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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 751085 times)

Offline shauly

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3240 on: March 08, 2016, 01:12:32 PM »
Why does the LM have to cost you $650, you don't have any SPG points?

If I was gonna do the LM I'd rather pay $650 than 35k SPG.

Offline foseph

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3241 on: March 08, 2016, 01:13:39 PM »
If I was gonna do the LM I'd rather pay $650 than 35k SPG.
Why don't u stay at the Shangri-la

Offline foseph

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3242 on: March 08, 2016, 01:13:39 PM »
If I was gonna do the LM I'd rather pay $650 than 35k SPG.
Why don't u stay at the Shangri-la

Offline shauly

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3243 on: March 08, 2016, 01:16:17 PM »
Why don't u stay at the Shangri-la

That's even more expensive.

Offline shauly

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3244 on: March 08, 2016, 01:16:32 PM »
There's a chance I may let my LM ressie go.  For the 31st to the 4th.  I'll keep you posted if you're interested.

Yeah definitely let me know, thanks!

Offline D93

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3245 on: March 08, 2016, 01:17:15 PM »
If I was gonna do the LM I'd rather pay $650 than 35k SPG.

Reasoning?

Offline shauly

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3246 on: March 08, 2016, 01:19:03 PM »
Reasoning?

SPG points are a very limited resource for me and I don't value hotel stays too much. I'd rather save them for airline transfers.

Offline D93

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3247 on: March 08, 2016, 01:21:08 PM »
SPG points are a very limited resource for me and I don't value hotel stays too much. I'd rather save them for airline transfers.

$650/35,000 is a value of 1.85, you can buy SPG points off the street for less than 1.85, so it doesn't have to cost you $650.

Offline shauly

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3248 on: March 08, 2016, 01:24:11 PM »
$650/35,000 is a value of 1.85, you can buy SPG points off the street for less than 1.85, so it doesn't have to cost you $650.

Obviously. But it's still gonna cost me more than the Air BnB and I'm struggling to see why I'd be any happier in the LM.

Offline D93

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3249 on: March 08, 2016, 01:26:12 PM »
Obviously. But it's still gonna cost me more than the Air BnB and I'm struggling to see why I'd be any happier in the LM.

You don't enjoy fine hotel service and treatment?

Offline shauly

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3250 on: March 08, 2016, 01:29:20 PM »
You don't enjoy fine hotel service and treatment?

I guess I have yet to experience it.


Offline D93

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3251 on: March 08, 2016, 01:32:58 PM »
I guess I have yet to experience it.

So maybe you should?

Offline AJK

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3252 on: March 08, 2016, 01:34:09 PM »
$650/35,000 is a value of 1.85, you can buy SPG points off the street for less than 1.85, so it doesn't have to cost you $650.

Must account for the attendant risk in that approach. There is none in paying $650.
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 D93

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3253 on: March 08, 2016, 01:34:56 PM »
Must account for the attendant risk in that approach. There is none in paying $650.

True, and the points from the $650 spend (4x if you're a Plat 75).

Offline foseph

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3254 on: March 08, 2016, 01:42:43 PM »
How much is it? I paid $90-95 range a night with chabad rate.

Offline shauly

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3255 on: March 08, 2016, 01:49:14 PM »
How much is it? I paid $90-95 range a night with chabad rate.

It's about that with no rate code.

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3256 on: March 08, 2016, 01:51:09 PM »
It's about that with no rate code.
Oh when I went in August they were both at 140-145 range and chabbad dropped to 90-95 with code

Offline shauly

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3257 on: March 08, 2016, 01:52:54 PM »
Oh when I went in August they were both at 140-145 range and chabbad dropped to 90-95 with code

What's the code?

Offline foseph

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3258 on: March 08, 2016, 01:55:52 PM »
What's the code?
pm emkay for it. he mentioned a while back people can if they need it

Offline Emkay

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3259 on: March 08, 2016, 01:56:46 PM »
pm emkay for it. he mentioned a while back people can if they need it
I dont think the one i have is currently active.