Do you really need the assistance of elite staff when you cross a border ?

[ubonjoe]

A off topic inflammatory post has been removed.

[clokwise]

Well my Elite luggage tags both broke the first trip out, the express queue at immigration is now also full of business and first class passengers, so it's no longer express. The gate service at the airport saved my ass once when I had a close connection, but otherwise it's of no value to me. I find it embarrassing to be driven and led around like an illiterate invalid.

[Grubster]

17 hours ago, clokwise said:

Well my Elite luggage tags both broke the first trip out, the express queue at immigration is now also full of business and first class passengers, so it's no longer express. The gate service at the airport saved my ass once when I had a close connection, but otherwise it's of no value to me. I find it embarrassing to be driven and led around like an illiterate invalid.

I would think that for that kind of money you could be issued an ID card that gives you all the Thai rights and privileges, with no reporting about anything and then still some added perks. I could care less about service at the airport. I would want greens fee discounts and stuff like that. Maybe short term emergency medical care. I could see myself laying in the hospital thinking, man I'm glad I bought that Visa.

            The only benefit I see now is for young single guys that want to come and go as they please without the hassles of immigration, and the way I understand it they still need to do 90 day reports anyway.

[Ronuk]

At least we have moved on from the 'TE Visa being a scam' and being closed down to whinging about luggage tags and having to wait a while at the Express desks. Personally, I've never waited at the desks and have never had a broken luggage tag. Take it up with the baggage handling service. Its hardly the fault of TE is it? As I have said, if you don't see any value in the helpful airport service offered, don't use it. Don't book it and go your own way.

I think some people just like to moan for the sake of moaning. 

 

[WhizBang]

As an Elite member, I find the assistance of the staff very useful as it makes entry and departure painless and worry free.

 

While you could easily do it all yourself (does that include taking a Taxi Meter, rather than their limo service?), why?  It's all part of the package you have paid for.
 

[hohososo]

Which part don't you believe? Why would I lie about any of that? would I gain something.  What is impossible.

Why would your friend switch to a retirement visa when a criminal record check is required which he would know he would fail?

[Grubster]

1 minute ago, hohososo said:

 

Why would your friend switch to a retirement visa when a criminal record check is required which he would know he would fail?

 

I guess he didn't know that, it was a strange deal, He said that he was in the process of redoing his marriage extension when they advised him that it would be much easier to go for the retirement visa, not too unbelievable as it is much easier for immigration, once it is done the first time. Then according to him when he brought back the information they told him to get, they gave him the news that was on their security system. I can tell you he was devastated and took his Thai wife to get a divorce that same day and left all to her. I was there to see him off from immigration as two officers took him to Vientiane Laos. I visited him there and he told me the guys that took him up were really good guys and felt bad for him. I still think something is fishy as his wife told mine that he wasn't giving her much money so there could have been a problem there. But they had been happily married for nine years. I don't think she was fit to find a replacement but who knows. Oh by the way they gave him his choice of to the airport or Laos, They also informed him that Laos does not look for these kinds of past offenses.

[john_bkk919]

"Even if he just books the car service, he will still have people running around for him. That's how the whole thing works."

 

That's not how it works.  If you specify only the car service, that's all you'll get.  There won't be anyone tasked with following you around the airport or doing anything else for you.

 

They understand that some people like the ride but aren't interested in the other services.

 

The first time, when you get the visa, they ask that you let them meet you at the gate and go to immigration together b/c it's easier that way.  After that, up to you. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[john_bkk919]

16 hours ago, WhizBang said:

While you could easily do it all yourself (does that include taking a Taxi Meter, rather than their limo service?), why?  It's all part of the package you have paid for.
 

 

At a restaurant, I don't always eat everything on my plate.  If there are preposterous carrots or tryhard potatoes on the side that I didn't want anyway, I might pass on those and just eat the salad and the steak. 

 

I did incidentally take a taxi to the airport last time instead of the limo service.  Why???  Because the taxi was right there and did not require any waiting, instructions on how to find my place, or advance notice.

 

I understand that's not a choice that you would make but you did ask the question.

 

 

 

 

[ChiangMaiLightning2143]

Arriving BKK one can have some issues getting access to the Fast Track lane on arrival if not escorted. In fact Immigration seem to view it as some kind of an imposition and the EPA agents are always apologizing. Maybe Immigrations don't like the whole thing). When Chiang Mai is concerned no staff for greeting. I flew there a few times nobody cares. Even though the the VIP lane sign lists Thailand Elite, the staff there don't care/can't read basic roman letters and comprehend what it is supposed to mean. Most likely you will be shuttled to the horde line.

Leaving Thailand the private security guards in light blue suits who work for Suvaranabhumi airport at the VIP immigration xray line may are equally unconcerned. One time they did not let me in, insulted me, (these are like 22 year old kids by the way) and I almost missed my flight. Showing them an Elite Card or pointing out the GIANT Thailand Elite banner behind the immigration officer equally pointless.

This is never an issue if you have escort.

I don't always reserve the Limo for various reasons. Is it not silly when being dropped off at the airport by taxi/friend to find an EPA just to hand-hold through a line? According to subsequent emails opinion of the Security Company is they are doing you a favor, no entitlement. Other members had same problem. So exactly when you NEED fast track(running late and there is a huge line uptairs) they have the option to deny access. Probably a face thing.

[nausea]

If  I had money to throw away I'd get an elite card. Can't hurt, and to anyone with real money, it's pennies. Probably could save a few hassles, and that annual visa/extension thing.