ROP Program changes
Oct 18, 2019 | 2:32 am
#151
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Location: WLG/BKK
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Oct 21, 2019 | 2:09 am
#152
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: VZ
Programs: M&M, ROP, KrisFlyer
Posts: 1,028
today in "The Nation" (online):
Sumeth further explained that competition had become fiercer, with every airline dropping prices to stay ahead of its rivals. “THAI needs to adjust our strategies too to preserve our reservation rate. We will focus on rolling out promotional campaigns until year end.”
“However, next year’s strategy remains to be seen. Our prices this year have been reduced to a record low and if this strategy doesn’t work, we may take a different direction, such as seeking more partners for organisation tickets, increasing online channels, or giving privileges to frequent fliers,” he added.
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30377594
Sumeth further explained that competition had become fiercer, with every airline dropping prices to stay ahead of its rivals. “THAI needs to adjust our strategies too to preserve our reservation rate. We will focus on rolling out promotional campaigns until year end.”
“However, next year’s strategy remains to be seen. Our prices this year have been reduced to a record low and if this strategy doesn’t work, we may take a different direction, such as seeking more partners for organisation tickets, increasing online channels, or giving privileges to frequent fliers,” he added.
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30377594
Oct 21, 2019 | 2:44 am
#153
Join Date: May 2010
Location: UK & Phuket
Programs: TG Plat
Posts: 314
Further to the above post, from The Nation 15 Oct
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30377417
The airline’s president Sumet Damrongchaitham:
"The airline is also considering long-term goals such roping in more passengers by offering greater benefits to Royal Orchid Plus members"
Does he not realise that Thai Air vastly reduced the benefits to Royal Orchid members as from 1st October?
It seems some people immediately switched to other airlines when the changes were announced except for redeeming all accumulated miles on Thai prior to October 1st. So in the last 6 months or so less sales but more free award flights. Has the penny dropped?
My thoughts are, as ever, that Thai Air is a great airline despite its senior management.
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30377417
The airline’s president Sumet Damrongchaitham:
"The airline is also considering long-term goals such roping in more passengers by offering greater benefits to Royal Orchid Plus members"
Does he not realise that Thai Air vastly reduced the benefits to Royal Orchid members as from 1st October?
It seems some people immediately switched to other airlines when the changes were announced except for redeeming all accumulated miles on Thai prior to October 1st. So in the last 6 months or so less sales but more free award flights. Has the penny dropped?
My thoughts are, as ever, that Thai Air is a great airline despite its senior management.
Oct 25, 2019 | 10:57 pm
#154
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: AMEX Business Centurion
Posts: 429
today in "The Nation" (online):
Sumeth further explained that competition had become fiercer, with every airline dropping prices to stay ahead of its rivals. THAI needs to adjust our strategies too to preserve our reservation rate. We will focus on rolling out promotional campaigns until year end.
However, next years strategy remains to be seen. Our prices this year have been reduced to a record low and if this strategy doesnt work, we may take a different direction, such as seeking more partners for organisation tickets, increasing online channels, or giving privileges to frequent fliers, he added.
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30377594
Sumeth further explained that competition had become fiercer, with every airline dropping prices to stay ahead of its rivals. THAI needs to adjust our strategies too to preserve our reservation rate. We will focus on rolling out promotional campaigns until year end.
However, next years strategy remains to be seen. Our prices this year have been reduced to a record low and if this strategy doesnt work, we may take a different direction, such as seeking more partners for organisation tickets, increasing online channels, or giving privileges to frequent fliers, he added.
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30377594
Nov 3, 2019 | 5:47 am
#155
Join Date: May 2010
Location: UK & Phuket
Programs: TG Plat
Posts: 314
One of the most senior directors addressed an overseas office a few months ago and was very dismissive of the office pointing out the number of complaints received about reducing the ROP benefits, stating that loyalty schemes were on the way out in the whole airline business and they did not bring much benefit to the business. I disagree, I am almost 100% loyal to TG but without ROP I would buy every ticket on price from a list of about 6 airlines.
Nov 3, 2019 | 7:23 am
#156
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 464
One of the most senior directors addressed an overseas office a few months ago and was very dismissive of the office pointing out the number of complaints received about reducing the ROP benefits, stating that loyalty schemes were on the way out in the whole airline business and they did not bring much benefit to the business.
Nov 4, 2019 | 6:32 am
#157
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: VZ
Programs: M&M, ROP, KrisFlyer
Posts: 1,028
That's what management seems to understand under "free" and "complimentary" and "more benefits for our loyalty member program"
Nov 4, 2019 | 1:42 pm
#158
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RNO, NV, USA.
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 5,393
at least in a way that they start charging so far free "complimentary loyalty upgrades" (such as upgrade for having atteined the Gold status) from 1st December at USD120 on top of the difference in fuel surcharges (between Economy and Business class).
That's what management seems to understand under "free" and "complimentary" and "more benefits for our loyalty member program"
That's what management seems to understand under "free" and "complimentary" and "more benefits for our loyalty member program"
Nov 4, 2019 | 6:55 pm
#159
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Wow! I was unaware of this. A friend, who is TG Gold, recently bought an economy ticket CNX-BKK-LHR return, and with considerable planning, was able to use her Gold upgrade certificate to upgrade to business class. However the economy tix (K class) and various fees and taxes, bumped the price up to 49,200 THB! So now this will soon be an additional USD 120!
The Auckland office even wants to charge me US$40 for an airfare quote for a multi sector journey the cruddy website cannot cope with..... Looking at AKL-BKK-ICN return in Q.
Nov 5, 2019 | 1:39 am
#160
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: VZ
Programs: M&M, ROP, KrisFlyer
Posts: 1,028
Just for a quote? To me that sounds like the tickting handling charge which they introduced earlier this year when ticket is purchased in the office....
Nov 5, 2019 | 2:35 am
#161
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The email texts are here (2 different staff):
Our ticket office would be able to quote for you however we do need to let you know there is a fee of NZD65 per quote/or per reservation. You may prefer to approach your local travel agent for the quote and they will be able to see the availability and reserve the upgrade in J class once the Q class ticket has been issued, and they will know to liaise with us.
Please do let us know if you wish our ticket office to go ahead with the initial quote.
Kind Regards
XXX
Reservations
Thai Airways International, Auckland, New Zealand
Level 8, Citigroup Building, 23 Customs Street East, Auckland 1140, NZ | DX: CP19030
+64 9 377 3886 | 0800 100 992 | FAX +64 9 379 8597
Please do let us know if you wish our ticket office to go ahead with the initial quote.
Kind Regards
XXX
Reservations
Thai Airways International, Auckland, New Zealand
Level 8, Citigroup Building, 23 Customs Street East, Auckland 1140, NZ | DX: CP19030
+64 9 377 3886 | 0800 100 992 | FAX +64 9 379 8597
Dear Mr Thai-Kiwi,
XXX has advised you, we do recommend that you book your economy class ticket with your preferred travel agent, as they can also change the booking to J/class, subject to availability, once the economy class ticket has been issued (minimum of Q/class, as you know).
Unfortunately we now have to charge a service fee of USD 40.00 pp if you choose to book directly with us, so that will make our fares more expensive than booking through your travel agent, I’m sorry.
There are also many advantages of booking through your travel agent, as they can offer you many additional services, such as travel insurance, accommodation, visa advice etc, where we as an airline cannot offer this range of service to you, in addition to often being able to discount our fares slightly.
However, if you accept paying our service fee, then we will be happy to provide a fare quote – please kindly advise if you would to proceed on this basis.
Mr Thai-Kiwi, I do understand your views on the many recent changes to our ROP programme – as you can appreciate, all these decisions are made by our Bangkok Head Office, and it is always good for them to receive feedback (both positive and negative) on these changes, so thank you for doing so.
I look forward to assisting you with your Gold Upgrade in the near future.
If you have any further queries, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Thanks and kind regards
YYY
YYY ZZZ, Royal Orchid Plus
Thai Airways International, Auckland, New Zealand
Nov 5, 2019 | 2:44 am
#162
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: VZ
Programs: M&M, ROP, KrisFlyer
Posts: 1,028
in my understanding it refers to a ticket issued in their office (dubbed '"reservation") - the second quote by the other agent makes it quite clear.
and how are theyx going to charge you if the quote ends up in being too expensive for you and if you shift to another airline?
and how are theyx going to charge you if the quote ends up in being too expensive for you and if you shift to another airline?
Nov 5, 2019 | 2:47 am
#163
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in my understanding it refers to a ticket issued in their office (dubbed '"reservation") - the second quote by the other agent makes it quite clear.
and how are theyx going to charge you if the quote ends up in being too expensive for you and if you shift to another airline?
and how are theyx going to charge you if the quote ends up in being too expensive for you and if you shift to another airline?
My sense from these messages is that they really are not interested to be a point of sale....
Dec 26, 2019 | 2:09 am
#164
Join Date: May 2018
Programs: TG, SQ, BA, Hilton, Accor, Centara
Posts: 2
Been down to the Silom office of Thai Airways this afternoon to do a ROP miles redemption for my wife as my nominee BKK _ LHR _BKK in June 2020 as I have 30,000 expiring on 31 December. Have done this the last couple of years in December using the annual 50% miles discount (used to be the 50% 'Birthday' discount) for the following year with no problem.
Had to wait sometime whilst the ticketing agent phoned ROP. The reply was that they have not yet made a decision on the 50% redemption discount for 2020 & check back on 30 December!
Anyone out there had the same problem or have any news?
Have Thai quietly shelved this bonus for their ROP Gold members?
Had to wait sometime whilst the ticketing agent phoned ROP. The reply was that they have not yet made a decision on the 50% redemption discount for 2020 & check back on 30 December!
Anyone out there had the same problem or have any news?
Have Thai quietly shelved this bonus for their ROP Gold members?
Last edited by Brown Derby; Dec 26, 2019 at 2:23 am Reason: miss dated
Dec 26, 2019 | 2:17 am
#165
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: NZ Koru Plat, TG*G, QF G, Accor Plat
Posts: 12,896
Been down to the Silom office of Thai Airways this afternoon to do a ROP miles redemption for my wife as my nominee BKK _ LHR _BKK in June 2010 as I have 30,000 expiring on 31 December. Have done this the last couple of years in December using the annual 50% miles discount (used to be the 50% 'Birthday' discount) for the following year with no problem.
Had to wait sometime whilst the ticketing agent phoned ROP. The reply was that they have not yet made a decision on the 50% redemption discount for 2020 & check back on 30 December!
Anyone out there had the same problem or have any news?
Have Thai quietly shelved this bonus for their ROP Gold members?
Had to wait sometime whilst the ticketing agent phoned ROP. The reply was that they have not yet made a decision on the 50% redemption discount for 2020 & check back on 30 December!
Anyone out there had the same problem or have any news?
Have Thai quietly shelved this bonus for their ROP Gold members?
It is annoying if you want to use this unpublished benefit in Jan-Apr as award availability is usually scarce by the time the award comes available.