15 Best Ways To Redeem Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus Miles for Maximum Value

Thai Airways is the flag carrier of Thailand and was founded in 1960. A Star Alliance partner, this airline is one of the most highly regarded airlines in the industry, primarily through its sublime first class product. It has also landed a spot on our best international first class airlines.

Thai Airways has been struggling as financial losses mount, so the unfortunate reality is that it has begun to cut back on its offerings. This includes relentless and severe devaluations of its frequent flyer program.

Even after all the years of taking a beating, there are still some areas where you can extract great value from your Thai Airways miles. In this in-depth guide, we’ll be taking a look at the top ways to redeem these miles, uncovering how they can provide outsized value, especially for niche travelers.

The Pros and Cons of Thai Airways Miles

Thai Airways’ frequent flyer program is called Royal Orchid Plus (often abbreviated as ROP). When you take a holistic look at the program, you’ll notice some odd quirks. Additionally, much of the information that other resources published on Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus is hopelessly outdated.

That being said, Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus has these pros going for them:

• Access to the Star Alliance network for flight options
• 1 stopover allowed, subject to fees, even on one-way tickets (except for travel solely within Thailand)
• 1 open-jaw is also permitted, either at the point of turnaround or origin
• Attractive intra-region award pricing
• Ability to earn miles through Citi ThankYou Points and many hotel points
• Round the World Award trips are allowed, albeit at an absurd price
• Attractive round-trip ultra-long-haul awards on Thai Airways

Here are the drawbacks you’ll notice when using Thai Airways miles:

• Ridiculously high long-haul award prices
• Fuel surcharges are passed on
• Round-trip tickets are cheaper than 2 one-way tickets
• Can’t search for award space online without miles
• Maximum of 4 sectors per award ticket (RTW trips excluded)
• The website provides confusing information
• Most ticket changes required award cancellation and another ticket request
• Once travel has commenced, there are no routing changes or mileage re-credits allowed

To summarize, most of the Thai Airways award chart has been obliterated over time. Furthermore, fuel surcharges are now passed on.

The other side of the equation is that Thai Airways has a user-unfriendly website, whereby searching for award space requires miles in your account. Lastly, you’re restricted by the ticketing process, which means that you ought to be certain of your travel plans staying the same before you book an award ticket.

However, there are a few things Thai Airways has going for it. Thai Airways is a Star Alliance member, and mixing carriers for award flights is easy, resulting in the convenience of global connectivity. You can also leverage some generous routing rules via the stopover and open-jaw allowance.

Using Your Thai Airways Miles

Thai Airways Award Charts

Thai Airways has 2 separate award charts — 1 for nonstop trips and 1 for connecting trips through Bangkok. The first award chart is for direct, point-to-point travel with Thai Airways.

Here’s what the first award chart looks like (all prices are one-way):

Thai Airways operates several nonstop flights that don’t touch Bangkok and prices them as follows:

Thai Airways also has separate award charts that include connections in Bangkok. For example, this may include originating in Phuket, taking a short-haul flight to Bangkok, and then a long-haul flight to London.

On the flip side, it may include originating in a city like Frankfurt, taking a long-haul flight to Bangkok, and then a short-haul flight to Chiang Mai.

In both cases, there’s a connection within Bangkok. Usually, the incremental surcharge is an additional 4,000 miles in economy class, 4,500 miles in premium economy class, 5,000 miles in business class, or 7,500 miles in first class.

Here’s the full connecting award chart for one-way flights on Thai Airways:

Note: the award chart for travel with connections in Bangkok does not allow for stopovers.

Star Alliance Airline Partners

Thai Airways has a separate, zone-based award chart for flights that involve Star Alliance airlines. You can freely mix Thai Airways and other Star Alliance airline flights, but the price you’ll pay is dictated by the Star Alliance award chart, shown below.

Thai Airways also has a special award price for connecting Thai Airways flights (no stopover) between Europe and Australia/New Zealand as follows:

Awards Bookable Online vs. Phone

In theory, it’s possible to book both Thai Airways and Star Alliance award flights online, though the clunky online system usually makes calling them a better idea.

Furthermore, you can only search for awards online if you have miles in your account. Therefore, it is recommended to book via a phone call to 800-426-5204.

Award Redemption Rules

Thai Airways indicates that the following rules are applicable for award routing and ticketing for flights on Thai Airways, Star Alliance flights, and Star Alliance Round the World.

For flights on Thai Airways, the following award routing and ticketing rules apply:

• All award travel must be completed within 1 year of the ticket issue date.
• If an award is booked with a Thai Airways office and it is not issued within the ticketing time limit, the booking is canceled automatically. Miles will be re-credited to the relevant amount, minus any expiring miles.
• Before the ticket is issued, you can change the flight dates, routing (same zone), ticket holder name, member, or travel nominee.
• All other changes required re-crediting your mileage (which may take up to 3 business days) and requesting a new award.
• After your ticket is issued, you can change travel dates or flight numbers with a fee, but no other changes are allowed. You must cancel your ticket and request a new award ticket.
• When award tickets are canceled and miles re-credited, any expired miles will not be re-credited.
• Once travel begins on the award ticket, you can’t make any routing changes or cancellations.
• 1 open-jaw at origin is permitted within the same country and zone or 1 open-jaw at point of turnaround is permitted as long as it’s within the same zone and direction.
• Backtracking is permitted on international award travel. Stopovers when backtracking are allowed only on intercontinental travel. 1 stopover is allowed in each direction, subject to a fee.
• A stopover is considered any onward connecting flight more than 24 hours from the previous flight.

For Star Alliance flights, the following routing and ticketing rules apply:

• Thai and Star Alliance awards are applicable for award travel on Thai Airways and Star Alliance airlines.
• Award travel must be on the most direct route possible with a maximum of 4 sectors per itinerary.
• 1 stopover in each direction is permitted. 1 open-jaw at the point of turnaround or origin is also permitted.
• No stopover is permitted in the country of origin or on pure domestic travel.
• Backtracking is only permitted as required by the Star Alliance network and stopovers are not allowed when backtracking.
• Mixed cabin awards are allowed, but the mileage for the highest class will be applied.
• Changing carriers is not allowed after the ticket is issued.
• Reservation changes are subject to service fees.
• For departures 96 hours or more after a booking is confirmed, the ticket must be issued within 72 hours after booking confirmation. For departures less than 96 hours after a booking is confirmed, ticketing is immediate.

Additionally, the following Star Alliance Round the World rules are available:

• Round the World award travel is valid on all Star Alliance flights.
• Award travel must be in a continuous westbound or eastbound direction and return to the country where travel originated.
• Award travel is valid for a minimum of 10 days and a maximum of 1 year from the date travel begins.
• You’re allowed a maximum of 10 stopovers and a minimum of 3 stopovers per journey.
• 1 open-jaw is permitted in addition to stopovers.
• 1 stopover only is allowed in any 1 city.
• 2 stopovers only are allowed in any 1 country.
• No stopovers are allowed in the country of origin.
• Backtracking is only allowed as required by the Star Alliance network.
• Side trips require an additional award or separate paid ticket.
• Connections must be on the first available flight within 24 hours when required by routing and are not considered stopovers.
• No mileage re-credited in part or whole will be allowed after the commencement of travel.

How To Boost Your Thai Airways Miles

Thai Airways’ major transfer partner is Citi ThankYou Rewards. Citi ThankYou Points transfer at a 1:1 ratio and complete in approximately 3-6 business days. The minimum transfer amount is 1,000 Citi ThankYou Points.

Hot Tip: If you’re thinking about racking up Citi ThankYou Points, be sure to check out our detailed guide on earning lots of Citi ThankYou Points.

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Additionally, Marriott Bonvoy is a transfer partner at a 3:1 ratio. You’ll get a bonus of 5,000 Thai Airways miles for every 60,000 Marriott points transferred. This will bring your normal transferred total up from 20,000 miles to 25,000 miles per every 60,000 Marriott points.

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Lastly, you can transfer these hotel points according to this chart:

Even though there are limited transfer partners, you can still earn lots of Thai Airways miles.

The 15 Best Ways To Use Your Thai Airways Miles

Thai Airways has, unfortunately, devalued its mileage programs many times over the past years. Furthermore, each of these devaluations has been severe.

As a result, there’s an unlimited number of terrible redemptions for wasting Thai Airways miles.These redemptions are extremely expensive, and there are very few that provide solid value.

However, we’ve done some extensive research and here’s a comprehensive guide on how to redeem Thai Airways miles for maximum value.

1. Upgrade Thai Airways Economy Tickets to Business Class Between Bangkok and the Middle East (From 34,000 Miles)

One of the best ways to redeem Thai Airways miles is on upgrades. The great news is that with many Thai Airways tickets, you can upgrade from economy to business.

The mileage charge you’ll pay will vary depending on your original ticket’s booking class:

Flights between the Middle East and Bangkok are priced competitively. If you book a Q class ticket from Bangkok to Dubai, it’ll cost around $569 one-way or $974 round-trip. You can then turn around and upgrade each segment to end up with a 6-hour flight each way in business class.

You’ll pay either 34,000 or 38,500 miles for a one-way upgrade, depending on the fare class. However, it’s generally a better idea to get a cheaper economy ticket and pony up a few more miles.

Here’s the exact route redemption:

• Upgrade a one-way $569 Q class Thai Airways ticket from Bangkok (BKK) – Dubai (DXB) for 38,500 miles for 6 hours in lie-flat business class
• Upgrade a round-trip $974 round-trip Q class Thai Airways ticket from Bangkok (BKK) – Dubai (DXB) for 77,000 miles for 12 hours in lie-flat business class

2. Fly Thai Airways First Class One-Way Between Bangkok and Europe (125,000 Miles)

Thai Airways’ first class, offered on several different aircraft, is one of the most elusive awards you can book. They are notorious for last-minute aircraft swaps.

Currently, here are some of the routes that have regularly scheduled services:

• Frankfurt (FRA)
• London-Heathrow (LHR)
• Osaka (KIX)
• Sydney (SYD)
• Tokyo-Haneda (HND)
• Tokyo-Narita (NRT)

Nonetheless, they usually make a maximum of 1 first class seat available in-advance if you’re flexible.

Hot Tip: If you’re flexible, be sure to fly from Bangkok (BKK) to London-Heathrow (LHR) and not the other away around to avoid the $225 U.K. Air Passenger Duty (APD) tax.

Here’s a great example route you can take:

• Bangkok (BKK) – Frankfurt (FRA) one-way in Thai Airways first class for 125,000 miles + ~$246 in taxes and fees
• Bangkok (BKK) – London-Heathrow (LHR) one-way in Thai Airways first class for 125,000 miles + ~$224 in taxes and fees

3. Fly Thai Airways First Class One-Way Between Bangkok and Japan (67,500 Miles)

If you’d like to fly an intra-Asia flight, what better way than to fly from Bangkok to Japan? You’ll be offered a rare opportunity to savor Thai Airways first class on a shorter flight than to Europe.

The points cost will be significantly cheaper. Besides, who doesn’t want to go to Thailand and Japan? Here are some great example routes you can take:

• Bangkok (BKK) – Tokyo-Haneda (HND) one-way in Thai Airways first class for 67,500 miles + ~$100 in taxes and fees
• Tokyo-Haneda (HND) – Bangkok (BKK) one-way in Thai Airways first class for 67,500 miles + ~$114 in taxes and fees
• Bangkok (BKK) – Tokyo-Narita (NRT) one-way in Thai Airways first class for 67,500 miles + ~$100 in taxes and fees
• Tokyo-Narita (NRT) – Bangkok (BKK) one-way in Thai Airways first class for 67,500 miles + ~$114 in taxes and fees
• Bangkok (BKK) – Osaka (KIX) one-way in Thai Airways first class for 67,500 miles + ~$100 in taxes and fees
• Osaka (KIX) – Bangkok (BKK) one-way in Thai Airways first class for 67,500 miles + ~$114 in taxes and fees

4. Fly Thai Airways Business Class One-Way Between Bangkok and Dubai (42,500 Miles)

Remember how we talked about using miles to upgrade flights between Dubai and Bangkok above? Well, you can redeem miles at an attractive price for an outright business class flight.

Here’s the exact redemption you can make:

• Bangkok (BKK) – Dubai (DXB) one-way in Thai Airways business class for 42,500 miles + ~$76 in taxes and fees
• Dubai (DXB) – Bangkok (BKK) one-way in Thai Airways business class for 42,500 miles + ~$85 in taxes and fees

5. Fly Thai Airways Business Class One-Way From Bangkok to Australia or New Zealand (From 47,500 Miles)

Thai Airways separates award prices by destination when flying on Thai Airways. You can fly business class from Bangkok for as little as 47,500 miles. Check out these example redemptions:

• Bangkok (BKK) – Auckland (AKL) one-way in business class for 85,000 miles + ~$157 in taxes and fees
• Auckland (AKL) – Bangkok (BKK) one-way in business class for 85,000 miles + ~$25 in taxes and fees
• Bangkok (BKK) – Brisbane (BNE) one-way in business class for 65,000 miles + ~$$134 in taxes and fees
• Brisbane (BNE) – Bangkok (BKK) one-way in business class for 65,000 miles + ~$67 in taxes and fees
• Bangkok (BKK) – Melbourne (MEL) one-way in business class for 65,000 miles + ~$125 in taxes and fees
• Melbourne (MEL) – Bangkok (BKK) one-way in business class for 65,000 miles + ~$61 in taxes and fees
• Bangkok (BKK) – Perth (PER) one-way in business class for 47,500 miles + ~$105 in taxes and fees
• Perth (PER) – Bangkok (BKK) one-way in business class for 47,500 miles + ~$62 in taxes and fees
• Bangkok (BKK) – Sydney (SYD) one-way in business class for 65,000 miles + ~$157 in taxes and fees
• Sydney (SYD) – Bangkok (BKK) one-way in business class for 65,000 miles + ~$65 in taxes and fees

6. Fly Thai Airways First Class One-Way From Bangkok to Sydney (90,000 Miles)

Thai Airways operates first class flights, which are redeemable for 90,000 miles one-way as follows:

• Bangkok (BKK) – Sydney (SYD) one-way in Thai Airways first class for 90,000 miles + ~$157 in taxes and fees
• Sydney (SYD) – Bangkok (BKK) one-way in Thai Airways first class for 90,000 miles + ~$65 in taxes and fees

Each of these flights is around 9-9.5 hours long, so you’ll experience Thai Airways first class on a true long-haul flight.

7. Fly From the U.S. to Europe or North Africa in Lufthansa First Class (100,000 Miles)

When you collect Thai Airways miles, you’re able to redeem them on Star Alliance partners as well. While booking flights from the U.S. to Europe is generally a terrible definition, you can leverage the lumping of Europe and North Africa together to book additional flights for free.

The only real point redemption you can make in first class is Lufthansa first class. Even so, you can only book a maximum of 2 weeks in advance, though it’ll probably be closer to 2-3 days in advance. Also, Lufthansa doesn’t offer first class to North Africa, so the best you’ll get is business class on your connecting flight from Germany.

Here are some great example redemptions you can make:

• Chicago (ORD) – Munich (MUC) – Marrakesh (RAK) one-way in Lufthansa first class and business class for 100,000 miles + ~$880 in taxes and fees
• San Francisco (SFO) – Frankfurt (FRA) – Cairo (CAI) one-way in Lufthansa first class and business class for 100,000 miles + ~$881 in taxes and fees

8. Fly From the U.S. to Central or South America in United Polaris Class (65,000 Miles)

Another great way to redeem Thai Airways miles is to fly from the U.S. to Central or South America. The best way to fly will probably be United’s Polaris class.

Here are some great example redemptions you can make:

• Houston (IAH) – Buenos Aires (EZE) one-way in United’s 2-4-2 Polaris class for 65,000 miles + ~$29 in taxes and fees
• Houston (IAH) – Rio de Janeiro (GIG) one-way in United’s old Polaris business class for 65,000 miles + ~$29 in taxes and fees
• Houston (IAH) – Santiago (SCL) one-way in United’s old Polaris class for 65,000 miles + ~$29 in taxes and fees
• Newark (EWR) – São Paulo (GRU) one-way in United’s real Polaris class for 65,000 miles + ~$29 in taxes and fees
• Washington, D.C. (IAD) – São Paulo (GRU) one-way in United’s old Polaris business class for 65,000 miles + ~$29 in taxes and fees

9. Leverage the Generous Definition of North America and the Caribbean for Intra-Region Flights in Air Canada Business Class (27,500 Miles)

As we mentioned above, the region of North America and the Caribbean is extremely generous. It includes regions like Aruba, Canada, Cuba, Curaçao, Jamaica, and more.

Believe it or not, Air Canada has some astonishing connectivity to the Caribbean, primarily from Toronto (YYZ). When you couple these 2 facts together, you can book some great seats in lie-flat business class that would otherwise be extremely cash-intensive.

Here are some great example routes you can take:

• Montreal (YUL) – Curaçao (CUR) one-way in Air Canada business class for 27,500 miles + ~$122 in taxes and fees
• Toronto (YYZ) – Bridgetown (BGI) one-way in Air Canada business class for 27,500 miles + ~$117 in taxes and fees
• Toronto (YYZ) – Port of Spain (POS) one-way in Air Canada business class for 27,500 miles + ~$106 in taxes and fees

10. Fly From Northern South America to Southern South America in Avianca Business Class (27,500 Miles)

Yet another generous zone definition is “Central and South America.” Oddly enough, Thai Airways considers Mexico as part of this region, which means we can build some valuable itineraries.

Check out these example redemptions:

• Cancun (CUN) – Lima (LIM) – Asunción (ASU) one-way in Avianca business class for 27,500 miles + ~$122 in taxes and fees with a stopover in Lima (LIM)
• Mexico City (MEX) – Bogota (BOG) – Montevideo (MVD) one-way in Avianca business class for 27,500 miles + ~$189 in taxes and fees with a stopover in Bogota (BOG)

11. Fly Within Oceania and New Zealand in Air New Zealand Business Class (27,500 Miles)

Air New Zealand is a full-fledged Star Alliance partner, which means you can redeem Thai Airways miles for flights on Air New Zealand.

The best value is to leverage intra-region flights for Oceania and New Zealand. Here are some great example routes you can take for fully lie-flat business class seats:

• Auckland (AKL) – Apia (APW) one-way in Air New Zealand business class for 27,500 miles + ~$25 in taxes and fees
• Auckland (AKL) – Nadi (NAN) one-way in Air New Zealand business class for 27,500 miles + ~$25 in taxes and fees
• Auckland (AKL) – Rarotonga, Cook Islands (RAR) one-way in Air New Zealand business class for 27,500 miles + ~$25 in taxes and fees
• Auckland (AKL) – Tahiti (PPT) one-way in Air New Zealand business class for 27,500 miles + ~$25 in taxes and fees

12. Fly 6 Hours Non-Stop in Business Class Within Central and South Africa (27,500 Miles)

Just like all the other generously defined regions in Thai Airways’ Star Alliance award chart, you can get some value in Africa, too! Specifically, within the large “Central and South Africa” area.

You can get up to 6 hours in lie-flat business class on some of these great example redemptions:

• Cape Town (CPT) – Addis Ababa (ADD) one-way in Ethiopian Airlines business class for 27,500 miles + ~$75 in taxes and fees
• Johannesburg (JNB) – Accra (ACC) one-way in South African Airways business class for 27,500 miles + ~$172 in taxes and fees
• Johannesburg (JNB) – Lagos (LOS) one-way in South African Airways business class for 27,500 miles + ~$162 in taxes and fees

13. Fly Between Hawaii and Guam in United Business Class (27,500 Miles)

United Airlines offers business class seats on its 7-hour nonstop flight between Hawaii and Guam. Cash tickets are expensive and the business class is the dorm-style business class seats in a 2-4-2 configuration.

However, it’s still a lie-flat seat, which can make a big difference on such a long flight.

Here’s the redemption you’d be making:

• Guam (GUM) – Honolulu (HNL) one-way in United’s 2-4-2 Polaris business class for 27,500 miles + $177 in taxes and fees
• Honolulu (HNL) – Guam (GUM) one-way in United’s 2-4-2 Polaris business class for 27,500 miles + ~$37 in taxes and fees

14. Try a Domestic Lie-Flat First Class Flight on Air China (35,000 Miles)

Air China offers first class flights, even on domestic China routes. Its first class product aboard the 777-300ER is a stylish and luxurious way to make short Star Alliance trips in North Asia.

If you book using Thai Airways miles, you’ll redeem as little as 35,000 miles for Air China first class. The only challenge is finding routes that offer first class within this zone definition.

Here is a great example redemption you can make:

• Beijing (PEK) – Urumqi (URC) one-way in Air China first class for 35,000 miles + ~$7 in taxes and fees

15. Book Economy Tickets Wholly Within North America and the Caribbean on United (17,500 Miles)

United Airlines offers exceptional connectivity within North America and the Caribbean, which means that you can book some expensive economy tickets for as little as 17,500 miles solely within the region.

The reason this is great news is that United’s flights are often cash-intensive, especially if you’re traveling to a little-known island in the Caribbean.

Here are some great example nonstop routes you can take:

• Chicago (ORD) – Aruba (AUA) one-way in United economy for 17,500 miles + ~$39 in taxes and fees
• Chicago (ORD) – St. Lucia (UVF) one-way in United economy for 17,500 miles + ~$34 in taxes and fees
• Houston (IAH) – Grand Cayman (GCM) one-way in United economy for 17,500 miles + ~$29 in taxes and fees
• Houston (IAH) – Turks & Caicos (PLS) one-way in United economy for 17,500 miles + ~$29 in taxes and fees
• Newark (EWR) – Antigua (ANU) one-way in United economy for 17,500 miles + ~$65 in taxes and fees
• Newark (EWR) – St. Kitts (SKB) one-way in United economy for 17,500 miles + ~$39 in taxes and fees
• Washington, D.C. (IAD) – Punta Cana (PUJ) one-way in United economy for 17,500 miles + ~$70 in taxes and fees
• Washington, D.C. (IAD) – St. Thomas (STT) one-way in United economy for 17,500 miles + ~$29 in taxes and fees

Final Thoughts

Yes, it’s absolutely true that Thai Airways miles have been devalued many times of the years. Yes, using Thai Airways miles is actually quite difficult in practice.

However, if you find yourself accruing a bunch of Thai Airways miles, it’s totally feasible to get great value from your miles.

The absolute worst redemption value and craziest redemption prices belong to long-haul routes. However, if you’re open to medium- or short-haul flights, you can actually get some excellent value for your Thai Airways miles.

Of course, you’re essentially limited to Thai Airway’s Star Alliance partners, but you should be able to find an itinerary that works for you.

Now, you have an idea of some of the best ways to redeem Thai Airways miles for maximum value!