I've got some good friends of mine who I've booked on flights to Europe over Christmas / New Year. They are J AKL-BKK, F BKK-ZRH, F ROM-BKK and J BKK-AKL. I know they have the new style J on the two flights out of and in to Auckland. The BKK-ZRH is and A340 so that is the new F. ROM-BKK is on a 747-400 and by the looks of the seat map it has the new F too. Are the seats 2E and 2F separated by something (it looks like it on the TG website)? I want to pre-seat them now, but can't tell from the seat map.

They have a daughter who is flying on the same flights in Y. Is it possible for her to have lounge access at all? I have a feeling he or she is Star Alliance Gold (could be OneWorld).

They have a 14 hour layover on the way home. Can they access the F lounge on arrival from ROM? I think they'll get a day room at the Novotel though.

By the way, I got them on a pretty good fare. They're paying about NZD8,400 including taxes for J/F and SQ J was roughly NZD9,400 including taxes.

You are a very good friend smashley, and yes AU$7000 is an excellent fare, you did well. the thing in between the seats in F, is a waist high shelf for papers, ameneties etc, but they can still chat and touch each other. Regardless of their *A or OW, they are permitted to bring in a guest to the lounge. If staying in transit on their way home from Rome, it's FCO, they will be driven to the F lounge in the cart. There is a slumber room there, where they could easily sleep away another couple of hours. If they are going to leave the airport, they should clarify the lounge position with the reception, as this is where a new set of rules will come into play and they will say they are only entitled to C lounge. They will enjoy the 346 to Zurich and the 777 you have on your run are the same as ours and are very comfy. Let us know if you have more Q, regards bkkrop

The set of 2 seats in the middle of the cabin is the standard answer for 2 people traveling together. I prefer to look out the window, though, so we choose 2F and 3K, which are basically right across the aisle from each other. We still dined together, facing one-another.

David

Thanks for the replies guys!

I don't think the wife and daughter are *A members. The husband is SQ *A Silver (I think). Which program is better for them to join? I worked it out and I think the daughter would get to *A Silver if she joined ROP (TG requires only 10k or 15k in points) but she'd miss if she went KrisFlyer. The wife would miss just miss Gold on both (I think she'd get around 44k with bonuses). However, does SQ work on a calendar year? I know Thai is a revolving 12-month block from date of first flight.

The family is NOT fans of NZ so I'm not going to both suggesting AirPoints Dollars unless it would push wife to Gold somehow.

Which program should I recommend them to join?

Hi smashley, FFP are a difficult thing to recommend and I will tell you why.

If they dont do a lot of travel, they are no much chop, useless really. I could tell you about a dozen familly members and friends who all wanted to come "shopping" with us to Thailand and India, who have 20,000 points and get annoyed when the brochure arrives each three months and they find they can't use them. But I would leave well enough alone, they don't want ANZ, you are flying TG and whilst TG silver isn't any help, sounds good, and the young woman would be thrilled, they get a little luggage assistance, thats all, Gold at 50000 is what they want, so if either or both can get that, they are in business, and they will think you are brilliant.

Gold will give them a return fare upgrade for starters, so imagine the dollars they could save next trip if they bought a cheap(not discounted) economy ticket, and were upgraded to C/J. You know what they paid for the trip this time, and you see the Y fares advertised in the Saturday's papers, You can understand why some of us LOVE Thai.

ALSO every year on their birthday, TG gives them a present, use their points to purchase an award ticket anywhere at half award price, during the month of their birthday.

When Gold, you have easier access to awards, flights and during the hectic tourist season when Y is often sold out, they will get you a seat. Well they say they will, but that is another story and no doubt only applicable to a couple of ports where no other *A flies.

Other airlines will give you 200+% on your mileage, work it out, it's the same, just that TG makes it easier for you, if you only want the points for a limited time and who doesn't, none of us fly at the frantic rate all the time!!

What can you do with the lower points, buy a hotel room for the night, magazine subsription, some duty free on board, you will get rid of them, and if either of the Gold get heaps more they can swing some across to buy an upgrade or ticket.

How can they turn 44000 into 50000, suggest they fly across to MEL and see a theatre show on ANZ a couple of times, or do what the kiwis do and fly back and forth from the north to the south on specials when they become available. We fly north south too. The husband will be loath to give up SQ, no doubt he feels he may fly a lot with them, but advise him of the TG benefits of Gold for TWO years, either way with him with SQ and the wife with TG, adds a little spice to the relationship and they are both with *A which in our neck of the woods if you are doing Europe and Asia is best. At the end of all this, you will have them so well organized, dont forget the *G gives them lounge access at all *A (most!), plenty of carry on and luggage, and some good champers and pad thai, regards bkkrop