Changing a return flight on Thai

[Billions 687]

I had to bail out of Thailand urgently last week,aborting a trip that should have continued throughout most of December.A quick call to Thai managed to find a seat on the next flight to London,the midnight-ish one,the penalty charge for changing flight was 100 GBP. I was offered the choice of making the payment online or over the telephone,which would be 200 GBP,as opposed to half of that if paid at the airport. Worth knowing,the extra administration fee is unjustified.Make the reservation by phone,but pay at the airport.

 

The airport was the most crowded I've ever seen it,massive lines at check-in (one hour +), half hour lines at security.Mostly Indians and Koreans.Flight was full....seems to be the case every time these days...mostly retired couples by the look of things.New demographic?

 

I also got the worst seat possible.....56E...middle seat on the very last row in cattle,restricted recline position as it was butted up against the galley and had an IFE box under the seat in front restricting legroom. Horrible,horrible,horrible.

 

Back in London,absolutely no visible customs officers in the green channel....again,that seems to be the case more often than not. I can't think of any other airport where you dont see any customs apart from Heathrow.

[bigmick 840]

I have changed return flights with thai before at the Thai office on Beach Rd at Soi 1 and they have never charged me a penny

[teelack 9,640]

I have changed return flights with thai before at the Thai office on Beach Rd at Soi 1 and they have never charged me a penny

 

Good imformation. I was looking at their web site about this a while ago and they seem to have a differet rule for the different ticket classes. Because I managed a rock bottom fare I get no airpoints and the booking change cost is very high.

[js007 795]

When you buy your ticket, don't they tell you up front what it would cost to make a change? I usually opt for the cheaper ticket with a higher change fee. With any luck, I won't have to change anything.

[jacko 8,815]

Many airlines are now charging to change return legs, it is in them there terms and conditions where we tick the box saying we understand! (Mostly we don't read them of course, 2 pages of minuscule gumph). I changed 2 return Biz Class tickets this year, one cost £40 (Etihad) done online, Qatar also charged £40 but added another £20 for using their office (service charge), as there was no on-line capability. I recall previous years my D class tickets used to allow me a single change free. The price difference for more flexible tickets is substantially more than that though.

[polar 4]

Two years ago I decided to change the return portion for a Thai flight back to PI. I thought it would cost more, but in the end the cost was only 600 baht. A lot better that on a domestic flight at home. I did all this at the Thai office on Beach Road.

 

I tried to look at my ticket and the Thai website, but could not find anything on what they charge would be until I was told at the Thai ticket office.

[yogi100 1,925]

Two years ago I decided to change the return portion for a Thai flight back to PI. I thought it would cost more, but in the end the cost was only 600 baht. A lot better that on a domestic flight at home. I did all this at the Thai office on Beach Road.

 

I tried to look at my ticket and the Thai website, but could not find anything on what they charge would be until I was told at the Thai ticket office.

 

I've also changed my TA flight back to LHR a couple of times at the Beach Rd office. Once it was 800 baht abd the other time it was 1200 baht. I was well pleased as the agent in London wanted 75 UKPs to do it through them. I believe it has now gone up to 100 quid. Thai Airways are a bit more expensive than other direct flights but the service is much better, they're convenient, easier to contact and the staff are polite and very helpful.

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

I recall back in 2006 I missed a Thai flight back to the U.S. simply because I was having so much fun and forgot the day I was supposed to depart. It was the most heavily discounted type of economy class ticket (cost only USD 620). The Thai office in BKK changed it to a new departure date without charging me a single baht. There's no chance in hell that would happen today

 

I'll be taking the midnight TG flight to London tomorrow night. Hope it is better than Billions described.

 

Evil

[keyman 1,413]

2 years ago I had to change my Thai Airway return ticket and bring forward the date. Went into Beach Road office and they changed it at no cost and got me the 'exit' seat with the extra legroom too.

 

They may not have charged me as, at the time, I was bandaged from ankles to thigh and shoulders to wrists due to a scuba diving incident and they took pity on me!!

 

 

KM

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

 

They may not have charged me as, at the time, I was bandaged from ankles to thigh and shoulders to wrists due to a scuba diving incident and they took pity on me!!

 

 

KM

 

I believe in the past it was Thai Airways' policy to change return flights without charge, even on heavily discounted tickets. But of course, it's always at the airline's discretion to break its own policy if it feels there's an advantage. Actually, they lose nothing by switching a passenger from one flight to another and it's an effective way to generate good will among their customers.

 

What may be happening today is that airlines are trying to boost the advantage of customers buying tickets that are more flexible.

 

Evil

[jacko 8,815]

Actually, they lose nothing by switching a passenger from one flight to another and it's an effective way to generate good will among their customers.

 

 

They certainly lose something if that passenger failed to show up and they have to accommodate him another day for free.

Nowadays they have found a way to increase revenue by having a long array of different ticket types, and will firstly only accommodate you if the same class is available, there are many subdivisions below 'Y'. Then a fee for changing it. Sign of the times.......

Years ago I would fly from the Middle East to USA Biz Class frequently, there was no way the ticket could be issued giving me an opportunity for a day or two in the UK en-route with BA. But once the ticket was in my hand I could normally reschedule the onward UK-USA leg (and sometimes on the way back) at no cost and get the break, done either at the local office or the airport.

 

Good on Thai in the past for being considerate and flexible.

Edited December 3, 2012 by jacko

[js007 795]

Let' face it, the change fees usually aren't all that much. If, by some chance, you have to change your ticket, just pay the small fee if necessary and be done with it.

 

I changed my ticket once on Thai Air and no charge. I changed once on Delta and it cost me $150, as i recall. Did I bitch? No. I just paid it and was glad they could squeeze me into the next flight to the USA.

[jacko 8,815]

Let' face it, the change fees usually aren't all that much. If, by some chance, you have to change your ticket, just pay the small fee if necessary and be done with it.

 

I changed my ticket once on Thai Air and no charge. I changed once on Delta and it cost me $150, as i recall. Did I bitch? No. I just paid it and was glad they could squeeze me into the next flight to the USA.

$150 doesn't sound like 'aren't that much'........perhaps 10% of the original cost?

Fine you don't bitch, the OP was faced with a £200 charge, quite an increase on a £600 original fare and worthy a bitch. Then he got the schmuck seat..... also worthy a bitch.

[Guest Fatboyfat]

 

 

Back in London,absolutely no visible customs officers in the green channel....again,that seems to be the case more often than not. I can't think of any other airport where you dont see any customs apart from Heathrow.

Wall-to-wall camera surveillance there now from airbridge to the channels, especially in the luggage carousel zone. They have the "marks" picked out long before they enter the channels, and magically appear out of the formica if necessary. You obviously have the face and body language of an angel Billions! Edited December 4, 2012 by Fatboyfat

[sick buffalo 15]

I have changed return flights with thai before at the Thai office on Beach Rd at Soi 1 and they have never charged me a penny

 

I second that. I have changed the return date for my flight on three different occasions. A stroll down to the Thai office at the end of beach road was all it took. They even confirmed a seat number of my choice... Pleasantly surprised to find Thai does not charge for change in dates. I do not know if the rules have changed in the last 15 months...

Edited December 4, 2012 by sick buffalo

[tomcat76 327]

^{Am not at all versed in all the different economy fare classes, but I know Cathay Pacific displays a fare matrix online that spells out what your itinerary change options are going to be for each specific fare. If I remember from this last go around, there were 3 such choices ea for economy and premium economy.}