Ok..so.. Im trying to go to Thailand to visit some family and I have Delta benefits. The flights look good on delta to just do the standard non-rev routine to get over there. My main concern is coming home. The flights look tight and so I'm considering purchasing a ZED fare in case I dont make it on Delta and I have to go on an Asian carrier. I know where and how to buy ZED fares but what kind do I need and what do they need to say. Im trying to go from Thailand to anywhere in the US, and I might have to connect through somewhere in Korea or China, on an Asian carrier, if all the flights through Tokyo are full. So Im looking for advise on how to get home from Thailand using ZED's. Thanks guys

 

I would buy the zed fare in advance in the U.S. I beleive you can get a refund if you don't use it.

 

From BKK you might be better off going the other way. What kind of pass agreement do you have with KLM?

ZED fares are less expensive than an ID75, but they aren't exactly cheap either. And usually only completely unused ones are refundable. The higher the segment mileage, the higher the fare. So find segments that will get you back on your own carrier. If NRT-US looks bad, do you have segments out of PEK that are open (and if so do you have a visa to enter the PRC? Or any other nation you might need to transit homeward?)

I would assume that each int'l ZED pass would require specific city pairs. And obviously each will be airline specific as well (ie get 2 different passes for BKK-SEL one each on Thai and KAL, or BKK-HKG with Cathay and Dragon, etc).
Check with your pass bureau, they are usually knowledgeable about such things and can give good advice, specific to your carrier.

I'd look closely at flying over AMS or FRA, or even Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

Luck!

 

Buy the ZED fare from your airline while you are here. If you don't use it, it should be fully refundable, or if you don't use a part of it. For example you fly one leg, then are able to JS on Delta back, the rest of your ZED on the carrier you booked it on should be refundable.

When you buy the ZED fare they will ask you where you are going and what airline you want to buy the ZED fare on. Tell them what airline, where you want to connect, etc. etc. You can list on www.flyzed.com or you can usually call the airline to list as well ahead of time. Good luck.

 

An option to consider is buying a zed to ICN (there are several flights a day to pick from) and then taking one of the cargo airlines from ICN to the USA, which will almost always be a confirmed seat and free. You'll probably need to exit immigration and take a taxi to the cargo ramp, or perhaps meet the crew at their hotel if you feel like visiting Korea for a day.

 

take delta to NRT and then zed on ANA or Thai to BKK. they have plenty of flights but you do have to buy the ticket city pairing specific. Last time i was stuck in BKK i had a zed on ANA and got on the first flight they had. it was under 70 usd for the zed. NRT has enough flights to the US you wont have any problem there.

 

umm hmm, visit family huh. zed fares are fully refundable. It will be credited back to your card within a month or so!