My business takes from SFO to BKK about 4X a year, and I had been quite pleased to discover CXLeverage, which had offered J fares of between $2400 and $2500. Coupled with Repeat Rewards, I figured I was doing quite well.

I went to book the next trip, and was shocked to find the fare went up to nearly $3000. As it is my company, the extra $500 is not insignificant.

I did note that SFO-HKG-TPE is still reasonable ... $2200. As both travel days are basically wasted, I was thinking of flying SFO-TPE, and then taking BR in Evergreen Deluxe from TPE to BKK. BR lists the RT fare at 12500 TWD.

Questions:

(1) Is this the best alternative, given that I still want to earn repeat rewards, and I need 14K Q-Points on AA for EXP from this trip. Are there discount J fares from ethnic TA's that will get me to BKK on CX for the same $2500?

(2) If I go for the routing via TPE, will I need to coolect my luggage, clear customs, and then check into the BR flight, or can I check bags thru to BKK with both tickets?

(3) Is there some other solution I am missing here?

Thanks

There are no CX discounted fares even from ethnic agencies. Your best bet might be to buy your tickets FROM BKK to SFO return. Since its your own company, you may justify doing that. However, please note that the fares from BKK to North America all went up by about 10-15% effective 6 Sep 2002. The average fare from BKK to West Coast USA is about THB 125,000 or thereabouts. Flights are booked in D class. CX's J class fares (booked in J) have gone through the roof!

If you buy a ticket that originates in Asia you will not get the mileage offer award. The cost of the tickets from TPE to BKK is roughly $350. Is it really worth your time to route yourself through TPE just to save $150???