Topic Wiki

Upcoming Trips                                                                        Trip Reports
Proisrael
Martyb
ayman
SLMYRCB
benjie1305
shwarmabob gang
CS91 & EJB
Shauly

EJB
SRM
1st week of February
2nd week of February
3rd week of February
1st & 2nd week of April
2nd & 3rd week of July
2nd & 3rd week of July
3rd & 4th week of August
4th week of August

3rd week of January
3rd & 4th week of March
Dan Part 1, Dan Part 2, ChikkyMonkey Part 1 , ChikkyMonkey Part 2, ChikkyMonkey Part 3,
Aussiebochur, ZCN, Brian, TAVI, world2see, zvmiester, Cbs, Yehoshua, AJK, rots5,
Knowitall, Suave, Marco Polo, morgs




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 751537 times)

Offline CS91

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Feb 2015
  • Posts: 3457
  • Total likes: 45
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: NY
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3340 on: April 12, 2016, 01:00:37 PM »
Checked now with CX and they did see BKK-USM for 2 pax but nothing at all on USM-BKK and those are pretty pricey flights. Ugh.
CMIIW, but both CX and JAL need X fare availability in order to book. Maybe try calling JAL back and seeing if a different rep can see the space...

Offline benjie1305

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 5870
  • Total likes: 17
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 15
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: NY Area
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3341 on: April 12, 2016, 01:16:59 PM »
CMIIW, but both CX and JAL need X fare availability in order to book. Maybe try calling JAL back and seeing if a different rep can see the space...

Between CX, JAL and EY they all see some random seats on different flights. No-one seeing all of the same and none of them have anything on USM-BKK.

Also, they don't all see all flights I have searched on ITA. Weird.

Work hard, Play harder!

Offline CS91

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Feb 2015
  • Posts: 3457
  • Total likes: 45
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: NY
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3342 on: April 12, 2016, 01:45:07 PM »
Between CX, JAL and EY they all see some random seats on different flights. No-one seeing all of the same and none of them have anything on USM-BKK.

Also, they don't all see all flights I have searched on ITA. Weird.
Weird. When I was booking, AB didn't see anything but JAL found what I needed. Thought I just landed on a bad AB rep.

Offline benjie1305

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 5870
  • Total likes: 17
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 15
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: NY Area
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3343 on: April 12, 2016, 01:56:03 PM »
Weird. When I was booking, AB didn't see anything but JAL found what I needed. Thought I just landed on a bad AB rep.

Ya. Haven't called AB yet.

Also, JAL has BY FAR the best redemption and flexibility for routing.
Work hard, Play harder!

Offline CS91

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Feb 2015
  • Posts: 3457
  • Total likes: 45
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: NY
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3344 on: April 12, 2016, 03:31:40 PM »
Also, JAL has BY FAR the best redemption and flexibility for routing.
By a long shot. Don't go with the others unless you REALLY have to.

Offline benjie1305

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 5870
  • Total likes: 17
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 15
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: NY Area
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3345 on: April 12, 2016, 03:39:59 PM »
By a long shot. Don't go with the others unless you REALLY have to.

For now, none of them have anything that works for me. If I want to book now it'll be ~$300 pp.

I'll wait it out for now and re-visit in May/June to see if PG has made any more seats available.
Work hard, Play harder!

Offline CS91

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Feb 2015
  • Posts: 3457
  • Total likes: 45
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: NY
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3346 on: April 12, 2016, 03:45:17 PM »
For now, none of them have anything that works for me. If I want to book now it'll be ~$300 pp.

I'll wait it out for now and re-visit in May/June to see if PG has made any more seats available.
You can always pull an @Yehuda and do Arrival+  ::)

Offline benjie1305

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 5870
  • Total likes: 17
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 15
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: NY Area
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3347 on: April 12, 2016, 03:46:37 PM »
You can always pull an @Yehuda and do Arrival+  ::)

I rather cash those out and find other ways to make this happen. I have faith in JAL... for now.
Work hard, Play harder!

Offline shwarmabob

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2014
  • Posts: 1311
  • Total likes: 202
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3348 on: April 14, 2016, 11:49:19 AM »
I rather cash those out and find other ways to make this happen. I have faith in JAL... for now.
Try it with connection through Phuket or Krabi. or maybe the Utapao airport and take a bus from there. They had some openings here and there.
or go with AirAisa. Good luck, I gave up on PG
DO in Samui?
« Last Edit: April 14, 2016, 11:52:43 AM by shwarmabob »

Offline benjie1305

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 5870
  • Total likes: 17
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 15
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: NY Area
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3349 on: April 14, 2016, 11:53:24 AM »
Try it with connection through Phuket or Krabi. or maybe the Utapao airport and take a bus from there. They had some openings here and there.
or go with AirAisa. Good luck, I gave up on PG
DO in Samui?

AirAsia does not seem to fly to USM.
Work hard, Play harder!

Offline shwarmabob

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2014
  • Posts: 1311
  • Total likes: 202
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3350 on: April 14, 2016, 11:55:35 AM »
AirAsia does not seem to fly to USM.
very true, I meant the longer way through Surat Thani
« Last Edit: April 14, 2016, 12:25:57 PM by shwarmabob »

Offline benjie1305

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 5870
  • Total likes: 17
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 15
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: NY Area
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3351 on: April 14, 2016, 11:57:28 AM »
very true, I meant to the longer way through Surat Thani

All flights seem rather cheap but anything to and from USM is significantly more. Really hope for PG to work out.

If anyone knows of other magical ways involving airplanes, I am all ears.
Work hard, Play harder!

Offline shimino1

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 2412
  • Total likes: 140
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 10
    • View Profile
  • Location: israel
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3352 on: April 19, 2016, 02:46:42 AM »
From the WIKI: "Join the PG FlyingBonus program to receive an additional 10kg".

Can someone please tell me where I can see the extra allowance? I'm flying in 7 hours CNX-BKK on PG with more then 20 kilo per bag and would feel much better if I saw the extra luggage allowence.

Offline Feivish

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 808
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3353 on: April 19, 2016, 08:37:37 AM »
From the WIKI: "Join the PG FlyingBonus program to receive an additional 10kg".

Can someone please tell me where I can see the extra allowance? I'm flying in 7 hours CNX-BKK on PG with more then 20 kilo per bag and would feel much better if I saw the extra luggage allowence.
I definitely saw it somewhere and don't have patience to look for it now. However, I can tell from my own experience, it works.

Offline SLMYRCB

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2014
  • Posts: 720
  • Total likes: 7
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3354 on: April 19, 2016, 08:38:09 AM »
From the WIKI: "Join the PG FlyingBonus program to receive an additional 10kg".

Can someone please tell me where I can see the extra allowance? I'm flying in 7 hours CNX-BKK on PG with more then 20 kilo per bag and would feel much better if I saw the extra luggage allowence.
The links in the wiki should take you to it (you can probably only see them if you're on a desktop).
Either way it's advertised on the FlyingBonus signup page as a benefit for their lowest teir member.

Offline CS91

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Feb 2015
  • Posts: 3457
  • Total likes: 45
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: NY
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3355 on: April 19, 2016, 09:00:55 AM »
The links in the wiki should take you to it (you can probably only see them if you're on a desktop).
Either way it's advertised on the FlyingBonus signup page as a benefit for their lowest teir member.
And they confirmed it with me when I chatted to add my FlyerBonus number to my reservation last week.

Offline yitzyul

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 2977
  • Total likes: 142
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 70
    • View Profile
  • Location: Monsey
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3356 on: April 20, 2016, 01:00:21 AM »
From the WIKI: "Join the PG FlyingBonus program to receive an additional 10kg".

Can someone please tell me where I can see the extra allowance? I'm flying in 7 hours CNX-BKK on PG with more then 20 kilo per bag and would feel much better if I saw the extra luggage allowence.
Just flew a few flights with them, and only 1 time they asked if I was a member because I was a few pounds over, and upon my "yes" they said…"have a nice flight".

Offline shimino1

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 2412
  • Total likes: 140
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 10
    • View Profile
  • Location: israel
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3357 on: April 24, 2016, 03:03:45 PM »
From the WIKI: "Join the PG FlyingBonus program to receive an additional 10kg".

Can someone please tell me where I can see the extra allowance? I'm flying in 7 hours CNX-BKK on PG with more then 20 kilo per bag and would feel much better if I saw the extra luggage allowance.
Anyway it worked! I asked at the counter how much wight I'm allowed and they said: Oh I see you are a FlyingBonus member so you are allowed 30 kilos.

Offline MosheD

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Aug 2011
  • Posts: 2286
  • Total likes: 40
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3358 on: April 24, 2016, 10:11:27 PM »
Anyway it worked! I asked at the counter how much wight I'm allowed and they said: Oh I see you are a FlyingBonus member so you are allowed 30 kilos.
Are you in Thailand for Pesach??

Offline shimino1

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 2412
  • Total likes: 140
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 10
    • View Profile
  • Location: israel
Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3359 on: April 25, 2016, 07:13:40 AM »
No. was in Thailand but I'm back in Israel now.