What happened
Thai Airways emailed Royal Orchid Plus members on 5 August 2026 that status-qualification changes due that morning were postponed until further notice. No new date was given. The airline did not explain why the rules were pulled the morning they were due to start.
A month earlier Thai had unveiled easier elite qualification at a 33rd-anniversary event billed as a new chapter for Royal Orchid Plus. The delayed package was supposed to make it simpler to earn or keep status using qualifying miles. The same July pitch also covered extra bonus miles from 1 January 2027 and a move to 10-digit membership numbers.
Members earning or retaining elite status still have to meet the old Royal Orchid Plus criteria until Thai names a new effective date. Thai told members to call its contact center if the delay affected travel plans. Keep qualifying under current thresholds until Thai sets a fresh start date.
- Announced
- Aug 5, 2026
- Who qualifies
- Royal Orchid Plus members, including those earning or retaining Silver, Gold or Platinum status
- Takeaway
- Do not treat the easier status rules as live; keep qualifying under current thresholds and wait for a fresh start date.