Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus - new lounge policy at BKK

I just departed from BKK and noted new policies.

In short, the lounge in D is NOT a designated *A Gold lounge anymore!
There are large signs advising that it is reserved for Premium Pax now and a staff appears to be checking your access rights on the shop level before you go down the stairs. There was nobody when i arrived but when i left and he just sent away 2 pax with *G cards in their hands.

*A Gold members are advised to use any of the TG lounges in C or E areas. A pretty good overview has been posted here (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/11566792-post47.html)

Not sure why, but I was granted access to D regardless based on my SEN card and a Y ticket on NH. The only real change I observed was that they removed the booze from the self-serve area and now you have to go to the serviced Bar near the escalators. Beer still in the fridges.

I didn't stay long and headed to the E lounges. Let me say on that occasion that I hate the fact that they replaced Bombay Saphire with Gilbeys some time ago. And also, JW Black was gone after a short time and when I asked they said they only have 2 bottles available per day. Not sure if that was always the case thou. Some other things like Ballantines and bottled beer (only cans now) are also dearly missed.

-Sebastian

(I start this as a new thread, because I fear if posting into any of the other lounge threads here, the news get overlooked by many. sorry if that was wrong or actually the "news" were posted before. I couldnt find it)

Hi.

I guess, acording to TG web page,
http://www.thaiairways.com/thai-services/on-the-ground/en/royal-silk-lounge.htm,
http://www.thaiairways.com/thai-services/on-the-ground/en/royal-orchid-lounge.htm,
*A Biz or F pax can only access Concourse E east and west Lounge.

According to the website there is no *G access to the lounges in C concourse?

yes....it looks like Star Alliance Golds can now only use the two E Concourse Thai lounges .....(but Golds can also use the Singapore lounge in A Concourse ...I head there anyway for dim sum and quiet time on the Macs after getting a head/shoulder massage at the TG Spa lounge when flying TG biz)

I kinda understand that decision because the main TG D Concourse lounge seems to be always super crowded (with Star Golds from what the attendants stated) almost everytime I dropped in (even in these depressed times)....

from other threads it seems that TG website listed only the E-lounges as *G since some time. however, we all know how reliable that site is:rolleyes:

I never had any issue with entrance to the C gate lounges and the large new signs at the D lounge clearly direct all *G to C or E.

that seems more logical...hope the sign is right and the website is wrong...

if you have a Star Alliance flight from Concourse C, but can only enjoy the lounge in Concourse E, the loooong walk along Concourse D would be a bother...

Oh no! I thought the peaceful and quiet E lounges were my secret find... They are now going to be overrun with *Gs!

Oh no! I thought the peaceful and quiet E lounges were my secret find... They are now going to be overrun with *Gs!

I was there last week Sat and had no issues accessing the C gate TG lounge as a *G traveling on OS in Y. The signs are there and they say that one should use C or E lounges.

I also like the E lounges, especially the one on the right hand side as you head down the pier. I always avoided the D lounge anyway as it was so crowded.

What about LH and LX First passengers? Will they still have access to the TG F lounge?

What about LH and LX First passengers? Will they still have access to the TG F lounge?

Yes.

Don't confuse Star Gold access (economy class passengers who hold Star Gold status on any Star carrier) with class of service lounge access.

Non-TG F passengers just won't get access to the spa portion of the F-lounge.

Yes.

Don't confuse Star Gold access (economy class passengers who hold Star Gold status on any Star carrier) with class of service lounge access.

Non-TG F passengers just won't get access to the spa portion of the F-lounge.

Thanks for the info. When flying from BKK I am always in C or F but usually I am flying on LH, LX or SK. Is it the case then that C pax on LH, LX or SK can still use the TG lounge in area D?

Booked in OZ C last week from BKK and I was given an invite to the Louis Tavern lounge at the base of the C pier.

Not so good. :td::td:

yes....it looks like Star Alliance Golds can now only use the two E Concourse Thai lounges .....(but Golds can also use the Singapore lounge in A Concourse ...I head there anyway for dim sum and quiet time on the Macs after getting a head/shoulder massage at the TG Spa lounge when flying TG biz)....

So you can get a massage if flying TG in J? What if we have are travelling in J on award tkts, do we still get the massage?

So which is the best lounge closest to the Athens departure gate on TG in J?

[QUOTE=djjaguar64;11747124]So you can get a massage if flying TG in J? What if we have are travelling in J on award tkts, do we still get the massage?
QUOTE]

Yes. I just traveled out of BKK on May 3rd. If rules haven't changed u can get a massage. 30 minutes if flying in TG award C. :D

I was only able to get 15 minutes since I got to the airport soo late. :(

We are travelling on TG metal in Business with an AC Aeroplan Award ticket,now will there be an issue with that?

We are travelling on TG metal in Business with an AC Aeroplan Award ticket,now will there be an issue with that?

There won' be any issue. You will be granted entry to any TG business class lounge.

I have a reward flight in F from LHR to BKK and then onwards in Y to PNH.

Will they allow us into the First lounge during our transit or will they insist we use the J lounge?

I had an F ticket from FCO connecting in J to KTM a while back and I'm trying to think whether or not I was buggied to the F lounge or not :confused:.

I have a reward flight in F from LHR to BKK and then onwards in Y to PNH.

Will they allow us into the First lounge during our transit or will they insist we use the J lounge?

I had an F ticket from FCO connecting in J to KTM a while back and I'm trying to think whether or not I was buggied to the F lounge or not :confused:.

If you are arriving in F, you should have no problem gaining entry to the F lounge during your transit. I have seen quite a few of people doing this even when they are connecting to a flight operated by a different carrier.

Booked in OZ C last week from BKK and I was given an invite to the Louis Tavern lounge at the base of the C pier.

Not so good. :td::td:

You could have gained access to any of TG's business class lounges (or the SQ lounge) by just showing your boarding pass. Ignore the invite.

Thanks for the info. When flying from BKK I am always in C or F but usually I am flying on LH, LX or SK. Is it the case then that C pax on LH, LX or SK can still use the TG lounge in area D?

Any TG business class lounge or the SQ lounge,

I recently used miles to get a TG biz class award ticket...no problems using TG Spa lounge for 1/2 hour head/shoulder or foot massage....(try to get a cubicle facing the planes instead of the interior of Concourse D)

I dont think you will have a problem as long as you have a TG boarding pass...

if your departing gate is in Concourse A (domestic only?), B or C, use the TG lounges in Concourse C.....

if the departing gate is in Concourse E, F, or G use the TG lounges in Concourse E


So you can get a massage if flying TG in J? What if we have are travelling in J on award tkts, do we still get the massage?

So which is the best lounge closest to the Athens departure gate on TG in J?

I recently used miles to get a TG biz class award ticket...no problems using TG Spa lounge for 1/2 hour head/shoulder or foot massage....(try to get a cubicle facing the planes instead of the interior of Concourse D)



Thanks Trajan, our flight will be departing for Athens, I am not sure what gates that will be. Does anyone on this board know? We arrive in BKK at 10 pm and our flight is at 12:35am.

Thanks Trajan, our flight will be departing for Athens, I am not sure what gates that will be. Does anyone on this board know? We arrive in BKK at 10 pm and our flight is at 12:35am.

Where are you coming from? If domestic into BKK the 2.5 hours window might be a little tight. Still certainly doable for a 30min neck and shoulder massage depending on when your arriving flight gets in.

Last month I flew Phuket (HKT) to BKK and then BKK to SIN in C class. The HKT – BKK flight parked at a bridged gate but we were forced to use the stairs outside to shuttle buses. The bus then drove around the tarmac to the domestic arrival area and connecting international passengers (people with CIQ stickers) were forced to once again go through security screening and a quick passport and boarding pass check. This process took about 45min as they only have 2 security lines and most of the plane from HKT connects to international destinations. I also didn’t see any preference given to C class passengers.
The walk from the domestic arrivals area to the D gates also takes 5 around min depending on how fast you walk and the time of day.

So my 1.5 wait turned out to be only a 45 min wait. I went to the SPA and the attendant said I would have to wait about 10min. I decided to skip the SPA service and went to the D lounge for a quick shower and a bite to eat. I also once again had to go through security at the gate just before boarding. Needless to say I was one of the last passengers to board the flight to SIN.

With your 2.5 hour window I think you should be fine. Just be prepared for the extra security screening.

Enjoy your massage

We will be arriving from SIN on SQ.

I decided to skip the SPA service and went to the D lounge for a quick shower and a bite to eat.

Where are the showers in the D lounge and when did they open them?

You could have gained access to any of TG's business class lounges (or the SQ lounge) by just showing your boarding pass. Ignore the invite.

Agreed, no need to suffer in the crappy LT lounge when you can enter the TG or SQ lounges based on the *A rules. When I flew on OZ out of BKK I didn't need more than a glance at the LT lounge to decide to head immediately to another lounge.

Orignially Posted by A_Lee

Where are the showers in the D lounge and when did they open them?


Sorry .. I meant E lounge ... the SPA is close to the D lounge.

Just flew TG in Y and was told to use the lounge at E concourse for *A Gold level members.

A word of caution - the lounge is located BEFORE security check. So, please allow extra time in case of a long queue at the security checkpoint.

For those with VAT refund to be processed, also allow extra time.

*A Gold International check-in is located at Aisle B.

Although I arrived at the airport a little over 2 hours before the scheduled departure time, I had to first queue at the VAT refund office at the end of door 4 to have the p.p. 10 form stamped, then go to Aisle B to check in, then long queue at the immigration, then long queue at the VAT refund office again after immigration for my refund. It took well over an hour and I had barely 15 minutes to use the toilet and to grab to quick bit at the TG lounge on level 3 near the E concourse before going to security clearance for my flight.

The departure time for my International TG flight was 8AM and arrived at the airport at about 5:50AM.

The boarding process was chaotic.

Ouch, anyone has any pics for the E lounge?

Just flew TG in Y and was told to use the lounge at E concourse for *A Gold level members.

A word of caution - the lounge is located BEFORE security check. So, please allow extra time in case of a long queue at the security checkpoint.



Ummm....all lounges are before the final security check point.

I might have, but in any case the 2 E lounges are similar to the Silk Lounges in Concourse C (there are 2 there as well), except that the right-hand lounge (when looking down the concourse towards security) has a small F section - hence the name Royal Orchid lounge (Royal Silk is biz only).

Cheers, TK

Ummm....all lounges are before the final security check point.

Correct. So one must leave the lounge a few minutes early to allow for potential long queue at the security check. It's a silly design and the only other airport similar is Changi in SIN where the security inspection is undertaken at the gate.

If I remember rightly, the lounges and main concourse are on different levels, each with a security check, so you shouldn't have much of a queue coming from the lounge. Last time, there was a small crowd of Indians hovering around because the woman heading the party was claiming to be a foreign minister who shouldn't have to be searched etc, but I managed to go right through.
Also, you don't have to rush to board the flight when the others do. I'm sure the airline prefer it, but you have time to wait a while to let the masses settle. Keep an eye on the board until your flight says final call.

It's a silly design and the only other airport similar is Changi in SIN where the security inspection is undertaken at the gate.

I guess you don't get around much in Asia as there are quite a number of airports with lounges before security. I find each method has it's own advantages and disadvantages and wouldn't call either general method 'silly'. Although certainly many implementations of security at various airports around the world, whether before or after the lounges, are so incredibly asinine that 'silly' doesn't begin to describe them.

Are the lounges in C concourse designated for *G access?

Are the lounges in C concourse designated for *G access?

Yes. Only D isn't.

Correct. So one must leave the lounge a few minutes early to allow for potential long queue at the security check. It's a silly design and the only other airport similar is Changi in SIN where the security inspection is undertaken at the gate.

VIE is just as bad :(

VIE is just as bad :(

But unlike VIE, this is a brand new airport and obviously was designed deliberately this way. In any case, this is just my personal perference.

My personal preference is definitely for the BKK/SIN style security because along with that method they allow arriving passengers full use of the airside area, with the exception of each individual gate area. The huge advantage for this in my case as a very frequent transit passenger is that I can arrive, get my onward boarding pass if I don't already have it, then go to a lounge for a shower/food/etc., then exit through immigration and spend some time in the city before coming back for my onward flight. For short transit times it's not important as there's no time to go outside the airport, but for long transit times it's quite boring to remain the entire time at the airport. Without lounge access on arrival, it means exiting the airport being sweaty and hungry and either having to pay for a shower/food or doing without. IMHO BKK is one of the best designed airports in the world for transit passengers, especially when flying TG, and SIN/SQ is way up near the top of the list as well. The BKK or SIN security method in my opinion should be the way all new airports should be designed.

If you have security at the actual gate, you don't really need to worry about the time through security because even if there's a long line, the flight's not going to depart while passengers are waiting to get into the gate area. For SIN cluster gates, or BKK where the security is at the concourse entrance, there might be a chance of you missing your flight if you're stuck in security, but mentioning to security or airline personnel that the final call has been announced I would think would likely permit you to jump the queue. If the security is after check-in, and you're stuck in a long queue, my guess is there's not as good of a chance of you making your flight.

Either way, you wait in a security queue, so what's the big difference? You're going to wait the same amount of time provided the number of scanners and screening method/implementation is the same.

Regardless though of my personal preference, I do realize that everybody is different and people have different uses/expectations of the airport. If I wasn't always transiting in BKK, then I might very well view the situation differently.

You're going to wait the same amount of time provided the number of scanners and screening method/implementation is the same.

Fair enough. You could even argue that by spreading security screening out into multiple sections of the airport, the line is on a whole shorter. Only those going on flights from the concourse in question will be lining up.

When comparing BKK to HKG, my preference will be the BKK-solution. The line in HKG can be significant, mostly from all the people not heading to "my" flight :rolleyes:

My personal preference is definitely for the BKK/SIN style security because along with that method they allow arriving passengers full use of the airside area,

That is easily solved by not doing the useless second security check. Like it has been in many European airports for a long time and now it taken away do to stupid EU rules :(

Sorry for leading the discussion somewhat OT. It exemplifies how difficult to please everyone. My personal preference will be to clear immigration and security checks, e.g., HKG, LHR, YVR, NRT and many other airports to enter the “sterile” departure area whether to do some last minute shopping, some food or simply relaxing at the lounge before the flight to simply arrive at the gate for boarding. I just like to get all those “formalities” out of the way. Other points are well taken that there may be some pros to the set up at BKK and SIN.

If you are arriving in F, you should have no problem gaining entry to the F lounge during your transit. I have seen quite a few of people doing this even when they are connecting to a flight operated by a different carrier.Now what about arriving in F without an onward flight? Any place to go in this case?

F.R.

Only to the buggy and to immigration/customs.

There is no arrivals lounge that was ever opened (there was a plan once....)

IMHO BKK is one of the best designed airports in the world for transit passengers, especially when flying TG, and SIN/SQ is way up near the top of the list as well. The BKK or SIN security method in my opinion should be the way all new airports should be designed.


I would really like some travelators so it would ease the 15 minute walk from one end of the airport to the other. Going from the E gates to the C gates or vice versa is really quite a distance, particularly for tighter connections.

I would really like some travelators so it would ease the 15 minute walk from one end of the airport to the other. Going from the E gates to the C gates or vice versa is really quite a distance, particularly for tighter connections.

On Level 2 (arrival level), there are travelators the entire distance between the C and E concourses, with the exception of the area in front of each immigration entrance where a few duty free shops are. It sounds like you're traversing the airport on Level 4 which is wall-to-wall duty free shops and no travelators except two very short ones.

I just noticed the following updated information for *A Gold level at TG's web site (http://www.thaiair.com/thai-services/on-the-ground/en/suvarnabhumi-departure-and-check-in.htm) at BKK:

"Royal Orchid Plus Gold / Star Alliance Gold

Drop off at Entrance No.2, PTC 4th floor
Dedicated Sit Down Check-in at Row B

Other premium services for ROP Gold and Star Alliance Gold card holders
3 Royal Silk Lounges (Concourse C, E)
Royal Orchid Lounge (Concourse E - West)"

Drop off at Entrance No.2, PTC 4th floor
Dedicated Sit Down Check-in at Row B

Which is really annoying considering the location of the security control, miles away!

Which is really annoying considering the location of the security control, miles away!
nobody won't stop you from using the conveniently located regular economy check-in :p;)