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Getting the best seat with the lowest price is definitely our main goal when purchasing any flights, especially those long hauls, overnight flights.
Thai Airways, as Thailand's full service national carrier, the tickets are not cheap at all. For both short and long haul flights.
Take an example of direct flight from Bangkok BKK to London LHR (21-28 Sep 2020 for reference)
With the same departure and returning dates, Thai Airways is approximately 50,000 THB more expensive than British Airways. Meanwhile, British Airways offer a total of 64 KG checked bag (32 KG each) while Thai Airways offered 40 KG.
To have a fairer comparison, the combination of arrival and departure dates are considered "lowest" between the week for Thai Airways.
Of course, you could get much lower business class fares with connecting flights.
But, you get the idea here, flying with Thai Airways is definitely not the most affordable.
Let me introduce you the little hack for purchasing Thai Airways ticket in cash with lower price.
Purchase a one-way ticket to Thailand is the key.
Let's break down the example above. Focusing on return flight (LHR to BKK)
The lowest fare for returning flight is 76,215 THB.
If a one-way ticket to Bangkok is booked, the same flight will be 1,722.66 GBP. Approximately 68,000 THB, a 8,000 THB difference.
In order to proof this loophole is accurate, check out another flight from Seoul, South Korea. (10 October 2020 for reference)
With round trip ticket, the return flight from ICN to BKK is 25,645 THB.
Meanwhile, if one-way ticket is purchased, the fare is 840,300 KRW, approximately 22,000 THB. Another 3,000 THB difference. With this 3,000 THB difference, a low cost airline ticket could be purchased for the one way route between Bangkok to Seoul.
However, if purchasing Thai Airways one-way airfare definitely cheaper?
The answer is again, a "Yes" and a "No"
The reason of a huge "No" is because of the departing flight from Bangkok. The price of one-way ticket is generally higher than purchasing in term of round-trip.
Take an example of BKK to LHR. Focusing on the departing flight this time.
From the comparisons, if a round trip ticket is purchased, the breakdown of first leg is 67,895 THB. Meanwhile, it is 85,420 THB for one-way ticket from BKK to LHR. A huge difference of 17,000 THB.
Purchasing the tickets separately might not be a good idea in this case.
However, this situation could be turned to a "YES" when a great deal on one-way departure is found. And, much lower than the combination of booking round-trip with Thai Airways.
This is indeed a difficult part. Especially on this long haul, direct flight route. (So far, only British Airways, Thai Airways and Eva Air provide direct flight for this route. But, the fares are much more higher when purchasing one-way ticket from BKK to LHR)
If connecting flight is not a big deal. This issue could easier be resolved.
In this plan is accepted, flying with Finnair from BKK to LHR might be a great solution.
But, this itinerary is only recommended if flying with Thai Airways is a huge MUST.
If not, the actual cost in cash value is higher than what we are trying to save.
Quick Maths for the trip on 21-28 Sep 2020 (BKK-LHR):
45,925 THB (BKK to LHR via Finnair) + approx. 68,000 THB (LHR to BKK via Thai Airways) = approx. 113,925 THB
Cheaper than booking round-trip with Thai Airways? Yes
Best deal overall? Definitely Not. British Airways direct-round-trip flight is still 20,000 THB lower compared to the new itinerary.
However, this loophole could still be well utilised and fully optimised, especially in short haul flights.
Take an example for flying from Bangkok BKK to Kuala Lumpur (KUL) in Business class.
First, let's compare the flights between Malaysia Airlines and Thai Airways.
Malaysia Airlines: 22,870 THB
Thai Airways: 24,165 THB (return flight at 12,055 THB)
Remember what was mentioned? Thai Airways is not cheap.
Let's see what happen if we breakdown the flights. By flying Malaysia Airlines from BKK to KUL and Thai Airways on the way back.
As Malaysian, I'm so proud to announce that, the fare for one way and round trip is the same. Unchanged.
This is a very important factor to be considered.
With the new itinerary, the total cost is:
11,460 THB + 967 MYR (approx. 7,200 THB) = approx. 18,660 THB.
The return flight from Thai Airway is approx. 5,000 THB lower when purchase separately.
This new itinerary is definitely a big thumbs up. Since the grand total is lower than purchasing round trip tickets with either Malaysia Airlines or Thai Airways.
Bottom Line
The tactic of flying one way to Bangkok is indeed well spread in Thais' forum.
Thai Airways definitely knows this "loophole". Rather than fixing this loophole, Thai Airways could actually use this as a marketing strategy in order to attract tourists visiting Thailand or Thais flying back home.
Meanwhile, we as consumers should fully take advantage of this loophole, in order to fully optimise our travel experience.
It's your time now, to plan for your next trip after the pandemic. Don't forget to consider Thai Airways when flying back/ to Bangkok.
P.S
The comparisons stated might not be apple to apple as different type of fares, aircrafts and loyalty programs involved. It is just a big picture to be shown. Peace!
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