TG or MH for KUL-BKK
Feb 26, 2023, 7:22 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 32
TG or MH for KUL-BKK
Hello! I am stuck in a dilemma because I am trying to ascertain whether it is worth paying an extra RM400-ish for TG over MH. Here is what I gathered:
- TG: costs RM1500+ (over €320)... widebodies, lie-flat seats but apparently no lounge at KUL and prone to last-minute aircraft shifts
- MH: costs RM1150-ish (approximately €245)... only narrow bodies, no lie-flat seats, risk of no in-seat IFE, but with lounge access
Feb 28, 2023, 10:05 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Bangkok
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, BAEC Silver, TK Miles & Smiles Elite
Posts: 2,218
Hello! I am stuck in a dilemma because I am trying to ascertain whether it is worth paying an extra RM400-ish for TG over MH. Here is what I gathered:
- TG: costs RM1500+ (over €320)... widebodies, lie-flat seats but apparently no lounge at KUL and prone to last-minute aircraft shifts
- MH: costs RM1150-ish (approximately €245)... only narrow bodies, no lie-flat seats, risk of no in-seat IFE, but with lounge access
Mar 2, 2023, 8:40 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 32
It's a two-hour flight so I wouldn't overthink it from a comfort or IFE point of view. You don't mention whether you prefer to accrue mileage to *A or OW as this could also come into consideration. Personally, I'd take the lounge access with MH. At least you can be fed and watered before you leave and MH's lounges were not bad before the plague. Is it possible that TG would put you in the Plaza Premier lounge in KUL which is/was a lot worse than other Plaza Premiers around the world and MH's own lounges in KUL.
Speaking of food, another thing that weighs in to my decision is MH's version of "book the cook" service for "regular" meals. Although MH has fewer options, at least it includes a steak dish I am very much looking forward to try. TG only offers such a service for flights from BKK, not to BKK.
Other possible plusses in MH's favour: as it is a narrowbody flight, it will likely mean a departure from the main terminal so it saves us the risk of getting stuck on the Aerotrain. A departure from an airline's hub on business class always has a certain majesty to it.
On the other hand, as I am already taking SIA C somewhere on this trip and will likely fly MH C from a domestic destination, I feel that experiencing C on three carriers is always a delight.
As for where to earn FF points, I am pretty agnostic as I have FF accounts on both CX and SIA.
Any other thoughts on those?
Mar 2, 2023, 5:58 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Bangkok
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, BAEC Silver, TK Miles & Smiles Elite
Posts: 2,218
Actually I have gotten in touch with TG's KL office and they said staff would put us up at the Plaza Premier lounge.
Speaking of food, another thing that weighs in to my decision is MH's version of "book the cook" service for "regular" meals. Although MH has fewer options, at least it includes a steak dish I am very much looking forward to try. TG only offers such a service for flights from BKK, not to BKK.
Other possible plusses in MH's favour: as it is a narrowbody flight, it will likely mean a departure from the main terminal so it saves us the risk of getting stuck on the Aerotrain. A departure from an airline's hub on business class always has a certain majesty to it.
On the other hand, as I am already taking SIA C somewhere on this trip and will likely fly MH C from a domestic destination, I feel that experiencing C on three carriers is always a delight.
As for where to earn FF points, I am pretty agnostic as I have FF accounts on both CX and SIA.
Any other thoughts on those?
Speaking of food, another thing that weighs in to my decision is MH's version of "book the cook" service for "regular" meals. Although MH has fewer options, at least it includes a steak dish I am very much looking forward to try. TG only offers such a service for flights from BKK, not to BKK.
Other possible plusses in MH's favour: as it is a narrowbody flight, it will likely mean a departure from the main terminal so it saves us the risk of getting stuck on the Aerotrain. A departure from an airline's hub on business class always has a certain majesty to it.
On the other hand, as I am already taking SIA C somewhere on this trip and will likely fly MH C from a domestic destination, I feel that experiencing C on three carriers is always a delight.
As for where to earn FF points, I am pretty agnostic as I have FF accounts on both CX and SIA.
Any other thoughts on those?
Mar 6, 2023, 5:49 pm
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,188
It's a two-hour flight so I wouldn't overthink it from a comfort or IFE point of view. You don't mention whether you prefer to accrue mileage to *A or OW as this could also come into consideration. Personally, I'd take the lounge access with MH. At least you can be fed and watered before you leave and MH's lounges were not bad before the plague. Is it possible that TG would put you in the Plaza Premier lounge in KUL which is/was a lot worse than other Plaza Premiers around the world and MH's own lounges in KUL.
Mar 7, 2023, 2:14 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 32
Also, how frequent are last-minute aircraft substitutions on a KUL-BKK sector with TG (maybe even MH)? A few weeks ago, it reported one of the flights was due to be on a 787-9. Yet it was downgraded to a 772/77E.
Last edited by hybridace101; Mar 7, 2023 at 2:27 am
Mar 7, 2023, 6:36 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: TG*G, NZ*GE, QF G, Accor Gold
Posts: 10,233
As a TG *G, I was quite happy to fly on MH's J BKK-KUL due to lower pricing. The seat and food were fine on this short sector on a B737.
I effectively used the savings for a nicer hotel for two nights, so do have a think holistically. Aircraft substitutions do happen no matter the carrier.
I effectively used the savings for a nicer hotel for two nights, so do have a think holistically. Aircraft substitutions do happen no matter the carrier.
Mar 8, 2023, 5:50 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 32
Looks like the consensus is almost lopsided. Despite being used to a widebody for intra-Asian flights, I have gone with MH for these related reasons:
1. The hub - there is a just a majesty in flying out of an airline's base.
and related to #1
2. The check-in hall makes us feel like royalty even for a short hop.
3. By flying out of KUL, I am guaranteed access to an MH lounge with the maximum selection of seating and food possible. Hopefully there are showers too (are there showers at the regional MH lounge at KUL?).
4. This was possibly the tipping point: I have the option of preselecting my "regular" meal.
5. Timing - MH has more options. TG had only two flights to BKK: early afternoon which is a bit too early and mid-evening, which is a bit too late. I wanted to ensure I had allowances for delays and long queues at BKK. This will minimise the chances I exit to the public area after the ARL and other establishments close.
6. (and this is related to #5), I have one free change of flight. This will come in handy in case I have a meeting in KL that ends earlier than planned.
All of those extras for about £65 less than what I could have gotten with TG.
Hope I made the right choice!
1. The hub - there is a just a majesty in flying out of an airline's base.
and related to #1
2. The check-in hall makes us feel like royalty even for a short hop.
3. By flying out of KUL, I am guaranteed access to an MH lounge with the maximum selection of seating and food possible. Hopefully there are showers too (are there showers at the regional MH lounge at KUL?).
4. This was possibly the tipping point: I have the option of preselecting my "regular" meal.
5. Timing - MH has more options. TG had only two flights to BKK: early afternoon which is a bit too early and mid-evening, which is a bit too late. I wanted to ensure I had allowances for delays and long queues at BKK. This will minimise the chances I exit to the public area after the ARL and other establishments close.
6. (and this is related to #5), I have one free change of flight. This will come in handy in case I have a meeting in KL that ends earlier than planned.
All of those extras for about £65 less than what I could have gotten with TG.
Hope I made the right choice!
Last edited by hybridace101; Mar 8, 2023 at 8:18 am
Mar 9, 2023, 4:34 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 32
I don't think the possibility of taking the Aerotrain between terminals is that horrifying. The PP lounge in the satellite is often crowded and only ever served me beer - a low grade experience in KUL from this branded contract lounge. MH has better lounges at both the main terminal and satellite - the satellite being larger but otherwise not offering noticeably different F&B. We were regulars in the main terminal lounge flying this exact route for about five years when I lived in KL and used it about once a month but that was way before the plague and when they served actual Champagne. If you take MH on a domestic flight then your experience will be vastly inferior with its domestic lounge offering somewhat disappointing F&B (no booze for example). I'd still vote with my wallet on this and travel with MH from their own hub especially if you can choose your meal on board in advance so that your two hours in the air doesn't become a shattering ordeal.
Mar 9, 2023, 5:24 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Bangkok
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, BAEC Silver, TK Miles & Smiles Elite
Posts: 2,218
I believe there are showers near the toilets but I've never used them as I was invariably more focused on starting my night out in Bangkok early in the lounge bar after a hard Friday at work. Go up the escalators, into the lounge, head to the right past the bar and food on the left and the spa (if it's still there) on the right and straight in front of you are the toilets. I seem to remember there being showers in there but I'm only 90% on that.