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After a flight on board an Emirates A380 between Dubai and Singapore, and a night at the Westin Singapore, I’m on my way to Bangkok with Thai Airways, in business class on one of its Boeing 787-9s.
One of the best things about this flight was the ease with which I was able to book it using my Aeroplan points.
Thai Airways, as a Star Alliance airline, is a partner of Air Canada’s Aeroplan program, enabling passengers to use their Aeroplan points to book flights on its network.
For this short regional trip between Singapore and Bangkok, I was able to secure a seat in business class for just 20,000 Aeroplan points, plus applicable taxes and fees. The same flight was also available in economy class for 8,000 Aeroplan points.
This is an excellent use of points to enjoy a premium experience on a flight of around 2 h 30 hours.
The easiest way to earn Aeroplan points is to sign up for one of these Aeroplan credit cards. Not only will you earn Aeroplan points as a welcome bonus, but you’ll also earn points on all purchases charged to your Aeroplan credit card.
The most popular Aeroplan credit card is the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card which currently offers the following welcome offer:
Note that you can also earn Aeroplan Points through the American Express Membership Rewards program. You can transfer your American Express Membership Rewards points into Aeroplan points at a rate of 1:1. 10,000 Membership Rewards points = 10,000 Aeroplan points. Many American Express Membership Rewards credit cards are available in Canada.
In my opinion, one of the best American Express Membership Rewards credit cards is the American Express Cobalt® Card. With this credit card, you’ll earn 5 Points per dollar on groceries, convenience stores, restaurants and bars. And don’t forget the gift card trick, which also earns you 5 Points per dollar at many stores, including Amazon, SAQ, Ikea and Netflix.
Here is the welcome offer currently available for this card:
Boarding was smooth and on time, with a dedicated queue for business class passengers.
Thai Airways ground staff were courteous and efficient, quickly checking my documents before directing me to the bridge.
As you enter the 787-9 cabin, you notice the 1-2-1reverse herringbone configuration typical of modern business classes.
This is the same type of seating arrangement found on Air France and Air Canada 787s. And it’s a better layout than on Thai Airways 787-8s (2-2-2).
Although the aircraft is not the newest in the Thai Airways fleet, the cabin remains functional and comfortable for a regional flight. The company’s signature shades of purple and beige lend a warm ambiance to the experience.
Passengers travelling as couples will prefer center seats.
Whereas passengers travelling alone, as was my case on this flight, will prefer the individual window seats.
My seat, in reverse herringbone configuration, offered a good level of comfort and privacy.
However, the seat’s upholstery showed some wear, reflecting the aircraft’s years in service.
And the entertainment screen was not of the highest definition by today’s standards of the best companies.
Nevertheless, for a regional flight of this duration, the overall comfort remains perfectly satisfactory.
On-board service lived up to the reputation of Thai hospitality. The crew was attentive and smiling throughout the flight.
As soon as I settled in, I was offered a welcome drink and presented with the meal menu.
I particularly enjoyed the food served during this short flight. Thai Airways manages to offer a quality culinary experience even on short flights.
The meal, featuring Thai specialties, was tasty and well presented.
An important point to underline is the advantage of being in business class on arrival in Bangkok. Thanks to this, I was able to access the Fast Track Lane, saving me a good hour’s wait at immigration.
This is something to bear in mind if you’re deciding between economy class (8,000 Aeroplan points) and business class (20,000 Aeroplan points) for this type of short flight.
In conclusion, although the aircraft and some equipment are showing signs of age, the overall Thai Airways business class experience on this regional flight remains highly satisfactory.
The ease of booking with Aeroplan points, the attentive service, the quality of meals and the benefits on arrival make this an attractive option for travellers between Singapore and Bangkok.
If you have Aeroplan points, this is a great way to use them to enhance your travel experience in Southeast Asia.
Savings this way:
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