay, people, I need a little help. I'm a bit embarrassed, but it seems like I may need a bit of spoon feeding on this one. :-[

I need help planning an itinerary in Chiang Mai from a given Thursday afternoon until the Wednesday night following it (6.5 days, basically). And please don't answer, "well you could do the Tiger Kingdom, and the elephant show, etc..." - that's not what I'm looking for; I've read a shockingly large amount of this thread in a very short time, so I know most of the activities. My question is about timing and scheduling - can anyone help me figure out what to do on which day?

Things I want to do, in no particular order:
Get fitted for a suit (or more than one? ;))
Tiger Kingdom
Elephant Show
Elephant riding
Rafting
Cooking school
ATVing/Segway/Bike
Monkey show
Crocodile show (maybe?)
Markets (Night, Saturday, Sunday, etc.)
Day trip somewhere, maybe (Chiang Rai?)

Things NOT to do:
Snake show. :o

Can anyone please help me with the planning? Also, did I miss anything that is a "must-see" or "must-do"?

Thanks in advance!