To book a premium economy ticket from JFK-BKK-JFK you have to call the Thai office in LA. That’s what I did about Nomveber 10. I booked 2 premium economy tickets under the promotion they had. The booking agent said he’ll “hold” the tickets for 5 days and then I have to call for ticketing.

5 days later I call the same guy (I pressed 3) and he said I am not at ticketing, he’ll transfer me. In fact he transferred me to flight arrivals and departures – and there is no way to get out of that. Hang up, call again, go through the relatively long introduction again, and then finally got to ticketing.

My two tickets had to be cross-referenced (I didn’t understand why), but it appears that this was a huge problem for Ticketing Agent number 1. So, she puts me on hold and the line cut off. Call the 3rd time and spoke to Ticketing Agent number 2. I explain the whole short story and she says “hold on”. When she comes back, she tells me the tickets cost $2,621. I said that the booking agent quoted me $2,721. No, she says, it’s $2,621. OK great, I saved $100.

Ticketing Agent number 2: How do you want to pay?
Me: Visa
Ticketing Agent number 2: What is the number?
Me: xx…
Ticketing Agent number 2: Hold on
Me: Holding on …
Ticketing Agent number 2: What is the number?
Me: xx…
Ticketing Agent number 2: Hold on
Me: Holding on …
Ticketing Agent number 2: How much did I say was the amount?
Me: $2,621 but …
Ticketing Agent number 2: Hold on
Me: Holding on …
Ticketing Agent number 2: How do you want to pay?
Me: Visa
Ticketing Agent number 2: What is the number?
Me: xx…
Ticketing Agent number 2: Hold on
Me: Holding on …
Ticketing Agent number 2: What is the number?
Me: xxxx… (this time I got through the first four digits)
Ticketing Agent number 2: Hold on
Me: Holding on …
Ticketing Agent number 2: What is the number?
Me: xx…
Ticketing Agent number 2: OK, so it is $2,621. How do you want to pay?
Me: Still the same VISA
Ticketing Agent number 2: What is the number?
Me: xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx and I give the expiration date too.
Me: Sigh of relief for getting through all 16 digits!

Ticketing Agent number 2: Oh, but I cannot do an e-ticket because you and your partner will not travel on the same return flight. (something about showing a credit card at checkin) I will have to do a paper ticket. I have to fax a form to you where you sign, and send us back copies of your Visa (back and front).
Me: OK, I will do that. Here is my fax number xxxxxxxxx.

I signed, copied and faxed back immediately. I asked Ticketing Agent 2 to send the paper tickets as soon as possible because she’s in LA and I am leaving from DC in a week. Sure!

4 days later Ticketing Agent number 2 calls: The price is $2,721. Can I charge $100 to your credit card?
Me: Yes, and please use the same information you already have. (I really wanted to say "told you so!" but didn't).

Doing the math, I have 3 days before I leave to receive the tickets.

I did get them early on the day I departed for Bangkok. Because there are virtually no flights from IAD/DCA – JFK to connect in time for the 11am departure to BKK, we had to fly to JFK the previous night and stayed in a 1 star hotel (advertised as a 3 start) near the airport. Arrived 3.5 hours before the 11am departure at Terminal 4 check-in with my paper tickets, because I wanted to buy a standby upgrade to Royal Silk.

The check-in agent search and search and says: Sir, you do not have a reservation, it was cancelled a few days ago. Here I am at JFK, on my way to BKK, and she tells me my booking was cancelled??!! She explained something about numbers on the ticket that do not correspond with numbers in the reservation and that’s probably why it got cancelled. Why nobody at Thai air told me when it was cancelled, is a mistery.

The check-in agent directed me to a very kind lady at Thai’s ticketing desk in Terminal 4 (JFK), who said: I’m lucky because the flight is light and I arrived early.

So, she was able to rebook our tickets and also upgrade us to Royal Silk.

One day in BKK, I went to the Thai Air office downtown to talk to someone about the service (and mess) I got from their LA office. The manager suggested that I wrote to Thai Air … which I will do. She also added that they are using “outsourced people” in their LA office and their training is not what it should be.

And after all that, I am glad to report that the trip itself in Royal Silk (and back) was outstanding.

LESSON? Perhaps to call ahead an reconfirm your ticket??