ROP Gold and THAI Airways problems
Jan 31, 2017, 2:59 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: FRA/BKK
Programs: TG*Gold
Posts: 112
ROP Gold and THAI Airways problems
I was traveling from deep Thai province to reach my morning TG flight from BKK airport to DPS in Bali. When I finally made it and prepared myself to stay overnight at BKK airport, THAI Airways refused me to check in.
I have heard at ROYAL SILK counter that they cannot check in me at midnight because my flight is in the morning and asked me to come 2 h before my flight.
So, I said this cannot be, because every passenger can check in 24h before scheduled flight and get his boarding pass.
- Yes, but not at the airport, and immigration control will not let me in, she said.
My TG ticket was upgraded since I have used my GUP and I was told at the airport that passengers with GUP tickets cannot check in online only at the airport. So, I had this problem. This morning I was trying to get my boarding pass in Royal Silk Class to Denpasar and I saw an error on the web page saying there is a ticket problem and I should contact Thai Airways. (They are really making me sick again and again and again!)
Finally, I checked in myself at the check in kiosk and there was no problem to get a boarding pass. So, I went back to that stupid c.. at Royal Silk counter and asked her. Where is your problem? You just let me go through half the BKK airport to find that check in kiosk. Is this Thai Airways Business class treatment? She laughed that Immigration officer will not let me in. I went there and asked if is any problem to go now, since my flight is in the morning. There was no problem whatsoever.
Let se what happens next. I went down after immigration control to Royal Silk lounge. I was refused to enter the lounge as a Royal Silk class, ROP Gold passenger because my flight is the morning. So I said to myself f... you all and left this always messy overcrowded lounge.
Thank you Thai Airways for that treatment. I know you will read it. I am still at the airport and I don't give a fig. I went to to EVA AIR lounge, also Star Alliance and there was no problem to enter the lounge. And still Iam not Eva Air member, I am THAI Airways frequent flyer, loyal passenger since 10 years!
I have heard at ROYAL SILK counter that they cannot check in me at midnight because my flight is in the morning and asked me to come 2 h before my flight.
So, I said this cannot be, because every passenger can check in 24h before scheduled flight and get his boarding pass.
- Yes, but not at the airport, and immigration control will not let me in, she said.
My TG ticket was upgraded since I have used my GUP and I was told at the airport that passengers with GUP tickets cannot check in online only at the airport. So, I had this problem. This morning I was trying to get my boarding pass in Royal Silk Class to Denpasar and I saw an error on the web page saying there is a ticket problem and I should contact Thai Airways. (They are really making me sick again and again and again!)
Finally, I checked in myself at the check in kiosk and there was no problem to get a boarding pass. So, I went back to that stupid c.. at Royal Silk counter and asked her. Where is your problem? You just let me go through half the BKK airport to find that check in kiosk. Is this Thai Airways Business class treatment? She laughed that Immigration officer will not let me in. I went there and asked if is any problem to go now, since my flight is in the morning. There was no problem whatsoever.
Let se what happens next. I went down after immigration control to Royal Silk lounge. I was refused to enter the lounge as a Royal Silk class, ROP Gold passenger because my flight is the morning. So I said to myself f... you all and left this always messy overcrowded lounge.
Thank you Thai Airways for that treatment. I know you will read it. I am still at the airport and I don't give a fig. I went to to EVA AIR lounge, also Star Alliance and there was no problem to enter the lounge. And still Iam not Eva Air member, I am THAI Airways frequent flyer, loyal passenger since 10 years!
Feb 1, 2017, 7:40 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: VZ
Programs: M&M, ROP, KrisFlyer
Posts: 1,028
step by step:
no longer personal check-in at counter on (calender)day before departure: most probably this is correct since "evening check-in" has been abolished at many airports years ago, at least in Europe, and there is also no 24hrs-rule - the 24hrs "rule" (?) applies to "online check-in" only.
No online check-in for Royal Orchid Plus Upgrade passengers? why not - no reason for that.
within 24 hrs check-in at kiosk - working. Was your baggage also accepted?
thai Lounge: no access on calender day before departure - most probably correct (if that means: in line with TG-procedures, for whatever reason, even if its only in order to avoid additional passengers during midnight peak hours...)
no longer personal check-in at counter on (calender)day before departure: most probably this is correct since "evening check-in" has been abolished at many airports years ago, at least in Europe, and there is also no 24hrs-rule - the 24hrs "rule" (?) applies to "online check-in" only.
No online check-in for Royal Orchid Plus Upgrade passengers? why not - no reason for that.
within 24 hrs check-in at kiosk - working. Was your baggage also accepted?
thai Lounge: no access on calender day before departure - most probably correct (if that means: in line with TG-procedures, for whatever reason, even if its only in order to avoid additional passengers during midnight peak hours...)
Feb 2, 2017, 2:09 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: FRA/BKK
Programs: TG*Gold
Posts: 112
step by step:
no longer personal check-in at counter on (calender)day before departure: most probably this is correct since "evening check-in" has been abolished at many airports years ago, at least in Europe, and there is also no 24hrs-rule - the 24hrs "rule" (?) applies to "online check-in" only.
no longer personal check-in at counter on (calender)day before departure: most probably this is correct since "evening check-in" has been abolished at many airports years ago, at least in Europe, and there is also no 24hrs-rule - the 24hrs "rule" (?) applies to "online check-in" only.
I had my small hand luggage only.
This was my first time I needed my airline to help me with my overnight stay at the airport. I have never got from THAI nothing which was for free. I'am not Thai citizen. Since 10 years I pay for everything. Tickets, upgrades and ex Europe high tax. All is on my bill. Now I really know what I mean for them. I like THAI but customer service disappointed me very much. Ive got so much hospitality and understand in EVA AIR lounge at gate F. Eva Air lounge closes at 3.30 am. The staff lady told me to come back in 1h since they have to clean the lounge. All was fine. I had my quick nap then little walk and came back to continue my lonely sleep at Eva air lounge. Pitty TK stopped matching Star alliance status after my experience I would definitely change the loyalty program.
Feb 2, 2017, 3:03 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BKK
Programs: TG ROP Platinum, M&M Senator, IHG Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 8,328
I think they really treated you miserably for a long time TG G passenger. I would have asked for the Supervisor at check in and insisted at check in and the same at the lounge
Feb 2, 2017, 8:01 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BKK
Programs: TG ROP Platinum, M&M Senator, IHG Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 8,328
Feb 3, 2017, 5:33 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 905
Part of the problem with Thai is BKK ( including the city offices, call centre, ROP admin). More often than not they will choose to block rather than facilitate. By and large they are unhelpful. I thought they had appointed some high-flying Australian executive to sort things out. He even made a brief appearance here, IIRC ( but soon disappeared without trace into the morass of mediocrity that is TG). So unless you are a TIP ( or just remotely related to one) don't expect anything from Thai BKK. They could care less about Gold?
That said, the experience in dealing with Thai elsewhere is so much better: the staff in the Australian centres are great: flexible, helpful, knowledgeable, professional. Without them I would have dumped Thai years ago ( rather than 2017 as is the current intent....)
That said, the experience in dealing with Thai elsewhere is so much better: the staff in the Australian centres are great: flexible, helpful, knowledgeable, professional. Without them I would have dumped Thai years ago ( rather than 2017 as is the current intent....)
Feb 3, 2017, 6:05 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BKK
Programs: TG ROP Platinum, M&M Senator, IHG Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 8,328
Part of the problem with Thai is BKK ( including the city offices, call centre, ROP admin). More often than not they will choose to block rather than facilitate. By and large they are unhelpful. I thought they had appointed some high-flying Australian executive to sort things out. He even made a brief appearance here, IIRC ( but soon disappeared without trace into the morass of mediocrity that is TG). So unless you are a TIP ( or just remotely related to one) don't expect anything from Thai BKK. They could care less about Gold?
That said, the experience in dealing with Thai elsewhere is so much better: the staff in the Australian centres are great: flexible, helpful, knowledgeable, professional. Without them I would have dumped Thai years ago ( rather than 2017 as is the current intent....)
That said, the experience in dealing with Thai elsewhere is so much better: the staff in the Australian centres are great: flexible, helpful, knowledgeable, professional. Without them I would have dumped Thai years ago ( rather than 2017 as is the current intent....)
Feb 3, 2017, 8:32 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
I've never had a problem checking in ridiculously early as *G. IME if the counters are open you can check in.
Feb 3, 2017, 8:03 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 905
I'm sure you are correct that Thai treats platinum members well but it isn't true for Gold, particularly in Bangkok...where the benefits are minimal and the treatment indifferent, probably reflecting the high numbers ( membership level attained through various mechanisms). The failure to offer fast-track immigration is only the most glaring lack ( especially when everyone knows that TIPs sail through that area, often escorted by Thai staff), overcrowded and pathetic lounges is another.