Aircraft change: A330 J to Thai Smile premium economy
 

An upcoming flight that I have already ticketed (VTE-BKK) has just been changed from A330 J to Thai Smile premium economy.

My first reaction is to do nothing for now, as these changes often get made to 737 and back to A330, and just wait and see.

However, if I end up in premium economy on Thai Smile, for the price of full fare J, I will not be happy. Can I request a prorated refund of the fare difference for this segment if my a$$ does end up in PY?

If both segments got changed, I would ask for a full refund with no penalty (i.e. refund fee) and then rebook if TG fails to resolve this to my satisfaction.

Also, as a premium economy Thai Smile passenger will I experience business class treatment on the ground? Fast track, lounge, etc? That's a big reason I fly J in the first place on such a short flight...

i have same issue with you with flight TG570 Bkk-VTE in economy on July 8. i have received call from flight irregularity department from this number +6621057301 inform about flight change to ThaiSmile. then she try hard to convince me and tell about goodthings about Thaismile , and Thaiairways finance situation issue now. everyway but final negotiate i got 3k miles.

i have recomend you call that number to asking responsibility.
Good Luck

this may also depend on your complete ticket/routing:

if just a normal point-to-point, BKK-VTE oneway or return, then you are of course entitled for refund of fare difference.
But if it just a feeder segment or part of a longer trip with other flight segments to follow (or going ahead), then it will become very difficult to calculate the fare differential, even for TG-staff... they probably won't find a "calculable fare differential" between Biz- or Premium Economy class....

It is a simple round trip to VTE originating in BKK.

I have just called and changed the flight to the evening return to BKK, on the A330. I'll just enjoy the day in Vientiane and come back later.

For future reference, does one have have fast track immigration upon arrival in BKK on a Thai Smile flight in premium Economy? Does Premium economy mean the middle seats are blocked?

I have been on the A320 when it was in mainline livery, with TG flight numbers. At that time it had "european" style business class with middle seats blocked, but J service and catering.

Also, if a TG flight number is operated by Thai Smile, miles can only be earned with ROP, correct?

Thank you very much for this. For now, I have changed to the evening return to BKK, which is still A330. But, if I end up needing to take a smile flight, I will call that number to discuss a partial refund or compensation.

I see as TG Gold they reached out to you. Even though I am a reasonably regular F/J passenger on TG, I credit my miles to UA and therefore have no status on TG. All I got was an email showing that I had beed downgraded to premium economy.

Thai Smile ain't no smile as far as I am concerned;)

On the last question; yes you only can accrue miles to THAI ROP.

and: yes - middle seats are blocked (European style)

Thank you:)

I would hope that Thai Smile int'l premium economy passengers would also get business class treatment on the ground. At least priority check in, lounge, and fast track. The U fares (premium economy) are only about ฿1,000 (per one way) less than full fare J on this route.

I couldn't see anything on this unfortuantely; only that if THAI ROP Gold/Plat then you will get those benefits.

I couldn't even find a PE fare onthe WE website interantioannly, yet I can on TG's website....(random search BKK-KUL-BKK in July)

I guess we'll have to wait for someone who isn't ROP gold to find out. I have already changed my flight, so will fortunately not likely have to deal with it.

In my case, where I was simply sent an email that I had been essentially involuntarily downgraded to premium economy, I would have demanded full business class treatment on the ground since that's the fare basis I booked and paid for.

This is a massive downgrade, so I would suggest you to request for a full refund.