Royal Orchid Airmiles

[Jack Jones]

On reading the Thai Air web site, I noticed that American Express is a Royal Orchid/Star Alliance airmiles programme partner.

Is this benefit available on Amex cards issued in the UK, only I could not see a reference to it on the UK site? I'm guessing that this may only be available on Thailand issued cards. Can anybody shed any light as I'm looking to accumulate some extra miles to attain my gold status? Thanks.

[Rinrada]

I think that I read somewhere that it may only be available to U.S.Nationals.

I am also on the scroung for some cheap extra miles ...same reason.

Will try and check out.

[george]

Available to anyone, Thai or foreigner, who gets accepted by AMEX Thailand. Basically an AMEX basic green but with milage against THAI.

[Cheeky Farang]

Can anybody shed any light as I'm looking to accumulate some extra miles to attain my gold status? Thanks.

Spend all you want on the card, but the miles are not Q miles (qualifying miles) you need to fly 50k to get the gold card.

[SeaVisionBurma]

Best to call the UK American Express number and ask them.

I was also confused as to whether I could get miles if I applied for an Australian AMEX card. It turns out I can. Depends on which reward program I nominate.

As Cheeky Farang said, the type of points you get are an issue. but whatever points you convert from an AMEX card, you can still get Thai rewards.

good luck

[Bangkokbutcher]

My UK amex card runs a mileage program through BA, for every £20k I spend I earn a free companion ticket on any BA flight

Edited June 13, 2005 by Bangkokbutcher

[Rinrada]

My UK amex card runs a mileage program through BA, for every £20k I spend I earn a free companion ticket on any BA flight

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I had one of those and although I have a couple of thousand BA miles somewhere I dont tend to use them very much nowadays (BA that is)so the card went.

Also BA is part of the "One World" chummy group whereas Thai is of course "Star Alliance"

Just got a new Amex platinum (dont know why)but unless there are any milage advantages with it ... then its also for the bin.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Can anybody shed any light as I'm looking to accumulate some extra miles to attain my gold status? Thanks.

Spend all you want on the card, but the miles are not Q miles (qualifying miles) you need to fly 50k to get the gold card.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sad but true the qualfying miles are the ones that count

[Axel]

Yes, you have to do a bit of flying to keep airline cards up to date.

But for Thai (and Hong Kong as probably some other countries) - issued credit cards you can accumulate points that can easily transferred to become miles with an airline program

Very roughly, for every Baht 25 spent on e.g. Amex you can fly 1 km for free.

Now, if this is not a reason to have another beer?

[Rinrada]

So for a Gold card you gotta buy 30,000 beers (50bt a throw)in the offshore ......lot of "ling the bell...ling the bell" or bang down Bt 1.5 m on the table and put the lot on AMEX

...that other card might be a better deal...

[Jack Jones]

Can anybody shed any light as I'm looking to accumulate some extra miles to attain my gold status? Thanks.

Spend all you want on the card, but the miles are not Q miles (qualifying miles) you need to fly 50k to get the gold card.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sad but true the qualfying miles are the ones that count

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So the miles accumulated through the AMEX programme and other affiliates such as Novotel Hotels, don't count towards the mileage accumulation required for a gold card. Can someone clarify?

[SeaVisionBurma]

So the miles accumulated through the AMEX programme and other affiliates such as Novotel Hotels, don't count towards the mileage accumulation required for a gold card. Can someone clarify?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

In one respect - yes. They don't count for status. Affilliate programs will give points that count for direct mile rewards: ie reach a certain number of miles, cash them in for rewards.

In terms of reaching different levels (or status, eg Silver, Gold) you either need a minimum number of qualifying international SECTORS on THAI, or you need to reach a minimum number of Qualifying miles as stated in their member terms & conditions (on Thai or Star Alliance airlines). eg 50,000 miles in 12 months or 80,000 miles in 24 months for Gold (Thai or Star Alliance airlines), or 40 international sectors on Thai (sectors ONLY on Thai) flown in one year (not bad for a mate of mine who lives in Rangoon and decided to fly RGN-BKK-RGN every weekend)

Miles earned through partners, eg credit cards, can count towards flights, but not status.

Earning Thai Miles

*edited to add*

just realised that was my 500th post. Happy Birthday to me, etc

no accolades thanks

Edited June 15, 2005 by SeaVisionBurma

[george]

So the miles accumulated through the AMEX programme and other affiliates such as Novotel Hotels, don't count towards the mileage accumulation required for a gold card. Can someone clarify?

Confirmed. Only actual flown miles counts towards ROP Gold Card.

[Jack Jones]

Thanks for the clarification chaps

[Rinrada]

But of course the miles on any/all Star Alliance flights can contribute to final Total but gotta be careful and check before.

Some have restrictions but I will still have to run a check on others.

Star Alliance Airlines

THAI-V-W ..NO MILES

Adria Airways

Air Canada

Air New Zealand

All Nippon Airways

Asiana Airlines

Austrain Airlines

bmi

Blue 1

Croatia Airlines

LOT Polish Airlines

Lufthansa

Lauda Air

SAS

Singapore Airlines

Spanair

TAP Air Portugal

Tyrolean Airlines

United Airlines

US Airways

VARIG

So....if you get a Tyrolean Airlines r/t to Bangkok then you should be able to claim FULL miles.

Adria Airways....S,W.-50%....but T,L - No miles.

Air Canada-All domestic flights only: A,B,G,H,I,K,L,Q,R,T,U,V -50 %

All Nippon Airways -B,G,H,K,L,M,S,W -70%

-T- 50%

Austrian Airlines Group-G,W,S -50%

Q-70%

Asiana Airlines V,W.-70%

Blue 1 G,K,L,T,U,W-25%

Croatia Airlines-S,W-50%

LOT Polish Airlines G,W-50%

Lufthansa S,W-50%- but -T,L-no miles.

SAS-W,U,K,L,T,G-25%

Singapore Airlines -G,N,Q,-No Miles

R,V- Should any sector in a Economy class ticket contain these classes, the entire ticket will not be eligible for mileage

Spanair-M,H,S,Q,V,L,T,W,K,G - No Miles

G,K,Q,V,W - 50%

Dates also involved but 2 many to work out.....

[Bangkok Barry]

As a Thai Orchid gold card holder I received an invite to apply for the Amex card, which is also affiliated with Dusit Hotels (you get a discount in the restaurants and probably discounted room rates). I use the card as much as possible, including overseas, and get 15,000+ miles a year out of it.

You can also get doubles points if you buy air tickets from a number of specified agents.

[Bangkok Barry]

Slightly off topic, but as a gold member I also received an invite to apply for a Citibank Visa card, but was then turned down because I don't have a work permit (I only live in Thailand, but travel frequently to work overseas as a journalist).

Despite the fact I have a platinum Amex and two Visa and Mastercards from the UK and the Thai Amex card. Bizarre.

I also cannot do internet banking with Bangkok Bank because I have no work permit. No logic to that that I can see. But TIT I suppose.