Thai Smile falsely advertising they're *A?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Redwood City, CA USA (SFO/SJC)
Programs: 1K 2010, 1P in 2011, Plat for 2012,13,14,15 & 2016. Gold in 17 & 18, Plat since
Posts: 8,824
Thai Smile falsely advertising they're *A?
Traveled to Cambodia last week, Thai Smile for the leg from BKK-REP & return. Noted leaving REP a large sign behind check-in counters saying they were Star Alliance. This was odd, as I'd been told by Thai (TG), their parent operator, that it was a separate company, no *A benefits.
Looking at Thai Smile's website, I find no mention of Star Alliance at all. No mention on United's website or the Star Alliance website of Thai Smile either. Unfortunately, I didn't take a photo of the sign.
Has anything recently changed? Seemed a strange thing to advertise in the lobby. When I saw the signage I did have them input my MP number, not that it makes any difference. Thanks-
Looking at Thai Smile's website, I find no mention of Star Alliance at all. No mention on United's website or the Star Alliance website of Thai Smile either. Unfortunately, I didn't take a photo of the sign.
Has anything recently changed? Seemed a strange thing to advertise in the lobby. When I saw the signage I did have them input my MP number, not that it makes any difference. Thanks-
#2
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NRT / HND
Programs: AA EXP, NH Plat, Former UA 1K
Posts: 5,557
I wonder if it was an older sign? They used to be a domestic/regional arm of TG. It's been a few years now since I tried to use them, but during that time I was extended *A benefits. I recall a while back some talk of them being spun off and no one was sure what would happen with *A benefits once that happened. The few domestic routes I have flown in Thailand recently are now operated by widebody TG domestic aircraft, so unsure what Thai Smile is actually doing these days firsthand.
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Redwood City, CA USA (SFO/SJC)
Programs: 1K 2010, 1P in 2011, Plat for 2012,13,14,15 & 2016. Gold in 17 & 18, Plat since
Posts: 8,824
Really do wish I'd taken a photo. Just for fun.
#5
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: NZ*G ELT, VA-G
Posts: 3,580
Thai Smile is no longer part of *A after they received their own operating certificate and started using WE code in 2014, similar to LH's Eurowings. Very frustrating as that took quite a lot of destinations off *A network.