Which Sheraton in Bangkok?
Apr 28th, 2005, 10:07 AM
#21
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Carol - ordinarily we also upgrade to get the miles. However, since our flight (direct from New York to Bangkok) is on Star Alliance partner Thai Airways, upgrades are not available. If you have flown on United recently, you have probably noticed that their planes are getting a little "tired" even in business class. Thai Airways is using a brand new Airbus A340-500 on the JFK-BKK route with on-demand video and business class seats that recline to 170 degrees. I also feel comfortable knowing that they will still be operating 10 months from now.
Guenmai - you are fortunate that you can tolerate economy class - wish I could say the same. Are your flights from LA to Bangkok direct? That would definitely make a difference with me. If we don't fly Thai from New York, we fly Hartford, CT to Chicago to Tokyo to Bangkok. Our last two trips were even longer as we continued on from Bangkok (to Delhi this year and Bali in 2003). I could not see spending that much time on a plane in cattle class.
Guenmai - you are fortunate that you can tolerate economy class - wish I could say the same. Are your flights from LA to Bangkok direct? That would definitely make a difference with me. If we don't fly Thai from New York, we fly Hartford, CT to Chicago to Tokyo to Bangkok. Our last two trips were even longer as we continued on from Bangkok (to Delhi this year and Bali in 2003). I could not see spending that much time on a plane in cattle class.
Apr 28th, 2005, 11:00 AM
#22
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I always go for the free ticket because I fly asian airlines to thailand so use the awards for a partner. I will do everything in my power to avoid flying United, American or Northwest to Asia. Every time I have, it has been incredibly unpleasant. On the other hand my experiences on Cathay, Thai, Japan, ANA, Singapore and Malyasian have never been below decent and have often been terrific.
Apr 28th, 2005, 11:19 AM
#23
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Count me as another person who uses my miles for upgrades. I fly United, and they use 777s from Seattle to Narita and from Narita to bangkok. The 777 is my favorite airplane, and I've always had good service in United Business.
Apr 28th, 2005, 11:25 AM
#24
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craig; i am with you. if i am flying from nyc to bkk, bc is the way to go, but when i am going from hi to bkk, it seems a waste to use 90k for bc. but i would happily use 80k for bc fm hi to paris. btw, a recent pc world article listed firefox as the best web explorer.
guenmai; what type of aircraft does ua fly from la to bkk, 747 or 777? i find the seating on the 747 bad, except for the exit row such as 35. what seat do you usually get on the 747?
guenmai; what type of aircraft does ua fly from la to bkk, 747 or 777? i find the seating on the 747 bad, except for the exit row such as 35. what seat do you usually get on the 747?
Apr 28th, 2005, 01:37 PM
#26
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Looking at my notes, sometimes the flight from Narita to Bangkok has been a 777, sometimes a 747... it must be seasonal. It looks like the flight from Narita to Singapore is consistently a 777. Sorry if I misled you, kuranosuke.
Apr 28th, 2005, 06:24 PM
#28
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i have never been able to use my northwest miles to upgrade to business or to get a business seat....they always seem to be full even 10 months or more in advance....last year i tried to do an upgrade starting the 340+ days in advance that they allow award seats and could never get anything....it is usually the narita to bkk that is full...it must be a n/w thing....i also have no status with them...
my general rule is that i try to use my miles for flights that would cost in excess of $1000. i hate coach but for $35 bos to bkk, i can tollerate anything...its 60,000 for that flight...
my general rule is that i try to use my miles for flights that would cost in excess of $1000. i hate coach but for $35 bos to bkk, i can tollerate anything...its 60,000 for that flight...
Apr 28th, 2005, 06:35 PM
#29
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Bob, I've heard from others who fly NW that it's impossible to get upgrades. On United, it's also the leg between Narita and Bangkok that's hardest to get. I have, however, always been able to get the upgrade I want by booking far in advance (and perhaps flexing my days a bit). I do have VFF status with United, so I know that helps.
I understand from United that the Japanese like to fly on US airlines, so those flights between Narita and Bangkok get full quickly.
I understand from United that the Japanese like to fly on US airlines, so those flights between Narita and Bangkok get full quickly.
Apr 28th, 2005, 07:00 PM
#30
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My experience has been 747's (upper deck seat) to NRT and then usually another upper deck seat from NRT to BKK. But UA sometimes does have a 777 instead of the 747 from NRT to BKK.
I am another very frequent flier on UA and thus have a higher status with them so my upgrades almost always come through, even if I book about 6 weeks out.
Craig, I prefer the 747 and I guess I don't really notice that the UA planes are worn. I'm just happy to be in bc as I'm nearly 6' tall and need leg room. I am NOT comfortable on airbus planes!!!
Carol
I am another very frequent flier on UA and thus have a higher status with them so my upgrades almost always come through, even if I book about 6 weeks out.
Craig, I prefer the 747 and I guess I don't really notice that the UA planes are worn. I'm just happy to be in bc as I'm nearly 6' tall and need leg room. I am NOT comfortable on airbus planes!!!
Carol
Apr 28th, 2005, 07:01 PM
#31
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My experience has been 747's (upper deck seat) to NRT and then usually another upper deck seat from NRT to BKK. But UA sometimes does have a 777 instead of the 747 from NRT to BKK.
I am another very frequent flier on UA and thus have a higher status with them so my upgrades almost always come through, even if I book about 6 weeks out. And yes, the NRT to BKK leg is the hardest one to get upgraded.
Craig, I prefer the 747 and I guess I don't really notice that the UA planes are worn. I'm just happy to be in bc as I'm nearly 6' tall and need leg room. I am NOT comfortable on airbus planes!!!
Carol
I am another very frequent flier on UA and thus have a higher status with them so my upgrades almost always come through, even if I book about 6 weeks out. And yes, the NRT to BKK leg is the hardest one to get upgraded.
Craig, I prefer the 747 and I guess I don't really notice that the UA planes are worn. I'm just happy to be in bc as I'm nearly 6' tall and need leg room. I am NOT comfortable on airbus planes!!!
Carol
Apr 29th, 2005, 05:31 AM
#33
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Sorry Bob, it's tooooo many days of typing and editing with lots of numbers!!! ARGHHHH
(but we are making great progress)
Three people are now pushing me to make a 10-day buying trip on about May 14.. and if the weather doesn't begin to warm up here, I'm gonna head outa town. I'm thinking I'd stay at the Pen for the first two nights since I like their limo service from BKK airport, and then move much closer to Pratunam area (maybe Intercontinental).
Carol
(but we are making great progress)
Three people are now pushing me to make a 10-day buying trip on about May 14.. and if the weather doesn't begin to warm up here, I'm gonna head outa town. I'm thinking I'd stay at the Pen for the first two nights since I like their limo service from BKK airport, and then move much closer to Pratunam area (maybe Intercontinental).
Carol
Apr 29th, 2005, 06:02 AM
#35
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I have absolutely no status on United but have always gotten the upgrade if I am somewhat flexible with dates and book 10-11 months in advance of the trip. Occasionaly have been waitlisted on the Hartford to Chicago leg but have always gotten business class seats on all legs. From Chicago to NRT there are 777 and 747 flights within an hour of each other. I much prefer the 747 (upper deck, seats 16A&B) to the 777. The 747 flight continues on to Bangkok.
May 1st, 2005, 10:16 AM
#36
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Getting back to the main topic. I stayed in the Sheraton Grande last September and just loved it. The rooms are really big, large bathroom, walkin closet. They have an excellent breakfast buffet and a great tropical pool. There spa is also wonderful. I am booked there for 4 nights this September.
Another points option you might want to try is the cash and points deal. I was able to get each night for 2800 points and $45.00. I cannot wait.
If I remember right there is a skytrain stop right outside the hotel.
Another points option you might want to try is the cash and points deal. I was able to get each night for 2800 points and $45.00. I cannot wait.
If I remember right there is a skytrain stop right outside the hotel.
