Each metric is scored 1–5. The overall rating is their average.

Where they fly from, how to earn with them, and who to call when it goes wrong.

Royal Orchid Plus status is earned on qualifying miles over a 12-month period on Thai and Star Alliance carriers, with a 24-month validity once earned. Thai is a Star Alliance member, so Gold and Platinum are Star Alliance Gold. Confirm current thresholds on thaiairways.com.

1. 1Member

   How to earn it

   Free to join.

   What it gets you

   Earn and redeem miles; no elite benefits.

   At the lounge door

   No status lounge access. Lounge entry is by cabin, membership, or a card.

2. 2Silver

   Star Alliance Silver

   How to earn it

   The entry threshold on qualifying miles; numbers on the program's page.

   What it gets you

   Priority check-in and waitlist, an extra bag, a mileage bonus.

   At the lounge door

   No alliance lounge access. Any lounge benefit is the airline's own and only on its own flights.

3. 3Gold

   Star Alliance Gold

   How to earn it

   The next threshold on qualifying miles.

   What it gets you

   Lounge access across Star Alliance, priority everything, a higher bonus.

   At the lounge door

   Thai Royal Orchid lounges with a guest on same-day Thai flights, and Star Alliance Gold lounges, with one guest, whenever you fly a Star Alliance carrier the same day, in any cabin.

4. 4Platinum

   Star Alliance Gold

   How to earn it

   The top threshold on qualifying miles.

   What it gets you

   Top tier: Royal First lounges at Bangkok, the best priority, a dedicated line.

   At the lounge door

   Thai Royal First and Royal Orchid lounges with a guest on same-day Thai flights, and Star Alliance Gold lounges, with one guest, whenever you fly a Star Alliance carrier the same day, in any cabin.

The average value of a point, in the currency you spend.

Airports and terminals Thai Airways International serves, from the lounges it operates there.

• CDGParis Charles de GaulleTerminal 1
• FRAFrankfurt AirportTerminal 1 (B)
• HKGHong Kong InternationalTerminal 1
• ICNIncheon InternationalTerminal 1
• MELMelbourne AirportTerminal 2 (International)
• MUCMunich AirportTerminal 2
• NRTTokyo Narita InternationalTerminal 1
• SINSingapore ChangiTerminal 2
• ZRHZurich AirportTerminal E

Tips, corrections, and what it was like when you were there.