BinSabai

perfect answer as always; just to add that the second airport in Tokyo HND has also flights with F, currently both daily flights are on 747 while NRT has one of currently daily three on A380, while the other two have no F

emcampbe

Thanks, all. I figured giving myself extra time might be the best idea. Thanks for confirming that.

On another note, can anyone help with a point of sale question. Was hoping to use my US-based card points to pay for all (or at least part) of the cost. However, looks like buying off TG's site, or other India point of sale (Indian OTAs like Cleartrip) yields a Q fare that is less than half of the lowest fare I'm seeing from US-based OTAs, also Q fares - USD$330 vs. close to USD$700. I know that carriers sometimes have different availability or fares filed in one point of sale vs. another, but never seen anything this drastic, especially given both of these are booking into same fare class (I'd expect this if the US OTAs were booking into, say, Y vs. Q, but that's apparently not the case). Is this normal - any opinions on whether the US price would come close to what I'd get booking from TG site?

Thai-Kiwi

1786771

Can you give an example booking/flight please?

MikeFromTokyo

emcampbe

Not worried about using a card on Thai's site - I've done that a few times before. If I didn't make it clear, would prefer to use some of my credit card reward points to cover the flight cost. In order to do that, I need to use the card issuer's (Chase's) booking portal, which is essentially a customized version of the US version of Expedia. Since it's essentially a US OTA, the reward (or cash) prices given there are based on a US point of sale. I'll probably in the end booking on TG site, since the price difference is so much. Just would have preferred to use reward points.

Yes. Looking at BLR-TPE on Jan 12, which shows either TG 326/631 (1 hour 10 minute connection in BKK) or TG 326/634 (2 hour connection in BKK). TG site shows a K fare for 23441 INR, (~$330 USD)/person, or a Q fare for 25898 INR (~367 USD). I can't get the Chase portal to even bring up the connection to 634 anymore (which is my preferred connection) - at least not with a simple BLR-TPE search, but the connection to 632 now showing a cost of $657 USD/person (it was $710 a day or two ago, so that's come down a bit). That's also a Q fare (thought clearly a different specific basis, and so was the higher fare a couple of days ago). I've seen in the past, say, a higher fare class only on the US point of sale, which would drive the price up, but never such a difference with same fare class.

Thai-Kiwi

OK thanks. I am not familiar with US credit cards and the massive variety of benefits (at least compared to NZ).

I am intrigued that you had hoped to burn some points on a Chase card, via an associated OTA portal, which results in a revenue fare being issued on TG ticket stock (217)? If so, it seems that the 'problem' is somehow at the US end - probably with the customised version of Expedia you mention. have you looked to see what Expedia (normal US site) is quoting for your journey?

If buying on TG's portal, then note it may be worth checking if the earn difference between K and Q is worth the additional USD 37 for whatever program you will accrue to.

Thai-Kiwi

Follow-up. It is certainly a US vs Indian point of sale matter,as well as fare class.

Dummy bookings on different Expedia portals shows:

expedia.com TG Q class USD 717 (nothing else offered)
expedia.co.in TG V class USD 320 (INR 22,653)

THAI web TG V class USD 314 (INR 22, 212)
THAI web TG K class USD 330 (INR 23,441
THAI web TG Q class USD 365 (INR 25,898)

emcampbe

Shono

Hello everyone. I recently booked SYD-BKK in F, travelling in April. When I was selecting my seat, the cabin diagram showed the old 10 seat configuration in F. I was under the impression that the old F no longer makes appearance on SYD-BKK. I then checked the TG website under "My Personal Thai Experience" section, where all flights on SYD-BKK post 30 March 2019 show as the old F and all flights before that date show as the 9 seat F. I am wondering is this a sign of things to come or is it simply a default setting on their website. I know that TG are notorious for their last minute equipment swaps, but at least in my recent experience flying out of BNE and SYD the hard product has been exactly as announced months in advance.

I also read about the flight schedule adjustment effective from 28 October reducing services to/from Australia. At the time of this announcement there was mention of aircraft maintenance taking place during Thai Airways’ 'northern winter period, running from October 28 2018 to March 28 2019. Again I wonder if this has anything to do bringing the old F to Sydney after 30 March.

Thanks for your input.

Thai-Kiwi

Where did you gain the impression that 10F was not used on BKK-SYD?

Short answer is 9F or 10F 744 seat configurations are used interchangeably on all routes AFAIK - so SYD (or anywhere else) has never had a guaranteed or even regularly scheduled 9F configuration aircraft.

SKT-DK

Add to that - a lot can happen between now and April and even up until the day of the flight. Best not to worry about it and ensure you have a window seat rather than an E/F one - personally I do not find the old F terrible in any way. Actually, I find the seat is more comfortable in certain positions than the new one

Shono

I had a look through TG476 flight history. I counted 10F being used 9 times in the last 6 months (4 in Jul; 2 in Aug; 3 in Oct). Not much of a pattern and about 1 in 20 chance.
Having not experienced the old F, it is good to know people find it a reasonable product.
Thanks for the prompt replies.

SKT-DK

Just noticed that your initial question was indeed your first post - so welcome to FT, and to the Thai forum! Hope you will stick around
I hope you will enjoy your flight in April regardless of whether it turns out old or new F.

BinSabai

I actually prefer the "old" 10F configuration on a day flight as it makes the cabin look more spacious and you can talk with each other in opposite to the 9F suites Version, where you can feel a bit caged sometimes.
I also prefer the suites on the A380 (which I enjoyed just last night) to those on the 747 (slightly more spacious and better functionality of the seat).
But those are all small differences on a high level as service and food is exactly the same with Dom, French wines, Caviar, Rimowa kit, Pyjamas etc.etc.