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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 732369 times)

Offline lansky

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4120 on: April 14, 2019, 01:20:17 PM »
What is the best award option for using points to fly within thailand?

Offline Z56

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4121 on: April 14, 2019, 03:24:31 PM »
What is the best award option for using points to fly within thailand?

Jal
“I have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for their lack of success. Great things come from hard work

Offline Denverite

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4122 on: April 15, 2019, 12:35:30 AM »
Jal

Not AF Flying Blue? Used those for Bangkok Airways last year. 10k OW

Offline Emkay

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Offline M

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4124 on: April 22, 2019, 07:47:38 PM »
Any recommendations for flights from MXP-BKK? Seems Thai Airways is the only one with direct but have been checking availability for business class and nothings opening up.

Also as far as points seem United after taking into account surcharges is the best although you can save some points with Aeroplan.

In Koh Samui does it pay to stay near Chabad or is the commute worthwhile? Would like to stay 5 nights so get 1 free in whichever hotel on points I decide. With Marriot Van Belle is the closest about 5 min drive and then the Ritz 15 mins, Conrad just seems so far for 5 nights. Any other suggestions?

Thank you!

Offline M

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4125 on: April 22, 2019, 11:47:54 PM »
Now that I finished reading all 275 pages :) I see not too many people have stayed at the Ritz Carlton Koh Samui? Does anyone have experience?

Has anyone tried The Library Hotel in Koh Samui location is excellent for Chabad?
« Last Edit: April 22, 2019, 11:51:34 PM by M »

Offline Moishebatchy

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4126 on: April 25, 2019, 10:02:05 AM »
Does the Le Meridien Chiang Mai still upgrade Platinums to suites as generously as they used to? Or did that get Bonvoyed up during the merger as well (just like everything else good about SPG that they destroyed)?

Online mochjas

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4127 on: April 25, 2019, 10:59:03 AM »
Now that I finished reading all 275 pages :) I see not too many people have stayed at the Ritz Carlton Koh Samui? Does anyone have experience?

Its pretty hard for too many people to stay here as it is a relatively new hotel

Offline blue eyes

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4128 on: April 27, 2019, 01:20:53 PM »
Any recommendations for a driver in Bangkok?

Offline lansky

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4129 on: April 28, 2019, 02:40:26 PM »
Someone mentioned they have a corporate code for LM in CNX. Can someone post it or PM it to me ASAP as I am going to be there this Tuesday? Thanks

Offline shwarmabob

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4130 on: April 28, 2019, 08:14:15 PM »
Any recommendations for a driver in Bangkok?
You don't need a driver in Bangkok. Take a taxi ask the driver to turn on the meter.

Offline M

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4131 on: April 30, 2019, 10:50:53 PM »
Someone mentioned they have a corporate code for LM in CNX. Can someone post it or PM it to me ASAP as I am going to be there this Tuesday? Thanks

I believe it was for the Shangri La

Offline Denverite

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4132 on: May 02, 2019, 10:44:12 PM »
Its pretty hard for too many people to stay here as it is a relatively new hotel

It also doesn’t really make sense redemption wise as their standard room is a hotel room and the “standard room” at the Conrad Koh Samui is private villa with a pool and kosher breakfast from Chabad.

Offline M

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4133 on: May 05, 2019, 10:36:41 PM »
Ritz Carlton versus Vana Belle? Ritz is 20k points less expensive room looks nicer but the standard room doesn't have a pool.

Has anyone stayed in Koh Phangan or Ko Tao overnight? Recommended? Tips?

Thank you!

Online bendor

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4134 on: May 07, 2019, 08:09:28 AM »
kosher breakfast from Chabad.
Is that for everyone or only for HH Diamonds?

Online mochjas

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4135 on: May 07, 2019, 08:10:49 AM »
Is that for everyone or only for HH Diamonds?
Golds should get it as well, but they never keep it sealed even when asked so try your best to explain it to them as I guess they didn’t understand me

Offline M

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4136 on: May 18, 2019, 11:28:19 PM »
Recommendations for the nicest hotel in a good location, 1 night in Bangkok? Thinking Park Hyatt?

Thanks

Offline mliebs1457

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4137 on: June 27, 2019, 04:36:46 PM »
Anyone have experience using MT 7 night cert as an additional guest in USM? Any risk of denied check in?

Offline Theg

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4138 on: June 27, 2019, 05:28:33 PM »
Anyone have experience using MT 7 night cert as an additional guest in USM? Any risk of denied check in?
3rd party bookings in Asia are very risky. I’ve personally had issues in Thailand but it all depends on the hotel. Some might let it fly others won’t

Offline Denverite

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #4139 on: July 03, 2019, 09:57:53 PM »
I booked for someone else using my HHonors account (they were the additional guest) at the Conrad USM and there was no issue at all and even gave them the free kosher breakfast as I’m a Diamond.