Feb 19, 2022, 11:47 am
Routing Advice BKK / Southeast Asia to/from USA for UA flyers
Apr 9, 2024, 12:10 am
#436
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RNO, NV, USA.
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 5,063
Since March 2014 --- ten years ago
United (UA) To Eliminate NRT-BKK (UA837,UA838) [Now gone]
United (UA) To Eliminate NRT-BKK (UA837,UA838) [Now gone]
I know a while back I used to take United (mostly from NRT) to Bangkok, now it seems like none of that exists. United has partnered with Hong Kong Air (not sure which alliance that is) and Air Japan (which I think is One World), I know there are a few options (much more costly) with Air Nippon. Well, I made a mistake of getting UA ticket which started in Bangkok using Hong Kong Air, when I tried to check-in online, I could not as they did not recognized any of the confirmation numbers provided by United (I tried them all). I called United and after spending over 90 minutes, they could not get hold of 'Customer Service' at Hong Kong Air and offered me an option to fly our of Bangkok on Thai Airways (which is their partner) for additional $1,000+.
I had to spend at least additional 30 minutes on Hong Kong Airlines counter in Bangkok as they could not find my reservations. Finally they did! Got to Hong Kong and found out there is no United lounge. ...
I had to spend at least additional 30 minutes on Hong Kong Airlines counter in Bangkok as they could not find my reservations. Finally they did! Got to Hong Kong and found out there is no United lounge. ...
Apr 9, 2024, 6:45 am
#437
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: BWIADCA
Posts: 1,902
Since March 2014 --- ten years ago
United (UA) To Eliminate NRT-BKK (UA837,UA838) [Now gone]
United (UA) To Eliminate NRT-BKK (UA837,UA838) [Now gone]
But it seems like just yesterday that UA offered B747 service NRT-BKK, which could be upgraded all the way from USA to Thailand.
One must be very careful booking USA-HKG-BKK using Hong Kong Air (HX). United.com offered this routing, usually at a lower price than ANA through Tokyo, but HX is not Star Alliance, so earns no miles and offers no benefits, with limited service. Sadly ACC2008 discovered this.
One must be very careful booking USA-HKG-BKK using Hong Kong Air (HX). United.com offered this routing, usually at a lower price than ANA through Tokyo, but HX is not Star Alliance, so earns no miles and offers no benefits, with limited service. Sadly ACC2008 discovered this.
As for Air Japan, I don't think United is offering tickets with Air Japan to anywhere. The ANA/AirJapan yes, but the low low cost in house colors no.
Apr 9, 2024, 12:33 pm
#438
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,850
The HKG UC closed when UA ceased flying to HKG for COVID (2020) While UA has resumed flying to HKG recently, the schedule is significantly reduced and UA has shown no intention of reopening the HKG UC.
Apr 9, 2024, 12:42 pm
#439
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,452
I wouldn't call the HKG schedule "significantly reduced". The pre-pandemic peak was 3-4 daily flights: 2x SFO, 1x EWR, and 1x ORD. I say 3-4 because I remember UA suspending ORD right around the time the second SFO was announced/launched, but don't remember the precise timing of what happened when. We're now at 3 daily: 2x SFO and 1x LAX.
Apr 12, 2024, 10:14 am
#440
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Ha Noi, Viet Nam.
Programs: UA 1K M, AA 2 MM PREM, AVIS First, HYATT Explorist, Marriott Lifetime Platinum., Hilton Gold.
Posts: 657
Bookmark this. https://www.staralliance.com/en/lounge-finder
Sometimes the data is slightly stale but at least it's better than nothing . You have to be departing out of the airport on a *alliance flight, to use *alliance lounge at that airport. Eg at BKK, if leaving out on HK airlines , no lounge access via *alliance gold. Contract lounges depend on other factors, not all *alliance get access to contract lounges
There are two Airjapans that fly BKK-Tokyo.
The low cost AirJapan (at the moment, any fare that United sells you for BKK-Tokyo won't be on Low-cost AirJapan, it'll be on full service AirJapan below). Economy only no business, buy up for everything (meals, baggage, seat selection )
Full service AirJapan that's basically full service ANA (earn miles, star alliance gold benefits etc, meals, some seat selection depending on fare type) - it's the equivalent of united express, ANA/UA has lower wage cost but it's full service.
Some "ANA" flights are now operated by "Air Japan", impact / options for UA flyers?
Sometimes the data is slightly stale but at least it's better than nothing . You have to be departing out of the airport on a *alliance flight, to use *alliance lounge at that airport. Eg at BKK, if leaving out on HK airlines , no lounge access via *alliance gold. Contract lounges depend on other factors, not all *alliance get access to contract lounges
There are two Airjapans that fly BKK-Tokyo.
The low cost AirJapan (at the moment, any fare that United sells you for BKK-Tokyo won't be on Low-cost AirJapan, it'll be on full service AirJapan below). Economy only no business, buy up for everything (meals, baggage, seat selection )
Full service AirJapan that's basically full service ANA (earn miles, star alliance gold benefits etc, meals, some seat selection depending on fare type) - it's the equivalent of united express, ANA/UA has lower wage cost but it's full service.
Some "ANA" flights are now operated by "Air Japan", impact / options for UA flyers?
Thanks
Apr 12, 2024, 10:16 am
#441
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Ha Noi, Viet Nam.
Programs: UA 1K M, AA 2 MM PREM, AVIS First, HYATT Explorist, Marriott Lifetime Platinum., Hilton Gold.
Posts: 657
I wouldn't call the HKG schedule "significantly reduced". The pre-pandemic peak was 3-4 daily flights: 2x SFO, 1x EWR, and 1x ORD. I say 3-4 because I remember UA suspending ORD right around the time the second SFO was announced/launched, but don't remember the precise timing of what happened when. We're now at 3 daily: 2x SFO and 1x LAX.
Apr 19, 2024, 1:33 pm
#443
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9
OP here. After waiting months, finally a saver award showed up in Economy. So, I booked the flight with miles in Economy, then I called United to “purchase” a saver upgrade in Business. They put me on the waitlist and took some additional miles (not the full 100k total) since the upgrade would only be the long haul flights. I still have enough miles leftover that if a saver Business award fare shows up, I can cancel the Economy saver (with the business upgrade waitlist). If you can think of a better plan, I’m all ears. I’m planning to check every month or so and see if the Business saver award shows up.
Apr 21, 2024, 12:51 pm
#444
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
It would be ideal that *A takes over the former (still closed) UC to make an *A lounge.