TotallyOz Posted May 22, 2008 Posted May 22, 2008 The price of airfare keeps going up. I was once able to book full-fare upgradeable flights for 2000 USD. Then, it went to 2400 and then 2700. Now, it is 4300 for the upgradable fares on NWA. It is just crazy! I am sure the airlines are feeling the punch of the high price of gas but come on. American Airlines just started charging for ALL luggage. EVERY piece of luggage will now have a price and I am sure other airlines will follow. Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted May 22, 2008 Posted May 22, 2008 I am sure the airlines are feeling the punch of the high price of gas but come on This is going to get a whole lot worse if the price of oil does not fall dramatically very soon. But according to the financial media, it is headed futher north towards US$150 per barrel and more. I have a major multi-continent trip in late August and will pay for the ticket now instead of waiting, because I am certain fuel surcharges are about to rocket. Quote
Guest laurence Posted May 22, 2008 Posted May 22, 2008 It seems that NWA is trying to kill off their frequent flyer program by making it impossibly expensive for World Perks members to use their miles for upgrades. They want members to use the miles only for "award flights" meaning trade miles for a free flight. Thai Air still has reasonable fares in Premium Economy from BKK to the USA. Actually their fares have not increased in the past year. Oddly, if one checks their website, their round trip from BKK to the USA($2,000+) is more expensive then a round trip from the USA to BKK ($1500). Quote
Guest tdperhs Posted May 22, 2008 Posted May 22, 2008 LAX-BKK economy on Cathay Pacific is 1365 US$. You have to remember that it is not just the fuel. The USD has depreciated in value about 25% over the past two years, so an increase from 2000 to 2700 is not unreasonable. On the news at 11:47 p.m. LA time - just a few minutes ago: American Airlines will be charging $15.00 fee for the first checked bag. That means you'd better get on board as early as possible because those overhead bins will be loading fast by cheap people who may try to sneak their entire homes into carry-on. Quote
Guest travelerjim Posted May 22, 2008 Posted May 22, 2008 The price of airfare keeps going up. I was once able to book full-fare upgradeable flights for 2000 USD. Then, it went to 2400 and then 2700. Now, it is 4300 for the upgradable fares on NWA. It is just crazy! GT... I priced a RT from BKK to San Diego to Beijing to Bangkok on NWA today via the NW Thailand website... total price was 80,410 thb (US $2,610.)+ 30,000 miles... all in Z Class..Business Class... earns 150% elite mileage + 125% bonus mileage for platinum status..etc. Full refundable and changeable ticket... Try different combination's ...also try via Honolulu as free stop over... many Z class seats open from NRT to HON and HON to LAX &West Coast. Also price via TPE (Taipei) and SIN (Singapore) ...on NWA... you can get cheap connecting flights inside Asia...KLM has BKK-TPE-BKK for about US$450.00 + in Business Class.. DO NOT buy into interior cities unless they are on sale... big price jumps vs gateways of West Coast to Asia. Use RT tickets withing USA ...lower costs... and you can be upgraded to First Class if you have status with airline. Hope this gives you some ideas... TJ ps... How about a Round the World tix fpor you? You fly so much - all over - and the RTW tix in Business Class may be the best choice for you. Chawla Travel - BKK http://www.chawlatravel.com/ http://www.chawlatravel.com/skyteam.htm As a world traveler and valued customer, we want you to have more flexibility and more choices with your international travel. SkyTeam member airlines are Delta, AeroMexico, Air France, Alitalia, CSA Czech Airlines and Korean Airlines - an alliance dedicated to providing you with greater flight options. (Northwest is also a Skyteam partner) Airline mileage 29,000 miles economy US$ 2,190.-; business US$ 3,490.-; first US$ 5,290.- 34,000 miles economy US$ 2,490.-; business US$ 3,990.-; first US$ 6,090.- 39,000 miles economy US$ 2,900.-; business US$ 4,690.-; first US$ 7,140.- Around the world business class & first class discounts Obtain favourable prices for your round-the-world flight reservation on business or first class with our free customized quote. Lowest air fares Always buy a one-way ticket to Thailand and continue from us on business or first class, saving a lot of money. Look around...the RTW ticket may be your best choice :-) . Quote
Gaybutton Posted May 22, 2008 Posted May 22, 2008 Once again, if you are traveling to or from the USA I suggest calling Rhonda at Norcross Travel, the travel agent I have been recommending for many years, before you commit to another price. She almost always is able to save you hundreds of dollars, no matter what you find from any other source. Her toll free number is 1-888-888-7157. Make sure you are speaking to Rhonda, not someone else. Quote
Guest JoeM Posted May 22, 2008 Posted May 22, 2008 Rhonda at Norcross is quite good and I have booked with her several times. However, on a couple of occassions it has paid to shop around. Last month United gave me a ticket at the same price I paid 4 years ago. When using Rhonda, make sure you are clear about the seating you want and then check the booking. Quote
Guest buaseng Posted May 22, 2008 Posted May 22, 2008 Actually their fares have not increased in the past year. Oddly, if one checks their website, their round trip from BKK to the USA($2,000+) is more expensive then a round trip from the USA to BKK ($1500). Similar discrepancies can be found on LHR/BKK, BKK/LHR flights with trips originating in BKK dearer than vice versa. When I enquired of the London office I was told that the landing charges/aircraft servicing fees are much higher at Heathrow than Bangkok. Still don't quite understand how that makes so much difference for a round trip but that was the reason given. Presumably these charges are also higher in the US than Thailand? Quote
Guest zzrichard Posted May 22, 2008 Posted May 22, 2008 China Air r/t bkk las economy 26000 TB. Used them the last four trips and got here and there safely. I used to fly JAL until they went skyhigh. Quote
fedssocr Posted May 22, 2008 Posted May 22, 2008 welcome to inflation. As the speculators keep driving up the price of oil we are going to see prices continue to rise for everything. I am pretty well convinced that there's a new worldwide depression on the way. As the USD continues to sink it is going to drag down lots of other economies. There are the ones like China who are pegged to the dollar. And as Americans are required to cut back on our overconsumption and escalating debt levels everyone who exports stuff to us are going to be in trouble because this market will not be able to afford to buy as much stuff from everywhere else. As for airfares, you know they have really not changed all that much for many, many years. If they had been gradually increasing over time it wouldn't be so noticeable. But now that the airlines are bleeding so much money fares have to go up. They probably won't all survive anyway. Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted May 22, 2008 Posted May 22, 2008 Airline mileage: 29,000 miles economy US$ 2,190.-; business US$ 3,490.-; first US$ 5,290.- I am not sure where these fares originate, but round the world tickets on Skyteam are clearly way below those on Star and One World. Ex-BKK, business class on the 2 major alliances now starts at around a whopping US$6,500 plus taxes etc.! On the other hand, if you take advantage of the rules and don't mind using all your permitted coupons/miles, round the world tickets are great for piling up mileage and loyalty points. There are the ones like China who are pegged to the dollar I entirely agree with your views, fedssocr, but China actually un-pegged about 3 years or so ago and the RMB has appreciated somewhat against the US$ in that time - from around 8.25 to less than 7. The Hong Kong dollar does, however, remain pegged. Quote
fedssocr Posted May 22, 2008 Posted May 22, 2008 thanks for the correction. I am currently reading "The Demise of the Dollar" which included that info. I guess maybe they didn't catch that when they updated the book. Quote
Guest laurence Posted May 23, 2008 Posted May 23, 2008 I saw a fare on NWA out of Portland, OR in Jan 09 for $2300 + 80,000 miles for round trip in Business Class. Good if you have the miles. Quote
fedssocr Posted May 23, 2008 Posted May 23, 2008 how much is that seat with miles only? 80K plus $2300 seems like a ripoff. It only cost me 90,000 miles plus about $50 for the taxes for a StarAlliance award ticket on ANA using United miles from Washington, DC to BKK. Quote
Guest Posted May 23, 2008 Posted May 23, 2008 Speaking to NWA today with their elite staff trying to make some of Jim's tricks work, I was told that to be careful for this summer as lots of the flights are booking up for the Olympics and the rates will increase if available closer to those dates. Quote
Guest travelerjim Posted May 23, 2008 Posted May 23, 2008 I saw a fare on NWA out of Portland, OR in Jan 09 for $2300 + 80,000 miles for round trip in Business Class. Good if you have the miles. laurence... That seems quite high for the business class seat with miles.. Maybe it was a Cash & Miles seat where you might have been asked for 2300 + 80,000 miles.. ..for me those promos are NO GOOD as you do not earn miles on the trip I prefer seeking the U or Z seat in Business Class upgrade... U class requires fare + 60,000 miles...and price fm PDX approx 1,800 + 60,000 The Z Class seat fare in Business Class is fully refundable..and changeble.. requires higher fare + 30,000 miles for roundtrip tix. Both the U and Z upgradeable fare do EARN miles.. 150% Elite miles...plus any status bonus you are entitled to as a Silver, Gold or Platinum Worldperks member. The example I posted above in reply to GT OP you will see what a Z class tix is pricing FROM Bangkok to San Diego to Beijing and back to Bangkok...$2,610. plus 30,000 miles. The U class ticket would price out at about $1,900 + 60,000 miles. Availability changes all the time on NWA as yield management does their job...releasing U and Z seats as flight dates come nearer...so if you are flexible....wait and get the U or Z fare..and earn the miles too. I also find that Northwest NWA flight FROM BKK to USA are cheaper on NWA Thailand website: http://www.nwa.com/th/en/home.html On NWA TH webpage ...enter "other options page"...click upgrade mileage ... enter desired dates and travel itin... and 3 days +/- for your choices available. For helpful info on seat availability: check this website for seat class availability: look for Z class...(upgradeable) http://www.publicbackup.com/shared/flyertalk/availability/ Best Travel is also good source of info... for flights originating in USA http://www.bt-store.com/ Asia on sale: http://www.bt-store.com/default.asp?CatID=...p;GeoAreaID=0_2 Thaifly can also be of help... offices in Chicago and Bangkok.. for flights from any departure city. http://www.thaifly.com/ Be sure to ask if the flights earn miles... I have used both is past and always got my miles on NWA... but always good to ask. Quote
Guest luvthai Posted May 23, 2008 Posted May 23, 2008 I will be booking a flight for October either on Eva out of EWR or Thai out of JFK. They seem to be quite close price wise and I am hoping that low season fares will be more attractive. Now it seems they will start charging $25.00 for the first bag checked in. The article didn't say what the second bag would be. I usually carry 2 mid sized bags but now I will go with one large bag. Quote
Guest xiandarkthorne Posted May 23, 2008 Posted May 23, 2008 I used to fly Thai Airways to Europe on writing assignments because it was almost always cheaper than any other - except for 2005 and 2006 when I flew Emirates (cheaper by Baht320) and Quatar (Baht700 less). This year, I had to book with Malaysian Airlines because it is cheaper by Baht5,000. MAS was always the most expensive but they seem involved in a price war with AirAsia now and their prices are dropping for many flights. Quote
Guest laurence Posted May 23, 2008 Posted May 23, 2008 laurence... That seems quite high for the business class seat with miles.. No, it was $2300 + 80,000 miles. On other flights on NWA it might be $3000+ with 30,000 miles. Either they get the miles or get the dollars. The benefit of buying and upgrading to Business is that you will also get the frequent flyer miles which, if a Gold member, you would receive a 100% bonus for a total of about 36,000. If one uses miles to "purchase a ticket" you will not receive any frequent flyer miles. I believe on Thai Air an upgrade from premium economy ($1600) to Business requires about 60,000 to 70,000 miles. Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted May 24, 2008 Posted May 24, 2008 Availability changes all the time on NWA as yield management does their job This site gives a ton of up-to-date information from flyer geeks who check sites several times a day to pick up the best flight bargains. http://www.flyertalk.com/ I noticed that a few days ago someone picked up the fact that United had made a huge error on their site when updating their fuel surcharge information. This resulted in a period of several hours when you could pick up domestic US tickets at a saving of US$130! Although it is mainly US-based, there are sub-sections for most frequent flyer programmes, hotel deals, and the latest information on how to accumulate many thousands of miles on relatively cheap mileage runs. Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted May 25, 2008 Posted May 25, 2008 Just noticed that Cathay Pacific has some return business class promotions if you fly between Taipei and the US. Taipei to LAX return in D class is only US$3,100 (inclusive of tax, fuel etc.). Taipei to JFK is US$4,100 return. No miles are needed and you earn full miles and points. Having checked the Cathay site, there is a lot of availablilty of the D fare on these routes - and I understand most of the trans Pacific flights have the new fully flat bed seats. Agents may well be able to shave something off these prices. Originating ex-the USA, tickets are 50% more expensive. Of course, Taipei is not Bangkok - but as another poster has suggested, there is an excellent daily KLM flight between Bangkok and Taipei with return business class fares at US$450. So if you want a flat bed and don't mind the detour via Taipei and Hong Kong, these fares seem amongst the best available. In comparison, Cathay's D class return fare ex BKK to LAX is US$5,000, so routing via Taipei you save around US$1,450. Even if the schedule means you need to overight at Taipei airport, the savings are still BIG! Quote
