British travellers left stranded in Thailand accuse airlines of cashing in on COVID-19 crisis

[Jajazazajaja]

2 hours ago, Benmart said:

If a passport does not have adequate blank pages for visa extentions, etc., it could have plenty to do with a great many things.

They just stamp over the old stamps at immigration and they don’t need any space for stamps to fly back to the UK or anywhere in the EU.

 

[SiSePuede419]

Airlines: You Limies exhibited poor judgement.  Should have left over 2 weeks ago.  What were you thinking? ????

[Jajazazajaja]

28 minutes ago, Kalasin Jo said:

He then said I can't get an extension wih a nearly full passport?

He can tho 

[beano2274]

A quick check of Eva air

 

[impulse]

3 hours ago, jossthaifarang said:

Got to cover the cost of flying the plane, salaries to staff and fuel etc. If you are carrying so few passangers the price has to go up, Its simple business economics. Cant expect the airline to pay to get you home, just because you didnt have the sense to stay put in the first place..

 

They made a commitment to take you back home when you bought your R/T ticket.  If they cancel the back end flight, they have reneged on their end of the commitment.  They still owe you a flight home.  If the cost and price of that flight is higher than the flight they cancelled, that should be on them.

 

[alex8912]

6 hours ago, Vernon Wooldridge said:

£1950 Qatar one way economy BKK-HRW selling blackmarket fares cashing in on the coronavirus and stranded passengers. 

Stranded?? Really?  On what DATE do you consider people from the UK are still stranded in Thailand? April 8?April 15? April 23? April 29? May 3? March 20, 2022??

[gimo]

2 hours ago, stephenearle2007 said:

I had return tickets with Emirates. Now useless to get back to the UK. I have now booked with Qatar for late April at 29000 Baht (About £720.) for two seats. No charge for seat reservations. Not too bad under the circumstances, although I am not pleased with Emirates pulling the plug on flights. Not sure what the situation in the UK will be like on our return!!

  I can't understand why people are in such a hurry to get back to the UK , which is one the CV hot spots . Many confirmed cases of CV among Aussies returning on flights to Sydney from the US and London since non Aussies were stopped from entering . In that period not one person on a flight from BKK .

[impulse]

1 minute ago, gimo said:

  I can't understand why people are in such a hurry to get back to the UK , which is one the CV hot spots . Many confirmed cases of CV among Aussies returning on flights to Sydney from the US and London since non Aussies were stopped from entering . In that period not one person on a flight from BKK .

 

Maybe they have a job, and don't want to get fired?  Or a business that needs attention during the crisis?

 

[VBF]

2 hours ago, stephenearle2007 said:

I had return tickets with Emirates. Now useless to get back to the UK. I have now booked with Qatar for late April at 29000 Baht (About £720.) for two seats. No charge for seat reservations. Not too bad under the circumstances, although I am not pleased with Emirates pulling the plug on flights. Not sure what the situation in the UK will be like on our return!!

I've mentioned this before, but it's NOT Emirates' or Ethiad's fault - the UAE government has enforced it.

I realise it has the same effect but may stop people blaming the airlines themselves.

https://www.emirates.com/uk/english/help/travel-updates/  and   https://www.etihad.com/en-gb/travel-updates/covid-19#suspension

Edited April 2, 2020 by VBF

[Jajazazajaja]

9 minutes ago, jimmythefish said:

You obviously dont have a clue do you? If this person is stranded here, he has to have a visa extension. In Thai immigration law you have to have empty pages in your passport, and also have 6 months left on your passport before it expires.. Comprendi dummy?

you don’t have to have empty pages in your passport according to “Thai immigration law” that’s untrue. They can stamp over old stamps

Why are you bringing up the 6 months lest on the passport? How is that relevant here? Who said that wasn’t the case?

[tweedledee2]

43 minutes ago, StevieAus said:

I am interested if anyone has had any dealings with Air Asia recently regarding the cancellation of flights to Australia.

We were booked to fly Chiang Mai- Sydney at the end of April but obviously are not going, in any event according to their website they are not operating the flights on the days we booked

It is not possible to contact anyone by phone and their online chat system must be overwhelmed as it doesn’t seem to work.

AirAsia is allowing voluntarily cancellation of all flight bookings made before Mar 23 for departures thru May 31.  I cancelled my flight using "AVA", 2 days before I received the flight cancellation notice email from AirAsia.  They do not issue refunds. They offer unlimited re-booking till Oct. 31 for the same route or a credit of the total fare amount to your "Big" Member account valid for 365 days for future bookings. The latter was the better option for me. Just click on "AVA" and follow the instructions. When complete a reference number will appear and you will receive it by email. If round-trip you'll file 2 claims.

[gimo]

16 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

Maybe they have a job, and don't want to get fired?  Or a business that needs attention during the crisis?

 

   Yes , that must be the case .Most businesses shut in other countries . Not many people working either . Maybe not shutting businesses could be making maters worse . Getting to safer place is definitely not the reason they want to get back .

[impulse]

12 minutes ago, gimo said:

   Yes , that must be the case .Most businesses shut in other countries . Not many people working either . Maybe not shutting businesses could be making maters worse . Getting to safer place is definitely not the reason they want to get back .

 

Here in Texas, with hotels, restaurants, bars and the beach all closed down (except for take-out), 90% of life still goes on.  Most people are still working, though many from home.  Bills are still coming due, lawns still need to be mowed, etc.

 

And unlike socialist Europe, if an American company figures out they can do without you for over 3 weeks, chances are they'll figure they don't need you anyway...  (Sorry, couldn't resist- actually I admire the worker protections in place in the rest of the civilized world)

 

Edit:  I'd add that it's probably prudent to get back to the NHS in case the Covid19 virus does force someone to seek medical attention.  Seems like travel insurance doesn't cover it, and I'd hate to be stuck in a Thai hospital with no way to pay for treatment.

 

Edited April 2, 2020 by impulse

[JeffinChonburi]

Emirates cancelled my flight into Thailand in May, and told me I could have a voucher for up until a year from date of purchase, but NOT a refund until one year from date of purchase.

[samsensam]

 

there have been, and are, reasonably priced flights available to the uk, all you have to look...

 

all star alliance airlines allow you to reschedule your flight for free, i know because i did.

 

[impulse]

3 minutes ago, JeffinChonburi said:

Emirates cancelled my flight into Thailand in May, and told me I could have a voucher for up until a year from date of purchase, but NOT a refund until one year from date of purchase.

 

But is that a voucher for a flight, or a voucher for the amount you paid, and you have to pick up any difference between what you paid and the (currently exorbitant) fares?  That seems to be a complaint in the OP.  A cheap flight was cancelled, and the only options now are $$$ flights...

 

[mike787]

well, apply for thai residency.

[Puchaiyank]

5 hours ago, Megasin1 said:

who is really the opportunist? should they fly an empty plane at their cost to Thailand for your benefit, or do you think that if you whinge enough on social media platforms they will give you something for nothing ?

No, of course not.  They should raise the prices for people out of work so that no one can afford to fly...problem solved...all planes grounded...????

[StevieAus]

2 hours ago, Andrew65 said:

If you go to a local travel agent and cross the young lady's palm with silver ( ie: a couple a hundred Baht), she might well be able to help you out?!

Thanks Andrew never thought of using the traditional Thai method this was for a short holiday booked a year ago so it’s not that we had to go

We live north of Chiang Mai so my wife suggested if they are open we drive down and visit their office

PS if there is a young lady at the travel agent I might go on my own

[geisha]

2 hours ago, StevieAus said:

I am interested if anyone has had any dealings with Air Asia recently regarding the cancellation of flights to Australia.

We were booked to fly Chiang Mai- Sydney at the end of April but obviously are not going, in any event according to their website they are not operating the flights on the days we booked

It is not possible to contact anyone by phone and their online chat system must be overwhelmed as it doesn’t seem to work.

Hi, try their website.There should be full information and Important Travel Updates. I doubt that they will answer calls or mails as hundreds of thousands of people are drowning the system.Stay safe.

[Chivas]

7 hours ago, Vernon Wooldridge said:

£1950 Qatar one way economy BKK-HRW selling blackmarket fares cashing in on the coronavirus and stranded passengers. 

Is that what you've actually paid  ??

[geisha]

Anyone have proof of these expensive flights and cost/ payment ??

[StevieAus]

1 hour ago, Lancashireman said:

 

Had the same thing happen some years ago on a flight to Australia the plane was late arriving due to some inconsiderate person dying on the flight and us having to return to Kuala Lumphur

The original destination airport in Queensland was closed and we were diverted elsewhere

Perhaps those who didn’t want to chip in for the car were from Yorkshire do you think ???

[BritManToo]

Don't know about cashing in but AirAsia 'my cases' has been down for the past two weeks.

Still waiting for a credit note after my four cancelled flights.

Should have been on two of them today.

[bkk6060]

If they decided to travel here knowing about the situation, maybe they need to look in the mirror rather then blame others.

[Jajazazajaja]

1 hour ago, samsensam said:

 

there have been, and are, reasonably priced flights available to the uk, all you have to look...

 

all star alliance airlines allow you to reschedule your flight for free, i know because i did.

 

The whole story is a load of bull <deleted>

 

nonsensical quotes and a non existent problem 

[losworld]

8 hours ago, Muzzique said:

The Germans have been sending daily direct repatriation flights from both Phuket and Bangkok to Frankfurt at €99 one way fixed price for all seats for the last 2 weeks. This includes, hand luggage, one suitcase, meals and basic entertainment. Check the Condor Airways site to book as flights open up regularly as the day goes on. 

 

Flights from Frankfurt to the UK are about €140 one way and run about 5-6 times a day but you have to sort those yourself.

 

They are open to Brits and EU citizens and most of the planes have been going back half empty. I saw that the Phuket flight left today at 10am with over 6 seats still bookable for €99.

 

Its a pity the UK embassy never told anyone about them. I've been writing on these forums for weeks about them. As always with the UK its too little too late.

 

 

 

Good points but a German told me they would be charged for the flight at a later date.

[blackcab]

A post with incorrect quotes has been removed. If you quote someone, do not type your reply in the quote box.

[stewartthailand]

Emirates, apart from the voucher, allow you to rebook, at some future date, with no change fee and no additional charge for any price increase. I rebooked two separate cancelled flights yesterday with them.

[Blumpie]

The plane fare is for both ways basically.  Nobody is coming here on the plane, it's flying empty.  It's an emergency and it's up to the airline to charge you appropriately.

If you don't like it, then don't ask for a plane to come get you and stay here.  

It's rather simple.  

It's a world pandemic.  You're here, you want to go there.  You should go now because eventually you're really not going anywhere and you may not like the way things are in Thailand.  Or home.  Your life, your choice like right now.  

Sorry to fear monger, but you never know what will happen.  

I'd get on the plane before the airline goes "nips up".