Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Asia
Reload this Page >

Can you HELP with figuring out United Miles and how to get them SF-Bangkok?

Can you HELP with figuring out United Miles and how to get them SF-Bangkok?

Old Nov 8th, 2014, 05:43 PM
  #41  
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,652
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 1 Post
My experience is seats are there one day and taken in a day or soaps if you are looking for two seats. I have waited only to be disappointed. If you find a suitable flight I'd grab it.
yestravel is offline  
Old Nov 8th, 2014, 05:58 PM
  #42  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,396
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've flown Asiana (using United miles), and the flight was very comfortable. For meals, you'll have a choice of very good Korean food or so-so Western food. Service is about 10 times better than what you'd get on United. If they offer a 55-min connection, I would take it: the Incheon airport is very efficient and easy to navigate.
DonTopaz is offline  
Old Nov 8th, 2014, 06:11 PM
  #43  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,633
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
>>Service is about 10 times better than what you'd get on United. coach . . . and the service was as good as what you'd get on United in business (maybe not 'literally' - but close)

One of the best back-of-the-plane experiences i've ever had.
janisj is online now  
Old Nov 8th, 2014, 06:49 PM
  #44  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yes, tomorrow is packing day. And we do take little packets of kleenex. The car to the airport will pick us up at 5:15 Monday morning.

Weather report calls for rain the whole time we are in the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco. Fortunately, being from Seattle, we won't let the rain ruin our trip.
Kathie is offline  
Old Nov 8th, 2014, 09:09 PM
  #45  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,076
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I've flown with Asiana a couple of times. Most recent was a roundtrip from LAX to Japan via Seoul in first class. It was wonderful. It was on a 747. I took a look back into business class and it did not look very comfortable. It was their old business class. There new biz class is called Quadra Smartium. Maybe it is on their 747 ex-SFO, but I don't know. I assume the A380 that they use from LAX has the new seat.

My broader point of my earlier point is to go the airlines and look into what product they are offering on your route. After all, you are making the equivalent of a $3000 purchase so it might be a good idea to do some research on what it is you are buying - and what your options are.
mrwunrfl is offline  
Old Nov 9th, 2014, 06:53 AM
  #46  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 800
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Be sure to be open-minded about other Star Alliance airlines (e.g. EVA and Singapore) as they have Saver options as well. They usually appear at the end of United's list and you need to include them in your search (there is a check-box for this)

Craig,

Can you direct me on how to find this check box for other Star Alliance airlines?

When you search for Award Travel on United, all I see in "How would you like your flight results displayed" is a box for "Nonstop flights only" and " United Airlines flights only".

Thanks.
JoyC is offline  
Old Nov 9th, 2014, 07:12 AM
  #47  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
JoyC, you want to uncheck the box that says "United Airlines flights only." Also, not all partner airlines are listed, so you may need to call (and pay for that call) to find what you are looking for.
Kathie is offline  
Old Nov 9th, 2014, 07:38 AM
  #48  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Kathie,
Buon Viaggio!
cmstraf is offline  
Old Nov 9th, 2014, 08:48 AM
  #49  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,897
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I have flown Asiana as well (in business class). At that time (a few years ago), the seats were angled - lie flat and reasonably comfortable. Service was as good as it gets, as was the Korean food. Mr. W. gives good advice - not all business class seats are created equal...
Craig is offline  
Old Nov 10th, 2014, 01:08 PM
  #50  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Checking the United website daily and going back it looks like to get saver awards we need to choose between:

1)Asiana flight SFO-Seoul. 55 min layer to another Asiana flight. Gets into BKK around 9 or 10 pm.

2)Asiana flight (same one). 4 hour layover, change to Thai Air and get into BKK at 1:15 am.

If it weren't for the 1:15, could even be 1:50 am, I'd go for the longer layover. Given the arrival time, I'd go for the shorter one if it were 1 1/2 hour, but that's not the option.

Any thoughts?
cmstraf is offline  
Old Nov 10th, 2014, 04:15 PM
  #51  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,897
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I think the tight connection will work just because it is a great airport and great airline...
Craig is offline  
Old Nov 10th, 2014, 05:24 PM
  #52  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks, Craig,
I'm leaning towards doing it.

Mr W-
There is indeed Smartium SF to Seoul. Haven't checked yet Seoul to BKK.
cmstraf is offline  
Old Nov 10th, 2014, 06:12 PM
  #53  
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,433
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Agree with Craig. I've had many a close connection (especially in Tokyo) and they really have connections down to a science. If you are flying in Business, expect an airline rep waiting for you upon exit with a sign with your name on it and a brisk walk (or golf cart ride) with them to your connecting gate.

Keep in mind that if, for any reason, you do miss your flight, the carrier is responsible for getting you to your destination on the next available flight. So, even if worse came to worse, you would be fine.

Go with the tighter connection.
filmwill is offline  
Old Nov 10th, 2014, 07:55 PM
  #54  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,076
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I had a one-hour connection in Seoul to get to Osaka. We departed LAX one hour late. I made the connection.

I made a report on the Asiana forum at flyertalk:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/asian...cpap-f-oz.html
mrwunrfl is offline  
Old Nov 10th, 2014, 08:57 PM
  #55  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,633
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
I've only connected w/ Asiana through Seoul once and it could not have been easier. And you'll be in Business so it should go even quicker.
janisj is online now  
Old Nov 10th, 2014, 09:26 PM
  #56  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Read the report on flyer talk. You did a great job...and I (with the help of google) learned another acronym. Loved "that would be a problem"

Checking United site around 10, I saw it clears through Oct 12...and also there was a well-timed ANA flight through Narita available business at a saver rate. Now need to learn about ANA, though thanks to all of you, I have developed a full sized crush on Asiana.

It looks to me like aiming for 12:01 either Eastern time or Central time may make for more choices.
cmstraf is offline  
Old Nov 11th, 2014, 04:55 AM
  #57  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,897
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We have used ANA to fly to Tokyo Narita from the US a couple of times. It is an excellent airline with great service. Business class seats on those trips were angled lie-flat.
Craig is offline  
Old Nov 11th, 2014, 05:48 AM
  #58  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Angle lie flat--extends out flat but not horizontal?
cmstraf is offline  
Old Nov 11th, 2014, 06:00 AM
  #59  
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,652
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 1 Post
http://www.flatseats.com/Reviews/A-Z-Business.htm for photos
yestravel is offline  
Old Nov 11th, 2014, 06:17 AM
  #60  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,897
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
cmstraf - exactly...
Craig is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -