alanw

I have an F award booking BCN-BKK in July, and TG rescheduled TG825 MUC-BKK from a night departure to daytime. Not a big deal, last week I noted that the change was reflected on checkmytrip.com and the new timing is fine, including an earlier connecting flight on JK (the original was LH).

Today I received a new itin by email. No explanation, just "BMI TRAVEL CONFIRMATION" and flights close to my original times but on LX via ZRH. This is the old LX F on the A340, not the new F everyone's excited about on the 333.

I would rather they had left it alone and stayed on TG I think and, sadly, it appears that TK are not operating the 77W on this route anymore, which would have been my first choice if I had to change.

So on to the questions: why did they rebook me on LX via ZRH without me asking after they had already rebooked me via MUC at the new time (is this normal)? Do I have the option of calling ICC and making them put me back on TG even if there is no more availability? Finally, is being on LX such a bad thing? I've never flown them in F before though I haven't particularly enjoyed them in C and I've always liked my TG F flights.

Thanks!

celbrian

hmm... smells like cost control to me...

stargold

To my best knowledge, LX F is an overall superior and more consistent experience than TG F. I would personally stick to LX F as changed.

littlevoices

When booking a flight recently in F I had a short discussion on the LX board around whether the F in the new A330 was worth going the wrong way around the world (ZRH-JFK then onwards with domestic American to get to Tokyo, or ZRH-NRT directly). The general view was that the LX A330 F was an enhancement on the existing product, not a revolution, and some people preferred the older F as it had more privacy (from memory, might be wrong). The general concensus was a 'no' it wasn't worth the connecting flight (though I'm sure your circumstances are different).

As such you might not find the LX F to be worse than TK

However, as its your flight you get to choose, so, if you want a switch back then ring them and ask - worse they can say is no? (so you can ring another agent and try again :P)

PS: This was a rewards redemption - not rich enough to pay for F outright on such trips

Tiger_lily

If you were happy with the original booking, ring up the ICC and ask for the original to be reinstated and a full explanation. I think that somebody has done this without thinking, and find it's flaming annoying that they just do it without consulting you first.

If they fob you off, I'd ring pre travel support on Monday and ask them to change it back.

Rambuster

"old" LX F is just fine ! Best in the sky actually from a European airline.

FlyingOnceMore

Well the LX F seat is the same, more or less, as the TG F seat. The food will probably be better on LX. Service can be equally good or indifferent on both, so I'd say, all in all, there's not that much difference. So why no try LX F for a change?

TravellinHusker

Take in consideration that the ground services offered by TG at BKK are superior to LX F. You will have the buggy taking you directly to immigrations/customs or to the TG Royal First Lounge if you want to shower/eat/rest before going to immigrations. With LX, you won't have that.

Having just flown TG F a few weeks ago ex-FCO, if you are on the old 747s with new F class from MUC, I would take the TG flight. If it is a newer 747 with the old F, perhaps LX would be a better inflight product.

Tiger_lily

What makes you think that cost control has anything to do with it?

Good point

MUC-BKK reverts to the 346 as of June 1st

FlyingOnceMore

Buggy and lounge on arrival isn't such a big deal with the LX arrival being in the afternoon. No problems with hotel checkin time, so no reason to hang about if BKK is the final destination.

TravellinHusker

AND.. on TG F you can pre-order your meal. Just call TG reservations and they will find the ex-MUC F class menu. If you don't like it when it is presented to you, or you want something else, or you are simply still hungry after your pre-ordered meal, you can order what you like from the regular menu. I did that. I pre-ordered the Penang Green Curry with Prawns for my ex-FCO flight. It was very delicious, but I hadn't eaten all day and was a little hungry. The FA practically begged me to eat something else and she brought me the most delicious filet mignon cooked perfectly. With endless Dom Perignon, I did not complain.

pogonation

I would stick with LX if I were you. The seats are very similar although LX's feels much better in the bed position and has a ''mattress'', large pillow and thick duvet (TG you only get a blanket). Also I prefer the van laak pyjamas on LX to the ones you get on TG.

TG out of MUC, I think you only have access to the SEN lounge which doesn't look that good. On LX you have exclusive access to the F lounge which is very nice indeed. On top of that you have a mercedes transfer to the plane (although you do have to pass through security again and board via the bridge).

On arrival in BKK you are met off the plane by ground staff and escorted through the airport and through fast-trak immigration (basically same as TG ground arivals service except for buggy)

Food on LX is better than TG's. I have had fantastic service on both airlines although I always felt that the FA's were warmer and more genuine than the LX FA's.

Also with MUC there is always a high chance of the dreaded equipment swap to the 747 all series with super old F! With LX you are guaranteed a good seat!

LX would be best for way out and TG for the way back!

baggageinhall

+1 ^

Having experienced both LX and TG F recently, I prefer LX. However pogonation neatly sums up what others have said; take advantage of the ZRH experience on the way out and the BKK experience on the way home.

alanw

Thanks everyone for the responses and advice. The point about the F lounge in ZRH is a good one, and since it seems the products are similar I'll just stick with what I've got. Besides it saves me the frustration of a call to the ICC.

I'm coming back home the long way around, so won't get to experience TG's ground handling this time (though I will have plenty of fun on the SQ 380 and DL new J) before picking up the LX flight LAX-ZRH-BCN in C.

rcs85551

Actually, one has to give BD credit for this if you ask me. ^

I know many people who got really frustrated with timing changes from day to night flights and vice-versa, and being kept around the original travel times proactively is actually good service IMHO.