TotallyOz Posted June 26, 2008 Posted June 26, 2008 The base fare is the same but the extras for fuel surcharge just went up over 260 UDS per ticket yesterday. I was looking into getting a ticket later this summer and another in the fall but could not see why the fares jumped so high when I hit Submit. I called them and they said that as of yesterday, an additional 260 would be added for each ticket for the high cost of gas. Just an FYI Quote
Guest stef Posted June 27, 2008 Posted June 27, 2008 The base fare is the same but the extras for fuel surcharge just went up over 260 UDS per ticket yesterday. I was looking into getting a ticket later this summer and another in the fall but could not see why the fares jumped so high when I hit Submit. I called them and they said that as of yesterday, an additional 260 would be added for each ticket for the high cost of gas. Just an FYI Got a ticket for a friend of mine.. round trip from LAX to BBK late august.. 1200 USD in Premium Economy... I thought that was a great deal.... Quote
Bob Posted June 27, 2008 Posted June 27, 2008 Got a ticket for a friend of mine.. round trip from LAX to BBK late august.. 1200 USD in Premium Economy... I thought that was a great deal.... That sounded good so I tried to price premium economy from mid-August to mid-September. The price that came up was $1270.00 without taxes and other fees. When I got near the end, found out that the taxes and other fees added up to over $670.00....so total ticket price was $1,900.00+. A bit expensive. Then priced Eva upgraded economy (of course, LAX to Taipei and Taipei to BKK) and that was just under $1500.00 for the same dates. Got that price down to less than $1,300.00 for mid-September to mid-October. I'm actually going over at the end of September for 3 weeks and used my EVA miles for a free* ticket. That brings my miles down to not much and the next ticket is really going to cost! *Free except for $268.00 worth of taxes!!! Quote
Guest laurence Posted June 27, 2008 Posted June 27, 2008 My fare in premium economy on Thai for mid January 09 was about $1650 but purchased it in May. Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted June 27, 2008 Posted June 27, 2008 That brings my miles down to not much and the next ticket is really going to cost! That's a sure thing for TG's LAX/BKK flights. It's not just the higher fuel charges. With the JFK non-stops being cancelled in a few days, many passengers booked on those flights will be rerouted via LAX - result: fewer seats available - consequence: higher prices. Quote
Guest tdperhs Posted June 27, 2008 Posted June 27, 2008 Monday I am flying to BKK on China Air. Not the best but the cheapest. Tickets from LAX to BKK rond trip are now under 1400 USD including taxes and fees. Thirteen hours to Taipei, 1 1/2 hour layover (Allah be praised) then 4 hours to BKK. This is my 4th trip with them. I have also flown Korean Air and Thai Int'l. Not really much difference. But the saving leaves me an additional 15kbt to spend on something far more gratifying than a few fewer hours in the air. Of course, if you tire easily and feel that you might want to sit down for a little while during the flight, you might want to bring a folding chair and some cargo straps. Seat belts are extra. Quote
Guest stef Posted June 27, 2008 Posted June 27, 2008 That sounded good so I tried to price premium economy from mid-August to mid-September. The price that came up was $1270.00 without taxes and other fees. When I got near the end, found out that the taxes and other fees added up to over $670.00....so total ticket price was $1,900.00+. A bit expensive. Then priced Eva upgraded economy (of course, LAX to Taipei and Taipei to BKK) and that was just under $1500.00 for the same dates. Got that price down to less than $1,300.00 for mid-September to mid-October. I'm actually going over at the end of September for 3 weeks and used my EVA miles for a free* ticket. That brings my miles down to not much and the next ticket is really going to cost! *Free except for $268.00 worth of taxes!!! $1,900 That's nuts... well I got the ticket like 10 days ago.... so probably things did change.... I am also flying from Paris to BKK with Thai , and it was around 850 Euros, which is the normal price... but haven't paid it yet as I am waiting on an upgrade.. IF they added an extra 8% for fuel, that would sucks..... Quote
Guest buckeroo2 Posted June 27, 2008 Posted June 27, 2008 I did the same thing - used some of my soon to expire EVA miles to book in Economy Deluxe R/T SFO-BKK in December - and same same you - $260 taxes That sounded good so I tried to price premium economy from mid-August to mid-September. The price that came up was $1270.00 without taxes and other fees. When I got near the end, found out that the taxes and other fees added up to over $670.00....so total ticket price was $1,900.00+. A bit expensive. Then priced Eva upgraded economy (of course, LAX to Taipei and Taipei to BKK) and that was just under $1500.00 for the same dates. Got that price down to less than $1,300.00 for mid-September to mid-October. I'm actually going over at the end of September for 3 weeks and used my EVA miles for a free* ticket. That brings my miles down to not much and the next ticket is really going to cost! *Free except for $268.00 worth of taxes!!! Quote
fedssocr Posted June 27, 2008 Posted June 27, 2008 My fare in premium economy on Thai for mid January 09 was about $1650 but purchased it in May. If you are flying ex LAX you need to check with Thai soon. According to Thai's website "While THAI will discontinue its New York operations, the company will retain service on the return route Bangkok-Los Angeles v.v., which will utilize Airbus A340-500 aircraft until September 2008, thereafter to utilize Boeing 777-200 ER aircraft to and from Los Angeles at 5 flights per week." Since the 777 has no premium economy you will end up in regular economy. In fact that aircraft has only 30 business class seats which is half as many as the A345, so some folks in business could potentially end up being seated in economy. At the very least you may be due some money back depending on what the economy fare is now. And since the 777 can't make it all the way on one tank of gas they will add a stop at Osaka to refuel. Quote
Guest laurence Posted June 27, 2008 Posted June 27, 2008 Since the 777 has no premium economy you will end up in regular economy. In fact that aircraft has only 30 business class seats which is half as many as the A345, so some folks in business could potentially end up being seated in economy. That sure ruined my day! I changed my plans to fly premium economy from JFK to flying from LAX. Also had switched to Thai Air as an alternative to NWA. Now, from what you say, I am screwed. Cannot sit in cattle car no matter what. Quote
fedssocr Posted June 27, 2008 Posted June 27, 2008 The TG 772 ER is 3-3-3 seating in economy so I suppose it is possible what they could do is take something like the first 7 rows of economy and make sure that the middle seats are left empty and call that "premium economy" since you would have a little more space with no one sitting next to you. But that may be too creative of a solution for them and it doesn't do anything to increase pitch between rows. Definitely I would call them. If they can't accommodate you to your satisfaction I would demand a refund if it's not offered. But then you will still need to find alternate arrangements. Quote
Gaybutton Posted June 27, 2008 Posted June 27, 2008 I don't know if this helps anything, but those of you concerned about seating might want to have a look at the following web site: http://www.seatguru.com Quote
Guest laurence Posted June 28, 2008 Posted June 28, 2008 No thanks! I am fully aware of seatguru.com which is why I went for premium economy. If I had to look at economy seating I would cancel my flight. When you think it can't get worse, it does get worse. But seatguru is a useful tool. Quote
Guest Posted June 28, 2008 Posted June 28, 2008 The base fares for all their seats are the same. It is the price for taxes and charges where the changes take place. Rest assured, they are there. I bought a ticket and it was more. I was at the Thai ticket office in LA and spoke to them personally and they told me of the increase. It was there when I purchased my ticket. It was over 260 increase from the week before when I had checked. I also spoke to a few others who saw the same thing. Quote
Guest laurence Posted June 28, 2008 Posted June 28, 2008 I checked Thai Air's website and they showed flights from LAX to BKK in Jan 2009 using A340-500 non stop. But did not show any premium economy seats. Very strange. Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted June 28, 2008 Posted June 28, 2008 I checked Thai Air's website and they showed flights from LAX to BKK in Jan 2009 using A340-500 non stop. But did not show any premium economy seats. Very strange. Not strange at all, alas. First, all airlines review their schedules over the summer before implementing the winter schedules in October. Lots of changes can and do take place, including route cancellations, schedule reduction, change of aircraft type etc. So nothing in any airline's winter schedule is written in stone during the summer months. Secondly, had you looked at TG's website 3 months ago, you would still have found the JFK non-stop service operating in January. If I were planning a trip to BKK during the next 6 - 9 months, I'd certainly book and pay for my ticket now. Prices on all airlines WILL go up several times between now and then, and schedules WILL be reduced. Facts of life with oil rising to $150 and onwards. I'd also use as many miles as possible, if only because it's going to become increasingly difficult to obtain mileage tickets. As I posted elsewhere, 6 weeks ago I booked and paid for a round the world ticket starting mid-August. Since then, the price/surcharges have increased by over US$350! Quote
Guest luvthai Posted June 28, 2008 Posted June 28, 2008 I understood the 260 fuel surcharge was per sector. Does that mean each way ( 260.00x2 )or does it cover the roundtrip ticket? I will be booking in August for my October flight which will be out of EWR on Eva. I am 6ft 4 so I always fly Evergreen Delux as I need the extra few inches of leg room. I'll let you know after I have booked the flights what it will cost. Quote
atri1666 Posted June 29, 2008 Posted June 29, 2008 You also can use http://www.seatexpert.com/ (same like seatguru) I use always www.expertflyer.com for awards and seatmaps and to look for good prices in business and first. Quote
Guest laurence Posted June 30, 2008 Posted June 30, 2008 I checked with my travel agent, Rhonda, who said no more premium economy from LAX after Sept. She said cancel and get a refund. Re-book in economy if you want at a much lower price than premium (maybe). Quote
Guest Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 This really just sucks as I had just started to get my miles built up with Thai and their alliance partners. Stef had convinced me that the alliance was a good one and I agree with him. When I finally made the move, they start this reduction for Premium economy. I perfectly enjoyed the Premium economy seats and service and it was a great way for me to go back and forth so easily. I did the flight 2 times last week and had very little discomfort. The flight to LA was less than 20 percent full. The flight back was overbooked and totally full. Still, looking at the prices, the First Class Thai non-stop is about the same as the price for the full coach NWA flight that is upgradeable. I wonder what will happen to those prices when the Delta/NWA move takes effect? Quote
Guest GaySacGuy Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 I checked with my travel agent, Rhonda, who said no more premium economy from LAX after Sept. She said cancel and get a refund. Re-book in economy if you want at a much lower price than premium (maybe). I have a Thai Premium Economy ticket for the LAX to BKK in mid November. If they change the planes, and don't have premium economy seating, then there is a good chance that they will upgrade to business class those that have paid for PE. This is what happen to me last trip, as they had the normal plane down for maintenance. Quote
Guest laurence Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 I have a Thai Premium Economy ticket for the LAX to BKK in mid November. If they change the planes, and don't have premium economy seating, then there is a good chance that they will upgrade to business class those that have paid for PE. This is what happen to me last trip, as they had the normal plane down for maintenance. I really hope so GaySacGuy. My view was there was a good chance they will put me in economy at the price I paid for premium economy. Quote
Guest laurence Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 Still, looking at the prices, the First Class Thai non-stop is about the same as the price for the full coach NWA flight that is upgradeable. I wonder what will happen to those prices when the Delta/NWA move takes effect? First Class Thai is about $5200. There are no non-stop after Sept. You can get NWA Business Class for about $3200 + 30,000 miles from East Coast of US. Maybe even less from the West Coast of the US. Quote
Guest manfarang Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 If they change the planes, and don't have premium economy seating, then there is a good chance that they will upgrade to business class those that have paid for PE. Please do not plan on this. You were lucky that time, but a temporary maintenance issue is not the same as a permanent equipment change. laurence's scenario is more in line with current experience - Thai Air is relocating PE passengers to economy. You may want to start now on trying to get a refund for the price difference between economy and PE. Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted July 1, 2008 Posted July 1, 2008 If they change the planes, and don't have premium economy seating, then there is a good chance that they will upgrade to business class those that have paid for PE Manfarang is 100% right. Someone posted the link below some weeks ago - and it's extremely useful in finding out roughly how many seats are available in various classes on flights you are interested in. I checked a selection of TG flights out of LAX for the fall - very few seats left in any class. So the chance of an upgrade is zero - unless there is a huge fall-off in bookings. http://www.publicbackup.com/shared/flyertalk/availability/ Quote
