I feel the idiot for asking such a question, but with so much info available, I don't really know where to start.

Some friends want to visit in December and they've quite reasonably asked how to get the best price for tickets. Since I'm here, I must know right? Except that I came here 4 yrs ago and have never left, haven't even done a visa run in three.

I'm sure many have good info on this topic, thank you very much if you care to share. Parameters are two people in the Oakland area, flying into Bangkok, December, staying for a week or two.

Start with segment travel, SFO-BKK and BKK-SFO. Use a major search engine like Orbitz (almost always less expensive than expedia or travelocity on asian routes) juggle departure times, i.e. don't rely on the site to giver the best price - it wont't. then look at roundtrip. this will give you an idea as to cost. Then try one of the larger ticket agencies that can access consolidator fares. You have a good selection from SFO; usually China Airlines, Phillipines and the mainland Chinese carriers are the cheapest. sometimes Korean or NWA can have a seat sale.

Also check out bt-store website. They are a reliable consolidator and you can usually save at least a few hundred dollars with them.

I make the trip frequently, and after always checking the usual - Expedia, Orbitz, Kayak, etc. - I go to Vayama and find the best fares. All but once it's been China Airlines. Right now the fare is $814 RT LAX-BKK, about $80 lower than any other. Once flew Asiana Airlines at a lower fare, but the return layover at Incheon was eight-plus hours. Ugh.

My last couple of trips back to the U.S. I've used EVA Air, their Emerald Class, and I love it. But you might want to check this out as well.

http://www.asaptickets.com/

Also try airfare.com. Not great customer service, but great deals.

I feel the idiot for asking such a question, but with so much info available, I don't really know where to start.

Some friends want to visit in December and they've quite reasonably asked how to get the best price for tickets. Since I'm here, I must know right? Except that I came here 4 yrs ago and have never left, haven't even done a visa run in three.

I'm sure many have good info on this topic, thank you very much if you care to share. Parameters are two people in the Oakland area, flying into Bangkok, December, staying for a week or two.

I find that china air has the lowest price and the best connection 100am departure from sfo, 3.5 hr in taipei, 1230 afternoon arrival in bkk, same coming back depart bkk 500pm 2 hr in taipei home in sfo at 730pm and buying your ticket directly from thier website gets the best price, just paid $794 for september weekend travel if you go during the week its cheaper

Thank you for all of these informative posts!

The travel section of the San Francisco Chronicle has one of the best adverts space. The bay area {especially south bay/Asian population} is well known for it's numerous discounters, bucketshops, and consolidators where one can find some fantastic deals. Good luck.

sidestep.com

I feel the idiot for asking such a question, but with so much info available, I don't really know where to start.

Some friends want to visit in December and they've quite reasonably asked how to get the best price for tickets. Since I'm here, I must know right? Except that I came here 4 yrs ago and have never left, haven't even done a visa run in three.

I'm sure many have good info on this topic, thank you very much if you care to share. Parameters are two people in the Oakland area, flying into Bangkok, December, staying for a week or two.

Singapore Airlines has seat sale (US$781) from SFO-BKK-SFO valid for travel Sep 1 to Jan 31, 2010. Click on link below:

http://www.airfarewatchdog.com/FareDetails...8&argschk=1

Here's the direct link from Sinngapore Air for that $781 all  inclusive fare.  http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/content/local/US/promo_fares/index.jsp?origin=San%20Francisco

Your friends will have to leave SFO latest November 30th for this fare.