Thai Online Booking

[NanLaew]

I am looking at some ticketing for travel back to Thailand. When I opted for the payment by credit card, only VISA and MasterCard options appeared. <deleted>?! Their domestic ticket purchase has Amex and JCB listed as well as the other two and I have used Amex for domestic ticketing before. Anyone know if their London office is open on a Saturday? If I leave this till Monday, the fares will have gone up or seats gone for sure.

[theoldgit]

Their London office is only open office hours on Monday to Friday, but maybe they have a ticketing desk at Heathrow, in any case it's a bit strange that they don't take Amex online from the UK, there was a thread about this recently.

Ebookers take Amex online, though they do charge about six quid, but what about Trailfinders of even Amex own travel office in London.

I wonder how much business Thai lose because of this?

[IMA_FARANG]

I don't want to appear rude...but I last flew with Thai in October 2010. I purchased a ticket from a local travel agent in a small town in a rural area in western Massachusetts. It was a one-way flight and the price I paid to the travel agent using my local bank debit card (not a credit card, a cash debit card) was about $200 LOWER than the best price quoted to me on line by ANY airline that I found for a similar flight on that day.

Thai International sells a high percentage of its tickets through travel agents. It's always done that, and that is what it prefers to do. It routinely has special fares offered ONLY through the network of its known travel agents...fares that are often NOT available through on line booking. That may seem "old fashioned" to some...but its what Thai International has always done and still likes to do.

The whole booking took about 15 minutes at my local travel agent, including a call she made to a discount ticket agency to check the fare. I sat there and drank of cup of coffee while she made the call, entered a couple of codes into her computer, took my local bank debit card and verified the charge with the bank, and then printed me a reciept and a e-ticket booking code notice.

The fee she charged me was $25 for this service.

When you consider all that, my question is, "Why do you insist on booking on line? Is it more "convienent"? Is it "cheaper"? If so,how?

[NanLaew]

Their London office is only open office hours on Monday to Friday, but maybe they have a ticketing desk at Heathrow, in any case it's a bit strange that they don't take Amex online from the UK, there was a thread about this recently.

Ebookers take Amex online, though they do charge about six quid, but what about Trailfinders of even Amex own travel office in London.

I wonder how much business Thai lose because of this?

Thanks for that... I did check eBookers and they have the same flights for virtually the same price as they appear on THAI's website. However, I was hoping to use some of my ROP miles and upgrade the ticket purchased on THAI's website via THAI's website... but first you have to buy a ticket! Anyone have experience upgrading a ticket purchased from an online fare-finder with the actual carrier? I think that it's possible that the ticket bought through a 'third-party' may have restrictions on upgrading with the airline.

They have a Heathrow airport office number listed, I will give it a shot. Failing that, I can always opt to 'contact the ticketing office within 72-hours' versus paying online which is an option when paying. That way I would have the seats 'reserved' and hope that they take Amex details over the phone on Monday.

Truly bizarre!

[mrtoad]

I've used West East Travel in the past, and I remember a couple of years ago going direct to Thai as I needed to fly the next day, and they directed me to West East saying the prices would be better. I booked over the phone using my CC, can't remember If I used AMEX though, but found them to be a very good travel agent, who seem to get good prices for Thai.

[lomatopo]

I guess I am surprised that you can't set up a valid credit card within your ROP profile, and then book/ticket any itinerary. Perhaps TG has different rules SOTO (Sold Outside, Ticketed Outside) versus SITI (Sold Inside, Ticketed Inside). It is also distressing that TG have a customer, you, anxious to give them revenue yet but unable to do so. I also find it disappointing that they do not have a 24 hour telephone reservation service in the U.K.

Assuming you are a ROP can you contact them (it seems like they should have some contact numbers on the back of your ROP card) directly for the ticket?

I assume this TG Call Center is staffed 7/24: Tel : 02-356-1111? Although it might not help that we are in the midst of a 5-day weekend.

United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland

LONDON

Reservation & Ticketing

Office: THAI AIRWAYS INTERNATIONAL (GENERAL SALES)

Address: 41 ALBEMARLE ST.

LONDON W1S 4BF

UNITED KINGDOM

Phone: (44-20) 7491-7953

Fax: (44-20) 7409-1463

E-mail: [email protected]

Reservation & Ticketing

Office: THAI AIRWAYS INTERNATIONAL(RESERVATION)

Address: 41 ALBEMARLE ST.

LONDON W1S 4BF

UNITED KINGDOM AND IRELAND

Phone: (0844) 561-0911

Fax: (44-20)7409-1463

E-mail: [email protected]

Reservation & Ticketing

Office: THAI AIRWAYS INTERNATIONAL(TICKETING)

Address: 41 ALBEMARLE ST.

LONDON W1S 4BF

UNITED KINGDOM AND IRELAND

Phone: (44-20) 7491-7953

Fax: (44-20)7907-9555

E-mail: [email protected]

[NanLaew]

Just to be more secure, I have never opted to save any charge card details on any commercial website, despite the convenience. The recent stories about hacked or otherwise compromised customer databases validates this stance I think.

However, this instance is where they accept Amex on their Domestic booking tab of the same website but only list VISA and MasterCard on their International booking tab.

I didn't call the airport as I would probably be on a hiding for nothing. I could call the Bangkok ROP number but not sure if they would quote me the same fare as it's pretty prevalent that r/t tickets bought in Europe are cheaper than the same (reversed) r/t bought in Bangkok; and not only on THAI.

I will do the booking with the 72-hour option and call the buggers on Monday morning.

[SICHONSTEVE]

I don't want to appear rude...but I last flew with Thai in October 2010. I purchased a ticket from a local travel agent in a small town in a rural area in western Massachusetts. It was a one-way flight and the price I paid to the travel agent using my local bank debit card (not a credit card, a cash debit card) was about $200 LOWER than the best price quoted to me on line by ANY airline that I found for a similar flight on that day.

Thai International sells a high percentage of its tickets through travel agents. It's always done that, and that is what it prefers to do. It routinely has special fares offered ONLY through the network of its known travel agents...fares that are often NOT available through on line booking. That may seem "old fashioned" to some...but its what Thai International has always done and still likes to do.

The whole booking took about 15 minutes at my local travel agent, including a call she made to a discount ticket agency to check the fare. I sat there and drank of cup of coffee while she made the call, entered a couple of codes into her computer, took my local bank debit card and verified the charge with the bank, and then printed me a reciept and a e-ticket booking code notice.

The fee she charged me was $25 for this service.

When you consider all that, my question is, "Why do you insist on booking on line? Is it more "convienent"? Is it "cheaper"? If so,how?

Actually, you do appear patronising somewhat!!

The reason that he/she booked online was because they were'nt aware of your self proclaimed "genius scheme" for booking flights. If they totally ignored your advice, then you could rightly ask these questions - not just after you had revealed this information to them for the first time, "smarty pants"!!!

I don't want to appear rude!! but this is typical American (I know best) mentallity and I am cleverer than you (not).

[lomatopo]

Just to be more secure, I have never opted to save any charge card details on any commercial website, despite the convenience. The recent stories about hacked or otherwise compromised customer databases validates this stance I think.

However, this instance is where they accept Amex on their Domestic booking tab of the same website but only list VISA and MasterCard on their International booking tab.

I didn't call the airport as I would probably be on a hiding for nothing. I could call the Bangkok ROP number but not sure if they would quote me the same fare as it's pretty prevalent that r/t tickets bought in Europe are cheaper than the same (reversed) r/t bought in Bangkok; and not only on THAI.

I will do the booking with the 72-hour option and call the buggers on Monday morning.

OK, it sounds as though you have a booking but the ticket has not yet been issued. Some airlines have book and hold for 24 - 72 hours. Provided you have a valid booking code, it would be a six character identifier sometimes referred to as a PNR or record locater, you could call any TG office and have the ticket issued at the price quoted. You would not pay any more as the ticket would be issued ex-LON in GBP. Personally I find it best to lock in a ticket ASAP, but if you are comfortable waiting then you will probably be fine. Worst case you pay more, or even less. You could also lock in an upgrade sooner, rather than later.

I believe AMEX has one of the best fraud protection policies in the business, but you appear to be quite cautious with your personal financial details. However at some point, owing to your imminent purchase, your credit card details will be stored in numerous TG databases, perhaps in less secure areas than the ROP one?

[theoldgit]

Anyone have experience upgrading a ticket purchased from an online fare-finder with the actual carrier? I think that it's possible that the ticket bought through a 'third-party' may have restrictions on upgrading with the airline.

Yes, but it was a few years ago, I booked an economy Thai flight with Trailfinders, who don't have a surcharge for booking with a CC, I was then able to upgrade to business by calling the Thai office. Mine wasn't actually using points but my Gold Upgrade Certificate, so I did need to ensure that Trailfinders booked a qualifying class, I don't know if this applies when using points.

[NanLaew]

I have the ticket on 72-hour hold. Calling them in the morning. Even though I have a confirmation number, I was unable to upgrade it online after logging into my ROP account. It appears that LHR along with 4 other departure points cannot process online upgrades so it needs to be done over the phone. Well, that's what the popup screen said!

[lomatopo]

I have the ticket on 72-hour hold. Calling them in the morning. Even though I have a confirmation number, I was unable to upgrade it online after logging into my ROP account. It appears that LHR along with 4 other departure points cannot process online upgrades so it needs to be done over the phone. Well, that's what the popup screen said!

You cannot request, or confirm (obviously), an upgrade until the ticket has been issued. I repeat, until the ticket is issued you cannot request an upgrade. I thought this had been mentioned in this thread, and apologies for not covering it in my previous posts. Hence the recommendation to get the ticket issued as soon as possible so you can request an upgrade before they are gone, or you are placed further down the wait-list.

[NanLaew]

I have the ticket on 72-hour hold. Calling them in the morning. Even though I have a confirmation number, I was unable to upgrade it online after logging into my ROP account. It appears that LHR along with 4 other departure points cannot process online upgrades so it needs to be done over the phone. Well, that's what the popup screen said!

You cannot request, or confirm (obviously), an upgrade until the ticket has been issued. I repeat, until the ticket is issued you cannot request an upgrade. I thought this had been mentioned in this thread, and apologies for not covering it in my previous posts. Hence the recommendation to get the ticket issued as soon as possible so you can request an upgrade before they are gone, or you are placed further down the wait-list.

The ticket HAD been issued and I had a confirmation code just that the payment method had to be confirmed. There is a definite block on LHR and 4 other departure airports for processing ROP upgrades online. The ROP agent confirmed this when I called last Monday. It's due to some arcane restrictions on processing the tax charges associated with ticketing upgrades at these departure points. Anyway, she looked up my ROP account and noticed I hadn't used my free Gold upgrade yet so that's a bonus. Confirmation itinerary received, I just need to call back and select my seats.

[lomatopo]

I have the ticket on 72-hour hold. Calling them in the morning. Even though I have a confirmation number, I was unable to upgrade it online after logging into my ROP account. It appears that LHR along with 4 other departure points cannot process online upgrades so it needs to be done over the phone. Well, that's what the popup screen said!

You cannot request, or confirm (obviously), an upgrade until the ticket has been issued. I repeat, until the ticket is issued you cannot request an upgrade. I thought this had been mentioned in this thread, and apologies for not covering it in my previous posts. Hence the recommendation to get the ticket issued as soon as possible so you can request an upgrade before they are gone, or you are placed further down the wait-list.

The ticket HAD been issued and I had a confirmation code just that the payment method had to be confirmed. There is a definite block on LHR and 4 other departure airports for processing ROP upgrades online. The ROP agent confirmed this when I called last Monday. It's due to some arcane restrictions on processing the tax charges associated with ticketing upgrades at these departure points. Anyway, she looked up my ROP account and noticed I hadn't used my free Gold upgrade yet so that's a bonus. Confirmation itinerary received, I just need to call back and select my seats.

It's a minor and perhaps arcane point, and you are misinformed, but until payment had been processed your ticket was not yet been issued. (This can be confusing for many people. You're hardly the first to get confused on this matter.) And you cannot request an upgrade until the ticket has been issued (some airlines will confirm and hold an upgrade but typically only for their highest-status members). You can book, and hold, a reservation and even get a seat assignment (on some airlines) without payment, which results in the creation of a PNR (Passenger Name Record, also called: record locater, confirmation code). The hold period varies, by airline and even status and fare basis, but the price remains fixed during the hold period, although you might be impacted slightly by currency changes. The hold period might also not be say +72 hours, but midnight on the 3rd day, Zulu time.

[NanLaew]

^ I am neither misinformed or confused. What you state does apply in general to most airlines and passengers. However, my statement is SPECIFIC to THAI's network-wide online ROP upgrade limitations.

Disregarding whether the ticket payment has been processed or not, THAI does have a block on ANY online processing of ROP upgrades at LHR and 4 other airports. If the booking wasn't available on their system, there's another pop-up that specifically says as much. Their system recognized the PNR and the screen that I got specifically mentioned the departure airports that cannot be processed online.

The arcane comment does apply to THAI's online services though! The best I have come across for online booking, changing and upgrading is Singapore Airlines where they email you 'one-time' codes that allow you to do just about anything online with your booking.

Anyway, got my seats sorted for upstairs!