FlyerTalk Forums - Which is the better choice-CX or JAL?

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- - Which is the better choice-CX or JAL? (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/oneworld/943389-better-choice-cx-jal.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by susiesan (Post 11585987)

Bangkok Airways has an earlier flight from LPG that arrives BKK at 2:15pm. That should give us plenty of time to make the connection to the CX flight at
7:00pm, right? The Bangkok Airways flight that arrives 5:45 should be enough time for the 10:30pm JAL flight, shouldn't it?

I thought about staying a few nights in Bangkok as part of this trip and just going to Luang Prabang in Laos, skipping Vientane. I'm researching how different the two Lao cities are and whether it's worth the time and expense to visit both. I haven't been to Bangkok since 1995 so it might be time for another visit. I know it has changed a lot.

The rule of thumb when connecting to an international award flight from a non-protected (Bangkok Air) flight is to have a one-flight buffer in case your first flight is canceled.

The earlier flight from LPQ will give you that extra buffer for the 2230 JL flight, but will leave you without a back-up for the 1900 CX flight. In that case an overnight in BKK is recommended.

I really wouldn't bother with Vientiane unless you have the extra time. Luang Prabang is fantastic. Bangkok is always worth a day or two stopover.

Quote:

Originally Posted by susiesan (Post 11586036)

Can you transit through Vietnam without getting a visa?

Probably not - that can be costly.

I've decided to skip Vientane and spend 2-3 nights in Bangkok at the end of our SE Asian adventure. This gives me way more options for getting home.
I'm also looking at the transpac portion on AA so as to only have 3 flights to take. Right now I have a reservation on JL BKK-NRT-LAX-DFW-MCI on March 12 as that's all that is available at this time for 2 J award seats. I'll keep calling and try to change to another routing, either on JL or AA that goes directly NRT-ORD or NRT-DFW. I have until 4/20 to lock in the tickets.