Discovery Airpass
 

I am still trying to book a Discovery Airpass. I am finding many descrepancies between the information on the Bangkok Airways website and what they are telling me by phone. I get a difference response with each call. Today, they are trying to tell me that the fares are only good in the US. I know that they must be booked outside of Thailand, but couldn't someone get the passes in Singapore or England, for example? They were trying to rush me to buy from them, and they kept adding on costs. Does anyone have any experience with the pass, especially outside of the US?

You have to buy it outside of Thailand, but not only in the US. The cost is the fare which is posted for the routings on their website Discovery Airpass page PLUS applicable taxes and surcharges, which very between routings. Sometimes their call reps are not so well versed in the rules of the pass and sometimes their English skills are suboptimal. Try calling the Bangkok Air office nearest you...there are offices in both England and in Singapore, and since those are the two you mention maybe you are located in one of the two?

Kim is right in what she says. Maybe this will clear up some costs for you.

The pass pass is good for most of their international and domestic flights along with those of Siem Reap and Laos airlines you must buy a minimum of 3 coupons and max of 6.

Each coupon is good for one flight and cost US $60 on most flights within Thailand, Cambodia and Laos (see below for those costing more) and $100 for international flights with some exceptions.

Added to the ticket cost are fuel charges and insurance which will amount to $27 for sectors between Thailand/Cambodia/Laos/Myanmar/ Vietnam), $47 for China/ Singapore/Hong Kong and $82 for Japan/ Maldives. For domestic flights it is $27. Airport taxes are extra and for most countries added to the cost - ie 700 baht for international flights from thailand and 100 baht domestic. Cambodia you pay at the airport.
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Exceptions Between
- Bangkok and Samui $75
- Pakse and Siem Reap 55
- Pakse and Phnom Penh 55
- Vientiane and Pakse 75
- Paske and Luang Prabang 75
- Bangkok and Xi'an 160
- Bangkok and Malé 160


 The pass is not applicable for the direct flight - Chiang Mail to Koh Samui, Siem Reap to Koh Samui and
Bangkok to Japan

Can this airpass be purchased online or must it be done by phone?

I don't see the Discovery Airpass on the Bangkok Airway website anymore. Also cannot find an US phone number. Has anyone booked one for travel in Jan/Feb 2009?

Well, just answered my own question. Google solves everything! The number is 866-226-4565. Pass still good in 2009. Just booked Hanoi to Luang Prabang to Siem Reap to Bangkok to Phuket for $503 including taxes. I calculated that the non-airpass fares would've added up to $715 so pretty good deal!

I just booked a discovery air pass from bangkok to luang prabang, LP to Siem Reap and then Siem Reap to Ho Chi Min through Bangkok Air at the Vancouver office. I got the contact info through the Travelfish.org site. They have a number of contact sites listed.

Cost is 515$

I'm reviving this thread because, like some of the others who posted above, I have a Discovery Airpass for February that includes a Lunag Prabang-Siem Reap flight with Siem Reap Air. Now that their international (and some domestic) routes are suspended, I'm wondering if anyone knows what happens to those booked on that flight.
Does Bangkok Airways plan on flying people from Lunag Prabang to Bangkok and then to Siem Reap to cover that portion? As I understand, Bangkok Air runs much of the Siem Reap Air operations anyway, but at this moment the LP-SR route is cancelled. I haven't heard from Bangkok Air about any of this, and am awaiting a reply to an email message.

My flight from Luang Prabang to Siem Reap is on Lao Air. Assume that it is still ok....

Does anyone know if travelling on the discovery airpass requires re-confirmation for every segment?

I'm interested to hear that, Linjudy. I see that one direct Luang Prabang to Siem Reap flight is operated for Lao Air by Vietnam Air (but they're not listed as a partner by Discovery Airpass). The other is an actual Lao Air flight that takes three hours for the nominal 70 minute trip with a "technical stop" en route. Which is yours? I'd better get on the phone with Bangkok Air and find out what's going on with mine. But I am reassured somewhat that there seem to be other options within the Airpass.
I recall reading elsewhere that it's a good idea to reconfirm each Discovery Airpass flight, perhaps as you arrive at the airport for the city you'll depart from later.

Ours is the 3 hour one, which has a stop in Pakse. It did not seem ideal, but when I booked the airpass, it's the only one available, since Vietnam Air is not a partner for Bangkok Airways.