Main Frequent Flyers Programs Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus

Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus

Program overview 

Royal Orchid Plus is the loyalty program of Thai Airways. The airline flies to more than 70 destinations. They don't fly to the US. However, as a Star Alliance founding member, this program has a lot of airline partners.  Redeeming Thai miles can be cumbersome, but this program still offers some valuable redemptions.

Alliance

Star Alliance

Program website 

https://www.thaiAirways.com/ 

Approximate miles value 

Varies 

Miles validity 

Miles are valid for 3 years

Program accrual

Earned according to the fare paid, the class of service of your purchased ticket, and the distance flown

Limit on amount of miles you can purchase 

You can purchase 1,000 miles and up to a maximum of 100,000 miles per year

Waitlist option

No

Courtesy Hold for award reservation

Not allowed 

Do you need to open an account to check availability?

Yes

Stopover option 

One stopover and one open-jaw are permitted on Thai and Star Alliance bookings (subject to fees)

Family account

No

Upgrade option

Yes

Online booking 

Yes, but only for a round trip from Bangkok

Airline partners 

Aegean, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Egyptair, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines

Credit card partners

Citi ThankYou (1:1, 4 days transfer)

Hotel partners 

IHG Rewards (5:1, 6 weeks transfer), Marriott Bonvoy (3:1, 4 days transfer), World of Hyatt (2.5:1, 6-8 weeks transfer), Accor Live Limitless (2:1, 4-6 weeks transfer)

Co-Branded credit card in the US 

None 

Point/Miles Conversion Chart

Pros 

  • Excellent Thai Airways service 
  • Miles can be used  to pay for lounge or baggage 
  • Access to the Star Alliance network for flight options (temporarily unavailable)

Cons 

  • No instant transfer partner
  • Partner flights can only be booked by phone
  • Fuel surcharges 
  • Very expensive costs in miles for long haul award flights

Excellent for   

  • Thai Airways flights from Bangkok to Japan in First class for 67,500 miles one way. 
  • Thai Airways flights from Bangkok to Australia start from 47,500 miles in Business Class and 90,000 miles in First Class one way. 
  • United Airlines direct flights from the US to South America for 65,000 miles in Business Class one way. 

Insider Tip 

  • The best way to redeem your Thai miles is to use them for short or medium-haul flights.
  • Most one-way awards are significantly more expensive than half of a round-trip flight, so it’s always better to book round-trip flights if you have the balance necessary for it. 
  • Overall, Royal Orchid Plus is not the best reward booking program for Star Alliance. There are many other options that could work better. We advise you to take a look at Aeroplan, Avianca LifeMiles, ANA Mileage Club or Kris Flyer.
  • Partner flights are not displayed online. In this case, try to check through Expert Flyer service or Aeroplan/United websites. If award seats are available, call Thai Airways to book using miles. 
  • Currently, the Star Alliance awards are temporarily unavailable for redemption using Royal Orchid Plus miles. And we do not recommend transferring any miles to Thai due to their current financial situation.

Do you use this program? Share your experience and tips in the comments below. Your thoughts would be very valuable to us!

 

 

Comments: 1
Rajbir 31 Aug 2022 at 19:21:25 #
I am not unable to contact thai BV airwsys fir my miles pls call 00919814053342