Thailand Elite Family Excursion visa: discontinued 5-year bundle and Platinum or Diamond in 2026
Elite Family Excursion was Thailand's mid-tier family bundle under the old Elite programme; popular with couples and parents who wanted five years of linked visas in one payment. The package is discontinued; new family applications run through Thailand Privilege Platinum or Diamond add-ons.
At Thai Visa Centre in Bangkok we explain what Family Excursion covered, how it differed from Family Alternative and Family Premium, and which 2026 tier fits the same travel pattern. For the main programme overview see comprehensive Thailand Elite guide.
Multiple-entry Privilege visa per family member under the old Family Excursion structure.
Family Excursion, Family Alternative, and Family Premium are retired, apply under current tiers.
10-year tier at 1,500,000 THB primary with 1,000,000 THB per family add-on in 2026.
Combined immigration review per nationality mix; allow 1–3 months end to end including affixation.
What was Elite Family Excursion?
Elite Family Excursion (EFE) targeted small families; often two adults, sometimes with children; who needed multiple-entry long-stay status without the higher cost of 10- or 20-year legacy tiers.
Family Excursion was shorter and cheaper upfront than Elite Family Alternative but offered a longer horizon than two separate Easy Access memberships. All three legacy family packages closed to new sales on 1 October 2023.
Not available for new enrolment: Family Excursion is discontinued. There is no five-year family bundle in the 2026 catalogue; the shortest family-capable path is Platinum with paid add-ons for spouse and children.
Documented legacy terms
These figures reflect documented legacy terms before closure, not current pricing. Use them only to understand old brochures and forum posts.
| Feature | Family Excursion (legacy) |
|---|---|
| Validity | 5 years multiple-entry for each enrolled family member. |
| Base fee | Approximately 800,000 THB for two people under documented legacy terms. |
| Additional member | Approximately 300,000 THB each for spouse or qualifying child. |
| Perks | Fast track, EPL concierge, and fixed benefit bundles from the pre-Privilege Points era. |
| Status | New sales ended June 2023; programme-wide legacy closure from 1 October 2023. |
Official mapping to current tiers
Thailand Privilege Card Co. lists Family Excursion successors as Platinum or Diamond family add-ons. Bronze and Gold remain primary-member only, not substitutes for Family Excursion.
| Current tier | Validity | Primary fee | Family add-on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platinum | 10 years | 1,500,000 THB | 1,000,000 THB each |
| Diamond | 15 years | 2,500,000 THB | 1,500,000 THB each |
| Gold / Bronze | 5 years | 900k / 650k THB | Primary-member only, no family add-ons |
Live fees: thailandprivilege.co.th/home.
Who should choose Platinum vs Diamond today?
Families comparing legacy Family Excursion pricing should focus on validity horizon and cost per year, not the old 800,000 THB two-person headline fee.
Platinum for couples
Fits couples who would have bought Family Excursion for a five-year school cycle or posting but can budget the step up to ten years. Better cost per year than repeating tourist visas.
Diamond for school planning
Fits families enrolling children for secondary school or planning 15 years before university abroad; closer to the set-and-forget spirit of old family packages.
Family Excursion vs Platinum, cost reality
You pay more total today but gain double the validity and the Privilege Points system. Higher current fees reflect rebranded programme economics, not a like-for-like price match.
| Aspect | Family Excursion (legacy, 2 people) | Platinum (2026, 2 people) |
|---|---|---|
| Total fee (2 people) | ~800,000 THB | 2,500,000 THB (1.5M + 1M) |
| Validity | 5 years | 10 years |
| Per year (approx.) | 160,000 THB/yr | 250,000 THB/yr |
| Points | Legacy fixed perks | 35/year (primary Platinum) |
Example: primary member on Platinum (1.5M THB) + spouse add-on (1M THB) = 2.5M THB for two people over 10 years. For detailed tier math see our Elite visa cost guide.
Existing Family Excursion members
- Active EFE cardholders retain original validity and benefits until expiry under legacy contract terms.
- Renewal into Family Excursion is not available; plan upgrade or current-tier renewal at expiry.
- Upgrade to Gold, Platinum, Diamond, or Reserve may be available under Thailand Privilege legacy upgrade tables.
- Some historical promotions waived the 100,000 THB upgrade admin fee; contact the member centre before assuming waivers still apply.
What each family member gets in 2026
On Platinum or Diamond with add-ons, each enrolled family member receives programme-wide immigration perks linked to the primary account.
- Individual Privilege visa sticker for each enrolled family member.
- Fast-track immigration at major Thai international airports.
- EPL assistance: 90-day reporting, TM30 guidance, licence and bank coordination.
- Privilege Points on the primary account (35 or 55 per year) redeemable for transfers, health, and leisure.
Dependents do not always receive separate point pools; redemption is typically through the primary membership.
Application steps for families (2026)
Allow 1–3 months end to end from submission to visa affixation. See our how to get a Thailand Elite visa guide for affixation options at embassy, airport, or Chaeng Wattana.
Select Platinum or Diamond
Choose the tier that matches your family horizon. There is no five-year family bundle in the 2026 catalogue. Platinum is the shortest family-capable path at ten years.
Gather relationship documents
Passport copies for all members with 1+ year validity recommended. Marriage certificate and/or children birth certificates authenticated for Thai immigration if issued abroad.
Submit via authorised GSSA
Complete Privilege application listing primary member and dependents. Disclose prior Thai visas and overstays for each applicant, screening is per passport.
Complete background screening
Thailand Privilege forwards files to immigration. Typical turnaround is 4–6 weeks per nationality mix, longer for selected passports.
Pay primary and add-on fees
Upon written approval, pay combined membership fees directly to Thailand Privilege Card Co. Confirm tier math before signing.
Affix visas with EPL coordination
Families often batch affixation at Chaeng Wattana Immigration with EPL escort. Embassy and airport affixation remain available abroad.
Common mistakes
- Expecting an 800,000 THB two-person quote in 2026. Those are legacy Family Excursion figures only.
- Putting only one parent on Elite while children overstay tourist entries; creates compliance risk for the household.
- Skipping relationship documents; marriage and birth certificates are required; screening delays follow missing proof.
- Forgetting each child needs 90-day reporting once in country long term. Privilege does not exempt individual reporting.
- Assuming Bronze or Gold covers dependents; both are primary-member only; families need Platinum minimum with add-on fees.
Family Excursion vs other legacy family packages
Family Excursion sat between Family Alternative and Easy Access in the old catalogue. Understanding the three retired family tiers helps you interpret agent brochures and forum posts from 2018–2023.
| Legacy package | Validity | 2026 successor |
|---|---|---|
| Family Excursion | 5 years | Platinum or Diamond family add-ons |
| Family Alternative | 10 years | Platinum family add-ons |
| Family Premium | 20 years | Reserve or Diamond |
Compare Family Alternative details in our Family Alternative guide.
Frequently asked questions
Q:Is Family Excursion still sold?
A:No. It was discontinued for new sales in mid-2023 alongside programme-wide legacy closure on 1 October 2023. New family applications run through Platinum or Diamond family add-ons.
Q:What is the closest five-year family option?
A:There is none in the current catalogue. Two separate Gold memberships is possible but lacks formal family linkage, costs 1.8M THB combined, and provides no shared Privilege Points pool.
Q:Can we upgrade from Family Excursion?
A:Existing members may upgrade subject to current Thailand Privilege rules and legacy upgrade tables. New applicants should start fresh on Platinum or Diamond, not Family Excursion by name.
Q:Are domestic helpers covered?
A:No. Only qualifying dependents per programme relationship rules; typically spouse and children under age limits; are eligible for family add-ons.
Q:How does Platinum compare on cost per year?
A:Legacy Family Excursion for two people cost about 160,000 THB per year over five years. Platinum for two costs about 250,000 THB per year over ten years with double the validity and Privilege Points.
Q:Should we choose Diamond instead of Platinum?
A:Diamond suits families wanting 15-year certainty; common when enrolling children in international schools. Compare cost per year against Platinum plus a mid-term renewal plan.
Q:Do dependents receive their own Privilege Points?
A:Dependents do not always receive separate point pools; redemption is typically through the primary membership account via the Privilege app.
Q:How does Family Excursion differ from Family Alternative?
A:Family Excursion was the shorter five-year family bundle at lower upfront cost. Family Alternative offered ten years at higher per-person fees. Both are retired. See our Family Alternative guide for the 10-year legacy tier.