Have you ever heard of preferred seating on TG?
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: TG*G, NZ*GE, QF G, Accor Gold
Posts: 10,116
I will make a test of sorts mid-Aug flying AKL-BKK in Y, and some other sectors.
Currently seated in 31C on type 789 (31C/J are free to select), and have been in email contact about being allocated 31A if not needed for a baby cot. I will see if they try to charge me for 31A or not.
Currently seated in 31C on type 789 (31C/J are free to select), and have been in email contact about being allocated 31A if not needed for a baby cot. I will see if they try to charge me for 31A or not.
#17
Join Date: May 2001
Location: San Francisco/Bangkok
Programs: Alaska 75K United 1K
Posts: 1,406
Partner flying today BKK-HKG as star alliance gold
they now charge for exit row
star alliance does not get fee waived
He stayed in 31A on a 777-300 since he
booked exit row a month ago
they now charge for exit row
star alliance does not get fee waived
He stayed in 31A on a 777-300 since he
booked exit row a month ago
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: TG*G, NZ*GE, QF G, Accor Gold
Posts: 10,116
Hi I can see that someone has managed to get seat 31A on TG641 NRT-BKK. We won't ever know if this is a pre-existing seating request or if it is a paid 'up-front' seat.
dark Blue = occupied
X = blocked by airline for airport control or manual allocation
white = unoccupied
Click on 'SHOW' to see the screen shot - can't reduce it from my phone screenshot size easily.....
dark Blue = occupied
X = blocked by airline for airport control or manual allocation
white = unoccupied
Click on 'SHOW' to see the screen shot - can't reduce it from my phone screenshot size easily.....
Spoiler
Last edited by Thai-Kiwi; Jul 22, 2019 at 8:28 pm
#19
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: VZ
Programs: M&M, ROP, KrisFlyer
Posts: 1,028
Here it is, I hope that ROP G&P would not be charged.
- Front row Economy (31)
- Buy Silk but sit in First
https://www.thaiairways.com/en_TH/of...red_seats.page
- Front row Economy (31)
- Buy Silk but sit in First
https://www.thaiairways.com/en_TH/of...red_seats.page
And it seems there is also no limitation on booking classes. - everybody who is willing to pay may buy....
The big difference to other airlines is that TG is now (and for a first time) offering front row emergency exit and bulkhead seats to all customers and charging for it (regardless of Frequent traveller status or booking classes) - but all other "regular" seats may be -at least for the time being - still be reserved free of charge....that makes a (big!) difference.
But everything could also be under the discretion of local manager...who knows...
.
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: TG*G, NZ*GE, QF G, Accor Gold
Posts: 10,116
oh - they will charge both, Gold and even Platinum members as well.
And it seems there is also no limitation on booking classes. - everybody who is willing to pay may buy....
The big difference to other airlines is that TG is now (and for a first time) offering front row emergency exit and bulkhead seats to all customers and charging for it (regardless of Frequent traveller status or booking classes) - but all other "regular" seats may be -at least for the time being - still be reserved free of charge....that makes a (big!) difference.
But everything could also be under the discretion of local manager...who knows...
.
And it seems there is also no limitation on booking classes. - everybody who is willing to pay may buy....
The big difference to other airlines is that TG is now (and for a first time) offering front row emergency exit and bulkhead seats to all customers and charging for it (regardless of Frequent traveller status or booking classes) - but all other "regular" seats may be -at least for the time being - still be reserved free of charge....that makes a (big!) difference.
But everything could also be under the discretion of local manager...who knows...
.
And the 'fine print' from the Terms & Conditions says that TG may choose to waive any fees for certain Thai Government passenger:
The exemption from the above chargeable rates shall be applied to any passengers who traveling on the conditions agreed by THAI and Government sector according to the condition on the passenger's ticket only. By government order or agreement, certain passenger categories may have a free of charge allowance deviating from the above regular system. Such amended free of charge shall be stated on the passenger's e-ticket.
I will report my experiences in an upcoming trip next month in Y (K class) AKL-BKK-NRT-BKK-AKL.....
Last edited by Thai-Kiwi; Jul 25, 2019 at 11:40 am
#22
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 355
One item of note, your ticket must be booked through Thai. I'm flying next week on an F award booked through United NRT-BKK-DPS, the BKK-DPS is on a 744 but sold as J. I reached out to reservations about purchasing an "upgrade" to the wide-open F cabin, here was there response:
I'll try when I get to the airport and see if they will move us up for free or if they charge, assuming there is availability still.
Kindly be informed that preferred seat purchase can be proceeded on ticket issued by THAI Airways
(Document 217-xxx xxx xxxx)only.
This service cannot be offered since your ticket was issued by United Airlines (Document 016-xxx xxx xxxx).
Further information or assistance needed, please do not hesitate to let us know.
(Document 217-xxx xxx xxxx)only.
This service cannot be offered since your ticket was issued by United Airlines (Document 016-xxx xxx xxxx).
Further information or assistance needed, please do not hesitate to let us know.
#23
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Thailand
Programs: BA Gold (OWE), OZ Diamond (*G), TK Elite (*G), HH Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 360
Flying BKK-CNX today and was allocated A1 on the 747 without any additional fees or action on my side. Seat map shows the aircraft has F indeed. Nice surprise to get to fly at the nose for the short hop.
#24
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,630
Oh, that explains it. BKK-MNL today, at check in agent wanted me to pay THB990. Told her I selected this seat in advance, and there was no charge notification on the site (would have selected something else, and in fact still might as someone else is in the middle seat). She had to call supervisor to OK it.
On the same booking on another flight they moved me out of pre-selected seat due to "electronic device malfunction" (what does that even mean? no TV? on a 1 hr CNX-BKK flight?). Serves me right for using miles to fly TG when I should have paid to fly AirAsia.
P.S. The "electronic device malfunction" was a family or friends of the crew. Guess I had the only almost empty middle row
On the same booking on another flight they moved me out of pre-selected seat due to "electronic device malfunction" (what does that even mean? no TV? on a 1 hr CNX-BKK flight?). Serves me right for using miles to fly TG when I should have paid to fly AirAsia.
P.S. The "electronic device malfunction" was a family or friends of the crew. Guess I had the only almost empty middle row
Last edited by tr3k; Jul 29, 2019 at 9:03 pm
#25
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: TK E+, RJ S, AZ E
Posts: 1,868
On MH at SIN they asked if I wanted to move due to a malfunction. I declined as it was less than an hour flight.
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: TG*G, NZ*GE, QF G, Accor Gold
Posts: 10,116
I flew AKL-BKK in Y, had preselected 31C, with 31A/B blocked as usual by the system for Airport Control use (baby cot usually).
On the 789, only bulkhead seats 31C, 31F and 31H were preselectable for flexi-saver and better fares. This was before Preferred Seats was implemented. Now all row 31 is blocked.
A few days prior to the flight, and after implementation, I discovered I was able to select 31A (or any other row 31 seat). My conclusion is that the system recognised me as a Preferred Seat customer due to my existing selection and despite not paying.
Like many, I think these so-called Preferred Seats should be free to ROP Plat/Gold. Attached is a picture showing the stickers applied to the seats. I never noticed them until leaving the aircraft
On the 789, only bulkhead seats 31C, 31F and 31H were preselectable for flexi-saver and better fares. This was before Preferred Seats was implemented. Now all row 31 is blocked.
A few days prior to the flight, and after implementation, I discovered I was able to select 31A (or any other row 31 seat). My conclusion is that the system recognised me as a Preferred Seat customer due to my existing selection and despite not paying.
Like many, I think these so-called Preferred Seats should be free to ROP Plat/Gold. Attached is a picture showing the stickers applied to the seats. I never noticed them until leaving the aircraft
#28
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 422
It's a bit sad to see the desire to find as many things to charge for as possible. Other Star Alliance carriers do or did allow preferred seats for their gold members...Air Canada used to, United, Swiss and Air New Zealand still do.
As I mentioned a few weeks ago, It would be nice to have some onboard advantages apart from the occasional welcome from the IFM and the occasional early meal delivery.
I don't believe that this frantic rush to charge for everything, just like a low cost airline, will solve TG's economic problems.
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: TG*G, NZ*GE, QF G, Accor Gold
Posts: 10,116
It would be interesting to know what the local Thai frequent flyers think of this as well? Although you may recall that the fee can be waived for Thai government employees, there must be many ordinary local ROP members...
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: BKK
Programs: BRK-B
Posts: 579
If the Ministry of Finance is not the major shareholder, it would have been much easier for TG to operate with less loss, so Government/Political interference is a thing in here.