Deal Alert: US Cities to Thailand From $586 Round-Trip
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
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Airfare deals are typically only available on limited dates. We recommend that you use Google Flights to find dates to fly, then book through an online travel agency, such as Orbitz or Expedia, which allows you to cancel flights without penalty by 11pm Eastern Time within one day of booking. However, if you're using the American Express Platinum Card, you'll need to book directly with the airline or through Amex Travel portal to get 5x MR points. Remember: Fares may disappear quickly, so book right away and take advantage of Orbitz or Expedia's courtesy cancellation if you're unable to get the time away from work or family.
Want to go to Thailand without breaking the bank? Several airlines are offering discounted fares to Bangkok (BKK) from $586 round-trip, valid for departures from March through May, and August through December 2017. Most availability is in the August-December range, but you can find some flights for spring travel. Flights will be on Taiwanese carrier China Airlines from New York (JFK) and San Francisco (SFO) and on a combination of American and Japan Airlines from Boston (BOS) and Chicago (ORD). Note that booking through China Airlines involves several steps and sometimes the price is different than what appears on Google Flights, so we recommend booking through Orbitz or Expedia, when available.
From Bangkok, you can be on the beach in Phuket, Koh Samui or elsewhere in Southeast Asia in just a couple of hours. Flights within the region are typically very inexpensive, making Bangkok a great hub for Southeast Asia travel.
Airline: American, China Airlines, JAL
Route: BOS, JFK, ORD and SFO to BKK
Cost: $586+ round-trip
Dates: March - May, August - December 2017
Booking Link: Orbitz or Expedia
Pay With: The Platinum Card from American Express (5x on airfare), Chase Sapphire Reserve, Citi Prestige (3x on airfare) or Chase Sapphire Preferred (2x on travel)
Here are a few examples of what you can book:
New York (JFK) to Bangkok (BKK) for $586 round-trip on China Airlines:
San Francisco (SFO) to Bangkok (BKK) for $600 round-trip on China Airlines through Orbitz:
Chicago (ORD) to Bangkok (BKK) for $632 round-trip on JAL:
Boston (LAX) to Bangkok (BKK) for $671 round-trip on JAL:
Maximize Your Purchase
Don't forget to use a credit card that earns additional points on airfare purchases, such as the American Express Platinum Card (5x on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel), Chase Sapphire Reserve, or Citi Prestige (3x on airfare) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on all travel purchases). Check out this post for more on maximizing airfare purchases.
If you're able to score one of these tickets, please share the good news in the comments below!
H/T: The Flight Deal
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