Asia - Any tricks for a cheaper BKK-REP-BKK RT flight?

So everyone knows that BKK-REP-BKK is notorious for being way too expensive for a one hour flight because of Bangkok Air's monopoly on the route. Anyone have any tricks to get that flight cheaper?

Not really any tricks. You can try their website for somewhat discounted fares, depending on month/day you are traveling. This is going to be tough in peak Nov-Feb season, but maybe if you this far book in advance. I don't even think Bangkok-based travel agents can do too much on better pricing for these flights. And watch out for the required added taxes.

There is also a Bangkok Airways Discovery Airpass which is good for minimum of 3 flight segments and useful if needing to fly this much PG regionally, but not cost-effective just for a simple round trip on the BKK-REP-BKK route. And the Pass books into a fare class that isn't infinitely flexible for changes, so if traveling in peak season, you still need to have a pretty firm itinerary/schedule to make it work out.

Doesn't look like there much work around if you want to fly. You can get a cheap Air Asia flight BKK-PNH but then you would have to go overland from there. Connecting another ticket is more expensive than the PG nonstop.

You could always take the land route. I seem to recall reading that the drive is much easier now than it used to be.

The Discovery Airpass promotion requires purchase of a minimum of three coupons or flight segments. If your plans only involve BKK-REP-BKK, then this wouldn't help. But If you intend to travel to other destinations served by PG before or after REP, this promotion might make sense and lower your overall expense.

We didn't look too hard, but on the surface we couldn't find anything cheaper, if you wanted a direct flight out of BKK. By the oddest of coincidences we have projects coming on line in Cambodia and Mynamar and there is a direct flight between both countries now. Silkair are also adding to their flights. We also found that Phnom Penh was very exciting,m great food, shopping and a pleasant climate and TG operated discount fares on that run whilst Vietnam airlines and Cambodian handled the domestic stuff. if you are looking for a super hotel special, Sofitel who run a fine property in both cities sent a promo today offering REP at $163 and $200 in PNH. and if you are going to HAN, the Metropole at $190 has to be unbelieveable Now if you have the right cards and able to up that to a club room/floor these are worthy prices

There is also a Bangkok Airways Discovery Airpass which is good for minimum of 3 flight segments and useful if needing to fly this much PG regionally, but not cost-effective just for a simple round trip on the BKK-REP-BKK route. And the Pass books into a fare class that isn't infinitely flexible for changes, so if traveling in peak season, you still need to have a pretty firm itinerary/schedule to make it work out.

The problem you'll find with the Discovery Airpass is that segments must book into an 'L' fare and on some routes these are limited/non existent.

If you'll be in Laos you can find better availability using QV from VTE (via PKZ) if the airpass is something you're interested in.

Other than that the prices don't come down. Another tidbit, which you'll probably find interesting but useless, is that prices exREP (and PNH) are a fair bit cheaper than exBKK.

The problem you'll find with the Discovery Airpass is that segments must book into an 'L' fare and on some routes these are limited/non existent.

If you'll be in Laos you can find better availability using QV from VTE (via PKZ) if the airpass is something you're interested in.

Other than that the prices don't come down. Another tidbit, which you'll probably find interesting but useless, is that prices exREP (and PNH) are a fair bit cheaper than exBKK.

(bolding mine) Yes, that is what I was alluding to, though normally a limited number of L fare seats are available on flights to REP.

Based on another thread, I think this OP is on a very limited time schedule and fairly rigid itinerary needs, so substituting PNH flight + overland, or overland to/from BKK, are probably not great options.

So everyone knows that BKK-REP-BKK is notorious for being way too expensive for a one hour flight because of Bangkok Air's monopoly on the route. Anyone have any tricks to get that flight cheaper?
Yeah, the trick is to not fly that route. Either go somewhere different before or after Siem Reap.

Like another poster mentioned, fly into Phnom Penh, enjoy the river front, take a bus to Siem Reap (there are many), and after you've seen the temples for a few days, fly to BKK.

If time is a factor, then you don't really have a choice.

(bolding mine) Yes, that is what I was alluding to, though normally a limited number of L fare seats are available on flights to REP.

Based on another thread, I think this OP is on a very limited time schedule and fairly rigid itinerary needs, so substituting PNH flight + overland, or overland to/from BKK, are probably not great options.

Yep!

Thanks for the replies anyway, I think I'll just suck it up and pay. At least I'll get 2x points on the sapphire card..

Yep!

Thanks for the replies anyway, I think I'll just suck it up and pay. At least I'll get 2x points on the sapphire card..

Do you have any other points? Like SPG points? You could convert these points into Air Berlin topbonus points and redeem them on PG. I believe it is 10K points OW/20K roundtrip.

Another option if you do fly to PNH is to take the boat up to REP. It's about the same length of time as a bus (~6 hours) and more pleasant IMHO.

Another option if you do fly to PNH is to take the boat up to REP. It's about the same length of time as a bus (~6 hours) and more pleasant IMHO.

The boats run less than 6 months a year and during the low water season (when they are running) there's a good chance the time will be 8+ hours. Then you need to transfer into Siem Reap by van/car/tuk tuk. Combine this with a price of $35 per person and a couple is much better off getting a Camry for the 4-5 hour drive at a total cost of $65. For three people the Camry is a no-brainer.

The boats run less than 6 months a year and during the low water season (when they are running) there's a good chance the time will be 8+ hours. Then you need to transfer into Siem Reap by van/car/tuk tuk. Combine this with a price of $35 per person and a couple is much better off getting a Camry for the 4-5 hour drive at a total cost of $65. For three people the Camry is a no-brainer.

I agree that it depends on the time of year as to whether the boat is an option or not. Based on his other post it sounds like they are traveling in November. The water levels are high at that time.

I drive on National Hwy 6 between PNH and REP at least once a month (including leaving again tomorrow), so other than the stop in Skun there isn't anything too exciting along the way. Since it was their honeymoon, I just wanted to give them another option. To each their own, I guess.

In the end it sounds like they are short on time for their honeymoon and will be flying from BKK-REP.

I was able to book a bit cheaper from asian travel sites (travelocity.co.th is what I used - there's a button to change the language to English in the top right).

I was a bit buzzed at the time, though, and chose the wrong dates (since their calendars are Mon-Sun rather than Sun-Sat), so be careful that you have everything correct. It's a pain to call customer service in Thailand.

Man, this short RT just went up to $470pp. Should have booked earlier, so mad. Any other ideas on using points for this or is it just Air Berlin 20k RT per person? Any way to get Air Berlin miles besides through SPG?

Good Lord that's a lot of money.

I would either fly to Phnom Pehn and take a bus or I would just take a bus from Bangkok. It's not worth the money unless you're rich and/or desperately short on time.

The bus from PP is easy. Cheap but takes several hours. Well worth the multi-hundred dollar savings per person.

The trick is to fly from Singapore. SIN-REP-SIN can be had for <$300 ai.

The trick is to fly from Singapore. SIN-REP-SIN can be had for <$300 ai.

Is that on MI of 3K?

According to the Phnom Penh Post there is anew charter operation starting flights between REP and U-Tapao for $99 return. So it might be worth the drive down there. Supposed to be flying 737's 3x per week.

We'll see how long that lasts

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2012091458724/Siem-Reap-Insider/air-hanuman-set-to-take-off.html

Hmm, Air Hanuman indeed. I'll believe it when they start flying passengers for real. I seem to remember another would be carrier (not on the REP route however) called Crystal Thai Airlines, which never quite got off the ground (pun intended)....and has now morphed into "U Airlines" with new investors, and still trying to take wing.

If Air Hanuman gets going, it would be interesting to do the cost/time benefit equation for going down to Utapao and flying to REP vs just heading out overland to REP from Bangkok. Seems that by the time you get down there in time to do the pre-flight usuals and fly, that you'd already be at Aranyaprathet and across the border; in short, over halfway to SR already. Of course, if you're already down in the Pattaya/Jomtien area, would definitely be worth a consideration. This assumes it is a safe operation.

given how small the operations are at UTP it's not like you would need to get there too especially early for your flight. But it is obviously a bit of a trek from central BKK. Takes about 1:15-1:30 to get to Pattaya in light traffic. So the extra distance to UTP probably adds another 30 minutes maybe?

I would imagine that the border crossing is a lot less hassle when you fly.

But, yeah, I agree that there have been plenty of announced airlines/charter ops supposed to be starting up that never happened.