I am flying UA to BKK with a 2 week layover in NRT. When I arrive in BKK, I plan on staying there for a few days then continuing to Phuket (HKT). The flights I am seeing right now are for AirAsia and ThaiAirways costing $80 and $350, respectively. If I can save myself $270 I don't care much about picking up the extra miles for a short flight. But the issue is the baggage policy on the AirAsia flight. I have one bag for business and the other for vacation. I really don't need to carry my work bag around when in Thailand. I was wondering what the policies are regarding lockers in the airports? I will consider suggestions outside of airport lockers if anyone has any. Also does anyone know why ThaiAir is so much more money? Thanks.

TG is more money because it is a full service airline. Isn't this the same in the US? LCCs are cheap. Full service carriers are expensive.

Anyway... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thai-...k-airport.html

Not sure where you are looking, but TG fares on their website seem to be more in the US$260 range for round-trip on this route. Still not a great price, and their website is notorious for not having all fares (esp the lower ones) loaded into the system. Also, I believe TG just raised their fares on domestic flights--the Thai Subforum under "Miles and Points" has more on this.

If you haven't already, you might check Bangkok Airways (PG), also a good little full service regional and domestic carrier. You won't earn points on your normal FF programs, though. Often considered a relatively expensive airline, sometimes they can surprise you with decent fares. I was just looking at their website for flights BKK-HKT around mid-May, and was finding web fares for round-trip total of $130 (Bht 4300-ish). With that difference, I'd fly them over Air Asia anyday, particularly as they tend to stick to schedules, and have no nickel-and-diming hassles of LCC's. Checked baggage allowance is standard mainline carrier 20 kg per person. www.bangkokair.com

If you are going to start out in Bangkok for a few days, you can also just wait until you arrive, and pop in to any travel agent who can get you a discounted e-ticket.

As a LCC Air Asia charges for all baggage but you can select the weight you want to pay for in advance as you go through the ticket booking. Last time I looked this allowed you to pre book up to 30kg. Obviously it will cost you more but still a lot cheaper than the Thai flight.

I see you are UA 2P. If you have 20,000 miles in your UA MP account you can get a RT award ticket for 20,000 miles on Thai.

If you do end up considering Bangkok Airways who have a checked baggage weight limit of 20 Kg, you can receive an additional 10 Kg allowance if you join their frequent flyer program. I haven't flown with Bangkok Airways yet (though I have a number of upcoming reservations) so I can't comment on their level of service.

Here's link to the left luggage service at Suvarnabhumi - Link

i wouldn't spend 20k MP miles on a BKK-HKT ticket...not worth it....
go with AirAsia and pay the 30kg luggage upfront or store luggage at BKK.

can you leave your extra bag at your BKK hotel ?

If you are flying back thru BKK and using the same hotel your last night I am sure they will hold it for you

Rally