London To Bkk Return Flight

[Gazza1234]

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone can give me any tips on which airlines tend to be most flexible with changes to your return date? Also which airlines have you needed to pay a fee to change the date and how much did you pay?

I'm looking for the most flexible economy (free unlimited changes) and longest return ticket validity possible. I realise the more you pay the more flexible/longer the ticket is likely to be but would like to hear your experiences.

Previously I've purchased an economy EVA return Ldn - Bkk for £710 which was valid for 3 months and allowed several changes of return date. free of charge. Unfortunatley my plans changed and my return ticket expired so I had to buy a new single ticket back to UK ( I tried to 'upgrade' the ticket by paying more but EVA were having none of it). I've also flown Thai Airways and changed the return ticket for a fee (think it was around £150).

Does anyone know about Jet airways? Is it true that their ticket s are all valid for 12 months and first return date change is free?

Be glad to hear about your experiences

thanks

[rocketmanbkk]

it all depends on what type of ticket you want. A airlines will allow changes but you need to read the ticket rules before you buy. If you buy a cheap ticket it will be cheap for a reason i.e no cancellation, no date change etc.

Read the fare rules.

[smokie36]

OP your best bet is to visit an STA travel shop and discuss this with them. Any other advice here would just be speculative based on past experience and not really relevant to your future needs.

Edit: Or give Southall Travel a ring...they're pretty good too.

[tort]

EVA do six month and one year validity tickets as well.

£820 for the year one.

[Jiu-Jitsu]

Yes, both Jet Airway and Kingfisher have reasonably priced 12 month tickets with free first changes.

[londonthai]

yes, jet airways and kingfisher you can change the first for free, and each next is £35.

you might ask west east travel (sta and southhall don't know much specifically about thai market), but for the best ticket conditions (like the price of changing dates) do buy directly from the chosen airline. Last year I have asked them the same question you have asked, and they said those two airlines are new on the lhr-india route and they give the best, promotional conditions.

jet airways gives as well 35kg hold, instead of the regular 25-30kg

[MichaelJohn]

I'm in the same boat (or plane). As the flights from LOS are so expensive I buy a 12 month return (in the UK) so my flights are always UK to Thai with a return (Thai to UK) within 12 months. Although the tickets are more expensive than standard UK fares they are still less than Thai fares.

I've just booked a 12 month return with Emirates for £580 - £75 to change the return date. A good deal?

You just have to keep your eyes and ears open and book in adavnce. The good fares are usually early ones.

[fredob43]

I'm in the same boat (or plane). As the flights from LOS are so expensive I buy a 12 month return (in the UK) so my flights are always UK to Thai with a return (Thai to UK) within 12 months. Although the tickets are more expensive than standard UK fares they are still less than Thai fares.

I've just booked a 12 month return with Emirates for £580 - £75 to change the return date. A good deal?

You just have to keep your eyes and ears open and book in adavnce. The good fares are usually early ones.

[fredob43]

I'm in the same boat (or plane). As the flights from LOS are so expensive I buy a 12 month return (in the UK) so my flights are always UK to Thai with a return (Thai to UK) within 12 months. Although the tickets are more expensive than standard UK fares they are still less than Thai fares.

I've just booked a 12 month return with Emirates for £580 - £75 to change the return date. A good deal?

You just have to keep your eyes and ears open and book in adavnce. The good fares are usually early ones.

EVA do a one year open the first change is free any after that work's out at about £14

[nong38]

OP your best bet is to visit an STA travel shop and discuss this with them. Any other advice here would just be speculative based on past experience and not really relevant to your future needs.

Edit: Or give Southall Travel a ring...they're pretty good too.

Agreed have used both and they are good.

[Chivas]

I'm in the same boat (or plane). As the flights from LOS are so expensive I buy a 12 month return (in the UK) so my flights are always UK to Thai with a return (Thai to UK) within 12 months. Although the tickets are more expensive than standard UK fares they are still less than Thai fares.

I've just booked a 12 month return with Emirates for £580 - £75 to change the return date. A good deal?

You just have to keep your eyes and ears open and book in adavnce. The good fares are usually early ones.

Its an excellent price for a 12 month ticket ! Never mind the £75 to change !

[wileycoyote]

China Airlines will be able to give you a yearly ticket,and generally their fares are competitive

[Bpuumike]

yes, jet airways and kingfisher you can change the first for free, and each next is £35.

you might ask west east travel (sta and southhall don't know much specifically about thai market), but for the best ticket conditions (like the price of changing dates) do buy directly from the chosen airline. Last year I have asked them the same question you have asked, and they said those two airlines are new on the lhr-india route and they give the best, promotional conditions.

jet airways gives as well 35kg hold, instead of the regular 25-30kg

I'll back that up. Jet Airways are very good, especially if you can book early for a cheaper ticket. The hold baggage allowance alone would be worth paying extra for. Smokers beware, it's nothing to do with Jet Airways but there is no smoking while in tansit at Mumbai and security there confiscate all lighters.

[SaigonSaddler]

I've just got a ticket with Emirates too and coming back in April.

What visa do I need as obviously I can't stay in Thailand from Sept - April on just a 30 day visa?

Would Thai immigration require me to get a visa on such a ticket (I intend to travel around to different countries)?

Cheers!

[smokie36]

I've just got a ticket with Emirates too and coming back in April.

What visa do I need as obviously I can't stay in Thailand from Sept - April on just a 30 day visa?

Would Thai immigration require me to get a visa on such a ticket (I intend to travel around to different countries)?

Cheers!

Get a double entry Tourist Visa from a consulate in the UK. Each one gives you 60 days and you can extend it by a further 30 days at your local Immigration office for 1900 Baht.

[SaigonSaddler]

I've just got a ticket with Emirates too and coming back in April.

What visa do I need as obviously I can't stay in Thailand from Sept - April on just a 30 day visa?

Would Thai immigration require me to get a visa on such a ticket (I intend to travel around to different countries)?

Cheers!

Get a double entry Tourist Visa from a consulate in the UK. Each one gives you 60 days and you can extend it by a further 30 days at your local Immigration office for 1900 Baht.

Many thanks for the info!

[roamer]

yes, jet airways and kingfisher you can change the first for free, and each next is £35.

you might ask west east travel (sta and southhall don't know much specifically about thai market), but for the best ticket conditions (like the price of changing dates) do buy directly from the chosen airline. Last year I have asked them the same question you have asked, and they said those two airlines are new on the lhr-india route and they give the best, promotional conditions.

jet airways gives as well 35kg hold, instead of the regular 25-30kg

I'll back that up. Jet Airways are very good, especially if you can book early for a cheaper ticket. The hold baggage allowance alone would be worth paying extra for. Smokers beware, it's nothing to do with Jet Airways but there is no smoking while in tansit at Mumbai and security there confiscate all lighters.

I'm not a smoker but the attendants in the gents loo's will provide you with a store cupboard to smoke, for a few dollars, and no doubt a lighter too, a service that's always been pushed to me in transit.

To the OP, if you use a online flight finding service like Kayak and input your dates it will only come back with valid options. If you click thru as if going to purchase the ticket you will bring up terms and conditions, these will include restrictions, penalty costs, ticket validity dates etc.

Sometimes people wonder why they seem the same airline coming up on places like Kayak with the same dates at different prices. The logic is then to go for the flight at £510 instead of one at £535 for example. If you go through to the conditions you might find that the cheaper flight might not allow change of dates or charge heavily, the more expensive one may well allow change of dates at no cost or minimal cost.

I usually find a little bit of time on the net brings me the best prices and conditions if you do it correctly.