*A First redemptions - x2.5 or x2.0? And a discussion on TG F class
Feb 21, 2010, 4:06 am
#16
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: MEL
Programs: QF, VA, VN, BA, SQ, KC - all reds and blues.
Posts: 3,205
I know I have been unfortunate. But reading the TG threads shows that good or bad fortune is quite an issue when flying TG. It shouldn't be, especially in the top cabins. For anyone thinking of doing a redemption in TG F the question is: "are you feeling lucky, Punk?".
Feb 21, 2010, 4:10 am
#17
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Manchester, England
Programs: Bonvoy LT Plat, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, BMI Gold (RIP)
Posts: 8,036
I agree with you here. It shouldn't be a lottery, especially on flagship routes for an airline. However the chances of getting one of these on LHR is still small. MUC is usually the first one to get hit with the older birds, then FRA then LHR in that order.
Feb 21, 2010, 4:15 am
#18
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: MEL
Programs: QF, VA, VN, BA, SQ, KC - all reds and blues.
Posts: 3,205
Perhaps, but my hit rate is still 50%. And the experience was bad enough that my forthcoming trip to Melbourne is with NZ going the long way round to make sure I don't get anymore smooth as silk treatment. If you do get equipment swapped, you get nothing - no compensation, no apology, nothing. Despite the fact it's a product that they sell for half the price on the routes where it operates regularly.
As I say, go to the TG forum and you'll find my tales of woe are not unique.
As I say, go to the TG forum and you'll find my tales of woe are not unique.
Feb 21, 2010, 6:16 am
#19
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: London, U.K.
Programs: bmi British Midland International Diamond Club
Posts: 3,380
You call that First Class? That looks nothing more than a glorified business seat. No wonder TG premium fares are lower than its competitors.
I too would not consider TG for any redemptions in any premium cabin except shorthaul (and only then if I couldn't get SIA). I have experienced the dreaded 747 equipment change BKK-CDG (although that was in business which is far worse). Never again.
I too would not consider TG for any redemptions in any premium cabin except shorthaul (and only then if I couldn't get SIA). I have experienced the dreaded 747 equipment change BKK-CDG (although that was in business which is far worse). Never again.
Feb 21, 2010, 8:42 am
#21
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold (and other non-status plastic)
Posts: 1,889
Seats - the "new" ones are relatively old and don't lie flat. People have dismissed LX, saying they don't fly the 330 on this route. But in truth, the A340 F seats are as good as - if not better than - the Thai 744.
Food - in my experience I have had good food on one flight (LHR-BKK) and bad food twice (BKK-FRA and BKK-LHR).
Ground service - two flights ex-BKK and no escort to the plane.
Food - in my experience I have had good food on one flight (LHR-BKK) and bad food twice (BKK-FRA and BKK-LHR).
Ground service - two flights ex-BKK and no escort to the plane.
...and only 10 seats in the 747 nose, which is pretty good going IMHORe: food. ex-BKK, you can book the cook - lobster and pad thai - yum!
Re: ground service. Yes, patchy, but, hey, you get a one hour full-body massage to make up for it!
Personally, I wouldn't shell out miles for TG F nowadays, but I'm glad I've done it a couple of times in the past, and it does make for a nice treat once in a while. It's also well worth the c.GBP2400 return fares that you can usually get from consolidators ex-LHR - that's virtually BD*G in one return trip
Feb 21, 2010, 8:56 am
#22
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Manchester, England
Programs: Bonvoy LT Plat, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, BMI Gold (RIP)
Posts: 8,036
Feb 21, 2010, 9:22 am
#23
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: MEL
Programs: QF, VA, VN, BA, SQ, KC - all reds and blues.
Posts: 3,205
The padding on the LX seats is much more comfortable than on the TG ones. And if the number of seats makes any difference, there are fewer of them in LX.
I have had the pre-ordered lobster (actually the same flight as the beef slop) and it was way too salty. It takes more than expensive ingredients to make a nice meal.
As for the massages - yes, I've been there, done that. But massages cost a few pounds in Thailand; am I really going to base a decision on airlines on something as cheap as that?
I have had the pre-ordered lobster (actually the same flight as the beef slop) and it was way too salty. It takes more than expensive ingredients to make a nice meal.
As for the massages - yes, I've been there, done that. But massages cost a few pounds in Thailand; am I really going to base a decision on airlines on something as cheap as that?
Feb 21, 2010, 3:28 pm
#26
Join Date: May 2008
Location: ARN
Posts: 3,493
I just checked some fares on Thai, on opodo.co.uk and opodo.se, for LHR-BKK-LHR in F and ARN-BKK-ARN in C. I randomly picked the dates 11 May to 25 May this spring.
I got GBP 2,451.70 for the F flight from LHR, and SEK 34 142 (GBP 3044) for the C flight from ARN. So, even if there is an equipment swap on the route, you get a cheaper price than the same seats from ARN, with access to F lounges, and with a better menu on board, on a longer flight, with far more miles (35,748 versus 20,634 miles).
And if you do get the regular 744, you've got a bargain compared to the C seats from Scandinavia.
Feb 21, 2010, 4:13 pm
#27
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: MEL
Programs: QF, VA, VN, BA, SQ, KC - all reds and blues.
Posts: 3,205
Hold on for a moment! That's FAAAAR from the truth.
I just checked some fares on Thai, on opodo.co.uk and opodo.se, for LHR-BKK-LHR in F and ARN-BKK-ARN in C. I randomly picked the dates 11 May to 25 May this spring.
I got GBP 2,451.70 for the F flight from LHR, and SEK 34 142 (GBP 3044) for the C flight from ARN. So, even if there is an equipment swap on the route, you get a cheaper price than the same seats from ARN, with access to F lounges, and with a better menu on board, on a longer flight, with far more miles (35,748 versus 20,634 miles).
And if you do get the regular 744, you've got a bargain compared to the C seats from Scandinavia.
I just checked some fares on Thai, on opodo.co.uk and opodo.se, for LHR-BKK-LHR in F and ARN-BKK-ARN in C. I randomly picked the dates 11 May to 25 May this spring.
I got GBP 2,451.70 for the F flight from LHR, and SEK 34 142 (GBP 3044) for the C flight from ARN. So, even if there is an equipment swap on the route, you get a cheaper price than the same seats from ARN, with access to F lounges, and with a better menu on board, on a longer flight, with far more miles (35,748 versus 20,634 miles).
And if you do get the regular 744, you've got a bargain compared to the C seats from Scandinavia.
Last edited by Mr H; Feb 21, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Feb 22, 2010, 12:24 am
#29
Join Date: May 2008
Location: ARN
Posts: 3,493
For the dates that you picked, the F fare from LHR was slightly more than the C fare from ARN, but with a very small margin. GBP 3806 for the F ticket is actually only 0.319 per mile, while your fare from ARN (GBP 3084) is 0.299 per mile. The C ticket from ARN is 6.3 percent cheaper when compared to the distance.
Add to that the fact that you get first class check-in, lounges, better in-flight service, and more miles.