China Air (price)

[moby69 6]

I've just booked my ticket back to LOS  [smiley=grins-jump.gif]

 

I booked with gazelle travel (Newcastle) and found them very helpful (pat)

 

Booked 2nd Feb - rtn 28th Feb

 

Prem Econ ( upstairs row 10 ) for £749.00

 

From Newcastle - Bkk Return

 

For Econ I was quoted £469 both fares include taxes

 

My thanks go out to Highlander for the info on gazelle travel

 

See you all in Feb ( could you hold back the Rideher cup a while) [smiley=grins-jump.gif]

 

Be Nice

 

Moby69

[CheshireTom 1,377]

moby69,

 

Well done!  Sounds like a good deal.

 

The agent will have put your seat preference "on request".  You can confirm it direct with the airline 90 days before the date of travel on 0207 436 9001.  Their reservations folk are really very helpful and a pleasure to deal with - some of their more illustrious competitors could take note.

 

Regards,

 

Tom

[Gus 97]

Moby, That sounds cool, I am going over at a similar time but have not yet booked.

I checked out Airline Network/Eva Air evergreen deluxe,from LHR going out 3rd Feb returning 1st march, 3 fares showing;

572 +59 tax  100% loss if cancelled

592 + 59 tax  £75  loss  if cancelled

644 + 59 tax  £75  loss if cancelled

These fares seem pretty good but with it being 6 months away  I was a little concerned about booking so early and losing my dough if I couldn't make it for whatever reason,but I don't suppose £75 is too bad. What airline are you booked with, is it direct flight?

Also you Eva experts, is it best to book Evergreen early and risk losing some deposit, or will you be able to get a good deal nearer the time , even for a peak season time? Maybe the full passenger 747 will be using LHR by next February.

TIA

[moby69 6]

Hi Gus,

 

Sorry I'm flying with China Air (I thought the title of the thread might give it away)   :D

 

I'm flying Newcastle via Amsterdam, as for space if I'd gone econ I would have to come back on the 25th as the plane was full on return dates.

 

Row 10 in China (upstairs) is next to exit Long leg room.

 

Be nice

 

Moby69

[Gus 97]

Moby, Sorry about the Goof!! it's lack of LOS...honest

I don't know if I fancy China Airlines, they don't have the best safety record, I believe that China and Eva are both Taiwanese, still what the heck.

I may go out LHR Sat 24th Jan and return Sun 8th Feb with a week in Samui but nothing certain yet.

Rgds

[moby69 6]

No problem Gus,

 

I flew with them last year and found everything super  ;D

 

I also flown with Thai - OK but expensave,

 

Klm  - very good  but no upper econ,

 

Air france - CRAP

 

Also because I live "up-north" the timings are very good for me ie; 10.30am Ncl which means I can leave my house at 08.15  :)and I get home around lunch time  :)

 

Hope it works out for you, if you play golf I normally play out of the Suger-Shack or you might see me in the FLB   :D

 

Be nice

 

Moby69

[Crackpot 2]

GUS !

be carefull and book your flight early

End of Jan, beginning of Feb is Chinese New Year time and flights get VEY busy round that time.

[Gus 97]

Moby and Crackpot,

Thanks for the info. I expect the longer I leave the booking the higher the fare gets, it seems like I have to find the best deal, with the lowest cancellation charges just in case!

Airline Network seems pretty good, Eva Evergreen deluxe just under £600 + Taxes with only a £75 cancellation charge.

It just seems along time until late January, I like booking about 8 weeks before.....but I suppose it is then higher fares, lack of availability etc I think it was Ours Travel and Ebookers also had good deals but a 100% cancellation charge.

Rgds

[valentinoxxx 4]

Gus, think about getting a cheap one way ticket out and then a one year 'open' return back.

That way you can pop out again whenever, without having to worry about peak rate fares.

 

Works for me.

[Crackpot 2]

But the fares ex-BKK are in general higher than those ex-UK

 

Also worth remembering that with an open ticket outbound he would need a Thai Visa

[moby69 6]

Yo,

 

I've just booked a ticket with China Air for my brother eccon ( he's a cheap thing ) for £449 rtn ex Heathrow in Febuary

 

You might get a deal by leaving it till December but !!!!! you might not

 

Be nice

 

Moby69

[valentinoxxx 4]

But the fares ex-BKK are in general higher than those ex-UK

 

Also worth remembering that with an open ticket outbound he would need a Thai Visa

 

Now, I'm SURE you've been drinking.

 

Remember that the cheap low season tickets ex UK are heavily restricted. Morning flights, dates non changeable...

 

Contrast that with a 1 year or even a 6 month 'open ticket' ex Bkk.

 

Prices? Without giving too much away, the prices of these tickets start at just over £300 plus taxes.

Gulf Air, for instance, is 26-27000 baht all in.  Now book the UK - Bkk section, well in advance, for a nice convenient date in December(or likely holiday period) and avoid peak rate travel charges. Of course you can change the date if you choose without penalty. See?

[Crackpot 2]

Well Valentino. The reason there arent always a lot of long term open tickets ex UK is that flights are busier ex UK than ex-BKK. However there are far more cheap deals available ex-UK than ex-BKK. Also many airlines have stopped the 1 year open and even 6 month open due to the wild fluctuation in departure numbers.

So, whilst it might be possible to do it cheaper that way, the hassle involved really isnt worth the money saved.

[valentinoxxx 4]

Well Valentino. The reason there arent always a lot of long term open tickets ex UK is that flights are busier ex UK than ex-BKK. However there are far more cheap deals available ex-UK than ex-BKK. Also many airlines have stopped the 1 year open and even 6 month open due to the wild fluctuation in departure numbers.

So, whilst it might be possible to do it cheaper that way, the hassle involved really isnt worth the money saved.

 

Wrong again Crackpot

 

When I use the term 'open', I mean it in the manner that you can change your return date without penalty.

 

Hassle involved? Not worth it?

 

Ok, price up someone leaving from London to Bkk, leaving on the 19th December and returning in early Jan.

Ah, £800+?

 

This journey has never cost me more than £500. The least it has cost me is £210.

 

Again, why is it of interest to me why there are few 1 year 'open' tickets originating from the UK?

The point is to be able to travel on the dates I want to, without having to pay inflated 'peak travel' prices.

 

Cheap deals from UK, better than BKK? Wrong again!

 

I have never paid more than £500 for a 1 year ticket from Thailand.

 

What good is a cheap deal, if it is an inconvenience to you? Inconvenient flight times, non changeable datewise..

 

I indeed did mange to pick up a couple of tickets to Singapore for £212.90, though that was a worldwide sale.

 

Of course, my advice is not suitable for everyone...

[Crackpot 2]

No Valentino Im not wrong.

In General fares ex BKK are higher than fares ex-UK you might find the odd one cheaper but in generalthey are cheaper ex UK. Its also worht pointing out that some fares ex-BKK are not even available for UK passport Holders. Did you know that ? you might see some stonking prices but ttry to book it as I did last year to be told "Thai Passport Holder  and resident sir"

 

You want a cheap fare Departure around  19 Dec ?

Royal Jordanian between £381 and £430

Garuda £417

Chinal Airlines £431. (I just booked this for a friend)

AND countless others around the £500 mark

 

Happy now ?

[partyanimal 0]

Chna Air rules may be different in the UK, but in the USA you can cancel a China Air at the very last minute and get all your money back except for a hundred bucks.  You can also change your return flight, space permitting for free.  I don't know any other airline with such a liberal cancellation policy.

[valentinoxxx 4]

No Valentino Im not wrong.

In General fares ex BKK are higher than fares ex-UK you might find the odd one cheaper but in generalthey are cheaper ex UK. Its also worht pointing out that some fares ex-BKK are not even available for UK passport Holders. Did you know that ? you might see some stonking prices but ttry to book it as I did last year to be told "Thai Passport Holder  and resident sir"

 

You want a cheap fare Departure around  19 Dec ?

Royal Jordanian between £381 and £430

Garuda £417

Chinal Airlines £431. (I just booked this for a friend)

AND countless others around the £500 mark

 

Happy now ?

 

Hang on....

 

Ex Bkk

 

PK - Pakistan Int'l Airlines PK Y-RT  0-6 M  Y THB 21,850 16,520 01FEB03 - 31DEC03  

BG - Biman Bangladesh DAC Y-RT  0-1 Y  K THB 22,800 17,230 01JAN03 - 31DEC03  

PK - Pakistan Int'l Airlines PK Y-RT  0-1 Y  Y THB 22,950 17,340 01FEB03 - 31DEC03  

KU - Kuwait Airways KWI Y-RT  0-6 M  T THB 23,000 17,430 01APR03 - 31MAR04    

GF - Gulf Air BAH Y-RT  0-3 M  V THB 23,000 17,380 01JUN03 - 31AUG03  

QR - Qatar Airways DOH Y-RT  0-3 M  W THB 23,500 16,600 01APR03 - 31MAR04

KU - Kuwait Airways KWI Y-RT  0-1 Y  T THB 23,500 17,800 01APR03 - 31MAR04  

EK - Emirates Airlines DXB Y-RT  0-3 M  L THB 23,500 17,750 02JUN03 - 30SEP03  EK003/ EK011

UL - Srilankan Airlines CMB Y-RT  0-3 M  K THB 23,720 17,920 20AUG03 - 31OCT03  

GF - Gulf Air BAH Y-RT  0-3 M  Q THB 24,000 18,130 01MAY03 - 31MAR04  

KU - Kuwait Airways KWI Y-RT  0-1 Y  H THB 24,500 18,550 01APR03 - 31MAR04  

MS - Egyptair CAI Y-RT  0-6 M  Y THB 24,500 18,500 01JUL03 - 31DEC03  

AY - Finnair HEL Y-RT  0-1 M  Q THB 25,000 18,880 01AUG03 - 31OCT03  

GF - Gulf Air BAH Y-RT  0-6 M  Q THB 25,200 19,030 01MAY03 - 31MAR04  

EK - Emirates Airlines DXB Y-RT  0-6 M  L THB 25,500 19,250 02JUN03 - 30SEP03  EK003/ EK01

BI - Royal Brunei Airlines BWN Y-RT  0-3 M  X THB 25,800 19,480 01APR03 - 31OCT03  

TK - Turkish Airlines  Y-RT  3 D-1 M  N THB 25,950 19,590 07MAY03 - 31OCT03  

EK - Emirates Airlines DXB Y-RT  0-6 M  K THB 26,500 20,000 02JUN03 - 30SEP03  Any Flight  

EK - Emirates Airlines DXB Y-RT  0-3 M  L THB 26,500 20,000 02JUN03 - 30SEP03  Any Flight

CI - China Airlines AMS Y-RT  0-6 M  Q THB 27,500 20,750 01APR03 - 31DEC 03

QR - Qatar Airways DOH Y-RT  0-1 Y  V THB 27,800 19,610 01APR03 - 31MAR04  

TK - Turkish Airlines IST Y-RT  0-3 M  S THB 27,800 20,980 07MAY03 - 31OCT03  

AF - Air France PAR Y-RT  3 D-1 M  T THB 28,400 21,430 16JUN03 - 30SEP03  

BI - Royal Brunei Airlines BWN Y-RT  0-6 M  W THB 28,500 21,500 01APR03 - 31OCT03  

OS - Austrian Airlines  VIE Y-RT  0-6 M  Q THB 28,500 21,500 01JUL03 - 31OCT03    

SQ - Singapore Airlines SIN Y-RT  0-6 M  B THB 29,000 21,900 01APR03 - 30SEP03  SQ318

UL - Srilankan Airlines CMB Y-RT  0-3 M  K THB 29,170 22,000 20AUG03 - 31OCT03    

TK - Turkish Airlines IST Y-RT  0-6 M  M THB 29,400 22,180 07MAY03 - 31OCT03  

MS - Egyptair CAI Y-RT  0-1 Y  Y THB 29,500 22,250 01JUL03 - 31DEC03    

QR - Qatar Airways DOH Y-RT  0-1 Y  K THB 30,300 21,360 01APR03 - 31MAR04    

BR - Eva Airways  Y-RT  0-6 M  B THB 30,500 23,000 15MAR03 - 31DEC03    

SQ - Singapore Airlines SIN Y-RT  0-6 M  B THB 30,500 23,000 01APR03 - 30SEP03  

CI - China Airlines AMS Y-RT  0-6 M  K THB 30,500 23,000 01APR03 - 31DEC03  

CX - Cathay Pacific HKG Y-RT  0-6 M  S THB 30,700 23,150 01APR03 - 31DEC03    

OS - Austrian Airlines  VIE Y-RT  0-6 M  H THB 32,500 24,500 01JUL03 - 31OCT03  

LX - Swiss Intl Air Lines ZRH Y-RT  0-3 M  K THB 33,000 24,880 12MAY03 - 31DEC03

AF - Air France PAR Y-RT  3 D-3 M  H THB 33,050 24,920 16JUN03 - 30SEP03    

BR - Eva Airways  Y-RT  0-1 Y  B THB 33,500 25,250 15MAR03 - 31DEC03  

QF - Qantas Airways  Y-RT  0-6 M  O THB 33,500 25,250 01APR03 - 30SEP03  QF1  

SK - Scandinavian Airlines CPH Y-RT  3 D-1 M  H THB 33,500 25,250 01APR03 - 30SEP03  SK972

UL - Srilankan Airlines CMB Y-RT  0-1 Y  B THB 33,500 25,250 20AUG03 - 31OCT03  

EK - Emirates Airlines DXB Y-RT  0-1 Y  Q THB 33,900 25,550 02JUN03 - 30SEP03  EK003/ EK011  

LH - Lufthansa FRA Y-RT  0-1 M  Q THB 34,500 26,000 15JUN03 - 31AUG03  

KL - KLM Royal Dutch AMS Y-RT  0-3 M  H THB 34,500 26,000 01JUL03 - 31AUG03  Ex-bkk Fri-Sat surcharge THB1,000

EK - Emirates Airlines DXB Y-RT  0-1 Y  B THB 34,900 26,300 02JUN03 - 30SEP03  Any Flight

LX - Swiss Intl Air Lines ZRH Y-RT  0-6 M  H THB 35,000 26,380 12MAY03 - 31DEC03  

TG - Thai Airways  Y-RT  0-6 M  B THB 35,650 26,870 15JUN03 - 31AUG03  

AI - Air India DEL/BOM Y-RT  0-1 Y  G THB 36,000 24,320 01AUG03 - 15SEP03  AI6317

BR - Eva Airways  Y-RT  0-6 M  L THB 36,500 27,500 15MAR03 - 31DEC03  

BA - British Airways  Y-RT  0-6 M  L THB 36,500 27,500 01APR03 - 30SEP03

SK - Scandinavian Airlines  Y-RT  0 -3 M  M THB 36,500 27,500 01APR03 - 30SEP03  SK972 Info Book

LH - Lufthansa FRA Y-RT  0-6 M  H THB 36,500 27,500 15JUN03 - 31AUG03  

KL - KLM Royal Dutch AMS Y-RT  0-3 M  M THB 36,500 27,500 01JUL03 - 31AUG03  Ex-bkk Fri-Sat surcharge THB1,000  

OS - Austrian Airlines  VIE Y-RT  0-6 M  M THB 37,000 27,880 01APR03 - 31OCT03    

UL - Srilankan Airlines CMB Y-RT  0-1 Y  B THB 37,450 28,220 20AUG03 - 31OCT03

OS - Austrian Airlines  VIE Y-RT  0-6 M  B THB 38,000 28,630 01JUL03 - 31OCT03    

SK - Scandinavian Airlines CPH Y-RT  0 -6 M  B THB 38,500 29,000 01APR03 - 30SEP03  SK972

SQ - Singapore Airlines SIN Y-RT  0-1 Y  Y THB 38,500 29,000 01APR03 - 30SEP03  

LX - Swiss Intl Air Lines ZRH Y-RT  0-6 M  L THB 38,500 29,000 12MAY03 - 31DEC03  

LH - Lufthansa FRA Y-RT  0-6 M  M THB 38,500 29,000 15JUN03 - 31AUG03

BR - Eva Airways  Y-RT  0-1 Y  L THB 39,500 29,750 15MAR03 - 31DEC03  

BA - British Airways SIN,HKG Y-RT  0-6 M  K THB 39,500 29,750 01APR03 - 30SEP03    

BA - British Airways  Y-RT  0-6 M  K THB 39,500 29,750 01APR03 - 30SEP03  

KL - KLM Royal Dutch AMS Y-RT  0-6 M  B THB 39,500 29,750 01JUL03 - 31AUG03  Ex-bkk Fri-Sat surcharge THB1,000

AF - Air France PAR Y-RT  3 D-6 M  K THB 39,560 29,800 16JUN03 - 30SEP03    

LH - Lufthansa FRA Y-RT  0-6 M  B THB 40,500 30,500 15JUN03 - 31AUG03    

TK - Turkish Airlines IST Y-RT  0-1 Y  H THB 40,700 30,650 01APR03 - 31OCT03  

OS - Austrian Airlines  VIE Y-RT  0-1 Y  B THB 41,000 30,880 01JUL03 - 31OCT03

CX - Cathay Pacific HKG Y-RT  0-1 Y  K THB 42,400 31,930 01APR03 - 31DEC03  

BA - British Airways SIN,HKG Y-RT  0-1 Y  B THB 42,500 32,000 01APR03 - 30SEP03  

BA - British Airways  Y-RT  0-1 Y  B THB 42,500 32,000 01APR03 - 30SEP03    

SK - Scandinavian Airlines CPH Y-RT  0 -1 Y  B THB 45,500 34,250 01APR03 - 30SEP03  SK972  

LH - Lufthansa FRA Y-RT  0-1 year  B THB 45,500 34,250 01APR03 - 30SEP03    

CI - China Airlines AMS Y-RT  0-1 Y  Q THB 47,500 35,750 01APR03 - 31DEC03    

KL - KLM Royal Dutch AMS Y-RT  0-1 year  S THB 47,500 35,750 15APR03 - 31MAR04

TG - Thai Airways  Y-RT  0-1 Y  Y THB 47,650 35,870 01MAY03 - 30SEP03  

LX - Swiss Intl Air Lines ZHR Y-RT  0-1 Y  M THB 48,500 36,500 12MAY03 - 31DEC03    

SA - South African JNB Y-RT  0-3 M  S THB 53,250 40,070 01APR03 - 31OCT03  

AF - Air France PAR Y-RT  0-6 M  Y THB 55,010 41,380 16JUN03 - 30OCT03  

SA - South African JNB Y-RT  0-9 M  H THB 62,950 47,340 01APR03 - 31OCT03  

SA - South African JNB Y-RT  0-1 Y  M THB 111,750 83,940 01APR03 - 31OCT03

 

 

The second fare is the child fare.

 

All of these fares are available to you.

 

Most cheap ex UK fares are HEAVILY restricted, as you know.

 

The fares that you quote for the 19th of December, when do they return? 4th of Jan or thereabouts?

I'm sure many members of this board would be interested.

[valentinoxxx 4]

The above are examples of standard pricing.

 

More restricted offers are here;

Bangkok - EUROPE  GF Gulf Air (one way) 11,300(£170)

Bangkok - EUROPE - Bangkok  GF Gulf Air 21,300(£321  

Bangkok - EUROPE - Bangkok  UL Srilankan Airlines 21,800(£328 )

Bangkok - EUROPE - Bangkok  SU Aeroflot  20,200(£304)

Bangkok - EUROPE - Bangkok  KU Kuwait Airways 19,300 (£291)

 

Conditions?

 

Gulf Air: Outbound valid from 01 Jun'03 - 31 Aug'03

- Inbound valid from 01 Jul'03 - 10 Sep'03

- Maximum stay 3 Months

 

Sri Lankan: To Europe valid on 01Jul - 14 Aug'03, 11Sep - 31Oct'03

- Valid for minimum 02 passengers and travelling together

- Ticket to be sold with a tour package

- Ticket validity is 14days

 

Aeroflot: Valid from now - 26 Oct'03

 

Kuwait: Ticketing and departure date Now - 30Sep'03

 

Hmmm...

How many one way tickets have I seen Lon-Bkk for £170??

 

So, Crackpot, I'm going to have to disagree with you again.

Tickets are not generally cheaper from the UK.

 

More proof? A small selection of one way fares ex Bkk:

 

PK - Pakistan Int'l Airlines PK Y-OW  0-1 Y  Y THB 11,450(£173)  01FEB03 - 31DEC03  

BG - Biman Bangladesh DAC Y-OW  0-1 Y  K THB 12,050(£181)  01JAN03 - 31DEC03  

KU - Kuwait Airways KWI Y-OW  0-1 Y  H THB 12,500(£188 )  01APR03 - 31MAR04  

GF - Gulf Air BAH Y-OW  0-1 Y  Q THB 12,500(£188 )  01MAY03 - 31MAR04    

QR - Qatar Airways DOH Y-OW  0-1 Y  V THB 14,230(£214)  01APR03 - 31MAR04  

QR - Qatar Airways DOH Y-OW  0-1 Y  K THB 15,400(£232)  01APR03 - 31MAR04

SQ - Singapore Airlines SIN Y-OW  0-1 Y  B THB 16,500(£248 ) 01APR03 - 30SEP03

[wobbly_1 18]

I flew  China Air premium economy at Xmas. the flight and the food was really good, I was really looked after, well worth the extra money.

 

The plane was a 747 400?? the biggest going, very nice.

 

Just a little confused because at that time they did not fly from the UK. I had to go to Amsterdam. Are you aware of that Moby  or have things changed.  

[Crackpot 2]

Valentino

 

RJ fare is valid 3 months and some dates 7 days min 6 months max.

GA Valid 3 months but many tickets valid 1 year

CI Valid 3 Months.

KU valid 9 Months

 

These are only a sample that I could be bothered to check.

I could find more but whats the point ?

[Crackpot 2]

Wobbly

When China Airlines first kicked off their service, they just couldnt get traffic rights to fly direct to and from the UK. They wanted Heathrow, and were offered Gatwick which they turned down.

 

They chose to make Schipol their main European hub which has worked very well for them allowing connecting flights from most regional UK and EU airports.

 

Though Valentino will probably disagree ;D

[valentinoxxx 4]

They were the first airline I flew to Bkk with...  :) Courier flight. 1 year open ticket.

 

My first flight to SE Asia was to Singapore.

[valentinoxxx 4]

Valentino

 

RJ fare is valid 3 months and some dates 7 days min 6 months max.

GA Valid 3 months but many tickets valid 1 year

CI Valid 3 Months.

KU valid 9 Months

 

These are only a sample that I could be bothered to check.

I could find more but whats the point ?

 

Sorry, I seemed to have missed the point of this post.

 

Is it supposed to illustrate that the cheapest flights ex UK are not restricted?

If so, are those tickets that you have mentioned cheaper than their equivalents ex Bkk?

 

 

I'll think you'll find they aren't.

 

There's no point in posting a few validity dates, they don't make an argument on their own.

 

I have illustrated my point clearly. Please show the same courtesy to me.

 

Show me the instances where ex UK flights are cheaper than their ex Bkk equivalents.

Did you not say that ex UK tickets are cheaper than ex Bkk?

 

I am still waiting to hear about this ticket that you booked for your 'friend' leaving on the 19th of December coming back in early January for £431.

This is what I asked you about. Please, no vagueness. If you were being economical with the truth, please say so.

If it wasn't those dates, what dates were they?

[Crackpot 2]

You really are a strange argumentative thing arent you?

 

Like I said elsewhere I find it pointless and counter productive to hold an online argument especially with someone who now wishes to call me a liar.

[Nightcrawler 0]

JEESUS CHRIST ! Is this Valentino a pain in the arse or what?

I thought Misty's board has some wankers but you take the cake pal.

 

You jump around questions like a blue arsed fly, ignore answers the bloke gives you and when openly wrong just conveniently miss things out.

 

Every time I have tried to get a decent fare from Bangkok the Fare rules have just wiped me out

YEAH BIG DEAL you post a list of fares. Anyone knows that BKK fares change faster than a BG closing her wallet

I sat in Chawla Travels office for 2 hours one day and they just coudnt get anything decent.

same with Diethelm

 

But I tell you what Pal. Call me a liar online and if I meet up with you face to face youll be sorry.