Randy Petersen

Welcome to FlyerTalk.

The Newbie Lounge is a place where you can get answers to your questions about Thai Airways and the Royal Orchid Plus program. No question is too stupid, nothing is taken for granted, and anything about Thai you were afraid to ask elsewhere, or weren't sure where to ask, you can ask here.

We realize that FlyerTalk is a huge place. Until you learn your way around, feel free to post here without fear of retribution or reprimands for not using search. Our volunteer Ambassadors will be monitoring the lounge to assist you in finding your answers but I think you'll find that all members of FlyerTalk are here to assist you with answers and advice.


We're all glad you are here.

pentop

Okay, I'll be first. I'm flying a Y fare on Thai from BKK to LAX next week. I'm stuck in the back. How can I choose my seat ahead of time and perhaps get the coveted exit row?

hgp

Generally TG doesn't pre-allocate exit row seats however there are exceptions from time to time (depending on who you are and who you know). If you're ROP*G then you may be lucky. Best bet is to get to the airport early and request it on check-in.

Good luck.

BKKROP

Nice to see the "ambassador" tag on your post, hgp, congratulations and may I compliment you and Flyertalk on an excellent service.

pentop

Wow. Genteel service. Kind, thoughtful words. I could get used to this.

Many thanks.

kiam

Most of my trips (except non-mileage accrual fares), you should be able to call and put "on request" for either front row seat (of each cabin section) or exit seats. I am not 100% sure if the reasons my requests were mostly granted (meaning I got what I requested when I checked in) because of my Gold status, but if you really need to sit in the front row or exit, on request is not gauranteed but better than waiting until checking in (which most of the time someone else who checked in before you would get it). Travel agent won't be able to block those seats for you and TG won't be able to confirm them either. It is unreasonable (especially for Gold members), but it is what it is.

As a volunteer ambassador, I still have so much to learn but at the same time I welcome an opportunity to assist as much as I can.

forumpersona999

The official reason is that the check-in agent needs to assess whether you are physically and mentally able to follow instructions and possibly assist the crew in an emergency by operating the emergency exit door.

The don't want to promise you the exit row seat on the phone and then find you are frail / intoxicated / whatever when you check in. Requesting it by phone will usually cause them to put a note with your request on the PNR and pre-allocate you a seat *near* the exit row seat. Subsequently showing up at the check-in counter as a status pax with plenty of time to spare yields the best results.

Once you are seated, the FA are also supposed to show you the special emergency procedures card in the seat-back for exit row seats and again confirm with you that you get the drift and ensure that you understand that in an emergency you may well be called upon to clear the exit and operate the door. TG often skip that little pre-takeoff chat.

The_Bhoy

I suspect I already know the answer to this, but here goes...

I've booked a ticket from KBV to BKK on one of the TG "Hot Deals" fares (which is W, I think), but I've realised I booked the wrong date. Has anyone ever had any luck changing a W ticket or is it just a case of having to cancel and buy another one?

I only bought it a couple of hours ago if that makes any difference.

hgp

I'd say you're out of luck. If it's a non-flexible ticket it will be difficult to change, esp of you bought online/through an agent. But there are exceptions to almost every rule, so I'd try calling TG and explain the situation.

Are you a TG regular? That would help a little!

H

The_Bhoy

Thanks H.

I couldn't really call myself a TG regular, but I do have 6 flights with them over the course of 3 weeks (mixture of F and J), so I hope that might give me some change of getting an exception.

I called the number on the TG website (UK), but they said I would have to e-mail the Thailand office to ask about changes, so I have sent over a grovelling e-mail.

Still not too hopeful, but worth a try I guess! If I had been paying attention I would have went for the next fare bucket up as that was only THB200 more each (and allows changes for a THB500 fee), but then again, if I had been paying attention I would have booked the right dates in the first place!

hgp

Flying F & J should help a bit... if you can, get into a TG ticket office a plead your case. You may have a bit more success there.

Emailing Thailand probably will not yield happy results... many have reported emails the general address are a bit of a black hole. But TG does have the ability to surprise and delight in the most unexpected ways. If you're lucky, then that's a bonus. If not, then you can't be disappointed.

Enjoy your travels!

chollie

I'm going to be flying TG for the first time in December, LAX-BKK-CMB. LAX-BKK is in PE and BKK-CMB is in J.

I'll have loo-o-ng layovers in BKK both ways. What club access will I have?

(I ask because I'll be on 'mixed' tickets, Y and J).

dsquared37

In the absence of *A gold status you'll be gaining lounge entrance only during your wait for the BKK-CMB segment.

chollie

Oops. I should have mentioned that. I'm *A Gold travelling on a Y-J-J-Y LAX-BKK-CMB itinerary. I have searched but it's still not clear to me what lounge access I have when.

I have long layovers. On the return I think I leave my hotel in early afternoon but don't fly out until late at night. That's when I really would like lounge access.

vbroucek

In this case I would rather recommend to try to get late check out of the hotel. That's much better than hanging around lounges and that's what I alwyas do. If having status, some hotels do it without too much fuss, without status it can cost, but definitely worth the money...