So the changes take effect Oct. 1, 2019. I already have a September trip booked. Just hope I don't get sick requiring a delay of the trip. It's hell getting old.

Lucky for me too, as I was planning to start switching over to ROP with November flights.

Cancel that plan - this is a staggering increase in redemption mileages.

you just have to book it before 1. Oct with the old mileage requirement and could also fly later, no problem!

This change clearly makes ROP much worse of a program. So my next challenge is, who do I switch to? Aside from a decent amount of domestic flying on TG I fly BKK - SEA and/or BKK - LAX several times a year, usually on EVA, plus *A airlines here and there. I really like having *A gold for the baggage help. I figured ROP made the most sense a few years ago because I have a home base here in Thailand, but really haven't redeemed any of my TG miles since, as pointed out, they are not the best value to spend.

Should I switch to EVA, since I fly their metal several times a year? I have a home base in the US but I really don't want to go back to earning on UA, because I try to avoid their metal entirely. Which *A carrier should I switch to if retaining my *A Gold with minimal effort and annual spend is my goal?

well, that is the $100,000 question for all of us! And one which probably is so personal that no 2 FlyerTalkers could ever agree.

Nonetheless, well worth plenty of discussion! Everyday I learn something new, or something I knew has changed or is changing...

There are several things to consider including routings mainly flying, booking class(es) mainly booked, etc.

Well, looking at the programs head to head, it appears EVA Air isn't any better or easier to maintain status on than the new crappified ROP.

By the way: With the changes they only have one way award charts left. Does it mean the 50% birthday award can then also only be used for a single one way award?

I already moved to TK couple of years since TG announced incremental of redemption points previously, Never regret I did that. Since I moved to TK (year 2014), already earn and redeem more than 10xRT BKK-Tokyo tickets which 7-8 tickets are in Biz class, no problem with that. I contacted TK office in BKK, no need to call Istanbul. No problem, all smooth as Sink.

I do not see any value try to keep TG premium tier membership. Already been Gold with TK for 3 cycles.

Been flying TG for more than 10+ years, before they will come to ask Gold member sitting in Y-class to choose menu first, then this service disappeared for years and years, just recently see it comes back again. But that's it.

This moves showing TG does not appreciated their loyal customers credit to their program but rather selling mileage to bank/credit card companies. Why should be care? This also means even if I have credit card in Thailand like Citibank, my point also getting cheaper when convert to mile.

Not to mention that this moves make ROP worth lesser and the fee for redemption is still expensive as usual. One of the most expensive among *A members.

This was my email sent back in June 2014 when Thai tried this...

Hi,

I am just writing to check if there is a mistake on the new award chart? It seems all of the rates for business class travel has doubled? Should the table state they are for return flights?

I have just checked other airlines in the region and if the new table is correct Thai is on average 70% more expensive than all of these carriers, they are actually more than double the cost of Singapore Airlines which is a much better airline. Using United miles it is only 60,000 points, so Thai is 326% more expensive for the exact same flight on Thai Airways planes! How is this rewarding your own frequent flyers?

Refer to the table below. This is similar to places in Europe as well with Thai being the most expensive frequent flyer program in the world.Round Trip Miles Required
(Sydney to Bangkok Business Class)Thai (old chart)98000Thai (new chart)196000Singapore Airlines93500Qantas120000Cathay140000Malaysian1060 00Emirates120000United (On Thai Airways planes) 60000

I am hoping it is just an error and should state that the values listed are for return trips. On top of this Thai Airways charges very high fuel surcharges which other airlines do not (they charge only the legitimate taxes.)

I understand Thai Airways is struggling to attract passengers at the moment. This move will just force more people to start crediting towards your partner airlines and costing Thai more money, this will in no way attract new customers or keep the ones you already have happy.

Regards,