Listing of standby upgrades prices for THAI
#61
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: CPT
Programs: BA BD SA
Posts: 4,467
I must give kudos to TG for allowing upgrades on award tickets. It really is a good proposition all round.
For the pax it means that you get to upgrade at a fair (though not especially inexpensive) price. You can upgrade even if award availability was lacking in the higher class (as was my case). And you can upgrade specific legs rather than a whole ticket.
For TG, who would be carrying you in a lower class anyway, it means that they get a nice slug of revenue to carry you in a seat that would have been empty anyway a bit further forward in the plane. Essentially for the price of possible lounge access and a bit more expensive catering they get paid quite handsomely: you can buy a lot of catering for $825!
What impresses me about this is that TG have thought through the financial benefits to themselves. IME most airlines would just balk at the notion of allowing any latitude on an award ticket.
For the pax it means that you get to upgrade at a fair (though not especially inexpensive) price. You can upgrade even if award availability was lacking in the higher class (as was my case). And you can upgrade specific legs rather than a whole ticket.
For TG, who would be carrying you in a lower class anyway, it means that they get a nice slug of revenue to carry you in a seat that would have been empty anyway a bit further forward in the plane. Essentially for the price of possible lounge access and a bit more expensive catering they get paid quite handsomely: you can buy a lot of catering for $825!
What impresses me about this is that TG have thought through the financial benefits to themselves. IME most airlines would just balk at the notion of allowing any latitude on an award ticket.
#62
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: NE & SE Asia, N America
Programs: TG ROP Gold, Lifetime OZ Diamond Plus, BA Gold
Posts: 3,105
Yes, as you say it's a good deal for both TG and the passenger who wants to upgrade. I wish more airlines did it like TG does. Even the catering costs are arguably not any higher because I think normally the meals are ordered and prepared well in advance of the plane's departure and in most cases a last minute standby upgrader won't generate the need for any extra meals. They always load extra meals, especially for business/first class and will just do with one less extra meal. So for TG their only cost is the extra mileage that you'll earn on the standby upgrade.
#63
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: SYD
Programs: OW Emerald, QF Plat, SPG Gold, HH Gold, AMEX Plat
Posts: 159
update on my experience
I mentioned I was going to try the standby upgrade from BKK-DPS. I did so and followed the hints given by some of you here in this thread. Happy to report all worked fine. It is a slightly slow process but after going to the Royal Silk counters at BKK I was asked to wait about half an hour (there had been an aircraft change) and then when it was certain they had a seat I went to the ticketing desk to pay by CC - the cost was 8,800baht... which is more or less US$250 as per the chart provided.
I enjoyed the flight and as I was feeling quite tired the comfort was very welcome.
On the way back I decided to stick with Y. It was a fairly light load so I had plenty of space. I'd like to have u/g again but with a lack of expendable funds I resisted the temptations.
I agree this service is really worthwhile doing if you can afford the extra or make a last minute decision to fly in a higher class. I'd certainly be doing it on long haul any time.
I enjoyed the flight and as I was feeling quite tired the comfort was very welcome.
On the way back I decided to stick with Y. It was a fairly light load so I had plenty of space. I'd like to have u/g again but with a lack of expendable funds I resisted the temptations.
I agree this service is really worthwhile doing if you can afford the extra or make a last minute decision to fly in a higher class. I'd certainly be doing it on long haul any time.
#64
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,156
Any one know if I can do an upgrade on AC flight no. code-share operated by TG from BKK to HKG? BTW is the price list on the first post still current? So on arrival at the airport, I should go the ticket counter first before check-in or can I do it at the check-in counter? Many thanks.
#65
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Dublin
Programs: EY Platinum/M&M Gold
Posts: 819
how far in advance can you do this? flying c lhr to sydney...so the upgrade would be 870 usd if i upgraded lhr to bkk ( am on a 777 300 bkk to syd so there isnt any f)...would we get to use the f lounge if we were flying in on f and out on c? ?
#66
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: NCL and LBA
Programs: BD*G, BAGold, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 3,259
Yes you would get to access the F lounge and use the F spa too! ^
#67
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BKK.DPS
Programs: P THAI,Diamond HYATT
Posts: 3,290
Any one know if I can do an upgrade on AC flight no. code-share operated by TG from BKK to HKG? BTW is the price list on the first post still current? So on arrival at the airport, I should go the ticket counter first before check-in or can I do it at the check-in counter? Many thanks.
Hi irish mark, it's a standy upgrade and available at the airport on the day of your flight and YES, you will be able to use the lounge and the buggy, regards bkkrop
#68
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Dublin
Programs: EY Platinum/M&M Gold
Posts: 819
cheers....i'll be flying in from dublin the night before a morning flight..wonder if they would do it then....ahaaa forgot that the lhr to bkk will be on an a340 by the time i'm flying so f is smaller...will try anyhows
#69
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Dublin
Programs: EY Platinum/M&M Gold
Posts: 819
can you do standby upgrades with lh? on lh fra to bkk rtn in a few weeks...it would be nice to fly f on the way back and use the new first lounge (not the fct as i dont think i can use it if im in transit to dub)
#70
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,156
Hi Clipper801, sounds to me as if it's a TG flight on AC paper, so just check in at the F section, and ask for an upgrade to F, assuming you are flying C, if Y, hop into the business section. They will either process it themselves or direct you to the desk to the right along the front wall as you enter. Check your flights first, HKG only has a B747 and a 346 if you want F, and the A346 is the one to get. If the price has altered it would be mentioned in this thread.
Hi irish mark, it's a standy upgrade and available at the airport on the day of your flight and YES, you will be able to use the lounge and the buggy, regards bkkrop
Hi irish mark, it's a standy upgrade and available at the airport on the day of your flight and YES, you will be able to use the lounge and the buggy, regards bkkrop
I am booked in economy and look to do a stanby upgrade to business. I am AC Star Gold. According to TG's web site, I should alight near Entrance 4/5 to use Check In Rows H/J. I shall try to request the standby upgrade at the check in counter first.
I am flying TG600 which is scheduled with a 747.
Last edited by Clipper801; Mar 14, 2009 at 8:49 am
#72
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: CPH, BKK
Programs: OZ*G, AZ Gold, Etihad Gold, SK*G, BA Silver
Posts: 1,014
How did you do that? SAS EuroBonus declined to post C miles for my paid upgrade from a paid economy - just got 25% for S-class!
#73
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,761
I guess I must have been lucky then, seems there is no consenus on this mileage earning on upgrades.
Perhaps they had to change the booking class on my award, it was credited as C class in EB (not a restricted fare) when I put in the retroclaim.
Did you have to claim yours?
Perhaps they had to change the booking class on my award, it was credited as C class in EB (not a restricted fare) when I put in the retroclaim.
Did you have to claim yours?
#74
Moderator, El Al and Marriott Bonvoy, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ*G, Mar LTT, Hyatt Glb, AA LTG, LY, HH, IC, BA, DL, UA SLV
Posts: 12,012
Did a V->C upgrade Friday morning MEL-BKK last week. Cost was USD 695 = AUD 1102
For a while it wasn't looking bright as they couldn't get their CC swipe machine to work. They suggested I go to an ATM and pull the money then pay in cash. I asked if they'd discount the ATM fees from the price. Eventually they got it working but it is amazing they have no backup system like manual swipe or something. C was mostly empty.
Points haven't posted as of yet.
For a while it wasn't looking bright as they couldn't get their CC swipe machine to work. They suggested I go to an ATM and pull the money then pay in cash. I asked if they'd discount the ATM fees from the price. Eventually they got it working but it is amazing they have no backup system like manual swipe or something. C was mostly empty.
Points haven't posted as of yet.
#75
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,156
Just a note of caution - the standby upgrade works only with certain fare. The price difference may actually be cheaper and presumably at check-in, if I change my mind to fly business instead of economy, TG will only charge me the lower of the actual fare difference or the standby upgrade charge.
Example (based on Expedia.com today):
Bangkok to Hong Kong - one way
Economy US$444
Business US$572
The fare difference is US$128
The standby upgrade price is US$190
On the other hand, I can get CI business class for cheaper than TG economy at Zuji.
Example (based on Expedia.com today):
Bangkok to Hong Kong - one way
Economy US$444
Business US$572
The fare difference is US$128
The standby upgrade price is US$190
On the other hand, I can get CI business class for cheaper than TG economy at Zuji.
Last edited by Clipper801; Mar 16, 2009 at 12:27 pm