Elite Card Useless Now?

[jonniebkk]

Notwithstanding that palm, it is kinda hard to defend a product which has increased 50% in price with seemingly no added benefits.

Not really sure I can agree with this statement. I mean, the benefits have more or less remained the same since its introduction about 5 years ago while the cost of providing those services has certainly increased markedly. So a 50% increase for anything in Thailand over the past 5 years is not really that excessive is it? What made it dramatic was it was done all at one time. What hurts much more is that when you factor in the currency depreciation for Amers/Brits over the past couple years, the price rise is more like 75%

As to the transfer fees, sure it is a ridiculous amount, but for someone in the right circumstances, it could make sense to buy a "used" membership...just factor this cost in the offer for the card.

I see from the Post that they are now up to 2500 memberships Still a ways away from that 100,000 first year sales estimate and 1 million after a few years

[bendix]

Notwithstanding that palm, it is kinda hard to defend a product which has increased 50% in price with seemingly no added benefits.

Not really sure I can agree with this statement. I mean, the benefits have more or less remained the same since its introduction about 5 years ago

Ummmmmm. . . no they haven't. They've decreased. Have you not read the article posted by sriricha john.

Having read richardsmith's rather creative and desperate explanation of his 'savings', I'm rather inclined to include him as one of those who have bought it and will do anything they can to justify the expense.

I could afford it, no problem. But it offers nothing I value that I don't already have as matter of course.

[mixed]

Judging on the input from the TE card holders, it would appear they biggest benefit for the card is how quickly thru immigration (with an escort!). Free golf and massage also gets a mention.

One poster says it will pay for itself in 7-8 years and now 12 years with the price increase. I can't see how this is possible. Exactly what kind of massage is on offer?

Its a simple matter of working out how much I used the services and the money I save each time I do so.

This is just for the usage that I have got from Thai Elite and this is just for the services. On top of this I save 10% at most of the shopping malls and duty free (not a big deal so I didn't count it), and get 20% discount at a lot of the good restaurants (i.e. Marriot riverside Sunday Brunch etc)... I have not put a financial value on the excellent Visa benifits and the time saving when travelling through the airports 20+ times per year.

This is how I worked out that it would pay for its self in approximately 7-8 years, After usage this year it looks like about 6 years, but I imagine some years I could play less golf etc...

Golf at 2000 Baht per round: Playing 2-4 times per month: 4000 B to 8000 Baht per month.

Massage at 1600 Baht per massage: 2-4 times per month: 3200 B to 6400 Baht per month.

Airport transfer: 2 times per month (*See comment below): 2000 B to 4000 Baht per month.

Totals Per Month: 9200 B to 18400 Baht per month.

Totals Per Year: 110,400 B to 220800 Baht per Year.

1 MB Cost Recuperated after: 9 years to 4.5 years.

*Airport transfers in a BWM 7 series, so I estimate 2000B for the cost, but at the low end I'm also considering normal AOT taxi at what I used to pay before I joined Thai Elite which was 1000B per trip

(Edit for typo's)

If you look at it this way I can see how you get the figures, but you should also consider the interest you would have gained if you'd invested the money.

Ppl who can travel internationally twice monthly and then still spend enough time in Thailand to have 2-4 massages and rounds of golf are few and far between, as has been shown from the poor sales.

Also, exactly what sort of massage are you getting for B1,600? Maybe if they publicized this benefit a bit more they'd have acheived greater sales.

[jonniebkk]

Notwithstanding that palm, it is kinda hard to defend a product which has increased 50% in price with seemingly no added benefits.

Not really sure I can agree with this statement. I mean, the benefits have more or less remained the same since its introduction about 5 years ago

Ummmmmm. . . no they haven't. They've decreased. Have you not read the article posted by sriricha john.

Having read richardsmith's rather creative and desperate explanation of his 'savings', I'm rather inclined to include him as one of those who have bought it and will do anything they can to justify the expense.

I could afford it, no problem. But it offers nothing I value that I don't already have as matter of course.

I understand some of the Thai airline benefits have be reduced but they claim in their marketing materials that some other benefits have increased. In any case, you can't argue with the basic premise that nothing in Thailand (or anywhere else in the world for that matter) is the same price it was 5 years ago right?

As I have posted previously, I often consider the merits of the card and at B 1M I almost bought one early this year but when the price went to 1.5 id didn't make as much sense for me for what I needed the card for.

[palm]

Notwithstanding that palm, it is kinda hard to defend a product which has increased 50% in price with seemingly no added benefits.

Not really sure I can agree with this statement. I mean, the benefits have more or less remained the same since its introduction about 5 years ago

Ummmmmm. . . no they haven't. They've decreased. Have you not read the article posted by sriricha john.

Having read richardsmith's rather creative and desperate explanation of his 'savings', I'm rather inclined to include him as one of those who have bought it and will do anything they can to justify the expense.

I could afford it, no problem. But it offers nothing I value that I don't already have as matter of course.

Yes Bendix you are exactly right. But for those not married, under 50, or working for a Thai company, seeking the hassle-free ability to come in and out of Thailand, our options are very limited.

Do any other nice countries offer such a scheme? A one-off payment for a lifetime visa without limitations on entry?

[skippybangkok]

I see from the Post that they are now up to 2500 memberships

Errrr, you might want to cut the "real" figures in half or more to cater to the "free bees", and others induced to take one up to support their local politician.

[jonniebkk]

Yes Bendix you are exactly right. But for those not married, under 50, or working for a Thai company, seeking the hassle-free ability to come in and out of Thailand, our options are very limited.

That's the perspective from which I view the program as well. If you have at least 8 or so years before reaching 50, the card can make allot sense...even just for the visa privileges.

Skippy...like you say, this number has to be discounted by some unknown number for the memberships they have given gratis to various international and Thai VIPs (who are exactly the ones who would never even need to use its benefits)

[Payboy]

something that gives me maybe 50+ years of hassle-free entry into Thailand?

don't forget that tin-pot rules can be changed overnight....

and isn't it just a 5 year renewable visa with the usual re-entry requirements.....

[jonniebkk]

something that gives me maybe 50+ years of hassle-free entry into Thailand?

don't forget that tin-pot rules can be changed overnight....

Sure, but this is the case under ANY of the visa rules as they relate to whatever residency status/visa a foreigner is using to reside in Thailand. This goes for all countries where one may be residing except one's home country.

and isn't it just a 5 year renewable visa with the usual re-entry requirements.....

From my understanding, it is actually a 5-year extension of the non-immigrant visa one has to procure outside of Thailand when one wants to apply for the program (just like "retirement" visas are actually 1 year extensions of non-immigrant visas...just in this case, it's for 5 years.) Technically, 90-day visa runs are required but the TPCC state that in actuality, these are unnecessary and that one only has file the 90-day reports with immigration like all others on visa extensions. So in effect, it is a renewable 5-year residency permit.

Edited May 3, 2008 by jonniebkk

[Smithson]

something that gives me maybe 50+ years of hassle-free entry into Thailand?

don't forget that tin-pot rules can be changed overnight....

Sure, but this is the case under ANY of the visa rules as they relate to whatever residency status/visa a foreigner is using to reside in Thailand. This goes for all countries where one may be residing except one's home country. Yes, except with the other visa the fee is small. Plenty of ppl have been here on non imm visas for years, without being married, retired or employed.

and isn't it just a 5 year renewable visa with the usual re-entry requirements.....

Technically, 90-day visa runs are required but the TPCC state that in actuality, these are unnecessary and that one only has file the 90-day reports with immigration like all others on visa extensions. So in effect, it is a renewable 5-year residency permit.

That's a major technicality, I remember with the 90 reporting was a technicality and then they decided to enforce it. The 5 yr visa is it's best appeal, but what are the rules for re-entry permits?

Edited May 3, 2008 by Smithson

[jonniebkk]

something that gives me maybe 50+ years of hassle-free entry into Thailand?

don't forget that tin-pot rules can be changed overnight....

Sure, but this is the case under ANY of the visa rules as they relate to whatever residency status/visa a foreigner is using to reside in Thailand. This goes for all countries where one may be residing except one's home country. Yes, except with the other visa the fee is small. Plenty of ppl have been here on non imm visas for years, without being married, retired or employed. That is true. What I wanted to emphasize was that the rules and regulations (including financial requirements) for even the regular non-immigrant visa extensions can all be changed, or even eliminated(like the "investor's visa was a couple years ago) at any time. If they wanted to, they could eliminate them all and say the only way for foreigners to reside long-term IS to BUY an elite card. The point being is that it can all change for better or worse at any time and we all have no say in the matter. One just has to weight the choices available at the time and decide what fits best one's circumstances. If one considers it all too risky, we can choose to never come or go home.

and isn't it just a 5 year renewable visa with the usual re-entry requirements.....

Technically, 90-day visa runs are required but the TPCC state that in actuality, these are unnecessary and that one only has file the 90-day reports with immigration like all others on visa extensions. So in effect, it is a renewable 5-year residency permit.That's a major technicality, I remember with the 90 reporting was a technicality and then they decided to enforce it. The 5 yr visa is it's best appeal, but what are the rules for re-entry permits? I had the official documentation at one time I am pretty sure it said that when you got the 5-year visa extension, you got a multi-entry re-entry permit at same time (also for 5 years). If this is incorrect or has been changed, then all one would have to do is if one planned to travel, get a single or multi re-entry permit beforehand.

[gerry1011]

I used to help the Elite Programme on the side lines ( in a way wont mention ), and alot of the holders were either given a free card, or were friends / connections who were asked to buy one to support the programme o make it look good. Alot of well to do Thai's living in the USA ( with american passports ) were asked to buy one.

It has been a flop ( business wise ) from day 1. IMHO.

Looks like the life of many people here has been a flop too

[LivinLOS]

something that gives me maybe 50+ years of hassle-free entry into Thailand?

don't forget that tin-pot rules can be changed overnight....

Sure, but this is the case under ANY of the visa rules as they relate to whatever residency status/visa a foreigner is using to reside in Thailand. This goes for all countries where one may be residing except one's home country.

and isn't it just a 5 year renewable visa with the usual re-entry requirements.....

From my understanding, it is actually a 5-year extension of the non-immigrant visa one has to procure outside of Thailand when one wants to apply for the program (just like "retirement" visas are actually 1 year extensions of non-immigrant visas...just in this case, it's for 5 years.) Technically, 90-day visa runs are required but the TPCC state that in actuality, these are unnecessary and that one only has file the 90-day reports with immigration like all others on visa extensions. So in effect, it is a renewable 5-year residency permit.

Are they 90 day reporting ?? Or 90 day extensions (requiring a 1900b extension fee) like the ED visa for english study ??

I find it funny that I can simply post my passport to the UK without going there (as long as I am not in Thailand) and get the same ED visa that everyone pays for in BKK simply because I want to learn to scuba, or watch Muay Thai or (it seems) anything else !! A non imm B is is as simple as saying you want one. The non imm O is issued on (dubious) grounds too.

Really the visa is such small hassle.. The UK doesnt even need you to be either from the UK or inside the UK to get a 1 year of many types (ed, O, B etc)..

Edited May 3, 2008 by LivinLOS

[OlRedEyes]

'Elite' and Thailand certainly is a gross mismatch... "Clown" may be better.

[Payboy]

we can choose to never come or go home.

it took as much as 71 posts for that gem to crop up again....

[Smithson]

"Whatever it is, don't pay until afterwards if possible" This was the advice given to me on the plane coming over for my first trip to Thailand. It didn't even make sense at the time, but I've come to think of it as probably the best piece of advice about LOS.

Edited May 5, 2008 by Smithson

[jstumbo]

So what happens after 90 days? Is it just a normal 90 day report that you would do on any other stay of over 90 days, or do you need to pay 1900 baht and get an extension of stay for an additional 90 days? I have people that are telling me that they have had the TE card for 2 years, and they say they need to pay 1900 baht every 90 days to get an extension of stay. This would not make any sense. It would make it no better then flying to the UK and getting a multi non-O from Hull for a year, or just getting a multi non-B visa from the US.

[richard_smith237]

IF you qualified for the Type B or O multi-entry visa... it is the same.... The TE card suits those who are under retirement age, not married and don’t have other visa options.

It is simply the same as an extended tourist visa... as I travel too much I’ve never had to use the 90 day extensions, but I do believe that the 1900 Baht has to be paid if going for the 90 day reporting...

On top of the visa are other services... Golf, massage, expedited transit through the airport, airport transfers, various discounts etc... this is also where much of the attraction of the Thai Elite card is.

[distortedlink]

I think the Elite card is great value and well under priced.

I would willingly pay 10 million baht for this wonderful asset.

[bendix]

Wait a couple more years (after they've sold only another 50-60 to gullible Japanese), and you might well get your chance . .

[jonniebkk]

Golf, massage, expedited transit through the airport, airport transfers, various discounts etc... this is also where much of the attraction of the Thai Elite card is.

For me (and most of my friends) we would be willing to pay for a striped down version of the card with only the visa and fast-track airport privileges. We are not yet of an age where golf, massages, discount physicals, etc. appeals to us. And this is what you are really paying for as it doesn't cost the company/government squat to provide the visa privileges.

When I reach 50, I will just get my "retirement" visa and if I travel enough, join the Thai Long-Stay program (if it's still around) to get my airport fast-track services.

Edited May 9, 2008 by jonniebkk

[grantbkk]

Golf, massage, expedited transit through the airport, airport transfers, various discounts etc... this is also where much of the attraction of the Thai Elite card is.

For me (and most of my friends) we would be willing to pay for a striped down version of the card with only the visa and fast-track airport privileges. We are not yet of an age where golf, massages, discount physicals, etc. appeals to us. And this is what you are really paying for as it doesn't cost the company/government squat to provide the visa privileges.

When I reach 50, I will just get my "retirement" visa and if I travel enough, join the Thai Long-Stay program (if it's still around) to get my airport fast-track services.

I posted the following paragraph on May 2nd regarding your call for a stripped down version of the Elite Card. The Thai Longstay Card has many different levels depending on the privileges and services you want. Prices range from Bt12,000 to Bt72,000 per year. I travel often and, though overpriced, the card has saved me a lot of time.

I often travel in and out of the country and I purchased a card from something called the Thailand Longstay Management Company about 14 months ago. The card allows me to use The Elite Card counter, Diplomatic counter or Fast Track counter both leaving any arriving at the major airports here in Thailand. I have never spent more that 1.5 minutes leaving or arriving at any Immigration counter I choose. The first year cost was Bt6,000. Two months ago I renewed but the price doubled to Bt12,000.

Information: http://www.thailongstay.co.th/home.php

[jonniebkk]

I posted the following paragraph on May 2nd regarding your call for a stripped down version of the Elite Card. The Thai Longstay Card has many different levels depending on the privileges and services you want. Prices range from Bt12,000 to Bt72,000 per year. I travel often and, though overpriced, the card has saved me a lot of time.

I often travel in and out of the country and I purchased a card from something called the Thailand Longstay Management Company about 14 months ago. The card allows me to use The Elite Card counter, Diplomatic counter or Fast Track counter both leaving any arriving at the major airports here in Thailand. I have never spent more that 1.5 minutes leaving or arriving at any Immigration counter I choose. The first year cost was Bt6,000. Two months ago I renewed but the price doubled to Bt12,000.

Grant, I recall your previous posts on this subject. I checked-out their website. For the upper-tiers of membership (annual Silver, Gold, or Platinum or whatever) you still need to be at least 50 years old. Basically, this jibes with them assisting in getting you a retirement extension of a non-immigrant visa (which I could also easily do myself) as one has to be 50 to qualify for this.

If memory serves, there is no age requirement to purchase a one-time use of their airport fast-track services when one makes an in/out trip. The cost was about B 1700 return I think.

[Kerryd]

I think the Elite card is great value and well under priced.

I would willingly pay 10 million baht for this wonderful asset.

Tell you what. I'll appoint myself as an authorised Elite Card Distributor. Send me the 10 million and I will purchase the card on your behalf (after deducting my 85% handling and distribution fee of course) !

And for a Customer Reward (i.e. "kickback") I will return .001 % of my fees back to you !

(in the form of a free drink, the type of which is to be determined, as is the location, date and time, pending finalisation of payment and card issuance. No Refunds. If the applicant is determined to be ineligible for the Elite Card program, all funds submitted shall be disposed of at the discretion of the Distributor, including any offer of a free drink or other "Customer Reward" incentive. This offer is valid only in countries that do not have extradition treaties with Thailand. The Customer agrees to bear all legal and financial risks associated with this program, and absolves the Distributor of any responsibility what so ever. By replying to this post, the Customer agrees to all the above conditions, as well as any future conditions not yet specified or thought of.)

[jonniebkk]

I think the Elite card is great value and well under priced.

I would willingly pay 10 million baht for this wonderful asset.

Tell you what. I'll appoint myself as an authorised Elite Card Distributor. Send me the 10 million and I will purchase the card on your behalf (after deducting my 85% handling and distribution fee of course) !

You forgot the part about sending the payment for the card (B 1.5M) to your offshore bank account in Singapore!!

Yes, I kid you not. When I was seriously thinking about applying for the program and received the official information and application forms from an authorized TPCC representative, the money for payment was supposed to be wired to a Thailand Privilege Card Company bank account in SINGAPORE...<deleted>!!!

Edited May 9, 2008 by jonniebkk

[richard_smith237]

I think the Elite card is great value and well under priced.

I would willingly pay 10 million baht for this wonderful asset.

Tell you what. I'll appoint myself as an authorised Elite Card Distributor. Send me the 10 million and I will purchase the card on your behalf (after deducting my 85% handling and distribution fee of course) !

You forgot the part about sending the payment for the card (B 1.5M) to your offshore bank account in Singapore!!

Yes, I kid you not. When I was seriously thinking about applying for the program and received the official information and application forms from an authorized TPCC representative, the money for payment was supposed to be wired to a Thailand Privilege Card Company bank account in SINGAPORE...<deleted>!!!

Now that does seem dodgy...

Come to think of it I can’t remember for sure how I paid for TE Membership, but I seem to remember a cashiers check made out to Thailand Privilege Card Company, which I supposed could be paid into an offshore account....

I don’t care too much about that though. My only concern is if the program doesn’t last long enough to recoup my money....

[Plus]

What will happen when TPCC is unable to pay all those bills from golf courses and 1,600B massages?

If the card pays for itself in six years or so it means the company would run out of money, what will happen after that?

Do they need to sign more members to pay for the old ones? Do they hope that some members will never use 1mil worth of services so they can cover for heavy users?

[Ricardo]

I think the Elite card is great value and well under priced.

I would willingly pay 10 million baht for this wonderful asset.

I just happen to own the sole-rights, to collect the tolls on a bridge in Brooklyn, and which I am considering making available for a suitable sum, payment in any currency other-than US$, natch.

For some reason, which I can't quite put my finger on, I suspect that this golden-opportunity might be tailor-made, for your good self, squire.

10% discount for ready-cash !

[sriracha john]

What will happen when TPCC is unable to pay all those bills from golf courses and 1,600B massages?

If the card pays for itself in six years or so it means the company would run out of money, what will happen after that?

Do they need to sign more members to pay for the old ones? Do they hope that some members will never use 1mil worth of services so they can cover for heavy users?

It's been nothing more than one of these since Day 1...

[sriracha john]

I think the Elite card is great value and well under priced.

I would willingly pay 10 million baht for this wonderful asset.

Tell you what. I'll appoint myself as an authorised Elite Card Distributor. Send me the 10 million and I will purchase the card on your behalf (after deducting my 85% handling and distribution fee of course) !

You forgot the part about sending the payment for the card (B 1.5M) to your offshore bank account in Singapore!!

Yes, I kid you not. When I was seriously thinking about applying for the program and received the official information and application forms from an authorized TPCC representative, the money for payment was supposed to be wired to a Thailand Privilege Card Company bank account in SINGAPORE...<deleted>!!!

and.... is THAT account then linked to an account in the British Virgin Islands??? Sounds like deja vu...