Thai Air Domestic Fare Cheaper at Call Centre Than on Website

[UbonOz]

A friend has been visiting for a few days and wanted to return to Bangkok today.

Went on Thai and Thai Smile site to book. Unable to book on website as it was less than six hours prior to departure.

Telephoned the call centre and the fare was 400baht cheaper than their website.

Usually call centres tend to be dearer.

Anyway, maybe worth checking in future the cost of fares via the call centre prior to booking online, may save a few baht.

[craigt3365]

Excellent point. The agents can pull up stuff you can't via the web. I've gotten some good deals from airline agents who took the time to research fares for me.

[lomatopo]

Without a detailed break-out of the two fares it can be challenging to draw definitive conclusions. On CNX-BKK the fare difference between "Saver" and "Economy Full Flex" is ~ 415 THB. For UBP-BKK, the difference in price between Saver and Economy Full Flex is ~ 500 THB.

Can you share the details of the two fare options?

[YeaBiGgiEs]

I have found much truth in this as same goes for rental cars. Websites seem to post the average general rate for the date you have selected however speaking to an agent directly LIVE they could be way under-booked or have mass availability yet have not updated their website.

Another travel tip when looking for best fares, I will sometimes use search engines like Travelocity, Expedia, Cheaptickets etc to find me the best fare..THEN I go directly to that carriers website or call center to book. DON'T make the mistake of booking through a 3rd party because should you have a problem, miss a flight etc, the airline will offer you NO assistance and refer you back to the 3rd party. You have more recourse if you purchased directly from that carrier and are standing in front of them in the airport with your luggage.

[stefb1964]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[siam2007]

in the case of THAI AIR, if you just book via the regular booking-feature, you will NEVER get the promotions.

you have to click on their PROMOTION buttons, which usually offer very cheap fares 12 months a year. just click on them and then find out which one suits you most.

F.e. right now they have cheapo domestic fares that you won't find on the regular booking engine

[batty123]

I had a similar experience earlier this year when I had to go to Japan. Looked at the website and got a price but for some reason could not get site to accept booking so called the call centre. The price I finally paid through the call centre was Bt6,500 cheaper than the website. Now I always use the call centre

[yermanee]

Without a detailed break-out of the two fares it can be challenging to draw definitive conclusions. On CNX-BKK the fare difference between "Saver" and "Economy Full Flex" is ~ 415 THB. For UBP-BKK, the difference in price between Saver and Economy Full Flex is ~ 500 THB.

Can you share the details of the two fare options?

Does it matter to the person that is flying in less than 6 hours what farebucket his ticket is ?

Yermanee

[renaz]

in the case of THAI AIR, if you just book via the regular booking-feature, you will NEVER get the promotions.

you have to click on their PROMOTION buttons, which usually offer very cheap fares 12 months a year. just click on them and then find out which one suits you most.

F.e. right now they have cheapo domestic fares that you won't find on the regular booking engine

Hi. I clicked on the promotions button and then on the relevant one to me but could not find a link to book the fares. What am I missing? Thanks!

[lomatopo]

Without a detailed break-out of the two fares it can be challenging to draw definitive conclusions. On CNX-BKK the fare difference between "Saver" and "Economy Full Flex" is ~ 415 THB. For UBP-BKK, the difference in price between Saver and Economy Full Flex is ~ 500 THB.

Can you share the details of the two fare options?

Does it matter to the person that is flying in less than 6 hours what farebucket his ticket is ?

Yermanee

Probably not, maybe other than eligibility for FF miles? Another subsequent change or cancellation?

A lot of things start to happen at T-6 hours (for domestic flights) and T-24 hours for int'l flights. Public access to GDSes via web-sites might become restricted as the flight passes control to internal systems.

My best guess, and these are just guesses as the OP has shared no information, is that he was within the 6 hour window, and couldn't complete a purchase on TG's website (see screen grabs below) so was forced to call. Then he was comparing prices seen on the web, which may or may not have been accurately reflecting availability, with that of an issued ticket or confirmed booking, via a call center agent who would retain control and access to the flight until it passes to airport control, ~ T-2 hours for a domestic flight.?

While there may be all sorts of ways to get a lower price, I'm not certain that this particular example is somehow indicative of a process which will yield the lowest price?

I used TG 709 (for today):

[siam2007]

in the case of THAI AIR, if you just book via the regular booking-feature, you will NEVER get the promotions.

you have to click on their PROMOTION buttons, which usually offer very cheap fares 12 months a year. just click on them and then find out which one suits you most.

F.e. right now they have cheapo domestic fares that you won't find on the regular booking engine

Hi. I clicked on the promotions button and then on the relevant one to me but could not find a link to book the fares. What am I missing? Thanks!

the recent promotion for domestic fares is called "Getaways for Mother's Day".

Fares as low as 1.550 to Udon, for example, or 1.890 to Chiang Mai (plus 100 THB airport Tax respectively), but it ends August 31st - new Promos will follow for sure as it is still low season.

Just open the thaiair.com website and scroll down a little until you reach that bar containing several promotion banners to click. there you will find that "Getaways for Morher's Day" Banner, click on it and you will be taken, no, not for a ride, but to the bookling engine where you can get those cheapo fares.....

sometimes those Promos are indeed tricky to find (on the ENGLISH version of their website, that is), and I am sure they created it like that with a purpose, me thinks. "Quality Farang" is supposed to pay full fares, after all ;-)

[lomatopo]

http://www.thaiairways.com/offers/special-fare-promotions/en/special-fare-promotions.htm

http://www.thaiair.com/AIP_SuperDeals/DisplaySpecial

[renaz]

Aha! Thank-you.