[Denver]

Sounds like a bit of a scam there Mark,

Might be worth your while doing the booking yourself over t'internet! That's what they call it in your neck of the woods in't it? I'm from Rochdale mate so get the same hassles.

I am booking from Baghdad so have to use my credit card and don't pick up my tickets until Amman, Jordan. (Then Dubai - Kuala Lumpur - Phuket) Most expensive flight is the Baghdad - Jordan at $570 one way for a 50 minute flight (Take it or leave it) Beats the hell out of a 19 hour drive though, especially out here.

The advice about booking as early as possible is good advice, it does get progressively more expensive as the plane fills up. If you book British Airways (and yes, it can be cheap enough if booked early enough) you get to play with the little man icon (You!) and move yourself around the aircraft until you find a seat you want. Kept me amused for hours.........and hours!...................Anyway.............Moving on.

Gazillions of flights out of BKK into Phuket, never had to wait for more than 3 flights before getting a seat. Failing that, have a stopover in Bangkok and make it part of your holiday. Choose your taxi wisely and he will sort you out with a hotel and be your bestest friend for a couple of days, sell you some of his brothers 'genuine-fake' watches (The Breitlings are good this year) and even insist that he to takes you back for your confirmed flight! Aren't Bangkok taxi drivers brilliant?

I am thinking of starting a thread about "The scams I have used to get a cheap upgrade" Some of the things people have tried are bloody amazing! I always have a crepe bandage in my hand luggage, wack it on in the toilet, limp to check-in - "knee operation Miss, I need the leg room"- a big doleful look and a cheeky grin, yer never know!

Have a great Christmas in the LOS Mark, be good, if not be good at being bad