Cancelled Trips To Los Making Tickets Cheaper Or More Expensive?

[blakegeee]

I am going to Thailand (1 way) at the end of Nov or the start of Dec, which ever is cheapest. I am flying from Toronto to BKK and there are no direct flights.

I have read that a huge number of airline tickets to Thailand have been canceled due to the Thai politics. Is this putting the price of tickets up since the airlines are losing money? Or is anybody discounting them since they have a surplus of tickets now?

If anybody can point me in the right direction to find a cheap flight from Toronto to BKK, dates flexible, it would be much appreciated.

[onethailand]

If I were you, I'd buy my ticket now. Try Sidestep.com.

[blakegeee]

Thanks, I am checking out that site now. Looks like Etihad is the cheapest at $1253 with taxes. I do want to get it soon as prices will likely be going up as the date gets closer...I think???

[blakegeee]

I can't find a site that allows me to search flexible dates (more than just 3 days before/after) on a 1 way ticket. I guess they set these up so its hard to find what dates are cheapest without spending hours search every date possible...

Anybody know of a better site?

[blakegeee]

I found one for $955USD (tax incl) all the way to Chiang Mai so that save taxis, hotel and hastle in BKK. It stops in Washington for 2hours, then Seoul for 4 hours. I think i will end up booking this but any more input or ideas would be appreciated. Thanks

[onethailand]

$955 sounds decent - but you said you were looking for a one-way ticket?

If so - I might suggest putting in a return date... and just not using the return portion. Also two stops is quite bad...

You might also play with the dates a bit. One of the problems with Sidestep is it doesn't automatically check surrounding dates...

[tartempion]

Try Etihad's website.

I saw a 30K baht return incl. taxes promotion two weeks ago on selected dates, not for next year though, I tried leaving BKK 16 sept

Why don't you buy a return ticket, often the cost to change return date is minimal, better deal than one way, if you need to get back home that is

[Thaivisa Travel]

I think the international press is doing its usual panic stirring!  There have been cancellations from Japan China and Korea for whom this is a short haul holiday destination but the effect from Canada USA and Europe is negligible. If you travel low seaosn which is November you should not have a big problem but you should talk to your local travel agent as unfortunately we do not have discounted tickets except on departures FROM Thailand. Air Canada regular fare seem to start at CAD 1280 plus tax and fuel but IF they start finding that the bookings drop they will i am sure do a sale of some sort. Hope that helps a little.  

[blakegeee]

$955 sounds decent - but you said you were looking for a one-way ticket?

If so - I might suggest putting in a return date... and just not using the return portion. Also two stops is quite bad...

You might also play with the dates a bit. One of the problems with Sidestep is it doesn't automatically check surrounding dates...

2 stops isn't bad at all since I just want to get to Chiang Mai, I will not be enjoying Bangkok. From Toronto, there are no direct flights to Thailand so one stop is required just to get to BKK, plus a stop in BKK. And it seems all flights get to BKK too late for a connecting flight to Chiang Mai. So there is always 1 stop required plus a night in BKK, and the hassle and expense of taxis, hotel, and flight to CM.

Does anybody know of a better site to check surrounding dates (more than 3 days that is)?

I will try pricing a return but I think it will be more expensive, and its highly highly unlikely that I will be coming back to Canada any year soon.

Thanks for the input everybody!

[onethailand]

2 stops isn't bad at all since I just want to get to Chiang Mai, I will not be enjoying Bangkok. From Toronto, there are no direct flights to Thailand so one stop is required just to get to BKK, plus a stop in BKK. And it seems all flights get to BKK too late for a connecting flight to Chiang Mai. So there is always 1 stop required plus a night in BKK, and the hassle and expense of taxis, hotel, and flight to CM.

Does anybody know of a better site to check surrounding dates (more than 3 days that is)?

I will try pricing a return but I think it will be more expensive, and its highly highly unlikely that I will be coming back to Canada any year soon.

Thanks for the input everybody!

Most flights from North America arrive around midnight. You could try Singapore Air but they'll be a bit expensive. By the looks of it you're on Korean Airlines, or perhaps Asiana?

If you book a Star Alliance partner flight, and they can't get you into Chiang Mai without a night in Bangkok, they'll normally cover the hotel as well.

To try surrounding dates, you'll probably have to go to the airline sites themselves. Don't worry about pricing the return, the cost may be cheaper - just don't use the ticket if you don't want to, or if you change your mind, you'll have a way back. But don't choose a date a year in advance if you want the cheapest option - try something 3 months or less.

[blakegeee]

Hi: I am also from Toronto, and plan to live in Chiang Mai--plan to go in Jan 2009. I would appreciate it if you could share any detailed information about the airflights as I am having a similar problem finding flights--I would prefer to avoid staying over in BKK.

Should you wish to Skype me, my ####.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Barry

Hi Barry,

I actually live in Bowmanville, just east of Oshawa. My Lahu (Thai) wife just left Toronto yesterday and I am working out the rest of the details here and going back (1 way) Nov 24! Are you also looking for a 1 way ticket? My family is coming over for our wedding just before NY's so I have been helping them with flights also. The aircanada site is the best for giving you the prices of nearby dates by selectiing "my dates are flexible". She got a return ticket Dec 14 -Jan 19 for $1650CAD tax in. My 1 way ticket through www.sidestep.com was $975US to go Nov 24 (Toronto>Vancouver>Seoul>Chiang Mai). You really have to spend a lot of time trying different dates. Sidestep checks dates but always shows the date you chose to be cheapest and the surrounding are more expensive till you search those dates. You might as well not select "flexible" as it gives you BS prices for the surrounding dates anyways. Aircanada's website does not accept CNX as an airport, but on sidestep I found several that go to Vanc or US, then Seoul then Chiang Mai. 2 stops sounds like a lot but it is unavoidable. You always have to stop atleast once from Toronto, plus bangkok, and you have to spend $ on taxi, hotel, and flight to CM still.

So what do you do in Chiang Mai anyways? Have you been over there a lot? We have a little bamboo bar at the end of Moon Muang Soi 1 called Lost Hut. Soi 1 is right beside Mandalay disco (south end of Moon Muang). Follow Soi 1 till the end, then go left and you are immediately in front of the little place. Kind of a relaxed place, mostly locals off the tourist trail.

I was there for 2.5 years, originally traveling then working out how to stay. Finally I came back to Canada with a business plan. I have done business here in Canada for the last year. Now I am ready to go back to Thailand permanently, Nov 24th it is, officially!

[blakegeee]

2 stops isn't bad at all since I just want to get to Chiang Mai, I will not be enjoying Bangkok. From Toronto, there are no direct flights to Thailand so one stop is required just to get to BKK, plus a stop in BKK. And it seems all flights get to BKK too late for a connecting flight to Chiang Mai. So there is always 1 stop required plus a night in BKK, and the hassle and expense of taxis, hotel, and flight to CM.

Does anybody know of a better site to check surrounding dates (more than 3 days that is)?

I will try pricing a return but I think it will be more expensive, and its highly highly unlikely that I will be coming back to Canada any year soon.

Thanks for the input everybody!

Most flights from North America arrive around midnight. You could try Singapore Air but they'll be a bit expensive. By the looks of it you're on Korean Airlines, or perhaps Asiana?

If you book a Star Alliance partner flight, and they can't get you into Chiang Mai without a night in Bangkok, they'll normally cover the hotel as well.

To try surrounding dates, you'll probably have to go to the airline sites themselves. Don't worry about pricing the return, the cost may be cheaper - just don't use the ticket if you don't want to, or if you change your mind, you'll have a way back. But don't choose a date a year in advance if you want the cheapest option - try something 3 months or less.

Thanks for the advice. Return tickets were quite a bit more expensive. I found a good return for my dad though by keeping his return date within 3 months as you said. He can change it later, and it made the same flight "to Thailand" more expensive for changing the return date oddly enough. I bought the 1 way for $975US and it avoids US and BKK, by going to Vancouver then Seoul, then Chiang Mai.

[britmaveric]

Make sure you get a tourist visa for the 1way ticket.

[blakegeee]

Make sure you get a tourist visa for the 1way ticket.

Yes I will do that, Thanks