Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus - Will TG open an award for the 50% Gold

Hey guys,

Inspired by another thread on here I'm going to use this years 50% award from a MEL-BKK-Europe return in July in J. I can't quite make the flights I want work for a number of reasons. There is actually plenty of award seats in J open but I just can't quite get the BKK-MEL flights to marry up with the flights I want into and out of Europe.

I could settle with different dates and slightly changing plans, but does anybody have any experience with TG opening award seating? I don't want to be on a wait list for three weeks, but if the could tell me in a couple of days that would be great?

Any experience?

Cheers,
AB

In my experience, TG are outstanding at looking after their ROP*G and especially ROP*P members. On more than one occasion, they have released seats for me so I could make an award booking when there was otherwise no award availability. So, yes, if you're a member in good standing then I would have thought they will release seats for you.

Of course, if you're wanting to book at a busy time and there are only a few seats remaining, they may make the understandable decision to hold the seat for revenue pax. The Olympic Games get underway in London later this year, so if you're looking to travel in August you may find availability is not as good as it would otherwise be.

Happy travels.

In my experience, TG are outstanding at looking after their ROP*G and especially ROP*P members. On more than one occasion, they have released seats for me so I could make an award booking when there was otherwise no award availability.

+1.

I have never had a waitlist for an award seat (business) not clear, and would have had at least a dozen waitlisted seats over the last 3 years all clear.

In fact, last week, I was in the same situation as the OP - needing to match up a BKK-BNE with a corresponding Europe-BKK flight, for 2 award seats in J (Mrs & Master AN*G). Ended up needing to waitlist for the BKK-BNE, which was showing C0 D0 J0 Z0 at the time, and pretty much stayed that way. A request from the local Thai office to BKK capacity control, and the required 2 award seats were opened up on a C0 D0 J0 Z0 flight within 48 hours, and they were confirmed. Probably helps that Mrs is a TG*P and Master is a TG*G

A request from the local Thai office to BKK capacity control, and the required 2 award seats were opened up on a C0 D0 J0 Z0 flight within 48 hours, and they were confirmed. Probably helps that Mrs is a TG*P and Master is a TG*G

Despite its short comings, customer service like this is what makes TG awesome! The people in my local TG office are rockstars... nothing is too much trouble. If you're TG*P, then flying TG is a dream.

[QUOTE=AN*G-BNE;18584722 Probably helps that Mrs is a TG*P and Master is a TG*G[/QUOTE]

I don't think Bangkok sees much of it, was down at their offices in Si Lom yesterday, sorting out some tickets, they were surprised that the whole group was *G.

AB, I have worked out that they don't put me on waitlist, unless they know it is going to clear, and I find that the slightest push by me, will get it cleared, so nowadays I don't worry.

If buying any of the new special 30/60 day business/economy, just take note that we can't use our upgrades on them, even if they are earning miles, I got caught. Enjoy your trip

Yes I can also agree service is great on getting award seats when you are Gold.

Almost always get a posoitive result unless a particularly busy time such as New Year or maybe the upcoming olympics.

Since they changed the Birthday award to this 50% award discount I, like many other ROP G and P members are much happier with ROP.

AB,
are you ROP Gold or ROP Platinum level?
As a Platinum member I recently got this information which should apply to other members too, but effective 1.June only (as per TG office...):

quote:
"As an elite Platinum status member your Platinum Award 2012 entitles you to a 50% mileage reduction on THAI Air Awards twice this year.

Now, you can also take advantage of redeeming THAI Air Awards at 25% less miles, on all international routes and in all classes of service during 01 June - 15 September 2012.

While this offer is available to all Royal Orchid Plus members, we invite you as an elite Platinum status member to redeem, and commence travel earlier if you wish, during an exclusive top tier pre-offer booking period during 21-31 May. This advance booking period will give you top priority when redeeming this special award for your preferred travel dates.

During the 11 day pre-offer period, and until 15 September 2012, bookings can be made instantly online at www.thaiairways.com/rop when departing from Thailand, Euro zone countries, Australia and Japan.

Log into your account using your membership number and PIN, at Redeeming Miles, click on Air Awards followed by International.

Bookings can also be made by contacting THAI reservations world-wide. Kindly identify yourself as a Platinum status member, and reservation staff will be pleased to assist you.
Terms and Conditions: 25% mileage reduction is valid on all THAI operated flights and in all classes of service for roundtrip travel that may commence 21 May 2012 for Platinum and Gold status members only, with all travel completed by 15 September 2012. This offer is valid for redemption by members or their Award Nominees. Award seating is subject to availability. No re-routing or mileage re-credit permitted after ticket issue."
unquote

Hi CS,

Yes I'm a Gold member and also received the 25% offer. A phone call to TG by another member on here advised that unfortunately you can't combine the 50% and 25% :) .. it was worth a shot.

In any event, I did ask ROP to wait list me on flights from MEL-LON and back OSL-MEL in July. Given its Olympic time in London and most flights where showing as little Business class availability I had little hope of getting into London, but after 2 days on the waitlist the lovely ladies at ROP called and said it had all cleared!

Taxes are still expensive at $750, but for a 85,000 mile J class award to Europe and back, I'm a happy camper.

Service like this is why I stick with TG.