Thai is reducing redemption options, making points useless
Dec 13, 2017, 2:52 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2013
Programs: FB Gold
Posts: 5
Thai is reducing redemption options, making points useless
Does anyone else have extreme difficulty actually using ROP points with THAI?
Examples I encountered:
Biz class seats for redemption are not available for Jan Feb in all EU destinations,
star alliance upgrade redemption can now only be done online but you cannot complete the screens,
'Upgrade awards' for 50.000 miles flown not visible in system and offered hit or miss depending on agent, I had two of those expire as I was not aware.
I know ROP is not good, but this seems like a deliberate policy. What would be a good alternative star alliance program to move to? (based in BKK thats why I have to take TG flights)
Examples I encountered:
Biz class seats for redemption are not available for Jan Feb in all EU destinations,
star alliance upgrade redemption can now only be done online but you cannot complete the screens,
'Upgrade awards' for 50.000 miles flown not visible in system and offered hit or miss depending on agent, I had two of those expire as I was not aware.
I know ROP is not good, but this seems like a deliberate policy. What would be a good alternative star alliance program to move to? (based in BKK thats why I have to take TG flights)
Dec 13, 2017, 5:27 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Melbourne
Programs: Velocity Gold
Posts: 1,069
I think your subject statement is fear mongering. I haven't had an issue, always book over the phone, they are very helpful. More their IT is just as useless as it has ever been, this is not something that is new, I highly doubt it is intentionally deceptive.
Dec 14, 2017, 5:21 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,852
JAN/FEB is high season for Europeans going to Thailand for vacation. I booked my award seats for FEB on TG in business class long time ago (booked with LH M&M), as I knew that these seats are in high demand. You are simply too late...
Dec 14, 2017, 6:39 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Tokyo
Programs: Marriott Plat, HH G,Hyatt E,*A Gold, OW Emerald.
Posts: 3,023
Does anyone else have extreme difficulty actually using ROP points with THAI?
Examples I encountered:
Biz class seats for redemption are not available for Jan Feb in all EU destinations,
star alliance upgrade redemption can now only be done online but you cannot complete the screens,
'Upgrade awards' for 50.000 miles flown not visible in system and offered hit or miss depending on agent, I had two of those expire as I was not aware.
I know ROP is not good, but this seems like a deliberate policy. What would be a good alternative star alliance program to move to? (based in BKK thats why I have to take TG flights)
Examples I encountered:
Biz class seats for redemption are not available for Jan Feb in all EU destinations,
star alliance upgrade redemption can now only be done online but you cannot complete the screens,
'Upgrade awards' for 50.000 miles flown not visible in system and offered hit or miss depending on agent, I had two of those expire as I was not aware.
I know ROP is not good, but this seems like a deliberate policy. What would be a good alternative star alliance program to move to? (based in BKK thats why I have to take TG flights)
Dec 14, 2017, 9:32 am
#10
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BKK
Programs: TG ROP Platinum, M&M Senator, IHG Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 8,334
booked an Award ticket and a PUP in F to CDG for March/April around 2 months ago. no Problem and several available Dates.
I try to book normally around 2-3 months in advance and during Peak traveling periods 4-6 months in advance
I try to book normally around 2-3 months in advance and during Peak traveling periods 4-6 months in advance
Dec 14, 2017, 10:48 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,852
But khun BinSabai, looking for award tickets for March/April is very different (i.e. much easier) than for JAN/FEB. By March/April the surge of tourists to TH is almost over (except for Easter holiday) and award seats should be easier to find. Anyway, I agree with your time lines for booking biz awards.
Dec 14, 2017, 1:25 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BKK
Programs: TG ROP Platinum, M&M Senator, IHG Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 8,334
March/April is a bit lower in demand then Mid December until end of Feb, but not so significantly lower. Low Season starts after Songkran/mid April
Dec 15, 2017, 6:09 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: TG*G, NZ*GE, QF G, Accor Gold
Posts: 10,208
I booked K class fare for late April and had no real challenge in applying my GUP2 AKL-BKK-SIN return. I use ExpertFlyer to check specifically for K and J availability.
As always with TG, the multicity tool was not able to give me K or better fare classes online so had to use tbhe NZ office, which meant a slight higher fare (by about $70).
As always with TG, the multicity tool was not able to give me K or better fare classes online so had to use tbhe NZ office, which meant a slight higher fare (by about $70).
Dec 16, 2017, 1:34 pm
#15
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Auckland / New Delhi
Programs: TG, SQ. Amex
Posts: 225
I have to disagree with the OP and concur with many here, no problem with any of my award travel in the last couple of years. I just got AKL LHR in July, one on half points, one on GUP. The NZ office is very good.