Thai Airways is the main airliner for Thailand and a member of Star Alliance. The airline is very well known in the airline industry, mostly for its outstanding first class product. From its hubs in Bangkok and Phuket, THAI flies to over 101 destinations in 37 countries.

See our best credit card bonuses here.

Royal Orchid Plus is the frequent flyer program. The miles you earn can be used for award flights, upgrades and excess baggage on THAI flights, as well as lounge access. Also, you can transfer your Citi ThankYou® Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy points to Royal Orchid Plus miles. Continue reading to learn more.

Royal Orchid Plus Quick Facts

Royal Orchid Plus Elite Status

When you join Royal Orchid Plus, you’ll automatically become a Blue member. Move up status tiers when you collect enough Qualifying Miles within a 12-month or 24 month period after enrollment. Q Miles are the actual miles flow and additional class of service miles on THAI, THAI Smile and Star Alliance airlines.

*Or, fly 40 international sectors on Thai Airways within a 12-month rolling period.

Status benefits include:

Earning Royal Orchid Plus

Earning Royal Orchid Plus Miles with Citi ThankYou Rewards

One of the easiest ways to earn Royal Orchid Plus Miles as an American is by transferring your Citi ThankYou® Rewards points. Citi Prestige® Credit Card points transfer at a 2:1 ratio, while Citi Premier® Card transfer at a 3:1 ratio.

MARRIOTT BONVOY BRILLIANT AMERICAN EXPRESS CARDMARRIOTT BONVOY BOUNDLESS CREDIT CARDMARRIOTT BONVOY BUSINESS AMERICAN EXPRESS CARDMARRIOTT BONVOY BOLD AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card offers 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Each Card renewal year, get up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year (up to $25 per month) for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide. With this card, you'll earn: • 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. • 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines. • 2X points on all other eligible purchases. • $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card at restaurants worldwide. A Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite member will earn 50% more points on eligible purchases at participating hotels for each U.S. dollar or the currency equivalent that is incurred and paid for by the member. Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($120) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck. $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card. This card comes with a $650 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. However, you can receive 1 free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy(R). Certain hotels have resort fees. (See Rates & Fees) Furthermore, enjoy unlimited airport lounge visits when you enroll in Priority Pass Select membership. Terms Apply. Click here to learn how to apply

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card offers 3 Free Night Awards up to a 150,000 Total Point Value (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. You'll earn: • Up to 17X total points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy • 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining. • 2X points for every $1 spent on all other purchase • 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend. You gain an automatic Silver Elite Status each account anniversary year. Path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each account year. You'll receive 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year & an additional Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary. This card does carry a $95 fee; there are no foreign transaction fees. Click here to learn how to apply

The Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card offers 3 Free Night Awards after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Each Free Night Award has a redemption level up to 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, for a total potential value of up to 150,000 points, at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Certain hotels have resort fees. Terms apply. Receive a 7% discount on eligible bookings as a benefit of being both a Marriott Bonvoy member & a Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card Member when you book directly with Marriott through an eligible channel for a participating property under the Amex Business Card Rate. You can enjoy a complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card. You'll earn: • 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. • 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. • 2x points on all other eligible purchases. You'll receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Certain hotels have resort fees. This card does carry a $125 annual fee. (See Rates & Fees) Terms Apply. Click here to learn how to apply

The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® credit card offers 60,000 Points + 1 Free Night after spending $2,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months from account opening with the newly enhanced Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Card. 1 Free Night valued up to 50,000 points. **Certain hotels have resort fees. You'll earn: • Up to 14X total points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy • 2X points for all other travel purchases • 1X points per $1 spent on all other purchases This card comes with no annual fees or foreign transaction fees and you'll get 15 elite night credits each calendar year! Click here to learn how to apply

Redeeming Royal Orchid Plus Miles

Flight awards with THAI and THAI Smile. One-way travel from Bangkok to Thai destinations start at 7,500 miles. Unfortunately, there are no air award options between the United States and Thailand on the Royal Orchid Plus award chart.

Upgrade awards with THAI and THAI Smile. One-sector upgrade from Bangkok to Thai destinations start at 12,000 miles, valid on paid tickets in eligible booking classes. You must request an upgrade more than 24 hours prior to the scheduled flight departure.

Excess baggage awards on THAI-operated flights. Starting at 6,000 miles for an excess of 5kg for flights within Zone 1, from Bangkok to destinations like Cambodia, China, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam. You must check-in at least two hours prior to flight departure.

Lounge access in Bangkok. Royal Orchid Plus Silver members pay 6,500 per entry, plus another 6,500 miles for each accompanying guest. Gold and Platinum members pay 5,500 miles for additional guests per entry.

Royal Orchid Plus Miles expire after 36 months of inactivity. To keep your account active, make sure to earn or burn points at least every three years.

Bottom Line

Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus used to be a great frequent flyer program thanks to their transfer partnerships with Citi ThankYou Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy. However, becase members can’t redeem for Star Alliance partner and hotel awards anymore, it is very difficult to recommend this program unless you live in Thailand.

For a better way to earn miles, check out American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One Rewards, and Chase Ultimate Rewards. For more posts like this, check out our list of credit card bonuses.

TD Bank Promotions: $200, $300, $500 Checking, Savings, Business Bonuses – Ends 1/31/25

Chase Bank Coupon Codes: $100, $200, $300, $400, $500, $700, $1000, $2000, $3000 Checking Bonuses (January 2025)

Chase Private Client Checking $3000 Bonus – Ends 4/16/25

• 1
• 2
• 3
• …
• 9
• ›