monkeyman

The service in Premium laurel is good. They nearly got my name right on one occasion.

If that was a serious post then it sounds like we're having another outbreak of viral amnesia. Run for it lads.

I knew we'd get the right answers to these questions eventually.

WestEast do tend to be cheaper, but Ours Travel are better if availability is a problem, as they seem to find seats when no-one else can.

Phew! Thanks for the info fellers. Now all I need is a week off work to sort it all out...

Thanks guys. Now here's a supplementary question. If I want to upgrade from Elite to PL, is it possible to do it on a flight where Elite is fully booked i.e. do I have to book an available Elite seat on the flight before I can upgrade even though I don't need the Elite seat anyway? Hope I've explained that OK. Bit of a Catch 22, this one.

Anyone thinking of booking EVA Elite LHR-BKK in the near future be warned. It's already pretty well booked solid for the next four months, so get your bookings in quick unless you want to end up with the riff-raff in Economy.

I'm sure that the post-op katoeys will be pleased to see that their surplus bits are being recycled.

Guess I must try harder than I think then.

If you're making a booking direct with the hotel, I'd check with them first. Guest fees are often waived if you make the booking with them. Otherwise, you'll be looking at around 500-1500 baht per guest. If I were you, I'd go somewhere that doesn't charge guest fees at all. The places that do are basically saying they don't want you there. Check out the hotels section on this board for recommendations.

That's a comfortable budget if you keep an eye on what you spend.

Thanks Gus. If it's 30,000 airmiles then it's the same as the old Evergreen Deluxe upgrade.

There was a sky map when I used Premium Laurel in September so I guess that must have been faulty as well, unless you didn't find it. As I remember, you had to go through a menu or two before it could be accessed.

One for the EVA experts. If you want to upgrade at the airport from Elite to Premium Laurel, which of the two check-in desks do you go to , or can you use either? And does anyone know if the number of airmiles needed is the same as the old Evergreen Deluxe to Super Business upgrade, as their website doesn't doesn't list upgrades in the new classes yet?

They travel furthest in cold weather. Try hitting one across a frozen lake and you'll see what I mean.

I reckon you could do better than £500. I would definitely try WestEast as already recommended.

Agreed. The entrance and reception areas look the part but the rooms are no better than some hotels charging a fraction of the price.

Would you believe BKK flights are refuelling at Stanstead?

Maybe true in some places, but in a place like the Dusit the guest fee is completely formalised. The girl has to fill in a card and the guest fee will be itemised on your bill.

If she's booked in by name then no problem and no guest fee. But don't be surprised if you get stopped by hotel security until they get to know her as they'll assume she's a BG. Just clear it with reception. This is par for the course, and often happens even to guys with their Thai wives. The Dusit charges a 1000 baht guest fee, but it can be waived if you make your booking direct with the hotel rather than via a third party.

Pete, are you thinking of the old Mercure, now called the Cholchan, which is as you say about 5 miles out of town?

Depends on the hotel. Some places, like Sandy Spring, can be booked at a better rate through the right agent.

A few years ago I might have hesitated before answering, but not now. Bangkok is a pale shadow of its former self and as things stand is finished as far as I'm concerned. I've no plans to ever stay there again. Pattaya all the way now.

I'm appalled.

I wouldn't bother when you can find out what's on offer from boards like this and then just choose the things that appeal to you.