Never used google flights before but just looked at kansas city to LA then BKK round trip in September around $1200 total which is a great price. Thanks for the tip!
Joe thank you so much!That is a tremendous amount of research you did and I appreciate all of the info !!! I’ll keep looking into it and I still have 5 or 6 Months to rack up some points before my next trip. Also, no need to apologize for being busy, I understand completely. I am grateful you took the time to share some options for me. I’ll get busy doing some research and hopefully score a great seat on my next trip to BKK and beyond !!! Thx again !!!
Ya, man, the bad news is we all have bills. The good news is you can pay the bills with a new card. Get the points and get them to AA, etc.. call in and say you want to close the card. They usually beg you to stay. Oftentimes, they waive the 99 fee for a year. Rinse and repeat. Worst case, premium economy is really nice. Especially on a Japanese airline. That's really easy to get. But, I've done business and first. If I can do it, anyone can
That said, do NOT LOOK OUT THE PORTHOLES WHILE LANDING, unless you like to see the hairs on people's snot lockers in the building windows of San Diego! lol I could watch and listen to this stuff for hours. For some reason, radio comms chill my brain. I think it has to do with so many days and hours working in comms silence out in indian country with no support. hearing that chatter lets you know you're team is not really alone, maybe.
Thank you for this! This is very good info! I have to fly from Detroit to Jakarta with a family of 4 and never thought about the LA route. JFK east route and Chicago airport west route are both a nightmare and way more expensive. You are saving me 1200$. Cheers! Also, we love Japan Airlines as well. They always have great service and food. If you have an overnight layover in Narita Japan, their airport hotels next door have the best free buffet breakfast in the world! A chef prepares everything from scratch.
Without any of the good knowledge you just shared, I was seeing 5k for two way econo biz class from Florida. That was sort of the general number, rather than digging in. So, I really appreciate this video. Thanks, brother!
Ya, McDonalds loses money selling a $2 hamburger. They make 900% on the soda. It's the same with airlines. LAX to Tokyo can be cheap. Getting to LAX is how they will get you.
Hey Joe! Love your channel and the great info you provide. I just got back from Bangkok after spending one month in Thailand. I flew a connector flight to Chicago on United, then ANA Airlines to Japan and onward to Bangkok for $1300 round trip. I thought that was a pretty decent price from the East coast. I agree, ANA is a great airline. Looking forward to earning those air miles now because I will be going back in 6 months.
Sounds great! I live in Tennessee and we are exactly 12 hours behind Bangkok. I had a great time. Got up to Ayutthaya, and Korat where my girlfriend lives. I saw where they are working on a fast train from Bangkok to Korat which will take a little over an hour. That’s really going to make that trip a nice day trip instead of a 5 hour bus ride. 🥴
I got a lot of great tips from this one and the last video. I'm now planning to travel from LAX to BKK, 2 to 3 times per year to do my Muay Thai training so this videos will make my life easier for sure. Than You.
I'm totally with you. It has never been this cheap to fly in both Economy, but also Business and First Class from all over to South East Asia. Sick and tired of the complaints about airfare. I love to transfer in Tokyo or Seoul, ideally with a couple days there.
I agree. You can get some amazing deals. The airlines have did a great job convincing you to pay more than you need to. I feel bad for the regular guy in (insert small town) that saves for a few years for a large trip. They call United or American and they just trust that's the best price. 9 out 10 times the agent thinks it's the best price. Or they might be instructed to not tell them to buy two tickets. "Scare the passenger that they will miss the international leg." Baloney. Take a carry on and the problem is solved. I still just answered a comment from a person that said, if you do two tickets you might miss the connection checking luggage twice. First, if you are on the same partner, it's a 99% chance they will book your bag straight to Bangkok. Second, leave the bag at home. I've somehow managed a thousand flights with a carry on. There are washers everywhere in the world. Or a person that will wash your clothes for $3. This person countered with it's worth it to pay $2188 instead of $978 so you don't have to re-check a bag. I said, why not fly into LAX the night before. Pay $100 for a hotel and still save $1100. I don't know what else I can do. This person will insist on paying $1100 more. You can lead a horse to water...
Also, when searching for flights, use private browser windows so that the airline sites won't track that you are looking for a flight. Many and varied are the ways that the professionals endeavor to enhance their revenues.
Ya, I would need three hours to share all the tips. Private browser, VPN, paying in a foreign currency can help. Plus a hundred more tricks. This is just for the poor guy in El Paso, Green Bay, etc.. let gets hosed by the airline. Hopefully, that fast example will save one person a $1000.
Good video thanks for posting. My issue with the Japan Airlines flights are the arrival times in Bangkok are wonky. It’s either arrive at 11pm or 4 am. You’re either super late and arrive at the hotel at 1 am, or you’re too early to check in. I find the best flights from the west coast are the ones that leave late at night and arrive in Bangkok in the late morning/early afternoon. That way you feel like it was just one overnight trip and you’re into the next day when you arrive. Eva, Singapore and Starlux all have those flights. The flight times are slightly longer, but it’s made up for with the convenient arrival times. Just my opinion.
I hear ya. Everyone has a favorite route. I love arriving at 11pm. That's perfect for me.. You can leave San Diego at 1:30pm and arrive at 11pm. Many of the flights that leave LAX around midnight have a 6 or 7 hour layover, so you arrive in Bangkok at 4pm. I'd rather a 1.5 hour layover in Tokyo. It used to be a 55 minute layover. In 10 trips, I never missed the connection. Often times it was the same 777. Today they switch you to a 788. Arrive at 11pm and get to the hotel at 2am. Get 8 hours sleep. By 10am I'm exactly on Thai time. Sitting in a lounge for 8 hours in Taipei, to arrive at 2pm doesn't work for me. If they had a 1 hour connection, I'd gladly arrive at 3am in BKK. Hit the rack and I'm fresh at 1pm. Korean has a 55 minute connection, but you arrive close to midnight. Again, that's perfect for me. I've did them all. No matter how you do it, sitting on a plane 18 hours (or hopefully laying flat) can be a kick in the pants. I've did the Cathay route a dozen times. Leaves LAX at 1:30 am, 1.5 layover in Hong Kong and BKK at 10am. Get to the hotel at check in at noon. Maybe sleep until 7pm and your good to go. I used to do the non stop to Singapore. That's one long flight. It wasn't the 19 hours that got me. I had a bed in J. It was the 4 hour wait to go to BKK that felt like a 10 hour wait. It's all about the layover to me. Hopefully the Air Canada non stop from Vancouver sticks around. It's not looking good. Just not enough traffic from North America to Bangkok.
Great video. I had the same issue flying out of Oklahoma City. We drove down to Dallas and flew out of DFW for my last BKK trip. We could have saved even more money if we flew Frontier, Spirit or Southwest from OKC to San Fransisco. No more economy class for me, I paid my dues as a young man flying in cramped economy long hauls. I am really considering ZipAir for my next trip, lay-flat business class seats for REALLY CHEAP.
Ya man, I'm just glad you caught the high fare. Other people fly international seldom. They plug in OKC to BKK and just assume $2985 must be the fare. It's crazy how the airline pricing works.
I'm on that bkk to nrt 8:05am flight next February. Early taxi. Paid extra to Fly JAL. Best economy in the business Used my miles/points to book a couple of months ago. Yqr to YVR to Sin to USM. 21 hours in the seat.
Wonder what a venn diagram would look like of your viewers vs those that play the points game. Probably not a lot of cross over…I’m in the cross over and totally understood and appreciate the information you shared! Interestingly all your pointers given are how I fly and how I use my points. Good job by you! Thank you!
Points are great. I've been playing that game for 20 years. It was so easy to do the Visa gift cards and Wal Mart money orders. Plus, a hundred other hacks. I did them all. At one time I had 500,000 AA points. 300,000 Alaska Maybe the same in Amex points. The good ole days. But, as you know, you can still do it today. Especially if you have "real" expenses. A set of braces here a new roof there. Everyone hates bills, but a few rt tickets in J will take the sting off. Thanks for watching. Hope you visit Thailand again soon.
Another thing you can do if you have the time look at a multi city ticket. If you have the time and don’t mind stopping in a city along the way for a few days. I am flying flying back to the USA in a few days with a stopover for 3 days in Manila and 3 days in Honolulu ( why not). It will help breakup the long travel across the pacific and I get two three day mini vacations on the way back.
Yes, that's a great idea. I know I mentioned this in one of my other videos. I do that all the time. Many airlines allow a stop over in the hub city for as long as you'd want. Japan Airlines in Tokyo, Cathay in Hong Jong, etc.. You need to price the multi city and direct flight. Sometimes it's the same price, sometimes it's $400 more. Still, it's easy to find that layover for near free, especially in a hub city.
I do exactly the same 2 flight, always fly out of the West Coast so your not on that 17 hour flight from Chicago or something. Only downside is the domestic flight doesnt include the 2 checked bags like the international ones so you have to pay for for your bags to get them to LA .
I hear you on the luggage. Other than when I moved over, I had 3 giant suitcases. But I also had first class LAX to BKK, I've never checked a bag in my life. Which is the same number of bags I've had lost. All I need is a laptop and some cables, 3 extra sets of clothes, maybe a few extra shirts and a toothbrush. People wash there clothes all over the world. Even better if they wash them for you in Thailand for $3.
Only time I flew "Business Class" in my life was when my USN Hitch was up and the Nav sent me back (last min) from Tokyo to San Fran .. Merch & MSC, work in SE Asia or on Vaca in / out of Asia for 25 yrs, I flew every Airline there was and always "Coach" (cheapest whatever) .. but Even Coach, on International Flights "were great" (Food Free Booze and treatment) compared to flying Domestic in the states these days (omg) .. I was a master at finding the cheapest flights ..
You got lucky. I laid in the back of a C-5 Galaxy from Guam to Travis when I was in the Navy. Or I took 30 days to cross the ocean. These days I prefer Business or First Class. All for free of course. ha ha
@@EagerExpat I Mac flew; made it all the way from Yokohama - Mass. Going back, was a PIA, speak of C-5's (breaking down) .. 10 days at Travis .. Good ol' Fairfield, CA (learned to "two step" + a little Korean) ..
Yep Joe I do the same thing like in your first example. I flew Southwest Phoenix to LAX (separate ticket) on the 6:00 AM flight. Walked over to Asiana Gates at Tom Bradley Terminal for my 10:00 AM flight from LAX-ICN-BKK. This was last Nov and the flight was about $900 round trip. Combining the Airfare for the Phoenix to LAX flight was going to be almost $400 more. My Southwest flight was free because I used credit card points. This is how I’ve always traveled to BKK from Phoenix. Next time I will try business class with my other credit card points
Ya man, you got it figured out. I'm no expert, but let me know what points you have and I'll give you some options. Maybe help prepare for that business award. Get this card, etc.. to add to your balance, etc.. The problem with points is they change the rules over night. You are preparing for that 80k one -way in business award and it becomes 90k over night, That's ok, worst case is you buy 10k of points for $290 and enjoy that flight. That's one (good) night in Bangkok. In fact, I might do that video. Get these three credit cards and do this with them. I know I'll suffer the comments when they change the rules, but that's ok. Some people won't listen to the "this is June of 2024" I'll say 5 times. They'll complain in 2026 I don't know what I'm talking about. Ha Ha, ya I'm the one who is wrong. You gotta love the trolls.
For SW I used the Southwest Visa Card. That’s a super ez Card to stack up points, plus you can transfer points to your Family and friends. Other Card is Chase and I’ve got 82,000 points for opening up Card and spending $4,000 in a few Months. Worked out great cuz I have some home projects going on now. Chase Card is $100 annual. I’m not sure how long I have to use the points tho. One thing I do not like is you have to Book the flight on Chase’s site. Not sure what the Fare difference would be from the Airline itself but I guess it just depends on your timing and flexibility
@@bradley_Bradley I gotta go meet the girlfriend at the gym. I'll answer later. What Chase card? The Sapphire Preferred. No you transfer the points from Chase to United, etc.. They want you to use their travel agency but you don't have to. The points won't expire for (usually) 12 months. But, earning even 1 point every month starts the 12 month clock again. Tell me where you live and I'll toss some other cards at you, to "stack" the points you have. One card is great, but three cards makes life much easier. Once you get the points, cancel the other two. Watch my points video. But when I have time I'll put together a plan for you. You can take a look at it and tweak what works. I know the west coast. So well use Southwest points to get you rt to LAX for free. Then stop wasting spend on that card. The Sapphire UR points are more valuable. I'm guessing that's what you have. Plus, don't buy any major purchases until I explain the shopping portal. That $600 item at Home Depot is better earning 3x points (for example) than 1x just at the counter. You buy online (chase shop portal) pick up at the store. I've did that as I'm standing at Macy's Lowes, etc.. You're a long time supporter of the channel. Glad to help. Ok, off to the gym. Later
There was some great information in this. I really struggle from UK with direct flights. Currently, only Thai and Eva serve Thailand. From November, though, British Airways restart direct flights. Hopefully, this will help, with a little more competition. My main problem is I can't be flexible with dates, and it always seems that whenever I want to fly there, everyone else wants to! Google flights is great. The email alerts on price changes are useful. But it does add pressure when you see flight prices going up, forcing you to make a move only for the price to drop 2 weeks later... but that's life. Seatguru is hit and miss for me. The seat maps of some of the Thai Air flights aren't accurate and don't match the actual layout. I've fed back to them, but even after 2 years, they still get it wrong.... great work on the video
Ya Andy I hear you. More flights always lowers the price. The other factor is they can change the plane. On the west coast it might be a 787 everyday, then a 777 shows up. We just do the best we can. In the end it doesn't matter as long as we end up in Thailand
I’m lucky to live 3 miles from SFO, actually next to You Tube headquarters. My RT to Chiang Mai with Korean air is usually $1100, though it’s been as low as $750. This year it’s only $430 because I got miles from using the US Bank/ KAL credit card.
Wouldnt this put us at risk at missing our flight without any rebooking if we miss the connection in LAX? And wouldn't we have to leave the air-side terminal to pick up bags and then re-check them in at LAX, then go back through security?
You have to make the decision to save a possible $1000. Go the night before and get a $100 hotel at the airport. Most flight leave at 1am. Arrive at LAX at noon if you are worried about the the hour to change terminals and check a bag. That will give you 12 hours. 3 hours will also work, but that's up to you. The airline hopes you buy that ticket from El Paso to BKK for ten times more money. Or you can buy two tickets. We can what if all day. What if you miss the first flight? What if you miss the connection in Japan? That's usually 1 hour. Getting a bag from one plane to another in 1 hour is the real concern. A good reason to only bring a carryon to begin with. They have washing machines in BKK.
Hey thank you Joe, yes I do have the sapphire card from Chase. I already spent my $4,000 on that Card. I live in Phoenix and usually fly out of LAX for International Travel to Asia. As far as the Southwest card goes I don’t really use it anymore I just have some points built up and whenever I need to do a short hop somewhere like PHX-ABQ or PHX-LAS I pull from that stash of Southwest points and fly for free. It’s been a long time since I paid for a Southwest flight. You mentioned I could take those Chase points and transfer to United? I’m not sure how to do that but I will certainly look into it or take some advice from a seasoned pro like yourself. The reason I got the Sapphire was to try to build points for Business Class travel which I have only flown a handful of times. I think I’m up to 80,000 points already. Need more for biz travel though. Hope u had a great workout Joe and hope to hear from you. Thx again !
Ya it's Friday. I'm running around with my girlfriend. I'll get back to you in the next day with some options. If it were One World, I could teel you from memory. I need to research the latest United/Star hacks with UR Chase points. There's always an angle
Sorry man, life has been crazy busy. I'm no pro on the Chase Ultimate Rewards. I'll put a Flyertalk link. Make sure you are looking at nothing older than 3 months. The Wiki should stay updated. I wanted to find some examples of the best places to transfer for Business. I'm a One World guy and know more about AA and Alaska. Read Flyertalk and there are some good videos. I might make a get to Asia on point video at some point. Basically, they push you to use the points at Chase Travel. I think the incentive is you get 1.25 cents for every mile. It's just like using Expedia and paying with points. Usually not a great way to go. You want to try and transfer UR miles to United, Virgin Atlantic or Air Canada. VA used to be the best, but it's gone up recently. Air Canada is a good place to find ANA awards. Same with Virgin Atlantic. United is good for Business (90K? one-way) to Hong Kong on a United non-stop. But, you can search the 30 day calendar for something around 110k in business. If you get lucky it will be an ANA flight. Although they push the United to Japan and then ANA to Bangkok. Once you find a date, you then take that to Air Canada. If United has it for 110K it's probably an I or discount "J" business seat. Hopefully they have it for (I think) 70K. Sometimes more for BKK. Another tip is search LAX to Japan. The Japan to BKK sells out fast. If it's not available it will just say, nothing available. If you can find LAX to Tokyo, you can then take a downgrade to coach for the 6 hour to BKK. You'll be on stand by if business opens up. I've did that on Cathay out of Hong Kong several times. Maybe one in three I was upgraded. So, sorry this wasn't more helpful. If you didn't check out the older video i made on Miles. I'll then link the Flyertalk on Chase Miles and any helpful video I can find. You're close to having enough Chase points for a 1 way in Business. I'd get a Barclays AA Card. $99 and make one purchase for (I think) 60,000 points. Then the Citi AA ($99 waived first year) Spend $2500 in 90 days for 50,000 points. 110K is (I think) enough for a one-way to BKK. Same rules apply. They usually push the AA flight LAX or SFO to Tokyo. The Japan Airlines to BKK sells out. You might need to take coach and hope for an upgrade. Do this on Tue, Wed, Thu. The business travel takes most of the business seats at both sides on the weekend. If you have the Southwest for more than (I think) 48 months, shut it off and get the bonus again. Spend 3k in 90 day (or whatever) Just don't make a bunch of purchases. If you charge $1000 on the 5th and the closing date is the 20th, you need to pay the card on the 7th (when the charges post) or you will lose that 1000 points if it's not paid by the 20th or the closing date. They try and tell you if you close you will lose the points. Everything at Southwest you keep. You only lose the points you didn't pay for. Just get it to zero and close it the next month. You can read about any of these things at Flyertalk. Ok here's the links. th-cam.com/video/_JFnzGS4ACg/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/0KUByk7-LsI/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/dgmgRvTVJN8/w-d-xo.html It won't let me link Flyertalk. Just google flyertalk ultimate rewards. Start with the wike. Good luck
Thanks for the video Joe. I plan to visit Bangkok in September, would you be comfortable having a very short layover (1 hr est) In Tokyo? I don't have global entry, and don't want to miss connection to LAX.
I've did that flight many times. It used to be a 55 min layover LAX/NRT/BKK. I think I did that 7 times. I never missed. Twice they stood there with a sign for three or four of us. Then rushed us to transit security. But, Japan is a little more efficient than most airports around the world. I wouldn't lose to much sleep over the connection home. If you miss a connection it's going to be because of a computer failure or typhoon warning. A six hour layover wont help. I would worry more about LAX. Not having Global Entry, you can wait over an hour to clear customs. Then you need to change from Tom Bradley International to a domestic terminal. 2 hours would be a better connection. But, one hour in Japan, that's 30 more minutes than the Japanese need.
You are a lot of help - Joe. For me I will start my trip from Houston Texas. I like Narita but I prefer longer connection time - that is 3 to 4 hours so I can do a bowl of ramen and pick up some cookies candies and a couple bottles of liquor. Which airlines or websites do you go to when you start your airfare search?
Sure, if you can get the flight times to match, you can fly into Japan and leave on the same ticket 23 hours later. Just don't go over 24 hours. Go into Tokyo and get that meal. It's 50 miles away, but they have a nice train. I do things a little complicated with miles and points. But, Google Flight is the best tool I've found.
@@EagerExpat I probably been to Narita 5 times with longest layover 9 hours. But I was too scared of missing the connecting flight so to venture out of the airport into Tokyo. I did not know of any guided tours so that was a miss. That was about 10 years ago. But last year I was at Narita again, and I discovered a very good ramen shop right inside Narita. Don’t remember the name but know exactly where it is in the airport. Three hours is just barely enough for me to grab a bowl of ramen and do some shopping and then it’s already time to board.
Hi Joe. I’d prefer to arrive from the west coast to Chiangmai, but will consider arriving in Bangkok if I can save at least $200. My favorite airlines are EVA and China airways, if the price is right. Chiangmai is about the same longitude as Taipei, and there is usually only an hour to 90 minutes layover. The 3 things that I look at when researching flights is price, total time getting from west coast to either BKK or Chiangmai, and whether I get 2 free bags allowance. Everything else is not a dealbreaker. I flew Singapore Airlines once because of its reputation. I hated the idea of overnighting at Changi Airport. The clincher was when Singapore Airlines tried to screw me on the return portion because I had to change the return by a week when my brother died. Airlines typically don’t have a bereavement rate. SA definitely doesn’t. They wanted to charge me $1,520 to change the return on my ticket, which I had paid $671 total. I declined and flew Qatar Airlines back for $610. So, no matter if SA was giving tickets away, I’ll never fly with them again. Currently, for the 5th straight time, I’m Flying Philippines Airlines to BKK. I started buying round trip tickets starting BKK to LAX because it’s $80-$100 cheaper than buying LAX to BKK. Plus, they have my loyalty when I needed to change the outbound portion by a month because my Doctor advised me not to fly after surgery. And he supplied a letter to that effect. I sent the letter to PAL and within 24 hours, at no cost to me, rhey changed the itinerary by moving everything forward a month. Unless I want to get to Chiangmai quickly, I’ll be flying PAL as long as they offer tickets in my price range. Concerning business class, 5 years ago, I flew Hong Kong Airlines business class on a mistake fare of $600. I have no complaints about that flight. I just won’t pay double, let alone 10 times the amount of an economy ticket to fly business class. And I really don’t want to play the credit card game to get enough points to fly business class on a regular basis. I do have a Chase Southwest RR card. I haven’t bought a ticket on Southwest in 10 years and use them to fly from KC to LAX to connect with my cheap Asia flights. I don’t have any desire to have to run $4,000-$5,000 monthly on my credit card to earn points. Besides, in using points for Asia flights, wouldn’t I have to pay the $300 in taxes for an economy ticket anyway?
@@EagerExpat To borrow from another one of your videos, using my 2 free checked bags and carryon over the last 15 years that I’ve owned a house in Chiangmai, I really don’t have to bring much that I need or want to Thailand. I have 20 pairs of my favorite pair of tennis shoes there, with 10 more here that I’ll eventually take. I have all the razors, shaving cream and toiletries that I’ll ever need. I have 8 pairs of jeans and usually wear a pair every time I come, that I leave. I have all the clothes that I’ll ever need there. I bring sheet and pillows over. I have most of my family mementos over there. The last 4 trips, I’ve brought my newest Milwaukee tools and blades over. If I could get my table saw and miter saw in a suitcase I would. My Thai wife uses the empty suitcase space coming back to the U.S. for Thai spices and foods that are allowed into the U.S. figure that every time that I buy a $600 airline ticket, I’ve saved $200 on shipping things to or from Thailand.
No, I'm a Thailand guy. But, Google flights works to Cebu. Just plug in Cebu instead of BKK. Pro tip, fly to Manila and get another ticket to Cebu. Or let the airlines charge you $500 extra to do it for you. Dallas (or LAX to Manila is better) If you want to do it in first class, plan on spending $10,000 plus. Economy should be $600 from Los Angeles. From Dallas maybe they will charge $1200. Get yourself a cheap ticket to LA and save a few hundred.
Usually that's true. But, if the plane is empty they will dump prices. Pay attention to Google Flights. I once got a friend $650rt San Diego to Bangkok with one day notice. 2 months is the perfect time to book. But, it all depends on time of year. June is off-season, so you'll find those deals.
Isn't that crazy. Even crazier, I've did it three times. Points is the only way to go on that. It might take four credit cards and a year of planning. But one kids braces, a new roof for the house and I'll fly you rt in 1st twice from anywhere in the US to BKK. I might have to do that video.
Almost positive Zip only fly’s 787 from LAX to NRT but could be wrong. I got a good deal booking a whole bunch of one ways. Now I’m running into issues getting from FL to LA. We have a lot in common Joe, I’m an aviation and travel guy myself. Momondo and Skiplagged are great tools if you want to get super creative. When finding those flights on Google flights, make sure you hit “select flight” to confirm the prices are through the airline itself and not some goofy/sketchy 3rd party site. You touched on this @38:38 as I’m typing this..
Ya, I think it's Japan Airlines little sister no frills airline. I'm not a fan of Zipp, Scoot (Singapore's little brother) I'll earn the miles and travel in business for free. But, I made this to try the (one or two a month) person who keeps telling me it cost over $3000 to fly coach from Springfield, Il, Green Bay, El Paso, etc.. The airlines really stick it to small town America.
@@EagerExpat makes sense. Get yourself to MIA or JFK, ORD or DFW, or preferably LAX or SFO and get out that way. I am currently eyeing some $750 fares from FL to BKK on US/Asia carriers. A bag or two may cost extra but it is definitely doable under $1K USD.
@@Marinate305 If you can get from the east coast for $750, I'd lock that down. Your basically getting a free ticket to LAX. That won't last. If it's AA, they still have to buy the Japan ticket that might be $800 rt for us. Let's say they buy it from Japan for $600. So they make $200 off you. The Miami to LAX flight is where they try to make another $500. Buy two tickets
@@EagerExpat Ah. I left out an important detail here. This is one way. My mistake. The $746 is one way. Although you can do a $89 TPA-ORD and a $553 ORD-BKK, then a BKK-LAX for $401 and LAX-TPA for $139 back. Total $1182 RT end of August/ beginning of Sept for those looking for Southeast US to Southeast Asia.
Seems JAL ticket price are always price higher than AA website. I bought a ticket for JAL flight on AA website but AA does not allow reserving JAL seat on some flights . So I had to buy the ticket on JAL website in order to reserve the seat . AA website states you can call AA agent to reserve seating or reserve seat in JAL website -which is an aweful website. But if they cant reserve you have to wait till 24-hr before flight.
I haven't bought a ticket in a long time. Every JAL redemption I make at AA or Alaska, I just call JAL at the same time and get a seat. I assume it works the same if you pay cash. You'll get the AA & JAL locater at time of purchase. I've did both a phone call to JAL or found the website easy to use. Maybe try on Mozilla. Chrome is so/so in most of Asia.
Howdy from Austin,Texas. I have been doing more research since your previous air fare vlog. I’m looking online right now per your strategy at separate economy RT flights from Austin to LAX ($225) and then another RT economy from LAX to BKK ($832); for $1050 total. I’m really looking for a way to get a “cheaper” business class seat over the long Pacific leg
Howdy Austin. One of my best Navy brothers lives in town. I used to go to South by Southwest each year from 1991 for a decade or so. There's no such thing as a super cheap Business ticket. Maybe $3000 is do-able. You have to remember your taking up the real estate of 3 or 4 seats. Premium Economy i soften $300 more than coach. Well worth the cash. But, unless it's a splurge, paying for Business is rough. And you better be doing it to pay the 3k for a new credit card, so you at least earn a free 1-way in business the next time you fly. Yes, I am going to make that get these cards video. Still, most people will say $95 is a waste for a credit card. My Costco card is free. Thank god they do. Less competition for me to get those seats so easy. Ha ha.
@@ronkeeney1752 That's cheap but it depends on the airline. I wouldn't pay $1000 for a business seat on China Southern. That airline stinks. They just cancel the flight if it isn't 100% sold out. That happens all the time on the China to BKK flight.
But the El-Paso to LAX flight is also a seperate ticket. So yes, you do have to recheck your baggage, but I would worry about a delayed/ late flight, with the possibility of missing your international flight ,which is why buying it all as one ticket is a safe bet. If your flight from EL Paso is delayed or even cancelled,,the airline is responsible for rebooking your international flight.
It's all One World. American and Japan are partners. I'd say it's a 99% chance if you are prepared and have a print out of your boarding pass, they will check your bag straight to Bangkok. In fact, if they said no, I'd ask to speak to a supervisor. They probably don't know to hit Z/123/ instead of Z/1234. Or whatever the silly code is. It's really a no brainer. If you bought the $2188 ticket your bag would go direct. You are on the exact same planes. If you got cute and tried to have a 1 hour connection in LAX, ya they might tell you to recheck in LAX. But, that would be on you. If you did Southwest to LAX and then board Japan, that is impossible. If you want a safe bet, fly to LAX the night before. Go Southwest for free on points. Stay near the airport and get a good nights sleep. Even with the cost of the hotel, you'll still save $900 over the $2188 fare. Or better yet, leave that heavy bag at home. I've been on 1000 planes in the past three decades. I can count on one hand the times I checked a bag. I've also never had a bag lost. You can't lose a carry on backpack. Wear a set of clothes and bring three more. A laptop, few cables, toothbrush, passport. Roger that, ready to go. I've been to 100 countries and never had a problem finding a place to wash 3 sets of underwear. In Thailand they will do it for you for pennies. Or, I guess you can pay $150 for a second bag, that will be lost 50% of the time. I'm not sure who would want to pay $1000 (sometimes $2000 extra) for the exact same itinerary. I'm sure the airlines are glad people do. My guess is 99% of those people don't know there is another option. As they say in Thailand, "up to you."
@@EagerExpat yes I agree with most of the points you make. But when the domestic part is sold as a separate ticket, AA have no responsibility to ensure you make the international leg of our flight weather it’s flying out to Japan Via AA or JAL , which is why you will pay a little more for the ticket, but paying over $1K USD over the discount economy fare is ridiculous . If you buy a flexible ticket that ensures you a better chance of the airline rebooking you can Onto another flight for a small fee. But same tickets clearly will state, if you are a no-show for your flight, you forfeit that ticket. Most third-party online ticket sellers will make this disclaimer about seperate flights & the consequences of a no-show to your flight . ✈️
@@paulsz6194 I hear you man. We can argue this or that all day. What if i get sick, etc.. If you want zero problems book a refundable ticket from El Paso to BKK. In the example I showed, that was a non-refundable fare. Tack on maybe $400 more is you can sleep better at night. So that's $2200 plus $400. Or $2600 total. To me that's crazy. But, people pay it everyday. Or you buy two tickets, fly to LAX the day before. Go on the 7am flight if you think you might miss the last flight of the day. Pay $225rt for the ticket. Or maybe $375 is you want that flexible, getting sick, etc.. Then buy the $800 ticket on JAL. Which I guess might be $1500 instead of $800 to make that flexible. This video was how to fly cheap. There is a little risk involved. What if I die before the flight? Will there be a refund? Probably not on the fare I buy. Bottom line two tickets is best. That will be $1000 total. Or pay $2600 to have all bases covered and flexible. If you're going to pay $1600 extra, you might as well just buy another $1000 fare at LAX if you missed the flight. Why even worry about making the flight. Buy another $1000 ticket at the counter. You still save $600 over paying $2600. I did even get into this, but another good reason to always buy two one-ways. Often times it's the same price. I've never missed a flight and I took 35 last year. As far as buying from a third party like Expedia. Why would you do that? In the example I showed (I think) American was the lowest price. Expedia was a dollar more. Even if you get sick on a non refundable ticket, AA will give you a flight credit, with a doctors note. Expedia will just hang up on you.
I think I paid around $1400 for my upcoming trip in July from PDX-BKK RT. I thought that was reasonable. You are flying halfway around the world and back.
That not un-reasonable. But, I showed you there were $800 fares LAX to BKK. So you paid $600 rt to go Portland to LAX. So it's $800 to go around the world. It's $600 more to go 962 miles. Not raining on your parade. You'll have a great trip, but next time, search SFO to BKK. Then buy a $200 Alaska ticket to SFO. To me it's a battle against the man. I hate when they sting people that fly from a smaller city.
@@EagerExpat I've tried that, but often it is hard to get the times to line up without long layovers or tight connections and they will not hold the international plane if I am late from a non-connecting flight.
@@JAG72270 Whatever makes you comfortable. But, like I mention in the video. Get a $100 hotel at LAX airport the evening before. You'll still save $500. The connections I agree are important. That's why I use the Japan flight to BKK. Avoid the 6 hour layovers wherever yo go. No direct flight from LAX to BKK. There used to be a Delta, but not today. Either way my man, enjoy the trip. This was just a "fly as cheap" video. Nothing wrong with a $1400 fare that's nice and clean. But, I'm an old mailman. I would take the train a 100 miles from San Diego to LAX, because they wanted $150 more to fly from San Diego. It's just a hobby of mine. But, I do fly 50 times a year. Usually for free. So I'm doing something correct.
So far spot on. I'm a travel guru too and so far we think a like. Still have another 45 minutes of watching. I have a bunch of OTA's paying in foreign currency that can save even more. But that's advance level and carries additional risk. Saturdays are more expensive because actually their are less business travelers therefore airlines increase the pricing to make up for that lack of J class revenue. I work for a top 100 company and we would never send someone out on Saturday for a Monday meeting. Weekend is employees time only. Possibly Sunday night for Europe for Monday but that's it. Isn't google flight gods gift to mankind?
Ya Bird Dog. I tried to keep this very basic. There are so many other tools. I've used them all. Both free and paid. Setting alerts for mistake fares, etc. I once flew DC to Peking for $449 in Business. Fat finger discount. Someone left off a 4 on the $4449 price.\ Yes, paying a foreign currency can also save cash. But, this is for the poor guy paying $2188 from El Paso instead of $988. If the flight LA to Chicago is $599 and the LA, Chicago continue to Des Moines is $399, they hate if you get off the plane in Chicago. In fact they outlaw you doing that. Yet, they're fine taking $2188 instead of $988 everyday. That's ok. I've had over 1,000,000 American miles before. So, I win.
@@EagerExpat that’s a good point. They outlaw hidden ticketing(which I do occasionally) but yet over charge you for the same 2 legs as one ticket vs separately. That could be a good class action lawsuit. When I do hidden tickets I use a random address in another state with a prepaid credit card, because I can’t get banned from my carrier.
@@BirdDog. I forget which blogger was selling everyone his "hidden city hack" I think he lost 600K AA points. I hope he made some cash with that $5 e-book. If an AA bot is listening here, I love American Airlines!!! Forget what I said about that El Paso ticket....
@@EagerExpat what you illustrated is not hidden ticking. That is perfectly legal with in the rules of booking. Now with that said I’m not sure I would only leave a 2 hour connection. I usually want at least one other flight after mine, that I can book last minute that can still connect in the event my original is delayed or canceled. Now if you shared booking a one way to Las Vegas via LAX and jumped off that would put you in violation of AA’s policy. I probably would tell an inexperienced flyer to go into LAX night before and grab a airport hotel for 1 night.
@@BirdDog. I 100% agree. In this case I think you arrive at 8:30am and the JAL flight is 1:30pm. If it were thunderstorm season in Texas, I'd probably take a flight the day before and just relax before the ocean crossing. The fact that it's all One World, I'd say you have a 95% chance of being re-booked on the later JAL flight. For that reason I would pay the $225 to fly American Eagle. If Southwest were $20 cheaper, it's not worth the risk. No, I was talking about how AA has outlawed doing a hidden city ticket. Yet they are ok with these what I call "hidden fares" It should be $800 plus $225. $1025 total. Instead they charge a "hidden $1063 extra" With the $2188 fare. Often times they charge way more than $1063. Yet, if a fare San Diego to Chicago is $500 one-way and San Diego, Chicago, Des Moines is $400 (for whatever reason) Get off in Chicago and stand by for the nasty letter. You can't save $100 but they can "hidden fare" $1063 and that's fine.
It's a great airline. You can always travel insurance, rather than the 40% extra airline fee for a flexible ticket. I've never bought it, but for $60 and a trip to the doctor, with that fake cold, you'll be ok. I wouldn't abuse that. But, help the rep be able to help you. Like I mentioned in the video, that's not going to happen at Expedia. Book through the airline. Or many travel cards offer free travel insurance. With that said, I haven't missed a trip that was planned yet. I need to be in the hospital to miss a trip to Thailand. But, even a non-refundable ticket, with a decent airline you can get a credit. Forget about a Chinese Airline like Southern. My friend was coming with me. Non refundable, etc.. She got sick and started chemo. They gave here every penny back. This was ANA. The usual procedure was a flight credit. But, this was a major issue she had. So, don't be afraid to ask.
@@shirleykimber2330 Ya, when everyone wants to fly, I stay home. I go when it's half price the other 11 months out of the year. Competing with school vacation is never a good idea.
@@shirleykimber2330 I just saw this comment. If you are in Bangkok Monday July 15, swing by O Shea's Pub On Sukhumvit Soi 33/1. Near the Phrom Phong BTS. In a few minutes, I'll put a community post for a meetup at 2:00pm. Another guy Kevin wanted to say hi. So I just figured we would put together a small meetup. Swing by if your free. If you are out of town, maybe another time. Just send me a comment. Hope you are enjoying Thailand. Joe
I'm not sure. Plug it into Google flights. I showed you less than $800 rt from LAX on Japan. A great airline with short layovers in Tokyo. Get a Southwest card and get to LAX for free. Or find a cheap fare from Atlanta. What the airlines want you to do is pay $1600 from Atlanta (guessing) So, can you fly from Atlanta to LAX for less than $800 is the question. I say yes. They are putting you on the $800 international leg. They make the money on the Atlanta to LAX side. It's like McDonald's. They lose money on burgers and make 1000% selling soda and fries
Not everybody lives in the west coast. The prices flying from the east coast are way more expensive than flying from the west coast ( LA or San Francisco ).
You missed the point of the video. You don't buy a ticket from the east coast. You get the international ticket from Los Angeles or San Francisco. You get a separate ticket to Los Angeles from where you live. In my example of El Paso, you will be on the same planes and save $1100. It doesn't work every time. But, it works more than 50% of the time. You need to do the math. But, if you just put in Raleigh, NC to BKK, stand by to pay extra. Search LAX to BKK. You'll find $900rt. Often you'll find $750rt. Search Raleigh to LAX. You might find $400. That's $1300rt. If you buy two tickets. Search Raleigh to Bangkok. What a shock it's $1900, $2300, $2900. If they can get you to pay $2000 extra to fly round trip Raleigh to Los Angeles, you got nobody to blame but yourself. I'm making up the numbers on Raleigh. I showed a real world example with the El Paso flight. But, thanks for letting me know not everyone lives on the west coast. Second thought, go ahead and keep paying $2900 to fly to Bangkok. Some guys aren't happy unless they have something to complain about. You can lead a horse to water....
Great vid! You really hit all the points dead on. Do you know about the LifeMiles deals(star alliance)? Onaway for about $1000 in J class if you know how to work the system.
Ya I've used Life Miles many times. It's a real pain dealing with the Avianca agents. Unless it changed you had to call in. Even hand feeding them flights, they would still "not see" availability, or they would just hang up on you. I'm not a fan, but I've did it. If I'm using Ultimate Rewards it's with ANA. I have 300,000? United points, so that will probably buy Turkish tickets in J. Everyone of course will keep changing the rules. United 15 years ago was awesome. You could fly in J LAX to Frankfurt, then BKK, then Sydney, back to LAX on one J award. As long as you kept going in one direction. I also did SFO to Sydney with a layover in London. Of course all that is gone today. Alaska is still pretty good. You can fly LAX to Narita, stay 300 days and continue to Bangkok. Unlimited layover in a hub city. Tokyo, Hong Kong (Cathay) Singapore. I'm not sure now they joined One World. I'm pretty rusty.
@@EagerExpat lifemiles is hit and miss. But last minute they seem to always have space. Almost always do they run the 165% bonus. Last month I booked a oneway LHR to IAH less then 24 hour to departure. cost was $1000 United direct. 3 months ago I had to go to Orlando last minute at it was 10k points. cost me about $100 with the bonus. I almost always go to Lifemiles first when ever I'm booking a flight to see what they have. the website is a bit tricky. I never once bothered calling them. I hear turkish has good value but I've never looked into it. I assume you read Flyer talk and View from the wing?
I'm a United Mileage Plus member and I have redeemed business(3x) Singapore, EVA, and Swiss\Thai(1st) from Boston. Hard to go back to economy after lie flat. Last time I flew to Thailand I paid for premium econ with Unites/ANA to avoid economy. I have a bunch of miles with United but it's harder to find saver redemptions. I flew Thai from JFK when they did the direct flight, economy had 36" pitch. They had to limit seats (weight) due to the A340-500(4 engines) being a fuel hog. I have flown JAL, ANA from Boston to Manila in business, my employer paid. I had the "Room" on ANA.
You are correct. It's very hard to go back. ANA is great. I'm a One World and Alaska guy, but I've done them all. Even the apartment with the shower. I did the repositioning flight when it used to go Vancouver to JFK. I did get stuck with Premium Economy on AA to Hong Kong, maybe 2018. It's way pretty darn nice. 10 times better than the economy seat
0:20 "Business & First class is the way to cross an ocean" 20 seconds in and i'm already agreeing tho i don't have a lot of ocean to cross towards Thailand coming from Europe. Qatar (oneWorld) business has been nothing short of superb for me,
Ha ha, ya this blue collar guy got a taste of sitting up front 20 years ago. I knew I couldn't afford to pay for the ex-wife and a business ticket. So I had to work hard to figure out to fly for free. I never figured out how to not pay the ex, but I rode up in first or business a few dozen times
@@EagerExpat Haha, i hear ya, unfortunately we lack poper points/creditcard programs here so i'm paying the full price but i've managed to always find good deals (
Ya I remember getting my friend Japan out of San Diego to BKK for $675. I think the Chinese Airlines were under $500. Those days are long gone. The price of aviation fuel has gone up 50%. Still, when I get comments that it cost $3000, I really feel bad for that person. The airlines hammer a person from a smaller city. But, if I can help on person save that $1000, I've paid it forward.
I do the same. FL to LAX prices are crazy ATM, not sure why. I flew AA $139 over to LA and $150 back on Delta a few months ago. Now those are in the $300 range (one way) on top of baggage and however you decide to get to SE Asia.
@@susannesuffoletta You book the ticket to Bangkok. If you want to go to another city. Air Asia is the way to go. Bang Chang? Chaing Mai perhaps. If you book ahead of time Bangkok to Chiang Mai is $70rt
Hey...I am traveling to Thailand in January from 3-21. Flying out of Philadelphia... I'm looking at $2189 for round trip. Any way I get there cheaper? Thanks!!
That is high season in Thailand. But if you go back and watch the video. Follow the steps I showed to use Google flight. A 2 minute search shows flight that day Philly/LAX is $376rt, then $1090 rt LAX to BKK. That's $1466 or$723 cheaper. You have months to change those dates. If you can be flexible. Get a Southwest card tomorrow. Put 3k on the card. New tires, pre-pay the phone for a year, whatever (and pay it off in 30 days) and fly free from Philly to Lax. Travel Jan 28, There is a $798 rt fare. That $1391 cheaper. Best of luck. Use Google flights and search from LAX, SFO or San to BKK. Getting from Philly to LAX is the easy part. Best of luck
Thanks for watching. Always check the fare from LAX or SFO. If you plan a return trip/visit to the states, put that rt at the end of the schedule. Fly today in June and return to the US for a visit next February, etc.. You can usually make the ticket stretch 305 days. Then you get a one-way back to Thailand in March. If you can fly rt for less than $800, it might be worth the chance. You may want to return in next year for a visit. If not you wasted a few hundred. Then save miles and points for a free Business ticket back to Thailand.
I don't understand why there isn't a direct flight from the west coast of the US to Thailand. I fly out of Portland Oregon. Back in the late 90's there was a direct flight right out of Portland. You would think LA, SF or Seattle would have a direct flight. I did see one flight from Vancouver Canada to Bangkok, but the price was way more expensive,,,,,,,,,
You can Google the specifics, but Thailand got into a beef with the US and the FAA. Some paperwork thing. No airline is allowed to have direct service today. Delta used to as well as Thai. Hopefully, that will get sorted out one day. But, I've sat on those 19 hour flights direct from Newark to Singapore. Even in business class, that's a long haul. The west coast to Japan is an easy 10.5. And then 6 to BKK. With a one hour layover, that's an easy flight. I'd guess, LAX to BKK would be 18.5 hours? That's a long plane ride. All the LAX flight still head over the Alaskan islands to cross the Pacific. Portland to Bangkok would be great. I'd guess the only reason there would be a Portland to Bangkok flight would be a Nike thing. There is just way more connecting traffic in Los Angeles or even Seattle. As far as Air Canada, they are charging top dollar for the direct flight. My buddy just went to Canada and it wasn't worth the price. He flew to Hong Kong and had a 2 hour layover, but he went for less than $1000 us. Air Canada wanted $600 more. Plus, they were only running the plane in high season. The main issue is there are only so many people that want to go to Thailand form the US or Canada. Compared to Japan, Hong Kong, etc.. It's just more profitable to put that crowd on the Japan flight. From Japan or Hong Kong, you can get to Bangkok every hour. It's just a money thing.
@@EagerExpat I thank you for the information. I go twice a year to Thailand and I have flown on Japan Airlines and Korean Airlines and Taiwan Airlines, {ANA} and I guess I will pick one soon. I do miss the days of the 747's, the Queen of the Skies, but they are about a thing of the past now. I like to leave Seattle over SF. or LA, but all 3 I have travel through. I have also stopped going through China or Hong Kong. What China did to Hong Kong is unforgivable in my opinion. Again Thank you for your time,,,,,,,,,,,,
It's a good airline. I'm a little concerned about the future of Taiwan. China tried to destroy Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific. They are a great airline, but I think they fight bankruptcy. Hopefully, they don't go after EVA next. Or a military action starts. It would be fine to fly in the next few months. but who know what will happen a year from now. Japan is my safe bet.
I been asking the bloggers i follow but no one’s responding I’m in Chicago trying to get to Thai Town tickets were around $2000. If i have to go to L.A. so be it was looking at CheapFlights,Expedia,and everything in between 🇺🇸
I just saw a ORD-BKK one way on Cathay Pacific (a350-900) with a stop in HKG 3rd week of August or so. Plug that in to google flights and work that as a starting point. Price was roughly $550, one way of course make yours RT.
@@Marinate305 Keep in mind many airlines won't let you fly with a one way fare unless you have a visa to live in Thailand. Be prepared with a "throw away: cheap ticket to Cambodia, etc.. You don't need a ticket back to the US, but you need proof you are leaving Thailand. They don't care if your plan os to get a retirement visa. Unless you have one, one-ways can be an issue.
I live on the E Coast (US) .. I always found it strange that the (SE Asia) fares are "a lot Cheaper" in winter and Shoot up in Summer .. I've been told that (re Manila for eg) it's about schools being out and people / familes returning / visiting in Summer .. I don't know if it's actually true / if that's the reason, but In my 25 yr exp, in / out of Manila & Bangkok, Def way more exp in Summer (gen speak) ..
Maybe, but I recorded this video last night. Fares below $800 are about as low as possible. And that's with a connection to Bangkok. I'd guess if you tried to fly to Manila a week before Christmas, $1600 might be the fare.
@@Marinate305 Ya, it's all about the price of gas. But if you can fly a little under 17,000 miles rt from LAX to BKK for $800, that's cheaper than driving a car 17,000 miles
I need a cheap flight don’t care about the sitting if i can get on if i could get round trip for under 1000. Would be great between now (June or July) the sooner the better what time i arrive is not a big deal what time i leave is not a big deal (I’m in Chicago if i have to make my way to L.A. so be it )🇺🇸
Help ,My name is Mark I was planing a vacation to the Philippines Cebu. I was leave Cleveland Ohio ? June 15th to June 24th with Hotel The cost was close to 4000, 00 For just one person
@@markhouse8408 Airfare from LAX to Manila is less than $1000. You then take a $10 ferry to Cebu. Or fly rt for $100. If air from Cleveland to LAX is $3000, then yes $4000 is a great fare. As far as hotels, you can stay in a $300 a night hotel or a $30 night hotel in Cebu. That's up to you.
Korea, Taiwan and Japan are all closer from LAX. Many people on the east coast like to travel via the United Arab Emirates. But, flying from New York to LAX is usually cheaper most of the time.
@@EagerExpat yeah true, but Im thinking LAX vs JFK. Since they seem to have the most direct flights into those countries . That’s what I meant by the two hubs of the east and west. I fly Korean air from JFK to BKK with no problems in 21-24 hours
I have a souvenir stack of Freq Flyer Cards .. I use to fly KAL & EVA a lot for awhile .. I was work in Guam Mem Hosp, in 97' when the KAL 747 crashed .. Awful ..
Small world. I was born on Guam and my moms cousin worked for Continental (then Northwest?) on Guam for 30 years. He was probably there in 1997. Sad day.
@@EagerExpat I use to bump into / drink with Continental Pilots (Guam) back then (pre pilot drinking crackdown days) .. That is one tricky Airport, re the Crosswinds ..
@@EagerExpat Quit MSC in 06' .. Walked off my last ship, Homeported in Guam .. Was there for Super Typhoon Paka in 97' & the Earthquakes are a trip there ..
@@enzos711 I learned to fly with a daily 20 knot crosswind. There's no tricky in flying. It's just a "challenge" Ha ha. I'll bet those Continental guys loved that approach. Even better was the old approach into Hong Kong. A 180 degree low altitude turn. Awesome.
@@EagerExpatthanks brother. I did buy it about a month ago, Peak summer season out of the USA is expensive but I’m happy with the route. Time to start the new chapter! Have a great day
I just looked a minute ago. You can fly in the next 6 hours for $1300. If you wait 3 weeks it's $1050. But, I agree, last minute they usually squeeze you.
Just so you they Americans jump on and off flights one just came back to the States he back in Bangkok now just wanted to know what the tickets were going don’t want to pay double what are
I'm not trying to be rude, but I don't understand what you're saying. The price I found 20 hours ago from Los Angeles to Bangkok round trip in Economy, was less than $900. That was in August returning in September. If you fly in a week, I'd guess you'll pay twice as much. Use the Google Flight search and do the best you can. Next time, buying that ticket two or three months early is a better idea. But, i get it. That's not always an option. So if it's $2000, that's what it is.
There you go. Add on $900rt to BKK and that's $1000. Or buy the ticket DFW to BKK and magically it cost $1500. Or whatever they decide to charge. Still, if you read the comments, some people argue they don't want to miss a connection, etc.. I guess the airlines are glad those people exist. I understand missing a connection or re-checking a suitcase. But, if you leave Dallas and have say 5 hours in LAX, you'll be fine. You'll also have $500 extra dollars. Or if you are going to lose sleep, go the night before and get a $100 hotel. You'll still save $400. I explained that to a few people and they still insist on booking (insert small town) straight to BKK for $3000 I don't get it.
couple of questions for you. I flew from lax to bkk on China Air. I’m with Star Alliance through Air Canada. Should I ask China Air to transfer my miles to Air Canada? because air Canada didn’t want to do it. Also, what’s the best way to transfer credit card points over to get flights? My flight to bkk was march, is there a time limit of when I can have them transfered?
It depends where you bought the ticket. If it was at Air Canada, they should have gave you the points. If it was at Air China, you should have gave them your Air Canada number when you bought the ticket. You can try and call Air China if that's the case. It's up to them to put the miles in 3 months later. That's why I love Japan Airlines. The answer would be, of course, yes sir. Air China. I'll give you a 20% chance. Next time buy the Air China ticket at Air Canada. No problems earning Air Canada miles. You don't want Air China miles. Check out my video on using airline miles. It's in the video description. They don't make using miles easy. But, if you figure out the system, it's great. My video can really help.
Don't search from Detroit. LAX to Bangkok is less than a $1000rt. How much is Detroit to LAX rt? Maybe $500. The only way the flight should be $6000 is in Business Class. That seat takes the room of six coach seats, so that's what it cost. I just looked. You can fly on Japan Airlines LAX to BKK next week for $735. Get yourself a Southwest to LAX and off you go.
Never used google flights before but just looked at kansas city to LA then BKK round trip in September around $1200 total which is a great price. Thanks for the tip!
Thank you very much for the beer, I'm glad you found a nice fare. See you in BKK soon
Cool. Great feedback. I will go check that out.
Joe thank you so much!That is a tremendous amount of research you did and I appreciate all of the info !!! I’ll keep looking into it and I still have 5 or 6 Months to rack up some points before my next trip. Also, no need to apologize for being busy, I understand completely. I am grateful you took the time to share some options for me. I’ll get busy doing some research and hopefully score a great seat on my next trip to BKK and beyond !!! Thx again !!!
Ya, man, the bad news is we all have bills. The good news is you can pay the bills with a new card. Get the points and get them to AA, etc.. call in and say you want to close the card. They usually beg you to stay. Oftentimes, they waive the 99 fee for a year. Rinse and repeat. Worst case, premium economy is really nice. Especially on a Japanese airline. That's really easy to get. But, I've done business and first. If I can do it, anyone can
I knew that was S.D airport as soon as I saw the pic! I was out there at Coronado and Pendleton. I do love that city!
That said, do NOT LOOK OUT THE PORTHOLES WHILE LANDING, unless you like to see the hairs on people's snot lockers in the building windows of San Diego! lol
I could watch and listen to this stuff for hours. For some reason, radio comms chill my brain. I think it has to do with so many days and hours working in comms silence out in indian country with no support. hearing that chatter lets you know you're team is not really alone, maybe.
That's my home. I love San Diego
Greetings Joe, another great informative episode. Had no idea you were a private pilot and a plane spotter awesome. Thanks for sharing
Glad you enjoyed it. Ya, always been an airplane nerd. I wanted to fly commercial but ended up a mailman. Ha ha
Thank you for this! This is very good info! I have to fly from Detroit to Jakarta with a family of 4 and never thought about the LA route. JFK east route and Chicago airport west route are both a nightmare and way more expensive. You are saving me 1200$. Cheers!
Also, we love Japan Airlines as well. They always have great service and food. If you have an overnight layover in Narita Japan, their airport hotels next door have the best free buffet breakfast in the world! A chef prepares everything from scratch.
Glad you saved some cash. Enjoy the trip. Hope you can come over and visit Bangkok too. I love Jakarta, heading to Indonesia in September to dive.
Without any of the good knowledge you just shared, I was seeing 5k for two way econo biz class from Florida. That was sort of the general number, rather than digging in. So, I really appreciate this video. Thanks, brother!
Ya, McDonalds loses money selling a $2 hamburger. They make 900% on the soda. It's the same with airlines. LAX to Tokyo can be cheap. Getting to LAX is how they will get you.
Hey Joe! Love your channel and the great info you provide. I just got back from Bangkok after spending one month in Thailand. I flew a connector flight to Chicago on United, then ANA Airlines to Japan and onward to Bangkok for $1300 round trip. I thought that was a pretty decent price from the East coast. I agree, ANA is a great airline. Looking forward to earning those air miles now because I will be going back in 6 months.
Ya man, get on back soon. I think I'll be having at least a once a month get together. Maybe we can grab a drink
Sounds great! I live in Tennessee and we are exactly 12 hours behind Bangkok. I had a great time. Got up to Ayutthaya, and Korat where my girlfriend lives. I saw where they are working on a fast train from Bangkok to Korat which will take a little over an hour. That’s really going to make that trip a nice day trip instead of a 5 hour bus ride. 🥴
Thank you for sharing your video
I hope the video helped. It's my little hobby
Very interesting and detailed video 😊
Thanks. Just my way of doing things, but maybe it will help save someone a few hundred.
I got a lot of great tips from this one and the last video. I'm now planning to travel from LAX to BKK, 2 to 3 times per year to do my Muay Thai training so this videos will make my life easier for sure. Than You.
There you go man. Glad it helped.
I'm totally with you. It has never been this cheap to fly in both Economy, but also Business and First Class from all over to South East Asia. Sick and tired of the complaints about airfare. I love to transfer in Tokyo or Seoul, ideally with a couple days there.
I agree. You can get some amazing deals. The airlines have did a great job convincing you to pay more than you need to. I feel bad for the regular guy in (insert small town) that saves for a few years for a large trip. They call United or American and they just trust that's the best price. 9 out 10 times the agent thinks it's the best price. Or they might be instructed to not tell them to buy two tickets. "Scare the passenger that they will miss the international leg." Baloney. Take a carry on and the problem is solved.
I still just answered a comment from a person that said, if you do two tickets you might miss the connection checking luggage twice. First, if you are on the same partner, it's a 99% chance they will book your bag straight to Bangkok. Second, leave the bag at home. I've somehow managed a thousand flights with a carry on. There are washers everywhere in the world. Or a person that will wash your clothes for $3.
This person countered with it's worth it to pay $2188 instead of $978 so you don't have to re-check a bag. I said, why not fly into LAX the night before. Pay $100 for a hotel and still save $1100. I don't know what else I can do. This person will insist on paying $1100 more. You can lead a horse to water...
Joe this was great!
Hey, I appreciate that
Also, when searching for flights, use private browser windows so that the airline sites won't track that you are looking for a flight. Many and varied are the ways that the professionals endeavor to enhance their revenues.
Ya, I would need three hours to share all the tips. Private browser, VPN, paying in a foreign currency can help. Plus a hundred more tricks. This is just for the poor guy in El Paso, Green Bay, etc.. let gets hosed by the airline. Hopefully, that fast example will save one person a $1000.
Thumbs up 👍 Joe
Thanks for the visit. More videos to come
Good video thanks for posting. My issue with the Japan Airlines flights are the arrival times in Bangkok are wonky. It’s either arrive at 11pm or 4 am. You’re either super late and arrive at the hotel at 1 am, or you’re too early to check in. I find the best flights from the west coast are the ones that leave late at night and arrive in Bangkok in the late morning/early afternoon. That way you feel like it was just one overnight trip and you’re into the next day when you arrive. Eva, Singapore and Starlux all have those flights. The flight times are slightly longer, but it’s made up for with the convenient arrival times. Just my opinion.
I hear ya. Everyone has a favorite route. I love arriving at 11pm. That's perfect for me.. You can leave San Diego at 1:30pm and arrive at 11pm. Many of the flights that leave LAX around midnight have a 6 or 7 hour layover, so you arrive in Bangkok at 4pm. I'd rather a 1.5 hour layover in Tokyo. It used to be a 55 minute layover. In 10 trips, I never missed the connection. Often times it was the same 777. Today they switch you to a 788. Arrive at 11pm and get to the hotel at 2am. Get 8 hours sleep. By 10am I'm exactly on Thai time.
Sitting in a lounge for 8 hours in Taipei, to arrive at 2pm doesn't work for me. If they had a 1 hour connection, I'd gladly arrive at 3am in BKK. Hit the rack and I'm fresh at 1pm. Korean has a 55 minute connection, but you arrive close to midnight. Again, that's perfect for me. I've did them all. No matter how you do it, sitting on a plane 18 hours (or hopefully laying flat) can be a kick in the pants.
I've did the Cathay route a dozen times. Leaves LAX at 1:30 am, 1.5 layover in Hong Kong and BKK at 10am. Get to the hotel at check in at noon. Maybe sleep until 7pm and your good to go. I used to do the non stop to Singapore. That's one long flight. It wasn't the 19 hours that got me. I had a bed in J. It was the 4 hour wait to go to BKK that felt like a 10 hour wait. It's all about the layover to me. Hopefully the Air Canada non stop from Vancouver sticks around. It's not looking good. Just not enough traffic from North America to Bangkok.
Great video. I had the same issue flying out of Oklahoma City. We drove down to Dallas and flew out of DFW for my last BKK trip. We could have saved even more money if we flew Frontier, Spirit or Southwest from OKC to San Fransisco. No more economy class for me, I paid my dues as a young man flying in cramped economy long hauls. I am really considering ZipAir for my next trip, lay-flat business class seats for REALLY CHEAP.
Ya man, I'm just glad you caught the high fare. Other people fly international seldom. They plug in OKC to BKK and just assume $2985 must be the fare. It's crazy how the airline pricing works.
Can you please make another points video. Thank you for your informative videos. Smashing the like button
I will do that soon. Thanks for the like
I'm on that bkk to nrt 8:05am flight next February. Early taxi. Paid extra to Fly JAL. Best economy in the business Used my miles/points to book a couple of months ago. Yqr to YVR to Sin to USM. 21 hours in the seat.
That sounds great. Have a nice trip. Perfect weather in February.
Wonder what a venn diagram would look like of your viewers vs those that play the points game. Probably not a lot of cross over…I’m in the cross over and totally understood and appreciate the information you shared! Interestingly all your pointers given are how I fly and how I use my points. Good job by you! Thank you!
Points are great. I've been playing that game for 20 years. It was so easy to do the Visa gift cards and Wal Mart money orders. Plus, a hundred other hacks. I did them all. At one time I had 500,000 AA points. 300,000 Alaska Maybe the same in Amex points. The good ole days. But, as you know, you can still do it today. Especially if you have "real" expenses. A set of braces here a new roof there. Everyone hates bills, but a few rt tickets in J will take the sting off. Thanks for watching. Hope you visit Thailand again soon.
Another thing you can do if you have the time look at a multi city ticket. If you have the time and don’t mind stopping in a city along the way for a few days. I am flying flying back to the USA in a few days with a stopover for 3 days in Manila and 3 days in Honolulu ( why not). It will help breakup the long travel across the pacific and I get two three day mini vacations on the way back.
Yes, that's a great idea. I know I mentioned this in one of my other videos. I do that all the time. Many airlines allow a stop over in the hub city for as long as you'd want. Japan Airlines in Tokyo, Cathay in Hong Jong, etc.. You need to price the multi city and direct flight. Sometimes it's the same price, sometimes it's $400 more. Still, it's easy to find that layover for near free, especially in a hub city.
I do exactly the same 2 flight, always fly out of the West Coast so your not on that 17 hour flight from Chicago or something. Only downside is the domestic flight doesnt include the 2 checked bags like the international ones so you have to pay for for your bags to get them to LA .
I hear you on the luggage. Other than when I moved over, I had 3 giant suitcases. But I also had first class LAX to BKK, I've never checked a bag in my life. Which is the same number of bags I've had lost. All I need is a laptop and some cables, 3 extra sets of clothes, maybe a few extra shirts and a toothbrush. People wash there clothes all over the world. Even better if they wash them for you in Thailand for $3.
Only time I flew "Business Class" in my life was when my USN Hitch was up and the Nav sent me back (last min) from Tokyo to San Fran .. Merch & MSC, work in SE Asia or on Vaca in / out of Asia for 25 yrs, I flew every Airline there was and always "Coach" (cheapest whatever) .. but Even Coach, on International Flights "were great" (Food Free Booze and treatment) compared to flying Domestic in the states these days (omg) .. I was a master at finding the cheapest flights ..
You got lucky. I laid in the back of a C-5 Galaxy from Guam to Travis when I was in the Navy. Or I took 30 days to cross the ocean. These days I prefer Business or First Class. All for free of course. ha ha
@@EagerExpat I Mac flew; made it all the way from Yokohama - Mass. Going back, was a PIA, speak of C-5's (breaking down) .. 10 days at Travis .. Good ol' Fairfield, CA (learned to "two step" + a little Korean) ..
Yep Joe I do the same thing like in your first example. I flew Southwest Phoenix to LAX (separate ticket) on the 6:00 AM flight. Walked over to Asiana Gates at Tom Bradley Terminal for my 10:00 AM flight from LAX-ICN-BKK. This was last Nov and the flight was about $900 round trip. Combining the Airfare for the Phoenix to LAX flight was going to be almost $400 more. My Southwest flight was free because I used credit card points. This is how I’ve always traveled to BKK from Phoenix. Next time I will try business class with my other credit card points
Ya man, you got it figured out. I'm no expert, but let me know what points you have and I'll give you some options. Maybe help prepare for that business award. Get this card, etc.. to add to your balance, etc.. The problem with points is they change the rules over night. You are preparing for that 80k one -way in business award and it becomes 90k over night, That's ok, worst case is you buy 10k of points for $290 and enjoy that flight. That's one (good) night in Bangkok.
In fact, I might do that video. Get these three credit cards and do this with them. I know I'll suffer the comments when they change the rules, but that's ok. Some people won't listen to the "this is June of 2024" I'll say 5 times. They'll complain in 2026 I don't know what I'm talking about. Ha Ha, ya I'm the one who is wrong. You gotta love the trolls.
For SW I used the Southwest Visa Card. That’s a super ez Card to stack up points, plus you can transfer points to your Family and friends. Other Card is Chase and I’ve got 82,000 points for opening up Card and spending $4,000 in a few Months. Worked out great cuz I have some home projects going on now. Chase Card is $100 annual. I’m not sure how long I have to use the points tho. One thing I do not like is you have to Book the flight on Chase’s site. Not sure what the Fare difference would be from the Airline itself but I guess it just depends on your timing and flexibility
@@bradley_Bradley I gotta go meet the girlfriend at the gym. I'll answer later. What Chase card? The Sapphire Preferred. No you transfer the points from Chase to United, etc.. They want you to use their travel agency but you don't have to. The points won't expire for (usually) 12 months. But, earning even 1 point every month starts the 12 month clock again.
Tell me where you live and I'll toss some other cards at you, to "stack" the points you have. One card is great, but three cards makes life much easier. Once you get the points, cancel the other two. Watch my points video. But when I have time I'll put together a plan for you. You can take a look at it and tweak what works.
I know the west coast. So well use Southwest points to get you rt to LAX for free. Then stop wasting spend on that card. The Sapphire UR points are more valuable. I'm guessing that's what you have. Plus, don't buy any major purchases until I explain the shopping portal. That $600 item at Home Depot is better earning 3x points (for example) than 1x just at the counter. You buy online (chase shop portal) pick up at the store. I've did that as I'm standing at Macy's Lowes, etc..
You're a long time supporter of the channel. Glad to help. Ok, off to the gym. Later
There was some great information in this. I really struggle from UK with direct flights. Currently, only Thai and Eva serve Thailand. From November, though, British Airways restart direct flights. Hopefully, this will help, with a little more competition. My main problem is I can't be flexible with dates, and it always seems that whenever I want to fly there, everyone else wants to!
Google flights is great. The email alerts on price changes are useful. But it does add pressure when you see flight prices going up, forcing you to make a move only for the price to drop 2 weeks later... but that's life. Seatguru is hit and miss for me. The seat maps of some of the Thai Air flights aren't accurate and don't match the actual layout. I've fed back to them, but even after 2 years, they still get it wrong.... great work on the video
Ya Andy I hear you. More flights always lowers the price. The other factor is they can change the plane. On the west coast it might be a 787 everyday, then a 777 shows up. We just do the best we can. In the end it doesn't matter as long as we end up in Thailand
I’m lucky to live 3 miles from SFO, actually next to You Tube headquarters. My RT to Chiang Mai with Korean air is usually $1100, though it’s been as low as $750. This year it’s only $430 because I got miles from using the US Bank/ KAL credit card.
That's a great price. Points are nice to have.
Wouldnt this put us at risk at missing our flight without any rebooking if we miss the connection in LAX? And wouldn't we have to leave the air-side terminal to pick up bags and then re-check them in at LAX, then go back through security?
You have to make the decision to save a possible $1000. Go the night before and get a $100 hotel at the airport. Most flight leave at 1am. Arrive at LAX at noon if you are worried about the the hour to change terminals and check a bag. That will give you 12 hours. 3 hours will also work, but that's up to you. The airline hopes you buy that ticket from El Paso to BKK for ten times more money. Or you can buy two tickets. We can what if all day. What if you miss the first flight? What if you miss the connection in Japan? That's usually 1 hour. Getting a bag from one plane to another in 1 hour is the real concern. A good reason to only bring a carryon to begin with. They have washing machines in BKK.
Hey thank you Joe, yes I do have the sapphire card from Chase. I already spent my $4,000 on that Card. I live in Phoenix and usually fly out of LAX for International Travel to Asia. As far as the Southwest card goes I don’t really use it anymore I just have some points built up and whenever I need to do a short hop somewhere like PHX-ABQ or PHX-LAS I pull from that stash of Southwest points and fly for free. It’s been a long time since I paid for a Southwest flight. You mentioned I could take those Chase points and transfer to United? I’m not sure how to do that but I will certainly look into it or take some advice from a seasoned pro like yourself. The reason I got the Sapphire was to try to build points for Business Class travel which I have only flown a handful of times. I think I’m up to 80,000 points already. Need more for biz travel though. Hope u had a great workout Joe and hope to hear from you. Thx again !
Ya it's Friday. I'm running around with my girlfriend. I'll get back to you in the next day with some options. If it were One World, I could teel you from memory. I need to research the latest United/Star hacks with UR Chase points. There's always an angle
Sorry man, life has been crazy busy. I'm no pro on the Chase Ultimate Rewards. I'll put a Flyertalk link. Make sure you are looking at nothing older than 3 months. The Wiki should stay updated. I wanted to find some examples of the best places to transfer for Business. I'm a One World guy and know more about AA and Alaska.
Read Flyertalk and there are some good videos. I might make a get to Asia on point video at some point. Basically, they push you to use the points at Chase Travel. I think the incentive is you get 1.25 cents for every mile. It's just like using Expedia and paying with points. Usually not a great way to go.
You want to try and transfer UR miles to United, Virgin Atlantic or Air Canada. VA used to be the best, but it's gone up recently. Air Canada is a good place to find ANA awards. Same with Virgin Atlantic. United is good for Business (90K? one-way) to Hong Kong on a United non-stop. But, you can search the 30 day calendar for something around 110k in business. If you get lucky it will be an ANA flight. Although they push the United to Japan and then ANA to Bangkok. Once you find a date, you then take that to Air Canada. If United has it for 110K it's probably an I or discount "J" business seat. Hopefully they have it for (I think) 70K. Sometimes more for BKK.
Another tip is search LAX to Japan. The Japan to BKK sells out fast. If it's not available it will just say, nothing available. If you can find LAX to Tokyo, you can then take a downgrade to coach for the 6 hour to BKK. You'll be on stand by if business opens up. I've did that on Cathay out of Hong Kong several times. Maybe one in three I was upgraded.
So, sorry this wasn't more helpful. If you didn't check out the older video i made on Miles. I'll then link the Flyertalk on Chase Miles and any helpful video I can find. You're close to having enough Chase points for a 1 way in Business. I'd get a Barclays AA Card. $99 and make one purchase for (I think) 60,000 points. Then the Citi AA ($99 waived first year) Spend $2500 in 90 days for 50,000 points. 110K is (I think) enough for a one-way to BKK. Same rules apply. They usually push the AA flight LAX or SFO to Tokyo. The Japan Airlines to BKK sells out. You might need to take coach and hope for an upgrade. Do this on Tue, Wed, Thu. The business travel takes most of the business seats at both sides on the weekend.
If you have the Southwest for more than (I think) 48 months, shut it off and get the bonus again. Spend 3k in 90 day (or whatever) Just don't make a bunch of purchases. If you charge $1000 on the 5th and the closing date is the 20th, you need to pay the card on the 7th (when the charges post) or you will lose that 1000 points if it's not paid by the 20th or the closing date. They try and tell you if you close you will lose the points. Everything at Southwest you keep. You only lose the points you didn't pay for. Just get it to zero and close it the next month.
You can read about any of these things at Flyertalk. Ok here's the links.
th-cam.com/video/_JFnzGS4ACg/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/0KUByk7-LsI/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/dgmgRvTVJN8/w-d-xo.html
It won't let me link Flyertalk. Just google flyertalk ultimate rewards. Start with the wike. Good luck
Thanks for the video Joe. I plan to visit Bangkok in September, would you be comfortable having a very short layover (1 hr est) In Tokyo? I don't have global entry, and don't want to miss connection to LAX.
I've did that flight many times. It used to be a 55 min layover LAX/NRT/BKK. I think I did that 7 times. I never missed. Twice they stood there with a sign for three or four of us. Then rushed us to transit security. But, Japan is a little more efficient than most airports around the world. I wouldn't lose to much sleep over the connection home. If you miss a connection it's going to be because of a computer failure or typhoon warning. A six hour layover wont help.
I would worry more about LAX. Not having Global Entry, you can wait over an hour to clear customs. Then you need to change from Tom Bradley International to a domestic terminal. 2 hours would be a better connection. But, one hour in Japan, that's 30 more minutes than the Japanese need.
Good vlog🙏
Thanks for watching
This is the info I subbed for. Still pretty far from making flight plans, but very good info to know.
Glad it was helpful. That day will come faster than you imagine.
You are a lot of help - Joe. For me I will start my trip from Houston Texas. I like Narita but I prefer longer connection time - that is 3 to 4 hours so I can do a bowl of ramen and pick up some cookies candies and a couple bottles of liquor.
Which airlines or websites do you go to when you start your airfare search?
Sure, if you can get the flight times to match, you can fly into Japan and leave on the same ticket 23 hours later. Just don't go over 24 hours. Go into Tokyo and get that meal. It's 50 miles away, but they have a nice train. I do things a little complicated with miles and points. But, Google Flight is the best tool I've found.
I did IAH-NRT-BKK on United/ANA. It’s a good route and relatively inexpensive.
@@EagerExpat I probably been to Narita 5 times with longest layover 9 hours. But I was too scared of missing the connecting flight so to venture out of the airport into Tokyo. I did not know of any guided tours so that was a miss. That was about 10 years ago. But last year I was at Narita again, and I discovered a very good ramen shop right inside Narita. Don’t remember the name but know exactly where it is in the airport. Three hours is just barely enough for me to grab a bowl of ramen and do some shopping and then it’s already time to board.
Hi Joe. I’d prefer to arrive from the west coast to Chiangmai, but will consider arriving in Bangkok if I can save at least $200. My favorite airlines are EVA and China airways, if the price is right. Chiangmai is about the same longitude as Taipei, and there is usually only an hour to 90 minutes layover. The 3 things that I look at when researching flights is price, total time getting from west coast to either BKK or Chiangmai, and whether I get 2 free bags allowance. Everything else is not a dealbreaker. I flew Singapore Airlines once because of its reputation. I hated the idea of overnighting at Changi Airport. The clincher was when Singapore Airlines tried to screw me on the return portion because I had to change the return by a week when my brother died. Airlines typically don’t have a bereavement rate. SA definitely doesn’t. They wanted to charge me $1,520 to change the return on my ticket, which I had paid $671 total. I declined and flew Qatar Airlines back for $610. So, no matter if SA was giving tickets away, I’ll never fly with them again. Currently, for the 5th straight time, I’m Flying Philippines Airlines to BKK. I started buying round trip tickets starting BKK to LAX because it’s $80-$100 cheaper than buying LAX to BKK. Plus, they have my loyalty when I needed to change the outbound portion by a month because my Doctor advised me not to fly after surgery. And he supplied a letter to that effect. I sent the letter to PAL and within 24 hours, at no cost to me, rhey changed the itinerary by moving everything forward a month. Unless I want to get to Chiangmai quickly, I’ll be flying PAL as long as they offer tickets in my price range.
Concerning business class, 5 years ago, I flew Hong Kong Airlines business class on a mistake fare of $600. I have no complaints about that flight. I just won’t pay double, let alone 10 times the amount of an economy ticket to fly business class. And I really don’t want to play the credit card game to get enough points to fly business class on a regular basis. I do have a Chase Southwest RR card. I haven’t bought a ticket on Southwest in 10 years and use them to fly from KC to LAX to connect with my cheap Asia flights. I don’t have any desire to have to run $4,000-$5,000 monthly on my credit card to earn points. Besides, in using points for Asia flights, wouldn’t I have to pay the $300 in taxes for an economy ticket anyway?
Sounds like you have a plan. Taxes are about $70 on my First Class ticket. Economy is probably $50 each way.
@@EagerExpat To borrow from another one of your videos, using my 2 free checked bags and carryon over the last 15 years that I’ve owned a house in Chiangmai, I really don’t have to bring much that I need or want to Thailand. I have 20 pairs of my favorite pair of tennis shoes there, with 10 more here that I’ll eventually take. I have all the razors, shaving cream and toiletries that I’ll ever need. I have 8 pairs of jeans and usually wear a pair every time I come, that I leave. I have all the clothes that I’ll ever need there. I bring sheet and pillows over. I have most of my family mementos over there. The last 4 trips, I’ve brought my newest Milwaukee tools and blades over. If I could get my table saw and miter saw in a suitcase I would. My Thai wife uses the empty suitcase space coming back to the U.S. for Thai spices and foods that are allowed into the U.S. figure that every time that I buy a $600 airline ticket, I’ve saved $200 on shipping things to or from Thailand.
AWESOME VIDEO 🇺🇸🪖🫡
Thank you very much
Can you do a video from Dallas Internation to Cebu City. Economy , First Classs. Thanks One Way
No, I'm a Thailand guy. But, Google flights works to Cebu. Just plug in Cebu instead of BKK. Pro tip, fly to Manila and get another ticket to Cebu. Or let the airlines charge you $500 extra to do it for you. Dallas (or LAX to Manila is better) If you want to do it in first class, plan on spending $10,000 plus. Economy should be $600 from Los Angeles. From Dallas maybe they will charge $1200. Get yourself a cheap ticket to LA and save a few hundred.
Which place would be recommended to use as a travel hub: Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, or Taipei?
It depends where you want to live. Those places can be as expensive as California. That's why I live in Bangkok. It's New York City at a 1990 price.
Round trip Portland oregon to BKK through SFO or LAX is $1000 if booked a couple months in advance
Usually that's true. But, if the plane is empty they will dump prices. Pay attention to Google Flights. I once got a friend $650rt San Diego to Bangkok with one day notice. 2 months is the perfect time to book. But, it all depends on time of year. June is off-season, so you'll find those deals.
That's exactly what I do: two separate flights and it's a lot cheaper! I fly out of Dallas.
Roger that. Get after it!
Just for fun I checked out first class fares on Cathay Pacific across the Pacific: $25k!!!; thus a $3-4k business class seat seems a bargain.
Isn't that crazy. Even crazier, I've did it three times. Points is the only way to go on that. It might take four credit cards and a year of planning. But one kids braces, a new roof for the house and I'll fly you rt in 1st twice from anywhere in the US to BKK. I might have to do that video.
Almost positive Zip only fly’s 787 from LAX to NRT but could be wrong. I got a good deal booking a whole bunch of one ways. Now I’m running into issues getting from FL to LA. We have a lot in common Joe, I’m an aviation and travel guy myself. Momondo and Skiplagged are great tools if you want to get super creative. When finding those flights on Google flights, make sure you hit “select flight” to confirm the prices are through the airline itself and not some goofy/sketchy 3rd party site. You touched on this @38:38 as I’m typing this..
Ya, I think it's Japan Airlines little sister no frills airline. I'm not a fan of Zipp, Scoot (Singapore's little brother) I'll earn the miles and travel in business for free. But, I made this to try the (one or two a month) person who keeps telling me it cost over $3000 to fly coach from Springfield, Il, Green Bay, El Paso, etc.. The airlines really stick it to small town America.
@@EagerExpat makes sense. Get yourself to MIA or JFK, ORD or DFW, or preferably LAX or SFO and get out that way. I am currently eyeing some $750 fares from FL to BKK on US/Asia carriers. A bag or two may cost extra but it is definitely doable under $1K USD.
yes, i have done that flight before. ✈i just flew Zip Lay Flat from Hawaii - Narita - Bangkok. $1206 one way
@@Marinate305 If you can get from the east coast for $750, I'd lock that down. Your basically getting a free ticket to LAX. That won't last. If it's AA, they still have to buy the Japan ticket that might be $800 rt for us. Let's say they buy it from Japan for $600. So they make $200 off you. The Miami to LAX flight is where they try to make another $500. Buy two tickets
@@EagerExpat Ah. I left out an important detail here. This is one way. My mistake. The $746 is one way. Although you can do a $89 TPA-ORD and a $553 ORD-BKK, then a BKK-LAX for $401 and LAX-TPA for $139 back. Total $1182 RT end of August/ beginning of Sept for those looking for Southeast US to Southeast Asia.
Seems JAL ticket price are always price higher than AA website. I bought a ticket for JAL flight on AA website but AA does not allow reserving JAL seat on some flights . So I had to buy the ticket on JAL website in order to reserve the seat . AA website states you can call AA agent to reserve seating or reserve seat in JAL website -which is an aweful website. But if they cant reserve you have to wait till 24-hr before flight.
I haven't bought a ticket in a long time. Every JAL redemption I make at AA or Alaska, I just call JAL at the same time and get a seat. I assume it works the same if you pay cash. You'll get the AA & JAL locater at time of purchase. I've did both a phone call to JAL or found the website easy to use. Maybe try on Mozilla. Chrome is so/so in most of Asia.
To be clear, the Boeing issues, at the airline level, is on the airlines and their lack of QA inspection standards. Great airlines pay for great QA.
At the end of the day, it's just a machine. It needs to be maintained. With thousands of planes in the air at any moment, they do an incredible job.
Howdy from Austin,Texas.
I have been doing more research since your previous air fare vlog.
I’m looking online right now per your strategy at separate economy RT flights from Austin to LAX ($225) and then another RT economy from LAX to BKK ($832); for $1050 total.
I’m really looking for a way to get a “cheaper” business class seat over the long Pacific leg
Howdy Austin. One of my best Navy brothers lives in town. I used to go to South by Southwest each year from 1991 for a decade or so. There's no such thing as a super cheap Business ticket. Maybe $3000 is do-able. You have to remember your taking up the real estate of 3 or 4 seats.
Premium Economy i soften $300 more than coach. Well worth the cash. But, unless it's a splurge, paying for Business is rough. And you better be doing it to pay the 3k for a new credit card, so you at least earn a free 1-way in business the next time you fly. Yes, I am going to make that get these cards video. Still, most people will say $95 is a waste for a credit card. My Costco card is free. Thank god they do. Less competition for me to get those seats so easy. Ha ha.
A couple of months ago I priced a business RT at $2800.
@@ronkeeney1752 That's cheap but it depends on the airline. I wouldn't pay $1000 for a business seat on China Southern. That airline stinks. They just cancel the flight if it isn't 100% sold out. That happens all the time on the China to BKK flight.
But the El-Paso to LAX flight is also a seperate ticket. So yes, you do have to recheck your baggage, but I would worry about a delayed/ late flight, with the possibility of missing your international flight ,which is why buying it all as one ticket is a safe bet. If your flight from EL Paso is delayed or even cancelled,,the airline is responsible for rebooking your international flight.
It's all One World. American and Japan are partners. I'd say it's a 99% chance if you are prepared and have a print out of your boarding pass, they will check your bag straight to Bangkok. In fact, if they said no, I'd ask to speak to a supervisor. They probably don't know to hit Z/123/ instead of Z/1234. Or whatever the silly code is.
It's really a no brainer. If you bought the $2188 ticket your bag would go direct. You are on the exact same planes. If you got cute and tried to have a 1 hour connection in LAX, ya they might tell you to recheck in LAX. But, that would be on you. If you did Southwest to LAX and then board Japan, that is impossible.
If you want a safe bet, fly to LAX the night before. Go Southwest for free on points. Stay near the airport and get a good nights sleep. Even with the cost of the hotel, you'll still save $900 over the $2188 fare. Or better yet, leave that heavy bag at home. I've been on 1000 planes in the past three decades. I can count on one hand the times I checked a bag. I've also never had a bag lost. You can't lose a carry on backpack. Wear a set of clothes and bring three more. A laptop, few cables, toothbrush, passport. Roger that, ready to go. I've been to 100 countries and never had a problem finding a place to wash 3 sets of underwear. In Thailand they will do it for you for pennies. Or, I guess you can pay $150 for a second bag, that will be lost 50% of the time.
I'm not sure who would want to pay $1000 (sometimes $2000 extra) for the exact same itinerary. I'm sure the airlines are glad people do. My guess is 99% of those people don't know there is another option. As they say in Thailand, "up to you."
@@EagerExpat yes I agree with most of the points you make. But when the domestic part is sold as a separate ticket, AA have no responsibility to ensure you make the international leg of our flight weather it’s flying out to Japan Via AA or JAL , which is why you will pay a little more for the ticket, but paying over $1K USD over the discount economy fare is ridiculous . If you buy a flexible ticket that ensures you a better chance of the airline rebooking you can Onto another flight for a small fee. But same tickets clearly will state, if you are a no-show for your flight, you forfeit that ticket. Most third-party online ticket sellers will make this disclaimer about seperate flights & the consequences of a no-show to your flight . ✈️
@@paulsz6194 I hear you man. We can argue this or that all day. What if i get sick, etc.. If you want zero problems book a refundable ticket from El Paso to BKK. In the example I showed, that was a non-refundable fare. Tack on maybe $400 more is you can sleep better at night. So that's $2200 plus $400. Or $2600 total. To me that's crazy. But, people pay it everyday.
Or you buy two tickets, fly to LAX the day before. Go on the 7am flight if you think you might miss the last flight of the day. Pay $225rt for the ticket. Or maybe $375 is you want that flexible, getting sick, etc.. Then buy the $800 ticket on JAL. Which I guess might be $1500 instead of $800 to make that flexible. This video was how to fly cheap. There is a little risk involved. What if I die before the flight? Will there be a refund? Probably not on the fare I buy.
Bottom line two tickets is best. That will be $1000 total. Or pay $2600 to have all bases covered and flexible. If you're going to pay $1600 extra, you might as well just buy another $1000 fare at LAX if you missed the flight. Why even worry about making the flight. Buy another $1000 ticket at the counter. You still save $600 over paying $2600. I did even get into this, but another good reason to always buy two one-ways. Often times it's the same price. I've never missed a flight and I took 35 last year.
As far as buying from a third party like Expedia. Why would you do that? In the example I showed (I think) American was the lowest price. Expedia was a dollar more. Even if you get sick on a non refundable ticket, AA will give you a flight credit, with a doctors note. Expedia will just hang up on you.
I think I paid around $1400 for my upcoming trip in July from PDX-BKK RT. I thought that was reasonable. You are flying halfway around the world and back.
That not un-reasonable. But, I showed you there were $800 fares LAX to BKK. So you paid $600 rt to go Portland to LAX. So it's $800 to go around the world. It's $600 more to go 962 miles. Not raining on your parade. You'll have a great trip, but next time, search SFO to BKK. Then buy a $200 Alaska ticket to SFO. To me it's a battle against the man. I hate when they sting people that fly from a smaller city.
@@EagerExpat I've tried that, but often it is hard to get the times to line up without long layovers or tight connections and they will not hold the international plane if I am late from a non-connecting flight.
Plus, I am still working, so my dates of travel and time constriants factor in.
@@JAG72270 Whatever makes you comfortable. But, like I mention in the video. Get a $100 hotel at LAX airport the evening before. You'll still save $500. The connections I agree are important. That's why I use the Japan flight to BKK. Avoid the 6 hour layovers wherever yo go. No direct flight from LAX to BKK. There used to be a Delta, but not today. Either way my man, enjoy the trip. This was just a "fly as cheap" video. Nothing wrong with a $1400 fare that's nice and clean. But, I'm an old mailman. I would take the train a 100 miles from San Diego to LAX, because they wanted $150 more to fly from San Diego. It's just a hobby of mine. But, I do fly 50 times a year. Usually for free. So I'm doing something correct.
@@JAG72270 It's all good. You have that ticket. Enjoy the trip.
So far spot on. I'm a travel guru too and so far we think a like. Still have another 45 minutes of watching. I have a bunch of OTA's paying in foreign currency that can save even more. But that's advance level and carries additional risk. Saturdays are more expensive because actually their are less business travelers therefore airlines increase the pricing to make up for that lack of J class revenue. I work for a top 100 company and we would never send someone out on Saturday for a Monday meeting. Weekend is employees time only. Possibly Sunday night for Europe for Monday but that's it. Isn't google flight gods gift to mankind?
Ya Bird Dog. I tried to keep this very basic. There are so many other tools. I've used them all. Both free and paid. Setting alerts for mistake fares, etc. I once flew DC to Peking for $449 in Business. Fat finger discount. Someone left off a 4 on the $4449 price.\
Yes, paying a foreign currency can also save cash. But, this is for the poor guy paying $2188 from El Paso instead of $988. If the flight LA to Chicago is $599 and the LA, Chicago continue to Des Moines is $399, they hate if you get off the plane in Chicago. In fact they outlaw you doing that. Yet, they're fine taking $2188 instead of $988 everyday. That's ok. I've had over 1,000,000 American miles before. So, I win.
@@EagerExpat that’s a good point. They outlaw hidden ticketing(which I do occasionally) but yet over charge you for the same 2 legs as one ticket vs separately. That could be a good class action lawsuit. When I do hidden tickets I use a random address in another state with a prepaid credit card, because I can’t get banned from my carrier.
@@BirdDog. I forget which blogger was selling everyone his "hidden city hack" I think he lost 600K AA points. I hope he made some cash with that $5 e-book. If an AA bot is listening here, I love American Airlines!!! Forget what I said about that El Paso ticket....
@@EagerExpat what you illustrated is not hidden ticking. That is perfectly legal with in the rules of booking. Now with that said I’m not sure I would only leave a 2 hour connection. I usually want at least one other flight after mine, that I can book last minute that can still connect in the event my original is delayed or canceled. Now if you shared booking a one way to Las Vegas via LAX and jumped off that would put you in violation of AA’s policy. I probably would tell an inexperienced flyer to go into LAX night before and grab a airport hotel for 1 night.
@@BirdDog. I 100% agree. In this case I think you arrive at 8:30am and the JAL flight is 1:30pm. If it were thunderstorm season in Texas, I'd probably take a flight the day before and just relax before the ocean crossing. The fact that it's all One World, I'd say you have a 95% chance of being re-booked on the later JAL flight. For that reason I would pay the $225 to fly American Eagle. If Southwest were $20 cheaper, it's not worth the risk.
No, I was talking about how AA has outlawed doing a hidden city ticket. Yet they are ok with these what I call "hidden fares" It should be $800 plus $225. $1025 total. Instead they charge a "hidden $1063 extra" With the $2188 fare. Often times they charge way more than $1063. Yet, if a fare San Diego to Chicago is $500 one-way and San Diego, Chicago, Des Moines is $400 (for whatever reason) Get off in Chicago and stand by for the nasty letter. You can't save $100 but they can "hidden fare" $1063 and that's fine.
I paid approx same price for JAL flight to BKK from Vancouver but they are non-refundable. You have to be sure that you're going.
It's a great airline. You can always travel insurance, rather than the 40% extra airline fee for a flexible ticket. I've never bought it, but for $60 and a trip to the doctor, with that fake cold, you'll be ok. I wouldn't abuse that. But, help the rep be able to help you. Like I mentioned in the video, that's not going to happen at Expedia. Book through the airline. Or many travel cards offer free travel insurance. With that said, I haven't missed a trip that was planned yet.
I need to be in the hospital to miss a trip to Thailand. But, even a non-refundable ticket, with a decent airline you can get a credit. Forget about a Chinese Airline like Southern. My friend was coming with me. Non refundable, etc.. She got sick and started chemo. They gave here every penny back. This was ANA. The usual procedure was a flight credit. But, this was a major issue she had. So, don't be afraid to ask.
£509 cheapest flight to BK from London Heathrow on those dates with Gulf Air. Direct around £700 so not bad!!
That sounds like a good price. London can be pretty expensive.
@@EagerExpat guess it's because it's low season as prices rocket in December. Thanks for your vids! Take care
@@shirleykimber2330 Ya, when everyone wants to fly, I stay home. I go when it's half price the other 11 months out of the year. Competing with school vacation is never a good idea.
@@EagerExpat yeah out there June 29th for a month can't wait!!
@@shirleykimber2330 I just saw this comment. If you are in Bangkok Monday July 15, swing by O Shea's Pub On Sukhumvit Soi 33/1. Near the Phrom Phong BTS. In a few minutes, I'll put a community post for a meetup at 2:00pm. Another guy Kevin wanted to say hi. So I just figured we would put together a small meetup. Swing by if your free. If you are out of town, maybe another time. Just send me a comment. Hope you are enjoying Thailand. Joe
Hey there! What about Atlanta to Thailand? Should I get to Los Angeles or could I find something decent from Atlanta?
I'm not sure. Plug it into Google flights. I showed you less than $800 rt from LAX on Japan. A great airline with short layovers in Tokyo. Get a Southwest card and get to LAX for free. Or find a cheap fare from Atlanta. What the airlines want you to do is pay $1600 from Atlanta (guessing) So, can you fly from Atlanta to LAX for less than $800 is the question. I say yes. They are putting you on the $800 international leg. They make the money on the Atlanta to LAX side. It's like McDonald's. They lose money on burgers and make 1000% selling soda and fries
@@EagerExpat Ok. Thank you so much.
@@rickjjacobs You got it
Not everybody lives in the west coast. The prices flying from the east coast are way more expensive than flying from the west coast ( LA or San Francisco ).
You missed the point of the video. You don't buy a ticket from the east coast. You get the international ticket from Los Angeles or San Francisco. You get a separate ticket to Los Angeles from where you live. In my example of El Paso, you will be on the same planes and save $1100. It doesn't work every time. But, it works more than 50% of the time. You need to do the math. But, if you just put in Raleigh, NC to BKK, stand by to pay extra. Search LAX to BKK. You'll find $900rt. Often you'll find $750rt. Search Raleigh to LAX. You might find $400. That's $1300rt. If you buy two tickets.
Search Raleigh to Bangkok. What a shock it's $1900, $2300, $2900. If they can get you to pay $2000 extra to fly round trip Raleigh to Los Angeles, you got nobody to blame but yourself. I'm making up the numbers on Raleigh. I showed a real world example with the El Paso flight. But, thanks for letting me know not everyone lives on the west coast. Second thought, go ahead and keep paying $2900 to fly to Bangkok. Some guys aren't happy unless they have something to complain about. You can lead a horse to water....
Great vid! You really hit all the points dead on. Do you know about the LifeMiles deals(star alliance)? Onaway for about $1000 in J class if you know how to work the system.
Ya I've used Life Miles many times. It's a real pain dealing with the Avianca agents. Unless it changed you had to call in. Even hand feeding them flights, they would still "not see" availability, or they would just hang up on you. I'm not a fan, but I've did it. If I'm using Ultimate Rewards it's with ANA. I have 300,000? United points, so that will probably buy Turkish tickets in J.
Everyone of course will keep changing the rules. United 15 years ago was awesome. You could fly in J LAX to Frankfurt, then BKK, then Sydney, back to LAX on one J award. As long as you kept going in one direction. I also did SFO to Sydney with a layover in London. Of course all that is gone today. Alaska is still pretty good. You can fly LAX to Narita, stay 300 days and continue to Bangkok. Unlimited layover in a hub city. Tokyo, Hong Kong (Cathay) Singapore. I'm not sure now they joined One World. I'm pretty rusty.
@@EagerExpat lifemiles is hit and miss. But last minute they seem to always have space. Almost always do they run the 165% bonus. Last month I booked a oneway LHR to IAH less then 24 hour to departure. cost was $1000 United direct. 3 months ago I had to go to Orlando last minute at it was 10k points. cost me about $100 with the bonus. I almost always go to Lifemiles first when ever I'm booking a flight to see what they have. the website is a bit tricky. I never once bothered calling them. I hear turkish has good value but I've never looked into it. I assume you read Flyer talk and View from the wing?
I'm a United Mileage Plus member and I have redeemed business(3x) Singapore, EVA, and Swiss\Thai(1st) from Boston. Hard to go back to economy after lie flat. Last time I flew to Thailand I paid for premium econ with Unites/ANA to avoid economy. I have a bunch of miles with United but it's harder to find saver redemptions. I flew Thai from JFK when they did the direct flight, economy had 36" pitch. They had to limit seats (weight) due to the A340-500(4 engines) being a fuel hog. I have flown JAL, ANA from Boston to Manila in business, my employer paid. I had the "Room" on ANA.
You are correct. It's very hard to go back. ANA is great. I'm a One World and Alaska guy, but I've done them all. Even the apartment with the shower. I did the repositioning flight when it used to go Vancouver to JFK. I did get stuck with Premium Economy on AA to Hong Kong, maybe 2018. It's way pretty darn nice. 10 times better than the economy seat
0:20 "Business & First class is the way to cross an ocean"
20 seconds in and i'm already agreeing tho i don't have a lot of ocean to cross towards Thailand coming from Europe. Qatar (oneWorld) business has been nothing short of superb for me,
Ha ha, ya this blue collar guy got a taste of sitting up front 20 years ago. I knew I couldn't afford to pay for the ex-wife and a business ticket. So I had to work hard to figure out to fly for free. I never figured out how to not pay the ex, but I rode up in first or business a few dozen times
@@EagerExpat Haha, i hear ya, unfortunately we lack poper points/creditcard programs here so i'm paying the full price but i've managed to always find good deals (
I flew from LA to Bangkok for under $600 on economy. Had to buy a cheap flight from Southwest Florida to LA for $200. So about $800 bucks in total.
Ya I remember getting my friend Japan out of San Diego to BKK for $675. I think the Chinese Airlines were under $500. Those days are long gone. The price of aviation fuel has gone up 50%. Still, when I get comments that it cost $3000, I really feel bad for that person. The airlines hammer a person from a smaller city. But, if I can help on person save that $1000, I've paid it forward.
I do the same. FL to LAX prices are crazy ATM, not sure why. I flew AA $139 over to LA and $150 back on Delta a few months ago. Now those are in the $300 range (one way) on top of baggage and however you decide to get to SE Asia.
@@Marinate305 Everything changes fast. Get a Southwest card and fly the domestic leg for free. $800 rt from LAX to BKK is a great fare.
🌞 Wow i live in Florida thank you 🙏
Is there an airport in Bang Chang Thailand ❓️
I did not know about Southwest Florida to LA.. and. LA. to Bangkok..
@@susannesuffoletta You book the ticket to Bangkok. If you want to go to another city. Air Asia is the way to go. Bang Chang? Chaing Mai perhaps. If you book ahead of time Bangkok to Chiang Mai is $70rt
Hey...I am traveling to Thailand in January from 3-21. Flying out of Philadelphia... I'm looking at $2189 for round trip. Any way I get there cheaper? Thanks!!
That is high season in Thailand. But if you go back and watch the video. Follow the steps I showed to use Google flight. A 2 minute search shows flight that day Philly/LAX is $376rt, then $1090 rt LAX to BKK. That's $1466 or$723 cheaper. You have months to change those dates. If you can be flexible. Get a Southwest card tomorrow. Put 3k on the card. New tires, pre-pay the phone for a year, whatever (and pay it off in 30 days) and fly free from Philly to Lax. Travel Jan 28, There is a $798 rt fare. That $1391 cheaper. Best of luck. Use Google flights and search from LAX, SFO or San to BKK. Getting from Philly to LAX is the easy part. Best of luck
Were you ever a ham, CBer or scanner enthusiast?
I used to have a ham radio on my sailboat. I never used it. The previous owner used to sail in Mexico in the 80's.
This is a great hack, I live in Michigan. I just wish I was buying a RT ticket. At most fore on way. I can save 300.
Thanks for watching. Always check the fare from LAX or SFO. If you plan a return trip/visit to the states, put that rt at the end of the schedule. Fly today in June and return to the US for a visit next February, etc.. You can usually make the ticket stretch 305 days. Then you get a one-way back to Thailand in March. If you can fly rt for less than $800, it might be worth the chance. You may want to return in next year for a visit. If not you wasted a few hundred. Then save miles and points for a free Business ticket back to Thailand.
I don't understand why there isn't a direct flight from the west coast of the US to Thailand. I fly out of Portland Oregon. Back in the late 90's there was a direct flight right out of Portland. You would think LA, SF or Seattle would have a direct flight. I did see one flight from Vancouver Canada to Bangkok, but the price was way more expensive,,,,,,,,,
You can Google the specifics, but Thailand got into a beef with the US and the FAA. Some paperwork thing. No airline is allowed to have direct service today. Delta used to as well as Thai. Hopefully, that will get sorted out one day. But, I've sat on those 19 hour flights direct from Newark to Singapore. Even in business class, that's a long haul. The west coast to Japan is an easy 10.5. And then 6 to BKK. With a one hour layover, that's an easy flight. I'd guess, LAX to BKK would be 18.5 hours? That's a long plane ride. All the LAX flight still head over the Alaskan islands to cross the Pacific. Portland to Bangkok would be great. I'd guess the only reason there would be a Portland to Bangkok flight would be a Nike thing. There is just way more connecting traffic in Los Angeles or even Seattle.
As far as Air Canada, they are charging top dollar for the direct flight. My buddy just went to Canada and it wasn't worth the price. He flew to Hong Kong and had a 2 hour layover, but he went for less than $1000 us. Air Canada wanted $600 more. Plus, they were only running the plane in high season. The main issue is there are only so many people that want to go to Thailand form the US or Canada. Compared to Japan, Hong Kong, etc.. It's just more profitable to put that crowd on the Japan flight. From Japan or Hong Kong, you can get to Bangkok every hour. It's just a money thing.
@@EagerExpat I thank you for the information. I go twice a year to Thailand and I have flown on Japan Airlines and Korean Airlines and Taiwan Airlines, {ANA} and I guess I will pick one soon. I do miss the days of the 747's, the Queen of the Skies, but they are about a thing of the past now. I like to leave Seattle over SF. or LA, but all 3 I have travel through. I have also stopped going through China or Hong Kong. What China did to Hong Kong is unforgivable in my opinion. Again Thank you for your time,,,,,,,,,,,,
EVA has great prices.
It's a good airline. I'm a little concerned about the future of Taiwan. China tried to destroy Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific. They are a great airline, but I think they fight bankruptcy. Hopefully, they don't go after EVA next. Or a military action starts. It would be fine to fly in the next few months. but who know what will happen a year from now. Japan is my safe bet.
I been asking the bloggers i follow but no one’s responding I’m in Chicago trying to get to Thai Town tickets were around $2000. If i have to go to L.A. so be it was looking at CheapFlights,Expedia,and everything in between 🇺🇸
You want bloggers to find you an airline ticket? You can watch this video or just pay the $2000. As they in Thailand, up to you.
I just saw a ORD-BKK one way on Cathay Pacific (a350-900) with a stop in HKG 3rd week of August or so. Plug that in to google flights and work that as a starting point. Price was roughly $550, one way of course make yours RT.
@@Marinate305 Keep in mind many airlines won't let you fly with a one way fare unless you have a visa to live in Thailand. Be prepared with a "throw away: cheap ticket to Cambodia, etc.. You don't need a ticket back to the US, but you need proof you are leaving Thailand. They don't care if your plan os to get a retirement visa. Unless you have one, one-ways can be an issue.
Zip > no frills / cheap Charley & JAL owned
I live on the E Coast (US) .. I always found it strange that the (SE Asia) fares are "a lot Cheaper" in winter and Shoot up in Summer .. I've been told that (re Manila for eg) it's about schools being out and people / familes returning / visiting in Summer .. I don't know if it's actually true / if that's the reason, but In my 25 yr exp, in / out of Manila & Bangkok, Def way more exp in Summer (gen speak) ..
Maybe, but I recorded this video last night. Fares below $800 are about as low as possible. And that's with a connection to Bangkok. I'd guess if you tried to fly to Manila a week before Christmas, $1600 might be the fare.
I can attest to this as prices are a lot higher than they were 3 months ago. I am only one summer in but it is backing up the other 25 years so far.
@@Marinate305 Ya, it's all about the price of gas. But if you can fly a little under 17,000 miles rt from LAX to BKK for $800, that's cheaper than driving a car 17,000 miles
I need a cheap flight don’t care about the sitting if i can get on if i could get round trip for under 1000. Would be great between now (June or July) the sooner the better what time i arrive is not a big deal what time i leave is not a big deal (I’m in Chicago if i have to make my way to L.A. so be it )🇺🇸
Ok. I just took the time to show you exactly what to do. Or call the airline and let them charge you whatever they want.
Help ,My name is Mark I was planing a vacation to the Philippines Cebu. I was leave Cleveland Ohio ? June 15th to June 24th with Hotel The cost was close to 4000, 00 For just one person
Have a good trip Mark
@@EagerExpat You think that is a good price?
@@markhouse8408 Airfare from LAX to Manila is less than $1000. You then take a $10 ferry to Cebu. Or fly rt for $100. If air from Cleveland to LAX is $3000, then yes $4000 is a great fare. As far as hotels, you can stay in a $300 a night hotel or a $30 night hotel in Cebu. That's up to you.
If you’re in the west fly into japan. If you’re on the east coast fly into south Korea, maybe Taipei
Korea, Taiwan and Japan are all closer from LAX. Many people on the east coast like to travel via the United Arab Emirates. But, flying from New York to LAX is usually cheaper most of the time.
@@EagerExpat yeah true, but Im thinking LAX vs JFK. Since they seem to have the most direct flights into those countries . That’s what I meant by the two hubs of the east and west. I fly Korean air from JFK to BKK with no problems in 21-24 hours
@@Getawayk Sounds good.
I have a souvenir stack of Freq Flyer Cards .. I use to fly KAL & EVA a lot for awhile .. I was work in Guam Mem Hosp, in 97' when the KAL 747 crashed .. Awful ..
Small world. I was born on Guam and my moms cousin worked for Continental (then Northwest?) on Guam for 30 years. He was probably there in 1997. Sad day.
@@EagerExpat I use to bump into / drink with Continental Pilots (Guam) back then (pre pilot drinking crackdown days) .. That is one tricky Airport, re the Crosswinds ..
@@EagerExpat Guam "Give Us American Money or Give Up And Masterbate" .. Guam Mem Hosp (gotta medivac to hawaii or get murdered here lol) ..
@@EagerExpat Quit MSC in 06' .. Walked off my last ship, Homeported in Guam .. Was there for Super Typhoon Paka in 97' & the Earthquakes are a trip there ..
@@enzos711 I learned to fly with a daily 20 knot crosswind. There's no tricky in flying. It's just a "challenge" Ha ha. I'll bet those Continental guys loved that approach. Even better was the old approach into Hong Kong. A 180 degree low altitude turn. Awesome.
I paid $1300 for a one way ticket for this weekend 😳 economy
Ya man, very last minute can be expensive. But who cares. You're on the way! That's what's important. Have a great trip.
@@EagerExpatthanks brother. I did buy it about a month ago, Peak summer season out of the USA is expensive but I’m happy with the route. Time to start the new chapter! Have a great day
@@mlgneo2855 Enjoy that new chapter. You picked a great place.
I paid $1400 from LAX , leaving in 2 weeks ..
I hope you have a great trip. That's the important part. Saving a hundred bucks is cool, but going on the trip is what many people never do.
If you want to fly next day or week ..yeah..expect $2000-3000
I just looked a minute ago. You can fly in the next 6 hours for $1300. If you wait 3 weeks it's $1050. But, I agree, last minute they usually squeeze you.
Just so you they Americans jump on and off flights one just came back to the States he back in Bangkok now just wanted to know what the tickets were going don’t want to pay double what are
I'm not trying to be rude, but I don't understand what you're saying. The price I found 20 hours ago from Los Angeles to Bangkok round trip in Economy, was less than $900. That was in August returning in September. If you fly in a week, I'd guess you'll pay twice as much. Use the Google Flight search and do the best you can. Next time, buying that ticket two or three months early is a better idea. But, i get it. That's not always an option. So if it's $2000, that's what it is.
🙋🏻♀️DFW to LAX $100RTUSD🤷🏻♀️
There you go. Add on $900rt to BKK and that's $1000. Or buy the ticket DFW to BKK and magically it cost $1500. Or whatever they decide to charge. Still, if you read the comments, some people argue they don't want to miss a connection, etc.. I guess the airlines are glad those people exist. I understand missing a connection or re-checking a suitcase. But, if you leave Dallas and have say 5 hours in LAX, you'll be fine. You'll also have $500 extra dollars. Or if you are going to lose sleep, go the night before and get a $100 hotel. You'll still save $400. I explained that to a few people and they still insist on booking (insert small town) straight to BKK for $3000 I don't get it.
couple of questions for you. I flew from lax to bkk on China Air. I’m with Star Alliance through Air Canada. Should I ask China Air to transfer my miles to Air Canada? because air Canada didn’t want to do it. Also, what’s the best way to transfer credit card points over to get flights? My flight to bkk was march, is there a time limit of when I can have them transfered?
It depends where you bought the ticket. If it was at Air Canada, they should have gave you the points. If it was at Air China, you should have gave them your Air Canada number when you bought the ticket. You can try and call Air China if that's the case. It's up to them to put the miles in 3 months later. That's why I love Japan Airlines. The answer would be, of course, yes sir. Air China. I'll give you a 20% chance.
Next time buy the Air China ticket at Air Canada. No problems earning Air Canada miles. You don't want Air China miles. Check out my video on using airline miles. It's in the video description. They don't make using miles easy. But, if you figure out the system, it's great. My video can really help.
@@EagerExpat thanks
@@playthis5994 You bet. Doesn't hurt to ask
I just looked from Detroit Michigan to BKK and it was $3k-6k+ that’s a fn downpayment on a vehicle!! 🙄 no thanks!
Don't search from Detroit. LAX to Bangkok is less than a $1000rt. How much is Detroit to LAX rt? Maybe $500. The only way the flight should be $6000 is in Business Class. That seat takes the room of six coach seats, so that's what it cost.
I just looked. You can fly on Japan Airlines LAX to BKK next week for $735. Get yourself a Southwest to LAX and off you go.