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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 751359 times)

Offline shauly

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3200 on: March 06, 2016, 11:06:44 AM »
17-22 give or take
Ah, I'm booked for the 29th right now. Looking forward to your tr before I get there.

Offline EJB

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3201 on: March 06, 2016, 11:07:57 AM »

Ah, I'm booked for the 29th right now. Looking forward to your tr before I get there.

Ha

Offline rileywiles23

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3202 on: March 06, 2016, 11:15:50 AM »
17-22 give or take

Ah, I'm booked for the 29th right now. Looking forward to your tr before I get there.
And I'm booked for the 22-28.
Perfect timing
Life is as good as you make it...

Offline shauly

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3203 on: March 06, 2016, 11:17:16 AM »
And I'm booked for the 22-28.
Perfect timing
How are you both flying? Where are you planning on staying?

Offline EJB

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Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3204 on: March 06, 2016, 11:23:13 AM »
Lol either cx or ke and EY. And CNX/usm

Offline rileywiles23

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3205 on: March 06, 2016, 11:27:37 AM »
How are you both flying? Where are you planning on staying?
CX J, EY F. Staying in CNX.
Life is as good as you make it...

Offline shauly

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3206 on: March 06, 2016, 11:38:17 AM »
Interesting that both of you are doing EY. I'm booked CX F one way and wl for SQ R on the return.

Offline benjie1305

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3207 on: March 06, 2016, 11:40:07 AM »
Interesting that both of you are doing EY. I'm booked CX F one way and wl for SQ R on the return.

Many are (including myself). A few weeks ago 2+ seats were suddenly open across all possible dates AUH-JFK so lots of people booked.
Work hard, Play harder!

Offline shauly

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3208 on: March 06, 2016, 11:42:50 AM »
Many are (including myself). A few weeks ago 2+ seats were suddenly open across all possible dates AUH-JFK so lots of people booked.

I must have slept through it.  Oh well. I want to fly SQ more than I do EY anyway.

Offline benjie1305

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3209 on: March 06, 2016, 11:44:59 AM »
I must have slept through it.  Oh well. I want to fly SQ more than I do EY anyway.

EY F A380 and SQ R should both be things one wants to fly.
Work hard, Play harder!

Offline shauly

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3210 on: March 06, 2016, 11:46:12 AM »
EY F A380 and SQ R should both be things one wants to fly.

Oh don't worry, I want to. I just want SQ more.

That's not to say if EY opened up before SQ I wouldn't grab it.

Offline benjie1305

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3211 on: March 06, 2016, 11:50:19 AM »
Oh don't worry, I want to. I just want SQ more.

That's not to say if EY opened up before SQ I wouldn't grab it.

Lol. You do know that you are contradicting yourself right there.
Work hard, Play harder!

Offline shauly

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3212 on: March 06, 2016, 11:52:02 AM »
Lol. You do know that you are contradicting yourself right there.

Not at all. If I can confirm EY while SQ is still on the WL and may never clear, I'd have no regrets about having to "settle" for EY F.

My other option is KE, and I'd definitely take EY over KE.

Offline benjie1305

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3213 on: March 06, 2016, 11:53:28 AM »
Not at all. If I can confirm EY while SQ is still on the WL and may never clear, I'd have no regrets about having to "settle" for EY F.

Missed the fact that you are waitlisted. Well chances are that whenever EY would open, your waitlist *if it clears* will have already at that point.
Work hard, Play harder!

Offline shauly

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3214 on: March 06, 2016, 12:00:29 PM »
Missed the fact that you are waitlisted. Well chances are that whenever EY would open, your waitlist *if it clears* will have already at that point.

Yup, we will see what happens..

At this point I'm more concerned about getting my wife on the same flight as I'm on.  ::) She's booked in January right now.

Offline Aaaron

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3215 on: March 06, 2016, 02:56:35 PM »
Ah, I'm booked for the 29th right now. Looking forward to your tr before I get there.

I'll be in CNX from the ~30th till the 4th, I think.

Offline shauly

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3216 on: March 06, 2016, 02:58:33 PM »
I'll be in CNX from the ~30th till the 4th, I think.
Maybe I'll see you there then.

Offline SLMYRCB

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3217 on: March 07, 2016, 04:01:33 AM »
Does anyone have data points on PG? Do they open all remaining seats to award bookings close in?

Offline SLMYRCB

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3218 on: March 07, 2016, 02:50:18 PM »
Thanks to this Songkran Thailand New Years, PG is fully booked the 2nd week of my trip and the Conrad has no availability the 1st week of my trip if I were to flip the itinerary.
HKT it is, I guess. So unfortunate :(

Offline mochjas

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3219 on: March 07, 2016, 02:55:07 PM »
Weather wise what time of the year should one avoid going to Thailand?