Feb 19, 2022, 11:47 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is an archive thread
Active thread: Routing Advice BKK to/from USA for UA flyers
United (UA) To Eliminate NRT-BKK (UA837,UA838) [Now gone] UA ceased BKK service in 2014
Active thread: Routing Advice BKK to/from USA for UA flyers
United (UA) To Eliminate NRT-BKK (UA837,UA838) [Now gone] UA ceased BKK service in 2014
Routing Advice BKK to/from USA for UA flyers {Archive}
Sep 20, 2017, 11:40 am
#256
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Oct 8, 2017, 1:10 pm
#257
Join Date: Jul 2017
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GPU Strategy getting to BKK
Mods please move if there is an existing thread, I didnt find one.
My wife and I are looking to go to Thailand for two weeks in Jan 2018, I've got 6 GPUs expiring 1/31/18 and I wont requal for 1K this year. I know flying ANA requires 1 GPU per segment, but we are okay if we need to fly in economy for some portion of the trip. I'm leaning towards booking on ANA because they have more J seats on their 77W than United (according to Seatguru), but have no experience traveling on ANA or flying to Asia. We are completely flexible with our schedule in January, so just looking for advice on how to maximize our upgrade chances. We are starting in DEN.
My wife and I are looking to go to Thailand for two weeks in Jan 2018, I've got 6 GPUs expiring 1/31/18 and I wont requal for 1K this year. I know flying ANA requires 1 GPU per segment, but we are okay if we need to fly in economy for some portion of the trip. I'm leaning towards booking on ANA because they have more J seats on their 77W than United (according to Seatguru), but have no experience traveling on ANA or flying to Asia. We are completely flexible with our schedule in January, so just looking for advice on how to maximize our upgrade chances. We are starting in DEN.
Oct 8, 2017, 1:34 pm
#258
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To upgrade on NH using GPU, first start with a qualifying fare.
Global Premier Upgrades (www.united.com/web/en-US/content/mileageplus/premier/swupgrades.aspx)
"The following ANA fare classes are eligible for Global Premier Upgrades: C, D, J, Y, B, E and G."
Global Premier Upgrades (www.united.com/web/en-US/content/mileageplus/premier/swupgrades.aspx)
"The following ANA fare classes are eligible for Global Premier Upgrades: C, D, J, Y, B, E and G."
Oct 8, 2017, 1:37 pm
#259
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: SFO
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You would need a very expensive coach fare to be able to upgrade on ana. Anyways, with complete flexibility, it would be easy to get a confirmed upgrade on booking if you do sfo-nrt/hnd. For example, jan9 is r9 right now. Even den-nrt is r4 on Jan 10/11.
Oct 8, 2017, 1:44 pm
#260
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I typically route via HKG on separate tix (CX). TPE is also a good choice.
TYO is not so great IMO b/c that's a very long flight in Y (7 hours), and a very expensive J ticket. Also, upgradeable fares to TYO can be really expensive . . . often minimum H or Q. If you use miles for the TYO-BKK segment, the J/F award ticket is 40K/60K each way. The connections are a little uncomfortable on separate tix.
TYO is not so great IMO b/c that's a very long flight in Y (7 hours), and a very expensive J ticket. Also, upgradeable fares to TYO can be really expensive . . . often minimum H or Q. If you use miles for the TYO-BKK segment, the J/F award ticket is 40K/60K each way. The connections are a little uncomfortable on separate tix.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Oct 8, 2017 at 2:52 pm Reason: cleanup after merge; thanks for the link
Oct 8, 2017, 1:56 pm
#261
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RNO, NV, USA.
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My wife and I are looking to go to Thailand for two weeks in Jan 2018, I've got 6 GPUs expiring 1/31/18 and I wont requal for 1K this year. I know flying ANA requires 1 GPU per segment, but we are okay if we need to fly in economy for some portion of the trip. I'm leaning towards booking on ANA because they have more J seats on their 77W than United (according to Seatguru), but have no experience traveling on ANA or flying to Asia. We are completely flexible with our schedule in January, so just looking for advice on how to maximize our upgrade chances. We are starting in DEN.
Oct 8, 2017, 2:46 pm
#262
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Oct 8, 2017, 2:48 pm
#263
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Indeed. When flying on UA, I try to book SFO-HKG on the new 773, which has fairly good R availability, and then connect on CX or HX, all on the same ticket. I much prefer CX (I can get into their F lounges and often get upgraded to PE) but sometimes the cost is much higher, in which case I book HX. HX's 330 is fine in coach for 2.5 hours. I've done separate tickets before and it's more risky, and a few times I've missed my flight due to late arrival, so had to book a new, last minute and expensive ticket.
Oct 8, 2017, 2:59 pm
#264
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Oct 8, 2017, 3:12 pm
#265
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K, HH Dia
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Broncos Country - You are not alone in posing this question. UA DEN-NRT upgraded with GPU, followed by NH NRT-BKK is a good option. The key is finding R availability at booking, rather than going on the WL (wait-list). Another option to consider is UA SFO-TPE upgraded with GPU, followed by TG or BR TPE-BKK (separate tix). This though requires an overnight in TPE on the return. For example choosing the date 1/10 SFO-TPE, R=6, 1/11 R=5.
Oct 8, 2017, 4:05 pm
#266
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Oct 8, 2017, 4:29 pm
#267
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Looking at Tuesdays at the end of the current reservable schedule, I don't see anything in R. This upcoming Tuesday is showing J4 C3 D0. They're selling the seats.
TPAC out of SFO, Tuesday is almost always the easiest to get R availability at booking.
TPAC out of SFO, Tuesday is almost always the easiest to get R availability at booking.
Oct 8, 2017, 6:21 pm
#268
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I was talking about the return. BKK-HKG-SFO requires a HKG overnight most of the year if you want to fly CX BKK-HKG. Look at the schedule right now. It would be a 50 minute connection, which is not legal.
Last edited by Kacee; Oct 8, 2017 at 6:36 pm
Nov 17, 2017, 7:56 am
#269
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 488
Choosing award business class flight from BKK-ORD
Would you rather fly ANA BKK-HND 787Dreamliner then ANA HND-ORD 777-300ER OR BKK-VIE TG 777-300 then VIE-ORD OS 767-300?
***Sorry the flight is actually going to HND not NRT***
***Sorry the flight is actually going to HND not NRT***
Last edited by IamHungry; Nov 17, 2017 at 8:44 am
Nov 17, 2017, 8:22 am
#270
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,439
They're both solid options. Personally I would go the latter, as BKK-VIE would be a midnight departure or so, and a long flight, ensuring a good rest. BKK-NRT would be either a 6am departure or short redeye, being less restful.