THAI -> OZ ... Can you help solve my travel problem?

[David48]

Can you help solve my travel problem?

My partner is Thai in Thailand. I am Australian and in Australia.

We have 2 infants and they will be about 1 year old come early next year. They are in Thailand.

I'm in Australia and will travel over to Thailand later this year, spend a month or two and bring all 4 of us back to Australia.

Because of the boys, there will, most likely, no planned travel for at least 12 months after that.

The Airports in play for me are Brisbane (BNE) and Coolangatta (OOL).

I can buy a return Thai flight, say ex BNE on Nov15, return (ex) BKK Jan 20 for $775 with Thai ... great price!

That means me flying solo from BNE to BKK and then including an infant on my return leg to BNE.

My partner in Thailand needs only a one-way ticket from BKK into BNE. When I checked the Thai price for that, it was quoted around Bt23,000, not far away from my return ticket price ...

I could buy her a return fare, but these usually have a 12 month expirary period and there are no forward travel plans.

I've flown both Scoot and AirAsia many times, but I have the boys (infants) to consider and desire a single leg flight.

Apologies for the long story, but I'm looking for differing perspectives on my problem.

Thanks in advance.

.

[4dyg]

dont only check one way fares also check return fares for the same leg, often depending on where you are flying, the return fare will be cheaper than the one way. so get the cheapest return ticket for the cheapest return date and just dont use it. or you could try to get a refund on it but like your chances of getting much back. sometimes you may be able to get a return package tour then just dont return.

[simple1]

is your partner being granted a PR visa? If so previously Immi BKK use to provide a letter to be used for a subsidised fare on the usual flight prices. Worth an email to check out if offer is still available

[wprime]

Make a Qantas award booking, they're exactly 50% the cost of a return fare. Jetstar has cheap 1 way fares too, they start at about 12,000 baht BKK-BNE.

[David48]

Thanks for those great thoughts ...

is your partner being granted a PR visa? If so previously Immi BKK use to provide a letter to be used for a subsidised fare on the usual flight prices. Worth an email to check out if offer is still available

Yes simple1, you nailed it (PR Visa).

I've not heard of your suggestion before, but will investigate it.
.

[TobiasML]

Maybe check Emirates as well. I am not sure if they fly to Brisbane but used to fly from BKK to Sydney.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[simple1]

Thanks for those great thoughts ...

is your partner being granted a PR visa? If so previously Immi BKK use to provide a letter to be used for a subsidised fare on the usual flight prices. Worth an email to check out if offer is still available

Yes simple1, you nailed it (PR Visa).

I've not heard of your suggestion before, but will investigate it.

.

I used the facility some years back for my partners' son, authorised carrier was Qantas

[David48]

Just having a look at the QANTAS option.

I'm seeing BKK with Jetstar into SIN then QAN into BNE

or

BKK with QAN into SYD then onto BNE

Do QANTAS not fly directly BKK into BNE?

[David48]

Jetstar is roughly varies from Bt 17,000 - Bt 21,000 for the month of January and that's before you pay for luggage etc.

But it is direct.

Anyone flown with an infant with Jetstar?

[simple1]

Just having a look at the QANTAS option.

I'm seeing BKK with Jetstar into SIN then QAN into BNE

or

BKK with QAN into SYD then onto BNE

Do QANTAS not fly directly BKK into BNE?

No, change flight @ SYD

[Kan Win]

David48, on 04 Jun 2014 - 14:42, said:David48, on 04 Jun 2014 - 14:42, said:David48, on 04 Jun 2014 - 14:42, said:David48, on 04 Jun 2014 - 14:42, said:

Anyone flown with an infant with Jetstar?

Quote

We have 2 infants and they will be about 1 year old come early next year. They are in Thailand.

So are they twins then?

Win

[David48]

Quote

We have 2 infants and they will be about 1 year old come early next year. They are in Thailand.

So are they twins then?

Win

Win, wander by this post ... http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/279140-show-your-half-asian-baby/page-19#entry7804547 .

[krisb]

So the old book as far ahead as possible always seems to do the trick.

One of the best savings we ever got, flying Singapore Air, was by luck. It just happened to be the travel expo on in our home town. Saved over 500 each ticket.

My suggestion, just to help with your options, is contact your local Flight Center, and ask whens the local QLD travel expo on.

Another trick I use is using the site jetabroad, cause they are an Aussie site, Flight Centre will price match, and then beat them. Obviously ask FC what they will do the ticket for first, just incase they are cheaper than Jetabroad.

Worth flying night time with kids, hopefully they sleep the whole trip home!

[krisb]

Jetstar is roughly varies from Bt 17,000 - Bt 21,000 for the month of January and that's before you pay for luggage etc.

But it is direct.

Anyone flown with an infant with Jetstar?

Would be on par with Air Asia wouldn't it?...which was as good as Singapore Air imo.

Kids get well treated.

[dundas]

From what I can see, only Thai offer non-stop flights BKK-Brisbane. In my opinion, flying non-stop is a whole lot easier than travelling 2 or 3 legs with very young children. The Thai offer ex Australia you mention sounds pretty good to me - maybe it's a matter of taking the rough with the smooth, and paying for your partner's fare out of Thailand on TG too.

[David48]

Jetstar is roughly varies from Bt 17,000 - Bt 21,000 for the month of January and that's before you pay for luggage etc.

But it is direct.

Anyone flown with an infant with Jetstar?

Would be on par with Air Asia wouldn't it?...which was as good as Singapore Air imo.

Kids get well treated.

Thanks for that Kris.

For those chosen dates my return flight would be $ 1,100 with a couple of hours stopover in Singapore.

A one way fare BKK - SIN - BNE is Bt 25,700

Add 1 infant, that goes to Bt Bt 27,875

Appreciating all the comments ...

.

[moojar]

Just a note on that Thai fare - does it include taxes?

I am looking at fares at the moment and Thai have a great '54 years in Australia' special (book by July 31), with fares around $740 - $775. But taxes are added at the next step - around $135 for Sydney flights, total close to $900. Still $200 less than Emirates though.

Scoot have a sale on at the moment btw: Oz - SIN $300 return, sale ends June 8. (I realise this is of no use to OP - I mention it for others reading the thread.)

[krisb]

Remember though if you book with AA, you must upgrade to a bulkhead (hot) seat to get the bassinet.

Singapore Air just book early and request the bassinet's, doesn't cost any extra.

On the flying direct route thing, if the stopover is only an hour or 2, it's no problem imo.

Flying AA with a 5hr stop in that rotten KL tin shed airport however I never will do again.

Remember you have cabin baggage, 2 pushers and 2 babies. That's a real handful.

[David48]

Just a note on that Thai fare - does it include taxes?

I am looking at fares at the moment and Thai have a great '54 years in Australia' special (book by July 31), with fares around $740 - $775. But taxes are added at the next step - around $135 for Sydney flights, total close to $900. Still $200 less than Emirates though.

Scoot have a sale on at the moment btw: Oz - SIN $300 return, sale ends June 8. (I realise this is of no use to OP - I mention it for others reading the thread.)

moojar ... excellent point ... went the next two steps in the booking process ... taxes of $135 not included.

Now, I thought that was illegal in Australia under our consumer law.

I'll follow up on that.

Great pick-up ...

[aniMAL]

I would seriously go for direct if possible. We've done BKK - LHR direct and non direct several times over the last few years. Now only direct with the kids in tow.

Just when all is organised, and little ones going down for a nap...change planes and start all over again. The worst part is sitting on the plane waiting for the off (x 2 on non direct). We now always board right at the last minute

We have a 3.5 year old son, and twin daughters 1.5 years, so you've got it easy!

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[moojar]

Hey David, just to let you know...

I have booked Thai for my wife and myself - separate bookings coz we are going up on different days, coming back together.

Hers was $909 via the Thai website, with the initial fare listed as $775. (and yes, that is illegal under Australian law - even AirAsia manages to get that right.)

When I looked at the Thai website a few days ago my travel dates would have cost the same, but last night were listed at $1096 before tax (ouch), so those cheap seats might be running out. I booked it via skiddoo in the end for $870 all up. (found it via skyscanner dot com dot au - great site)

Was tempted to go with Singapore, it was $30 less than Thai and you get to fly the A380 on the SYD - SIN legs with all the bells and whistles. They leave BKK four hours before Thai and get into SYD 1.5 hours earlier, I could be there waiting for Mrs Moojar. But would the joy of flying 16 hours in an A380 be worth the pain of 10+ years of bitchin' from the wife? Of course not! So it's an ageing 747 without seat-back entertainment for me.

btw, we brought our daughter to Oz when she was three weeks old - back in 1992. Based on experience, I definitely recommend a direct flight for you, and if Thai are the only airline flying directly to Brissie... My wife says Thai sometimes give special price to "kon Thai", so might be worth a phone call?

Melbourne is the place to be for choice of airlines. But then, ... you'd have to live in Melbourne.

[moojar]

Just a thought - why don't you give Oz Immigration a call? They might have some suggestions - as someone else mentioned, there are special deals available for newly arriving residents. Your kids are on Oz passports I assume, coming home for the first time. We used this "service" when we brought our daughter home, so that must have been a one-way ticket for her and her mother. But my memory is hazy sorry.

[David48]

This was posted by a (cyber) mate in the Visa Forum ...

1) They were referred to a support organisation which was able to arrange cheaper one way airfare through Qantas with a 40kg baggage allowance and assistance at both airports

Any more info on that 'support organisation'?Sorry couldn't remember the name a time of posting.

"Having been granted visas to enter Australia, you must make your own travel arrangements and pay your own airfares.

However, you may be eligible for a special reduced one-way economy fare, as well as a more generous baggage allowance.

These concessions, which may be available to prospective migrants through the International Organization for Migration, are the result of negotiations with a large number of international carriers on designated routes.

To receive more information on International Organization for Migration concessional fares, baggage allowance and eligibility criteria, please contact International Organization for Migration by email at [email protected] or visit their website at www.iom.int "

I will follow up on this.

.

[Chao Lao Beach]

Do QANTAS not fly directly BKK into BNE?

BKK - SYD only now, but the cost to BKK - SYD-OOL will often be about $10 more all with 30kg check in.

Note, with QF, there is a bit of paper work to do on this end, you do not need to go to their office in Silom as stated on the website, there is a procedure though. They email you stuff and you email back to them or you can pay directly to a Oz office. They are trying to avoid credit card fraud.

​I hate QF and was almost forced to last trip, I must say, I was presently surprised. With tiny kids, seriously consider Thai direct to BNE as you don't know if they are bad flyers with ear pain etc..

[Chao Lao Beach]

Just a note on that Thai fare - does it include taxes?

I am looking at fares at the moment and Thai have a great '54 years in Australia' special (book by July 31), with fares around $740 - $775. But taxes are added at the next step - around $135 for Sydney flights, total close to $900. Still $200 less than Emirates though.

Scoot have a sale on at the moment btw: Oz - SIN $300 return, sale ends June 8. (I realise this is of no use to OP - I mention it for others reading the thread.)

moojar ... excellent point ... went the next two steps in the booking process ... taxes of $135 not included.

Now, I thought that was illegal in Australia under our consumer law.

I'll follow up on that.

Great pick-up ...

No, only fares in & from Oz need to have taxes included.

Notice Qantas BKK - SYD do not include taxes on the Qantas website, (well when I last looked). You have to click through some pages to see the real price.

The ACCC have fined AirAsia 2 times that I know of int he last 2-3 years for breaking this, and they still do if many times, the fines were peanuts.

[moojar]

No, only fares in & from Oz need to have taxes included.

Yeah, my wife's booking is for SYD-BKK-SYD. Booking was made on http://www.thaiairways.com.au/ , and no taxes were included in the initial fare shown.

Baht was never mentioned either, only AUD, but they've charged my credit card in Baht. The bank conversion fee is 3%, so that cost me an extra $27.