kapitan

just to confirm, I did flew Y, but mostly J...... I qualified for P, but of course, only my J miles counted towards qualification, I am not farang nor Thai....

aislealways

My experience is the same; although I am a farang.

andyptrav

Well, that maybe true when you first called but it certainly was not when I did.
You are efeectively saying I am dumb which I do object to.

In the run up to Platinum and it certainly continues now which is A_Lee's point we really do not know what the rules are from one month to the next.

andyptrav

Thousands do so every day!!

So how would you fly Bangkok - Khon Kaen then? In Y? On some crappy budget airline? I may be wrong and I don't have time to check but I don't think there is an alternative. Happy VIP bus travel for you for 6 hours.

aislealways

I do apologise for how you feel, but I can most certainly assure you that I am not, have not and would not call you dumb.

aislealways

Not sure I understand you, but I would fly domestic in Thailand in economy, I would not fly business class as I don't see the point (unless it was a leg of an international flight for work). No bus required.

Unless I'm missing a trick and it's all business class to Khon Kaen.

behuman

I salute your optimism and your healthy confidence - it will for sure contribute to your wellbeing.

Things are by far worse, there are well connected Thais and normal Thais. The latter are even below the foreigners (and many of them avoid flying TG). Platinum is by invitation only. Try to be a normal Thai flying over 50 000 miles per year for several years - you may well never get the Platinum. I have examples!

behuman

aislealways

It's 80'000 miles, not 50'000:

"Qualifying for Platinum Status

While elite level Royal Orchid Plus Platinum status is by invitation, their thresholds have been established whereby current Platinum members are evaluated to maintain elite level status, and all members are evaluated to qualify for Platinum status.

To attain or retain Platinum status, 80,000 miles are required that include class of service bonus miles, with travel on THAI in Royal First Class or Royal Silk Class, within each evaluation period, for 2 consecutive periods. Evaluations are system automated with each period being 12 consecutive months on a rolling basis."

somkiat

Why should that disqualify him from being Platinum ?

joy16

ROP Platinum status was introduced in 2012, so his qualified miles should be the miles collected in 2011 backward.

A_Lee

My memory of the Platinum timeline was that it was first announced in about August of 2010, and some were informed they would qualify, but then it was revoked. Then in May of 2011 it was launched, but with some initial qualification for people who had flown x miles, etc. in the previous two years. After the initial batch of Platinum members in May, 2011, there was no guidelines as to new members, so the program was in limbo except for those premier members. Then I think it was sometime in 2012 when they announced rules for new members to qualify, and for existing members to requalify. Still though, it's supposedly "by invitation only", so nothing is guaranteed.

Still the question is why did evidently someone with only 40K miles qualify? I guess though that "by invitation only" can be used to justify allowing some members in who wouldn't qualify otherwise, or disallowing some who should be qualified. And that again is the problem with Platinum. There's absolutely no guarantee that someone who spends tens of thousands of dollars, thinking they will qualify, will be accepted. It's complete nonsense! Please TG, get your act together with Platinum.

somkiat

Your unknown Thai-friend could have stopped using Thai alltogether in 2012 and 2013 and would still be Platinum since his coronation in probably 2011 which brings him into 2013 as it expires after 2years . According to the new rules he would loose his status some time this year as for example I shall also loose it in July due to unsufficient mileage .

I don`t know what is unclear about the qualification : earn 80000 miles / year for 2 consecutive ( rolling ) years buying tickets for C and F and there we are .

I have yesterday the first time ever had any added value from the status by stealing all dried bananas from their lounge . In the C - lounge they do not offer them .

somkiat

Somebody else said this here a couple of weeks ago : instead of dearly being adored for their generosity with awards Thai earns nothing but complaints on Flyertalk . The last two legs I have flown with them were absolutely great , I could still jump with joy . Having said so , If I find a cheaper one with the same service I am gone in a wee second . I don`t make a philosophy out of this . How is Iran Air ?

aislealways

Just checked in here in Manila. Was given a personal escort from counter to lounge, fast tracked through security (diplomat lane).

Impressed.

Not impressed with TG lounge, so walked back out and now in refreshed SQ lounge.

Also impressed.