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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 744521 times)

Offline rileywiles23

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3760 on: March 08, 2017, 09:49:16 AM »
Anybody get upgraded at LM CNX with just gold status ?
Would they give issues if I would book with someone elses platinum account ?
Life is as good as you make it...

Offline Emkay

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3761 on: March 08, 2017, 09:53:25 AM »


Would they give issues if I would book with someone elses platinum account ?
Never heard of issues and know at least a dozen that went.

Offline benjie1305

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3762 on: March 08, 2017, 09:55:32 AM »
Anybody get upgraded at LM CNX with just gold status ?
Would they give issues if I would book with someone elses platinum account ?

Many. Haven't heard.
Work hard, Play harder!

Offline rileywiles23

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3763 on: March 08, 2017, 09:58:56 AM »
Besides for better chance at upgrades, any other benefit to booking from someone elses spg plat account instead of using my own gold ?
Life is as good as you make it...

Offline benjie1305

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3764 on: March 08, 2017, 10:01:58 AM »
Besides for better chance at upgrades, any other benefit to booking from someone elses spg plat account instead of using my own gold ?

Free breakfast?
Work hard, Play harder!

Offline mochjas

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3765 on: March 08, 2017, 10:02:18 AM »
Besides for better chance at upgrades, any other benefit to booking from someone elses spg plat account instead of using my own gold ?
lounge access

Offline rileywiles23

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3766 on: March 08, 2017, 10:08:11 AM »
Free breakfast?
lounge access
Would they give me that even w/o AH being there ?
Life is as good as you make it...

Offline benjie1305

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3767 on: March 08, 2017, 10:09:57 AM »
Would they give me that even w/o AH being there ?

So you are not worried about them giving you the room without AH but are concerned not to get lounge/breakfast without AH?  ???
Work hard, Play harder!

Offline shimino1

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3768 on: March 08, 2017, 10:32:23 AM »
So you are not worried about them giving you the room without AH but are concerned not to get lounge/breakfast without AH?  ???
ALOL

Offline shimino1

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3769 on: March 08, 2017, 10:33:16 AM »
Get a  Capital one 360 debit
Care to elaborate or point me to where it is discussed?
Thanks

Offline mmgfarb

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3770 on: March 08, 2017, 02:55:45 PM »
Care to elaborate or point me to where it is discussed?
Thanks
They don't charge atm fees or foreign transaction fees, though I don't think they reimburse fees charges by the atm itself like Charles Schwab. If you're making an account,  PM me first
"JS [is] a fetid cesspool of unvarnished linguistic manure, with lots of useless drivel and post-padding." -Moishebatchy

Offline shmebeble

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3771 on: March 08, 2017, 03:33:24 PM »
They don't charge atm fees or foreign transaction fees, though I don't think they reimburse fees charges by the atm itself like Charles Schwab. If you're making an account,  PM me first
A certain TD debit with at least $2500 in there all month- not average daily balance- doesnt charge forex, atm fees and will reimburse atm fees

Offline elya

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3772 on: March 08, 2017, 03:52:47 PM »
A certain TD debit with at least $2500 in there all month- not average daily balance- doesnt charge forex, atm fees and will reimburse atm fees
+1 Pretty sure its called Premier Checking account. Free as long as you have $2500 in the account.

Offline lubaby

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3773 on: March 08, 2017, 04:02:50 PM »
+1 Pretty sure its called Premier Checking account. Free as long as you have $2500 in the account.
Charles Schwab is free with no minimums required. If you don't have an account with them yet, set one up now so you have it whenever you need to travel.

Takes a few minutes to apply online.

Offline SRM

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3774 on: March 08, 2017, 06:50:49 PM »
Charles Schwab is free with no minimums required. If you don't have an account with them yet, set one up now so you have it whenever you need to travel.

Takes a few minutes to apply online.

Thank you! I'm going to do that now!

Offline mmgfarb

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3775 on: March 08, 2017, 07:52:07 PM »
Remember Charles Schwab is a hard pull although reports are that it's EQ so that may not bother most, there is also a $100 offer for opening an account so make sure you use that.
"JS [is] a fetid cesspool of unvarnished linguistic manure, with lots of useless drivel and post-padding." -Moishebatchy

Offline SRM

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3776 on: March 08, 2017, 08:20:40 PM »
Remember Charles Schwab is a hard pull although reports are that it's EQ so that may not bother most, there is also a $100 offer for opening an account so make sure you use that.

I'm not sure if I'm reading the fine print correctly but do I have to deposit a minimum of 1k? Also how do you make deposits to Charles Schwab, electronically or in person?

Offline mmgfarb

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3777 on: March 08, 2017, 08:23:47 PM »
I'm not sure if I'm reading the fine print correctly but do I have to deposit a minimum of 1k? Also how do you make deposits to Charles Schwab, electronically or in person?
Opening deposit has to be a minimum of $1k, not sure if it can be funded with a CC, if you can TARB
"JS [is] a fetid cesspool of unvarnished linguistic manure, with lots of useless drivel and post-padding." -Moishebatchy

Offline rileywiles23

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3778 on: March 08, 2017, 09:44:48 PM »
Thank you! I'm going to do that now!
Don't know if it helps, but CPC waives all fees for atm transactions
Life is as good as you make it...

Offline lubaby

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #3779 on: March 08, 2017, 10:27:33 PM »
Opening deposit has to be a minimum of $1k, not sure if it can be funded with a CC, if you can TARB
-1

Made an account a month ago. Deposited $10 right away as a transfer from my bank, then they sent me the ATM card.

You can deposit electronically. Bank transfers take 3-4 days to process. Checks normally take 1 day to process, but the first few times can take up to a week till it's available for withdrawal.