Which points/miles for Bangkok Airways?

[Suzie]

Need to book some flights in southeast Asia and Bangkok Airways seems best choice. They are part of One World but apparently cannot use AA miles to book. Suggestions on what points/miles can I use?

I have available UR's, AS, BA, Amex, VAtlantic.

Thank you for any help!

 

[italdesign]

They are not part of oneworld. They are a partner of JAL and you can use JAL miles to book. The rate is very good and just extended thru 2017 (used to expire in 2016). See:

https://www.jal.co.jp/121campaign/pg_discount/index_en.html

Amol K wrote about his experience: http://www.travelcodex.com/2014/03/using-spg-points-book-bangkok-airways-via-jal/

SPG transfers to JAL.

 

[Suzie]

Thank you!

I read this which made me think they were part of oneworld:

https://www.oneworld.com/news-information/oneworldnews/-/asset_publisher/QtTQ7EuCzxhd/content/bangkok-airways-adds-its-network-to-oneworld-s-global-explorer/maximized

Confusion on my part. Thanks!

 

[MLH]

Thank you!

I read this which made me think they were part of oneworld:

https://www.oneworld.com/news-information/oneworldnews/-/asset_publisher/QtTQ7EuCzxhd/content/bangkok-airways-adds-its-network-to-oneworld-s-global-explorer/maximized

Confusion on my part. Thanks!

Were you able to successfully book Bangkok Airways via JAL? Saw a few commenters on Amol's post say they had trouble getting the agents to see award availability.

 

[Suzie]

I haven't yet. We are still trying to figure out the exact itinerary. Pretty sure on stop/start now need to put pieces together in middle.

 

[MLH]

I haven't yet. We are still trying to figure out the exact itinerary. Pretty sure on stop/start now need to put pieces together in middle.

If you're planning on doing this be aware that you may need to call one of JAL's non-US numbers to get an agent to book this.
JAL's US site has most of its functionality (OLCI, Seat Assignment, etc) removed for a while and as a result the US call center is getting bombarded. Saw a FT thread where a number of people have waited on hold for a long while and never gotten through to anybody. Just FYI.

 

[Suzie]

If you're planning on doing this be aware that you may need to call one of JAL's non-US numbers to get an agent to book this.
JAL's US site has most of its functionality (OLCI, Seat Assignment, etc) removed for a while and as a result the US call center is getting bombarded. Saw a FT thread where a number of people have waited on hold for a long while and never gotten through to anybody. Just FYI.

Good to know, thank you. We keep shifting the itinerary every time we read something else we want to see! The only thing in stone is Siem Reap.