Flight Search - NYC to BKK
Aug 7, 2014, 4:47 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 25
Flight Search - NYC to BKK
I am traveling on a tight budget, being paid by the government, so I have limited ability to do certain things... I can spend about $1500 for a coach ticket, but given the 22+ hour flight, would love to be able to get an upgraded ticket to Economy-plus or Business class. I don't mind spending $1000 out of my own pocket, or 100,000 miles or so for the upgrade... My travel dates are Sep 21-Sep 25...
Currently I see lots of tickets for $1200-$1500 on Kayak and other online sites, but I am looking for a consolidator with expertise in Asia to find me a cheap Premium Economy or Business class... Any help is super appreciated
Currently I see lots of tickets for $1200-$1500 on Kayak and other online sites, but I am looking for a consolidator with expertise in Asia to find me a cheap Premium Economy or Business class... Any help is super appreciated
Aug 7, 2014, 7:38 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bangkok or San Francisco
Programs: United 1k, Marriott Lifetime PE, Former DL Gold, Former SQ Solitaire, HH Gold
Posts: 11,886
I am traveling on a tight budget, being paid by the government, so I have limited ability to do certain things... I can spend about $1500 for a coach ticket, but given the 22+ hour flight, would love to be able to get an upgraded ticket to Economy-plus or Business class. I don't mind spending $1000 out of my own pocket, or 100,000 miles or so for the upgrade... My travel dates are Sep 21-Sep 25...
Currently I see lots of tickets for $1200-$1500 on Kayak and other online sites, but I am looking for a consolidator with expertise in Asia to find me a cheap Premium Economy or Business class... Any help is super appreciated
Currently I see lots of tickets for $1200-$1500 on Kayak and other online sites, but I am looking for a consolidator with expertise in Asia to find me a cheap Premium Economy or Business class... Any help is super appreciated
Aug 7, 2014, 7:47 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 25
No...but I believe flying over certain areas are probably not a good choice (e.g.; Any Russian airlines, etc.).
I never imagined that budget would be sufficient for business class, but was looking to perhaps spend $1500 on the ticket and then use 100-150K miles to upgrade both legs of the trip?
You're not getting anywhere near business class on that budget. Upgrade? Yes. Depending on the Coach fare you get you can use miles and dollars to upgrade. SFO/BKK it's 30,000 miles plus $600 each way on UA. But since UA doesn't go all the way to BKK not sure if that still works. Probably a tad higher from NYC.
Last edited by aBroadAbroad; Aug 7, 2014 at 9:23 pm Reason: Merged posts
Aug 7, 2014, 9:23 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: BKK
Programs: AA Plat, HH Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,395
Upgrade rules vary widely. It would be helpful to know which airlines your 100-150k miles are with, and whether you have status with any airline programs.
Aug 7, 2014, 10:30 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Moscow / Aylesbury / Leeds
Programs: BA-GGL, SU-G Agean, G,, Hhonours D, Starwood G, IHG G,
Posts: 1,531
As I live half my life here, I do fly them and the Ms is Crew on UN, I have and if you can get a deal on either you will be absolutely fine. Transit way better than the US, service is excellent as well. SU do premium economy and it's very good, also have huge exit row space if you have to go Y. UN have premium but it's not, as it's just exit rows and front two rows. Both do good deals on price for J but you need to go to their US Web sites
Aug 7, 2014, 10:31 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
Posts: 4,728
Eva air deluxe premium. Leaves 0100hrs, 2+ hr connection in Tpe, arrives Bkk by noon time +1 day. Either pay difference or use UA miles for upgrade.
I fly their biz class on this particular routing couple times of yr. very nice.
Other option is premium elite on CX via HK, even more flight options out of JFK/EWR. Use AA miles for upgrade. My wife uses my miles and does this route few times a yr.
Both airlines heads above US carriers!
I fly their biz class on this particular routing couple times of yr. very nice.
Other option is premium elite on CX via HK, even more flight options out of JFK/EWR. Use AA miles for upgrade. My wife uses my miles and does this route few times a yr.
Both airlines heads above US carriers!
Aug 8, 2014, 5:30 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 25
I have miles on my Amex card that I can transfer...and I have lost most my elite status on all the airlines as I haven't had a chance to travel much in the last 2 years due to work/life constraints...
Aug 10, 2014, 12:01 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: AA Platinum for Life (2MM), BR Gold, AS MVP Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 976
On EVA Air, you could upgrade to Elite class on the long-haul parts only (NYC-TPE) for 30K miles each way. I am not sure whether any upgrades involving Elite class (to or from) are possible with miles from another carrier though.
http://www.evaair.com/en-us/infinity.../requirements/
I notice that EVA is having a special on Elite class from NYC in your timeframe:
http://www.evaair.com/en-us/new-york...-New-York.html
Good luck.
http://www.evaair.com/en-us/infinity.../requirements/
I notice that EVA is having a special on Elite class from NYC in your timeframe:
http://www.evaair.com/en-us/new-york...-New-York.html
Good luck.
Aug 31, 2014, 7:42 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bangkok or San Francisco
Programs: United 1k, Marriott Lifetime PE, Former DL Gold, Former SQ Solitaire, HH Gold
Posts: 11,886
I am traveling on a tight budget, being paid by the government, so I have limited ability to do certain things... I can spend about $1500 for a coach ticket, but given the 22+ hour flight, would love to be able to get an upgraded ticket to Economy-plus or Business class. I don't mind spending $1000 out of my own pocket, or 100,000 miles or so for the upgrade... My travel dates are Sep 21-Sep 25...
Currently I see lots of tickets for $1200-$1500 on Kayak and other online sites, but I am looking for a consolidator with expertise in Asia to find me a cheap Premium Economy or Business class... Any help is super appreciated
Currently I see lots of tickets for $1200-$1500 on Kayak and other online sites, but I am looking for a consolidator with expertise in Asia to find me a cheap Premium Economy or Business class... Any help is super appreciated
On United you can get a Miles and Money upgrade for something like 30,000 miles and $600, one way. That's probably going to be you're cheapest way into Business.
Aug 31, 2014, 7:59 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Tri-State Area
Posts: 4,728
As posted earlier, Eva Air has royal laurel service which has flat beds in business class and excellent connection to Bkk via Taiwan. My wife visited both Taipei and Bkk from mid July to mid Aug using Star Alliance miles to get award tix.
She is planning on going again in late Oct and waiting for the Eva Air seats to open up....right now they're available for early Oct outbound and for early Nov return flights. The mid-Oct outbound to Taipei/Bkk will open up in another few days.
If you're using UA miles, they're 75K each way, flying out of JFK. Not sure if you can purchase elite deluxe and upgrade to business with UA miles but worth a call.
She is planning on going again in late Oct and waiting for the Eva Air seats to open up....right now they're available for early Oct outbound and for early Nov return flights. The mid-Oct outbound to Taipei/Bkk will open up in another few days.
If you're using UA miles, they're 75K each way, flying out of JFK. Not sure if you can purchase elite deluxe and upgrade to business with UA miles but worth a call.
Sep 1, 2014, 12:19 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: BKK
Programs: AA Plat, HH Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,395
OP has now booked an itinerary, which s/he posted here, along with new questions concerning upgrades. However, since the new questions are program-specific, I've moved that post to the ANA forum where it will hopefully be seen by more of the FTers who can be of assistance.
OP and those who might be interested can follow the discussion here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/all-n...l#post23453959
Thanks to all who offered assistance so far!
~Moderator
OP and those who might be interested can follow the discussion here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/all-n...l#post23453959
Thanks to all who offered assistance so far!
~Moderator