Upgrades to Thailand?
Dec 2, 2019, 4:40 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2009
Programs: Delta Diamond 1MM, Marriott Plat
Posts: 501
Upgrades to Thailand?
I have a handful of GUCs expiring in January (also a ton of RDMs) and just started planning a trip NYC to Thailand.
Oddly it seems like there is no routing to Thailand on Delta at all? Can anyone offer the best advice on routings/partners to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, or even weird detours, where I have a decent shot of using GUCs or miles for an upgrade?
The only paid options that I am seeing are on Korean Air -- even though GUCs are technically supported by Korean, they seem to have zero availability, ever, and DL says there is also no option to waitlist. (And I can't even transfer other miles into Korean, they don't participate with Amex, etc.) .
How close will Delta metal get me to Thailand?
Oddly it seems like there is no routing to Thailand on Delta at all? Can anyone offer the best advice on routings/partners to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, or even weird detours, where I have a decent shot of using GUCs or miles for an upgrade?
The only paid options that I am seeing are on Korean Air -- even though GUCs are technically supported by Korean, they seem to have zero availability, ever, and DL says there is also no option to waitlist. (And I can't even transfer other miles into Korean, they don't participate with Amex, etc.) .
How close will Delta metal get me to Thailand?
Dec 2, 2019, 5:19 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 583
I have a handful of GUCs expiring in January (also a ton of RDMs) and just started planning a trip NYC to Thailand.
Oddly it seems like there is no routing to Thailand on Delta at all? Can anyone offer the best advice on routings/partners to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, or even weird detours, where I have a decent shot of using GUCs or miles for an upgrade?
The only paid options that I am seeing are on Korean Air -- even though GUCs are technically supported by Korean, they seem to have zero availability, ever, and DL says there is also no option to waitlist. (And I can't even transfer other miles into Korean, they don't participate with Amex, etc.) .
How close will Delta metal get me to Thailand?
Oddly it seems like there is no routing to Thailand on Delta at all? Can anyone offer the best advice on routings/partners to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, or even weird detours, where I have a decent shot of using GUCs or miles for an upgrade?
The only paid options that I am seeing are on Korean Air -- even though GUCs are technically supported by Korean, they seem to have zero availability, ever, and DL says there is also no option to waitlist. (And I can't even transfer other miles into Korean, they don't participate with Amex, etc.) .
How close will Delta metal get me to Thailand?
Last edited by eneq; Dec 3, 2019 at 6:21 am
Dec 2, 2019, 5:20 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,011
Not odd at all if you've been following DL NRT hub dismantling over the last few years. PVG is as close as you will get on DL metal. You can get to BKK on AF/KL metal, but only on their fares which are not upgradable with GUC's (DL fares do not permit eastbound travel to Asia).
Last edited by xliioper; Dec 3, 2019 at 1:19 am
Dec 2, 2019, 8:19 pm
#5
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Diego
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Posts: 3,610
Dec 2, 2019, 8:33 pm
#6
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
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Dec 2, 2019, 8:58 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 262
What about VS to DEL via LHR as another option? End of January is getting close for the lowest fares and upgrade space, but there are some dates in showing DL marketed, VS operates fares at $1150 that correspond with EF showing G availability both ways.
Dec 2, 2019, 9:06 pm
#8
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Location: San Antonio
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It has to be DL coded to be upgraded for VS metal . AFAIK none of the Asian VS destinations are DL codeshared.
Dec 3, 2019, 6:43 am
#10
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Dec 3, 2019, 6:54 am
#11
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: Skymiles Gold
Posts: 641
I know nothing about GUC as I'm only a PM. That said, I've been to Thailand a few times on MU JFK-PVG-KUL/BKK/CNX/SIN. (Not all Thailand, but same general area.) I've had both MU and FM jets. Either way, it's a narrow body out of PVG, but they both offer a domestic first cabin, not EuroBiz. I would expect the same out of PEK and ICN. Maybe look into schedules and longest D1 flight and pick that? I guess you could do ICN-MNL, but I would recommend a double connect over a single just for more time in a free D1 seat.
Dec 3, 2019, 7:37 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
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I know nothing about GUC as I'm only a PM. That said, I've been to Thailand a few times on MU JFK-PVG-KUL/BKK/CNX/SIN. (Not all Thailand, but same general area.) I've had both MU and FM jets. Either way, it's a narrow body out of PVG, but they both offer a domestic first cabin, not EuroBiz. I would expect the same out of PEK and ICN. Maybe look into schedules and longest D1 flight and pick that? I guess you could do ICN-MNL, but I would recommend a double connect over a single just for more time in a free D1 seat.
Dec 3, 2019, 8:22 am
#13
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: Skymiles Gold
Posts: 641
would've loved to not be on one those for those flights. They aren't short.
Dec 3, 2019, 8:38 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: New York
Programs: SPG LT Gold, DL PM 1MM
Posts: 692
I booked CDG-BKK via Vietnam (SGN/HAN are both possible) on VN's A350 for 100,000 skymiles in business class return for new year's. My US-EU ticket is a separate ticket that I upgraded using GUC.
Dec 3, 2019, 9:36 am
#15
Join Date: Sep 2013
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Posts: 1,988
See if NYC-AMS-BKK routing is available. DL-marketed, KL operated - route might be dead. If fare is available, then you need Z-class space for GUC upgrade. Z must be open on both legs.
