Asia - RT Business Class Airfares LAX-BKK or BKK-LAX How Much?

Hi All,

New to this forum. Thank you all for contributing to such a wonderful resource.

I am planning to travel from LAX to BKK on an annual basis. I don't have to, but really want to travel business class but couldn't normally afford it. I heard that it is cheaper to fly oneway from the US and then buy RT from overseas to here. Don't know how much I should expect to spend on business class. Any thoughts or suggestions are greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Off the top of my head, I'd say that you'll be looking at around $1500 each way if you buy in the US v. <$1000 each way if you buy in Thailand. Additionally, you will probably have a greater choice of carriers ex-BKK.

That said, the fact that you are only going be flying once a year, doesn't pencil out too well from a cash flow standpoint (not to mention that many air fares, particularly on UA and NW, are only valid for 6 months). If you are going to be traveling with a companion, I would suggest looking into the Amex 2-for-1 promotion.

Otherwise, as long as you are willing to fly airlines like CI, BR, PR, and KE, attractive deals are often on offer.

One more thought, keep in mind that you needn't limit yourself to RT tickets because most business class tickets are priced as one ways. As such, you might consider flying down there in BR Evergreen Deluxe and back in the business class of your choice.

Bad timing for you to start now.

For the past 3 years, NW had run a BC sale for the year end period. $1,500-1,800 r/t. No sign of it thus far this year. My opinion is that NW doesn't need to as it has shrunk daily BC capacity to BKK and a few other Asian destinations (by over 50% to BKK).

Do a search. There have been reports of a OZ fare BKK-YVR (BKK-ICN on OZ, ICN-YVR on AC) for some USD 1,700, and also very cheap fares ex-CMB.

You could also try to look for agents of CI, KE and other airlines who may be able to offer discounted fares ex-LAX.

See/search in the Other Asian airlines forum

>If you are going to be traveling with a companion, I would suggest looking into the Amex 2-for-1 promotion.


Sorry for my ignorance, but where can I get the details on the Amex 2-for-1? I can not find it on the AMEX web site.

>If you are going to be traveling with a companion, I would suggest looking into the Amex 2-for-1 promotion.


Sorry for my ignorance, but where can I get the details on the Amex 2-for-1? I can not find it on the AMEX web site.

https://www124.americanexpress.com/cards/platinum/airprogram.jsp

Unfortunately I will be travelling alone, so amex deal won't work. Does anyone know what are the advantages in term of comfortability b/w Eva Air Economy Deluxe and an airline business class. It has been a long time since I travel internationally and I am so dreadful for average 20 hours flight! If I just want a comfy seat (I don't drink and I don't care about bonus mileage), does it worth it for me to travel on business class?

Thank you for all your help!
Kay

[QUOTE=ktla97Does anyone know what are the advantages in term of comfortability b/w Eva Air Economy Deluxe and an airline business class. [/QUOTE]

Since you are, presumably, a rational consumer (as opposed to a large corporation with a black and white travel policy that airlines and employees of large corporations can exploit to their mutual benefit), I think you would find that ED comprises an excellent value. The fact that it sells out on a regular basis (when other classes are half full), should be proof enough.

Basically, you get the same service as the rest of coach, but the seat is one notch better than domestic first. Additionally, the flight times are ideally suited for sleeping in both directions.

Unfortunately I will be travelling alone, so amex deal won't work. Does anyone know what are the advantages in term of comfortability b/w Eva Air Economy Deluxe and an airline business class. It has been a long time since I travel internationally and I am so dreadful for average 20 hours flight! If I just want a comfy seat (I don't drink and I don't care about bonus mileage), does it worth it for me to travel on business class?

Thank you for all your help!
Kay

Evergreen Deluxe is equivalent to a domestic business class seat in North America. You will get a 38 inch seat pitch, instead of 10 seats across (3-4-3) on a 747-400 you will only have 8 seats across (2-4-2). Seats are quite comfortable. You will have own IFE but only 6 channels of which probably only 3 will be of interest to you. It's a very inexpensive and comfortable way to get to South East Asia.
As previously already mentioned, you can also buy a one way on EVA ED Class to BKK and then buy a one way on China Air for example coming back.
For me EVA Air has always been adequate and comfortable. I rather spend the extra on a nice hotel at the destination, and there are many great hotels in South East Asia.
You can check both return and one way fares on the EVA Air website: www.evaair.com.
Also check out the China Airlines website, I have heard only good things about them recently, especially their business class: www.china-airlines.com.
There is also a lot of good information on the "Other Airlines in Asia" forum for EVA Air and China Airlines:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=470&page=1&sort=lastpost&order=&pp=25&daysprune=10
Hope this helps.

In December Thai Airways is supposed to introduce its nonstop between LAX and BKK. Their Premier Economy is supposed to be excellent. Since the TG website is rather quirky, you may want to call them directly to get an idea of cost. I paid $1540 for Premier Economy on the JFK-BKK nonstop. Since the distance is similar between LAX and BKK (the nonstop will fly over the pole), the fare should be representative of what it will cost from LAX as well.

www.travelocity.com

surprisingly often has BKK-LAX roundtrip in business on Korean or Delta (operated by Korean - same flights) for less than US $1700 r/t.
The fare is only FROM BKK not from LAX, so you may need to be creative the other way.

Don't know anything about the connection times or quality of Korean Bus. class, but it is a great fare nonetheless.

www.travelocity.com

surprisingly often has BKK-LAX roundtrip in business on Korean or Delta (operated by Korean - same flights) for less than US $1700 r/t.
The fare is only FROM BKK not from LAX, so you may need to be creative the other way.

Don't know anything about the connection times or quality of Korean Bus. class, but it is a great fare nonetheless.

1700 isn't surprising at all, actually, and is the entire point of this thread (the op is considering getting a ow to bkk and flying rts from there)

Definitely fares are cheaper with flights orignating in BKK. The only hiccup may be that on tourist visas Thai immigration likes to know what your departure flight is. You may need to do a bit of groundwork if you are going to arrive a one-way ticket.

Rampo mentioned tourist visas as an impediment. Never have I been asked about a continuing ticket when entering Thailand. The chance of this is so low that it is a non-issue. Now if you arrive with hair to your knees, barefooted and smelling like a barnyard, they might ask.

1700 isn't surprising at all, actually, and is the entire point of this thread (the op is considering getting a ow to bkk and flying rts from there)


yes, I "get" the point of thread. What is surprising is the source which is a mainstream US online travel site, as opposed to the usual recommendations of "go to your local Chinatown/Ethnic neighborhood travel agent".

Rampo mentioned tourist visas as an impediment. Never have I been asked about a continuing ticket when entering Thailand. The chance of this is so low that it is a non-issue. Now if you arrive with hair to your knees, barefooted and smelling like a barnyard, they might ask.
I was more noting it as a possible issue rather than a firm impediment. I also have never been asked to show my return ticket and agree that in most cases it probably wouldn't matter, but then again I've never been asked to show my arrival flight boarding pass but I do know some people who HAVE been asked for it. Departure date and flight number are required on the immigration form, and I assume that some of the immigration officers might notice if left blank. I would still recommend giving the Thai consulate or embassy a call just to find out if a return ticket is needed for a 30-day visa, and if it is, how to work around it.

Fortunately I am a Thai national so I don't think they will make a big deal when I only have one-way ticket. :)

With many help from my good travel agents, I hope I can finalize this trip within a couple days (I just need to book my return flight). I took all of your advice above and got myself a one-way EVA Air Economy Deluxe ticket out of LAX to BKK for $600 (weekend flight). I had contacted travel agencies in Thailand and was quoted MH business class roundtrip for 50,000 baht (approx. $1,200). I am getting a one year ticket so I can save the lax-bkk for next year when I go to Thailand. Although I wanted my return trip to be November 19th but was told that I can't get a flight from BKK to KUL as the earliest flight will get me to KUL by noon but the KUL MH94 leaves at 9am. With no other chocies, I will have to come back to the US on Nov 20th when MH flight 94 from KUL is around 3pm.

Thank you all. I am keeping my fingers crossed--hopefully the MH flight is not yet full. Otherwise I will have to go back to the drawing board again. :)

This forum is really awesome. Thank you all for contributing!

Kay

Fortunately I am a Thai national so I don't think they will make a big deal when I only have one-way ticket. :)
Yeah, I think you're covered ;) Have a great trip.