Bangkok airfare in December - always high?
Jun 20th, 2011, 10:46 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bangkok airfare in December - always high?
A friend has a trip planned for Dec. 2012 to an elephant sanctuary in northern Thailand and asked if I'd be interested in joining them. The dates are set (around Christmas). Just doing some preliminary research today and I've been stunned by the airfare for this December. Sorry to be stupid but does it generally run $2800+ for that time of year? Is it cheaper booking as soon as flights open up? Any crystal balls working out there?
I'd hate to say yes to this trip and then pay that much for a flight - really too rich for my blood.
Are there any tips like flying into a different major airport and then getting a more local (cheap) hop to BKK?
I'd hate to say yes to this trip and then pay that much for a flight - really too rich for my blood.
Are there any tips like flying into a different major airport and then getting a more local (cheap) hop to BKK?
Jun 20th, 2011, 10:56 AM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In general, Bangkok is the least expensive gateway to SE Asia from North America. However, December (especially around Xmas/NY) is the highest of the high season.
Yes, it is cheaper booking as soon as seats are available. While not Xmas time, our Nov/Dec tickets cost us about US$1400 this year.
Will prices go down? Perhaps, but no guarantees. In my experience, prices go up slowly after release of seats, then take a big jump. They may go down briefly a couple of months before a flight, depending on how many seats the airline has empty.
Other good gateways to SE Asia are Hong Kong and Singapore. Typically, fares to both cities are higher than to Bangkok.
Yes, it is cheaper booking as soon as seats are available. While not Xmas time, our Nov/Dec tickets cost us about US$1400 this year.
Will prices go down? Perhaps, but no guarantees. In my experience, prices go up slowly after release of seats, then take a big jump. They may go down briefly a couple of months before a flight, depending on how many seats the airline has empty.
Other good gateways to SE Asia are Hong Kong and Singapore. Typically, fares to both cities are higher than to Bangkok.
Jun 20th, 2011, 11:53 AM
#3
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Your ticket price seems quite high to me; but then, I'm looking at 2000+ for an upgradeable ticket next month, and July is NOT peak season.
I check ticket prices very often. When I see a price that I am willing to pay, I purchase. Prices do fluctuate! I have no secret thoughts as to when they go up or down... I know some people look very early in the morning... as in 3am. Not me!
You might look at kayak or itasoftware to find who flies from your city to BKK and at what price. Handy sites if you are looking for a cheap route; if you are loyal to one airline in particular (I am a 1K with United) then you should check your carrier's site (and often).
I have not priced Dec 2011 fares yet, but will perhaps do a one-way free 1st class ticket in December as I have plenty of miles, and then pay for a one-way return in January. Dec/Jan is a great time to be in Thailand. Weather is usually very nice, allowing for outside dining at night.
I check ticket prices very often. When I see a price that I am willing to pay, I purchase. Prices do fluctuate! I have no secret thoughts as to when they go up or down... I know some people look very early in the morning... as in 3am. Not me!
You might look at kayak or itasoftware to find who flies from your city to BKK and at what price. Handy sites if you are looking for a cheap route; if you are loyal to one airline in particular (I am a 1K with United) then you should check your carrier's site (and often).
I have not priced Dec 2011 fares yet, but will perhaps do a one-way free 1st class ticket in December as I have plenty of miles, and then pay for a one-way return in January. Dec/Jan is a great time to be in Thailand. Weather is usually very nice, allowing for outside dining at night.
Jun 20th, 2011, 12:26 PM
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well I might be able to reserve the lodging and then seen what the flights are when they come out next January. Sounds like I might get lucky at around $1400 when they're first available. I suppose I could cancel with the sanctuary and maybe only lose one night's worth of deposit if it was still crazy expensive. My friends are flying with miles, lucky them.
I see a 2 week package with smartours that includes r/t air for $1500 -- maybe I should book that and then just bail on the tour on the necessary day if that price holds for Dec 2012 (not posted yet).
I see a 2 week package with smartours that includes r/t air for $1500 -- maybe I should book that and then just bail on the tour on the necessary day if that price holds for Dec 2012 (not posted yet).
Jun 20th, 2011, 07:02 PM
#5
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 13,812
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't know where you're flying from, but that price is quite normal, these days, at least from L.A. to Bangkok. I have flown that route for many years and in December.
I used to pay a maximum of $1200. on Thai Air and in economy class during that time period. But prices changed in 2009, right after the Yellow Shirts took over the airport in late 2008. It was then that I noticed the airfares start to really increase. Who knows, maybe it was due to all of the cancellations and loss in airfare.
Look into Eva Air as they tend to be cheaper. They route through Taiwan. I'm looking at a flight through them, but not for December, but for the flight that I'm looking at, Eva is charging $1100. total whereas Thai Air is charging nearly $1600 total. Happy Travels!
I used to pay a maximum of $1200. on Thai Air and in economy class during that time period. But prices changed in 2009, right after the Yellow Shirts took over the airport in late 2008. It was then that I noticed the airfares start to really increase. Who knows, maybe it was due to all of the cancellations and loss in airfare.
Look into Eva Air as they tend to be cheaper. They route through Taiwan. I'm looking at a flight through them, but not for December, but for the flight that I'm looking at, Eva is charging $1100. total whereas Thai Air is charging nearly $1600 total. Happy Travels!
Jun 20th, 2011, 07:35 PM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 29,053
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
that is way too high....its mainly because you are looking so far in advance....
and it depends on the airline you are looking at..
where is your home?
usa flights range from $1000-1600 generally
i just booked finn air for $1221 for october, but of course it would be more at christmas...
look at a non christian country carrier for lower prices as an option.
and it depends on the airline you are looking at..
where is your home?
usa flights range from $1000-1600 generally
i just booked finn air for $1221 for october, but of course it would be more at christmas...
look at a non christian country carrier for lower prices as an option.
Jun 21st, 2011, 01:40 AM
#7
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 12,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kayak.com/buzz
Cheapoair.com
Good sites to monitor
LAX BKK usually cheapest hop
They do drop them on sales every Tuesday PM in early fall
B4 holiday season never much below $1k though
Airawards.com airbrokers.com good deals especially on biz class sometimes too
Thai my fav airlinequality.com great rep
Hapy Hunting,
Cheapoair.com
Good sites to monitor
LAX BKK usually cheapest hop
They do drop them on sales every Tuesday PM in early fall
B4 holiday season never much below $1k though
Airawards.com airbrokers.com good deals especially on biz class sometimes too
Thai my fav airlinequality.com great rep
Hapy Hunting,
Jun 21st, 2011, 08:13 AM
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the replies. I'll keep all of that in mind. I'm talking Dec. 2012 so the prices I'm looking at for Dec. 2011 today are just to get an idea.
Basically does it seem that as soon as they open up flights for Dec 2012 I should book or is it worth waiting for a sale until the fall of 2012?
Bob - when you say too far in advance is June to far out for a Dec ticket? Kathie seemed to be recommending booking as soon as flights come out in early 2012.
I'm flying out of Philadelphia, BTW.
Basically does it seem that as soon as they open up flights for Dec 2012 I should book or is it worth waiting for a sale until the fall of 2012?
Bob - when you say too far in advance is June to far out for a Dec ticket? Kathie seemed to be recommending booking as soon as flights come out in early 2012.
I'm flying out of Philadelphia, BTW.
Jun 21st, 2011, 08:24 AM
#12
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My recent experience (with UA) is that as soon as seats are released the price is a reasonable one. The price slowly climbs, beginning about a month after seats are released and taking a leap at some point so the prices are really high. Then they will come down a bit (but not as low as originally). They may or may not go lower. Sometimes, two or three months out, the price may go lower than the original price, if so jump on it. But no guarantees - the price may just keep on climbing.
For my annual trips - to SE Asia and to Kauai, I'll always get a reasonable price if I book as soon as seat are released. If I wait - the price may get better just a couple of months before or the price may get much higher.
It used to be that the price when seats were first released was higher, then went down for a while. So recognize that airline prices are determined not by logic, but by an attempt to maximize profits. So once we figure out the pattern, they will change it.
If it were me - and it isn't - I'd keep checking prices just so you know what is possible for this year. Once the seats are released for next year again check prices, and when a price looks good to you - grab it.
For my annual trips - to SE Asia and to Kauai, I'll always get a reasonable price if I book as soon as seat are released. If I wait - the price may get better just a couple of months before or the price may get much higher.
It used to be that the price when seats were first released was higher, then went down for a while. So recognize that airline prices are determined not by logic, but by an attempt to maximize profits. So once we figure out the pattern, they will change it.
If it were me - and it isn't - I'd keep checking prices just so you know what is possible for this year. Once the seats are released for next year again check prices, and when a price looks good to you - grab it.
Jun 21st, 2011, 03:14 PM
#14
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 29,053
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i often book up to a year in advance, but never further out... if you are paying for seats 6-9 months should give you good prices....
i find that later than 6 months prices usually are steep unless people are not buying..
FF tickets are generally available 331 days in advance.
i bet if you bought the $9000 ticket you would get a free beer with it...
trouble with 31st is that its around new years and prices are high...
i find that later than 6 months prices usually are steep unless people are not buying..
FF tickets are generally available 331 days in advance.
i bet if you bought the $9000 ticket you would get a free beer with it...
trouble with 31st is that its around new years and prices are high...
Jun 22nd, 2011, 02:24 AM
#17
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,396
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There's often a trade-off between convenience and price, and the importance/value of convenience (or the cost of inconvenience) is going to be different for each individual.
Bob's route to BKK is a good example. Let's assume that he got a good fare. In addition to having to get a BOS-JFK ticket and make that transfer, he'll have about a 10-hour layover in Helsinki on the way over and a 6-hour layover on the way back. Some people would ee that as a good opportunity to get a quick look at the city; others would see it as drawing out a very long trip even further.
(Incidentally, for those looking to travel cheaply on the same dates, China Eastern airlines may offer a better fare -- $1460 round-trip, including all taxes/fees -- on those dates from JFK.)
Bob's route to BKK is a good example. Let's assume that he got a good fare. In addition to having to get a BOS-JFK ticket and make that transfer, he'll have about a 10-hour layover in Helsinki on the way over and a 6-hour layover on the way back. Some people would ee that as a good opportunity to get a quick look at the city; others would see it as drawing out a very long trip even further.
(Incidentally, for those looking to travel cheaply on the same dates, China Eastern airlines may offer a better fare -- $1460 round-trip, including all taxes/fees -- on those dates from JFK.)
