Originally Posted by
Joseph.doakes
If you are making 4-5 trips to BKK each year, this would put you very near top status on AA.
He's not, unless those flights are crazy long domestic flights or have very high EQP value. Read the post more closely.
I travel to Thailand each year to visit a daughter
I fly 4-5 times a year and most is within the US
OP, is there a further connection when you arrive in Thailand? Are you flying to Bangkok or to another city? (That could change the answer I'm giving a bit- additional domestic flights in Thailand might make Thai Airways a better option.)
OP, assuming you are flying to Bangkok, you might try Emirates (EK) to BKK connecting through Dubai (DXB), and just outright BUY business class instead of fussing with upgrades. Their business class is pretty good (especially on the A380, really nice lie-flat seats) and very competitive pricewise with other options.
Another possibility would be to buy mileage in US Airways (they are running a
promotion right now), and, assuming that you can plan your trips well in advance to not coincide with peak travel periods, buy business class/first class redemptions using
Star Alliance partner awards. You can buy the mileage necessary for a first class redemption to Thailand for about $2400, a business class redemption for $1800- and US Airways does regular promotions that will diminish the cost of this (plus, as you mention, you can do your flying out of PHL and patronize US Airways for your domestic flights- or credit flights on United/Continental to US). Please note that US doesn't fly directly to Bangkok- you'd be using partners like United, Lufthansa, and Thai. LH F to FRA/MUC and TG F to BKK, and vice versa home is a really nice way to ride, I'd think.
Given that 4-5 domestic flights a year + annual trip to BKK probably means you don't really fly enough to get much in the way of status beyond a basic level of status (it is likely you would not achieve the 50,000 miles a year required for more senior status in most USA programs, let alone the top tier status that gives you the ability to potentially use instruments to upgrade at reduce cost or for free), I would worry about the most comfortable/price-effective way to get to the destination first, status considerations/gaining mileage through flying second. I realize this is heresy on FlyerTalk, home of mileage running and tricks to get status, but if these trips are laying you out that badly, I'd say getting as much comfort as possible on your trip is within your price budget is what you should be aiming for.