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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 743032 times)

Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1260 on: July 10, 2013, 02:30:54 PM »
Nice! Can't wait to read it.


@ Marco

I have a trip planned for late Dec/Jan - Used 120k UA + 15k Avios each for NY-MLE(6 days)-BKK(14 days)-HKG(2 days) all in J.
Thank you.
JFK-YVR-HKG in CX J = $0.00 (don't ask).
HKG-CNX in KA Y = 7.5K BA + ~$45
CNX-USM in PG Y = $230
USM-BKK-...-FRA...-NYC in TG F and LH F = 70K UA + ~$125
Any particular advantage to routing NYC-YVR-HKG? Lower bands to save on miles?
How was flying CX in J?
I need to figure out the best way to maximize my miles to get the higher class on the "longer flights" (NYC - HKG - CNX). Don't think i will get another 400K+ in BA miles to book it all through BA.
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline AJK

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1261 on: July 10, 2013, 03:08:06 PM »
It's just what was available. I highly recommend the non-stop if you can get it though. The 2 hour stop in YVR at 3am is a nightmare.
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 Marco Polo

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1262 on: July 10, 2013, 03:24:23 PM »
It's just what was available. I highly recommend the non-stop if you can get it though. The 2 hour stop in YVR at 3am is a nightmare.
Any advice how far out i should be looking to book the flights? Are certain legs easier to find availability?
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline AJK

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1263 on: July 10, 2013, 03:34:25 PM »
Any advice how far out i should be looking to book the flights? Are certain legs easier to find availability?

Best time is >11 mos and <2 weeks.

Generally, the shorter the leg the easier to find.
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 rots5

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1264 on: July 10, 2013, 04:02:12 PM »
My wife is 95% finished. I should begin posting over the weekend, hopefully.
thanks man! Waiting but working too on my own.

Thanks @drago. Im gonna put an itin together and then play it by air.
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Offline businessmachine

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1265 on: July 10, 2013, 06:27:59 PM »
JFK-YVR-HKG in CX J = $0.00 (don't ask).
HKG-CNX in KA Y = 7.5K BA + ~$45
CNX-USM in PG Y = $230
USM-BKK-...-FRA...-NYC in TG F and LH F = 70K UA + ~$125

My routing is a little different:

NYC-MXP....(10 hours during day)-IST-MLE in UA, TK J
MLE-SIN-BKK in SG J
BKK-USM-HKT-CNX-BKK in ???
BKK-HKG- in CX J
HKG-TPE-NYC in EVA J

Any thoughts/tips ?

Offline AJK

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1266 on: July 10, 2013, 06:44:34 PM »
Lotta segments! :P

TG and PG and low cost thai carrier fly your intra thai routes. I'd look there.
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 Marco Polo

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1267 on: July 10, 2013, 06:45:22 PM »
My routing is a little different:

NYC-MXP....(10 hours during day)-IST-MLE in UA, TK J
MLE-SIN-BKK in SG J
BKK-USM-HKT-CNX-BKK in ???
BKK-HKG- in CX J
HKG-TPE-NYC in EVA J

Any thoughts/tips ?
what did the miles cost per leg?
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline businessmachine

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1268 on: July 10, 2013, 07:01:33 PM »
Lotta segments! :P

TG and PG and low cost thai carrier fly your intra thai routes. I'd look there.

I know...my wife will kill me

Marco- NYC-BKK cost 60k UA in J
BKK-HKG- was 15k avios
HKG-NYC was 60k UA in J

Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1269 on: July 10, 2013, 09:44:25 PM »
I know...my wife will kill me

Marco- NYC-BKK cost 60k UA in J
BKK-HKG- was 15k avios
HKG-NYC was 60k UA in J

Thanks. Would love to get NYC-HKG in F for two. Not sure how realistic that is though.
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline Ergel

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1270 on: July 10, 2013, 09:58:13 PM »
My routing is a little different:

NYC-MXP....(10 hours during day)-IST-MLE in UA, TK J
MLE-SIN-BKK in SG J
BKK-USM-HKT-CNX-BKK in ???
BKK-HKG- in CX J
HKG-TPE-NYC in EVA J

Any thoughts/tips ?
Plans in mxp?
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline businessmachine

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1271 on: July 10, 2013, 11:11:13 PM »
Plans in mxp?

Still working on that. Definitely would like to do a little site seeing and try the kosher cuisine

Offline MEIR613

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1272 on: July 10, 2013, 11:17:42 PM »
Thanks. Would love to get NYC-HKG in F for two. Not sure how realistic that is though.
Why not, it's 55K AA each way in J and 67.5 in F.

If you are planning way in advance and you are flexible, you should be able to find something.

Offline Ergel

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1273 on: July 10, 2013, 11:24:35 PM »
Still working on that. Definitely would like to do a little site seeing and try the kosher cuisine
Don't think there is anything in the way of sight seeing. When are you going?
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline businessmachine

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1274 on: July 10, 2013, 11:26:14 PM »
Will be there Dec 16th. Have you been?

Offline Ergel

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1275 on: July 10, 2013, 11:26:33 PM »
Will be there Dec 16th. Have you been?
During August. Nothing was open in the way of Jewish food
Don't think there is much to see, just a lot of shopping
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline moish

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1276 on: July 11, 2013, 03:11:55 AM »
if youre into art, you can see da vincis the last supper. but if you were into art, you would already know that...

Offline chuchem

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1277 on: July 11, 2013, 05:53:45 AM »
if youre into art, you can see da vincis the last supper. but if you were into art, you would already know that...
Why is it still there? Didnt he eat it?

Offline moish

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1278 on: July 11, 2013, 06:02:35 AM »
Why is it still there? Didnt he eat it?
oy...

swiss humor i guess..  ;)

Offline rots5

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Re: Thailand Master Thread
« Reply #1279 on: July 11, 2013, 08:04:07 AM »
did anyone here do the snake farm in chiang mai?

is it near any thing?
as it turns out the croc farm is next to tiger kingdom
If you have any questions please search and then ask. PM me for detailed help.