Thai Airways has announced that Royal Orchid Plus Award eligibility has changed with the advent of the new Award Nominees program. The Award Nominees program will allow Royal Orchid Plus members to redeem awards for anyone who is on their “nominee” list.
In the past, award eligibility was limited to the member listed on the mileage account and the members of the account holder’s immediate family. Additionally, there was an award transfer fee of U.S./Euro 100 or Thai Baht 4,400.
Under the new Award Nominees Program, award eligibility extends to nominees that are designated by a Royal Orchid Plus account holder. Nominee lists can include up to five names — family, friends, or anyone else — and there is no fee. Names can be added or changed one at a time or added as multiple entries. Members can change up to five names during each calendar year. Each change costs 2,000 miles, which will be deducted online.
To access your personal nominee list, go to www.thaiairways.com/rop and log into the “Manage Your Account” section using your membership number and PIN code.
In order to request an award for another person, including your immediate family members, the award recipient must be on your nominee list. As a bonus to this new program, Royal Orchid Plus members will receive 200 bonus miles when they make the first nominee list entry. The bonus offer expires Nov. 30, so hurry up and log on if you want your free miles. This new program is an excellent way for Royal Orchid Plus members to share their awards with friends and other people outside their immediate family.
The Award Nominees Program is not the only thing Royal Orchid Plus members have to be excited about. Mileage upgrades from economy class have become more flexible, and may even save miles depending on what fare is purchased. Upgrades to Royal Silk from economy class booked as Y, B, or M have been reduced by 20 percent. Upgrade levels from other discounted economy-class fares to Royal Silk will remain unchanged, and upgrades from economy class V and W are no longer available. New upgrades are also available from economy class to Premium Economy class on applicable flights, so you will have some flexibility when it comes to making your upgrade decision.
These new upgrades can be requested after your paid ticket has been issued, but no less than 24 hours prior to scheduled departure. Royal Orchid Plus members can use these new upgrades for both themselves and the people their Award Nominee list. For more information about Award Nominees and the new upgrade structure, visit http://www.thaiairways.com
