Wow! I've been wondering why I couldn't access this flight on the Thai website. I bought a RT starting July 17 to go get my wife and son and bring them back to the US. I bought a Economy+ un-restricted refundable and the receipt showed up as restricted. I guess I'll call and see if I can get a refund and book on Delta/Korean. What a bummer, this was the cheapest I could find to plan to get a short notice least expensive return flight for them as I'm not positive of our returrn date (hence the un-restricted refundable).
I have to wonder, given all this insanity about what's happening at JFK, what will be the future of the TG795/794 (LAX-BKK-LAX).
Seems to me that given the removal of the JFK route (even if it's in October) that TG will now rely more on the LAX route than ever (re-routing, etc.)
I wonder what others' thoughts are on this...is it conceivable that TG would cancel all flights to North America if the fuel crisis deepens even further?
What are the advantages of keeping the LAX route or not? Or having a stop (in KIX or wherever) instead of direct?
Not trying to stir up any anxiety--just wondering what others think...
Last flight out of JFK will be June 30th - I have just had to change my departure date form July 1st to this date to be assured of my GUP...
Apparently I could have waited until next week for the official confirmation but in that event they would transit me though LAX as upgraded seats have to be on Thai metal. I didn't So those of you with award seats or upgrades already ticketed - you'll be siphoned through LAX ...
MP rules nonwithstanding: The contract of carriage indicates the opposite - i.e. that they will try and find an acceptable alternative. It is likely that this is what they will do (though they may not be successful in all cases).
In your reading they could leave you stranded in Bangkok (if you're already there) after July 1st without you having any recourse.
I agree that, if past performance is any indication of future behavior, in those cases where award travel had begun UA would make an attempt to transport passengers. Said transportation might not be in the award ticketed class of service, nor on the exact date ticketed. My best guess is that UA would try to get you into economy on their metal, for BKK-NRT-nnn-JFK/LGA/EWR.
In cases where award travel has not yet begun UA/MP are under no obligation or requirement to transport you. They will simply cancel your reservation, refund the miles and and fees, end of story. For those who must travel, you could always redeem a Standard award, or purchase a ticket. Also you should consider travel insurance.
This is based on my personal experience and that of other first-hand FT reports over the past ~ 7 years. Some of the comments here re: UA/MP award travel seem based on wishful thinking, and/or naivete, rather than facts or real experience.
Last flight out of JFK will be June 30th - I have just had to change my departure date form July 1st to this date to be assured of my GUP...
Apparently I could have waited until next week for the official confirmation but in that event they would transit me though LAX as upgraded seats have to be on Thai metal. I didn't So those of you with award seats or upgrades already ticketed - you'll be siphoned through LAX ...
Sort it now if you can!
This is very helpful. Thank you.
I have a ticket on the JFK nonstop for American Thanksgiving: purchased a discounted Y fare and upgraded to Royal Silk using TG ROP miles. I figured TG would prefer to route me through LAX, so I guess I'll give TG a call and get it worked out. Timing will be slightly different-- better in some respects, not as good in others. Oh well.
It's really frustrating...I called Thai Air when I read the above. Reservations in LA said that they have no official word of this, so they can't do anything. The reservation agend said it was possible that the service will continue but with a stop, so they would not make any changes until they make such a determination. Any more inside info out there about whether this is a possibility?
I called Thai Airlines LA office and they said the same thing..."They have no official word from the Bangkok office"...I told them I do have official word from your information department and it states "Thai Air will no longer operate this route BKK-JFK-BKK after July 1st". The agent called me back and asked me to forward the email to her and she is checking it out.
My next plan of action is to ask.. "in a normal situation when a flight is cancelled what is their policy?" Im sure the answer is "get their customers on another flight"...if there is no flight....they get their customers on flights on other airlines... I have another Itinerary that uses American/Thai and ANA/American on the return that would take minimal rescheduling on my part.
We'll see...luckily it's a light work day and I have nothing but time to make sure they take care of this problem.
MP rules nonwithstanding: The contract of carriage indicates the opposite - i.e. that they will try and find an acceptable alternative. It is likely that this is what they will do (though they may not be successful in all cases).
In your reading they could leave you stranded in Bangkok (if you're already there) after July 1st without you having any recourse.
Most likely, UA will not leave one stranded in BKK, especially if one visits UA's BKK office (which is wonderful).
However, as transpac mentioned above, UA will most likely offer alternative on their own metal, but it might not be in the same class of service or even same date.
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I'm reading FT on Friday night because I have 6AM flight on Saturday morning...
My problem is that I booked my award tix thru US and they don't fly to Asia. Not surprisingly, they said it's not their problem.
Does anyone think there is a chance that they will continue the flight from JFK but stop somewhere?
Sorry to hear the news. Was able to get two C tixs this past April using United Miles...great flights up front...sad to see this go...was planning to take the flight again next year to get to Bali and some other places in SE Asia...hopefully it will come back???
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The question of an award ticket issued by another carrier interested me, and I took the time to read both United's and Thai's contract of carriage.
United's contract seems very clear. It says that the contract applies only to flights operated by United. United's contract goes on to say that if United issues a ticket for travel on another carrier, then it is that other carrier's contract of carriage that applies.
Thai's contract says the following about flights that are canceled due to schedule changes:
Quote:
If, after you purchase your Ticket, we make a significant change to the scheduled flight time, which is not acceptable to you, and we are unable to book you on an alternate flight which is acceptable to you, you will be entitled to a refund...
I understand this to say that Thai might or might not offer an alternative routing if you have a JFK-BKK ticket (that is, they are not obligated to offer other flights). If Thai does offer an alternative, you can either accept the offered alternative or you can get a refund. If Thai doesn't offer an alternative, then you will get a refund. (Please keep in mind that this is only my interpretation of the contract.)
So, if you have an award ticket issued by UA, you could well be out of luck, unless UA finds you award space with a different routing.
For those who are stuck having used the outbound segment(s) of their tickets, things could be very interesting. If Thai doesn't offer a return flight, or if they offer a return flight that you elect not to accept, Thai's contract says the following: "if a portion of the Ticket has been used, the refund will be not less than the difference between the fare paid and the applicable fare for travel between the points for which the Ticket has been used." I have no clue how to interpret that for an award ticket.
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Time flies like an arrow, and fruit flies like a banana
I think we all need to wait till TG comes out with some official word. The BKK-JFK non-stop flight is likely 99.9% finished but that still does not say that TG is pulling out of JFK for good the question is if it does make a stop between the cites where do you think it will be? CX on there HKG-YYZ and JFK routes make stops at YVR and ANC the only other stop in North America would be SEA that would work or maybe SFO. Other than that NRT, TPE or heres a good one - HNL, stopping in Europe I dont think is going to happen but who knows. If this flight does make a stop (or 2) where do you think it will be or where would you like it to stop at.
Seems like no one nows whats going on...I keep getting different information.
Talked with sales in LA - they referred me to NY office. Called NY office (212-949-8424) and spoke with Gerry... he told me if I couldn't wait for information from Bangkok - 1 option was to get a full refund - no penalty fees or wait until information comes Bangkok maybe on Monday. I told them I had to check with my partner. We decided to get a refund and book again so at least we would have some control over the flight to minimize other rescheduling ie hotels, domestic flights, tours, flights to JFK from Chicago etc. I called back to cancel with Gerry...no answer....I called to talk with LA manager Joanne ( 1-800-426-5204) again and she said Gerry was wrong I couldn't cancel until they get the info from Bangkok! Seems like Joanne was pawning me off to Gerry and Gerry pawned me right back to Joanne! Joanne said I would have to wait until Monday....so I'm waiting until Monday and hope other carriers prices don't go up any higher!
If anyone has any other phone numbers that won't put me through to Joanne or Gerry please let me know....
P
