Well Known Discounted Air Line

[Jiu-Jitsu]

a well-known discounted airline currently has a range of flights at from 590 baht (plus usual fees, airport tax etc which always apply) for people who plan in advance, flights Sept 6 - Nov 16

Obviously another cunning plot to rob people

from 590b

- Fly from Bangkok to: Chiang Rai Chiang Mai Ubon Ratchathani Udon Thani Phuket Nakhon Si Thammarat Krabi Surat Thani Narathiwat Phnom Penh Yangon Penang Hanoi Ho Chi Minh City Singapore Delhi Kolkata Guangzhou Shenzhen

- Fly from Phuket to: Udon Thani Ubon Ratchathani Singapore Hong Kong Bali

-Fly from Chiang Mai to: Phuket Hat Yai Singapore

Is that on their website? Can't see it anywhere.

Look here

[endure]

Look here

Cheers.

[erikr_]

AA site is a bit of a trick, but I can now use my SCB ATM card online so I am stoked on that.

BKKBURNING,

I have always used an Australian Visa card. Can you elaborate on the use of the SCB ATM card please? What do I have to do in order to use my SCB ATM card for inet bookings? thanks.

According to the AA Web you actually pay by using a one off direct debit, not a debit card, it actually says:

Note: Ownership of a debit card does not quantify use of the direct debit online payment. You must have a valid online banking account to proceed. Once you've selected your bank, you'll be automatically connected to the online banking log-in screen. Failure to complete the online transaction will result in your booking being cancelled.

just managed to do 2 bookings, with the luggage allowance I want and need without insurrance and without seats, using scb atm card (and linked e-banking) so did also not have to pay 200 baht cc fee. After reading all these posts I feel like a wizzkid now you guys made my day

[tootall]

I was thinking of booking with Air Asia for an upcoming jolly to Hong Kong.

Now I am put right off the idea.

So if not them, can anybody suggest the next best/cheapest option? (BKK-HK return)

Be serious. Try going in to a travel agent and asking a similar question. What is the first question they will ask?

Pass............. What is the first question they will ask?

Unless you mean "Do you want the next best or next cheapest?"

I also concur about Air Asia. I tried to book a flight from BKK to Udon on the internet with Air Asia and was met with a maze of extra charges that I could not book the tixs. Every time I tried to decline the extra charges I could not finish transaction. As stated before maybe go to travel agent or I find an airline ticket office to shop for best deal. I found that I get a better deal on Thai Airlines if I go to their tixs office than I can online.

[Ricardo]

a well-known discounted airline currently has a range of flights at from 590 baht (plus usual fees, airport tax etc which always apply) for people who plan in advance, flights Sept 6 - Nov 16

Obviously another cunning plot to rob people

from 590b

- Fly from Bangkok to: Chiang Rai Chiang Mai Ubon Ratchathani Udon Thani Phuket Nakhon Si Thammarat Krabi Surat Thani Narathiwat Phnom Penh Yangon Penang Hanoi Ho Chi Minh City Singapore Delhi Kolkata Guangzhou Shenzhen

- Fly from Phuket to: Udon Thani Ubon Ratchathani Singapore Hong Kong Bali

-Fly from Chiang Mai to: Phuket Hat Yai Singapore

The operative weasel-word here is "from" !

[SwaziBird]

I always seem to manage to book the flights I want with the luggage I want and the seats I want without being lumbered with any superfluous charges. What am I doing wrong?

Same here!. Have booked many times with Air Asia, and have found no problems with their booking system, usually takes about 15 minutes and have never been trapped with the extra add-ons they sell. Have even managed to upgrade my baggage rate for a return journey with no problems, then lost the print out, and still had no problems with the check in.

Have found them to be a competent and easily dealt with company. Maybe there is something wrong with me too.

Ditto ! Love 'em ! I'm only too happy to pay their small extras and come away with extra money in my pocket at my destination.

Cheers.

[PattayaParent]

a well-known discounted airline currently has a range of flights at from 590 baht (plus usual fees, airport tax etc which always apply) for people who plan in advance, flights Sept 6 - Nov 16

Obviously another cunning plot to rob people

from 590b

- Fly from Bangkok to: Chiang Rai Chiang Mai Ubon Ratchathani Udon Thani Phuket Nakhon Si Thammarat Krabi Surat Thani Narathiwat Phnom Penh Yangon Penang Hanoi Ho Chi Minh City Singapore Delhi Kolkata Guangzhou Shenzhen

- Fly from Phuket to: Udon Thani Ubon Ratchathani Singapore Hong Kong Bali

-Fly from Chiang Mai to: Phuket Hat Yai Singapore

The operative weasel-word here is "from" !

You mean that same word that ALL airlines use when advertising.

[Atmos]

what other sites offer comparisons on flight costs?

I have used http://www.skyscanner.net/ in the past, the only catch is that it often does not include 'special/doscounted' fares that an airline may be offering on their own websites

As I am generally flexible on dates, and 6 or more months in advance, I use the 'month' option to find the cheapest days to fly

Is there a better site for similar comparisons?

[4evermaat]

I just got done booking a flight to penang. The AirAsia booking site could be much more straight-forward ordering system. But they were the cheapest (only) direct flight option to penang, and the price was acceptable considering only 4 days advance notice. What else was I to do?

I ended up getting to the end and having to restart for unknown reasons. It was annoying, but I got faster each time and then the debit card declined the first time, but went through the second time with the exact same details....

Perhaps use compatibility mode if using IE 9 browser would have helped. But I have experienced technical issues with their site before with firefox as well.

I will say in their defense that they explain each charge and confirm acceptance before you continue to the next step. The insurance option the cancel button is a little more hidden, but it's there along with all the other add-ons. Plus you have the review page to review all of the charges, fees, and final fee INCLUDING credit card fee is available right before you pay. I don't see how they victimize anyone; but I can see how someone rushing through or an older person could easily miss one without double-checking each step. It's like looking before you turn or cross the street.

You write your letter to support and hope for the best that someone read it.

Edited August 7, 2011 by 4evermaat

[KED]

I also fly Air Asia regularly and although I understand how to decline the travel insurance and to correctly choose the baggage i need and to choose a seat assignment, it is aggravating that the website is so unfriendly. I don't mind the actual travel on AA; however, if Thai or Bangkok Airways or other airlines are close to the same fare, I book them.

Unfortunately, I find that Thai is rarely competitive. I have noticed lately that Bangkok Airways has had similar prices in the Bangkok - Chiang Mai market.

I appreciate that Air Asia has mostly lowered the prices for regional flying, but I don't see how their incessant add-ons contribute to costumer loyalty.

[surangw]

if the put as much effort into quality service as they spend in trying to fool the consumers they mite have something to offer

[roamer]

Personally I don't find it that difficult to navigate the website. Then again nor should I, I spend my days at a keyboard and earn my living that way. However as I posted on AA some time ago there are reasons why you should take caution when booking AA flights.

1.) They are a point-to-point airline. If its uneconomical for them to operate a flight its not unknown for them to cancel the flight and you have to take a later flight. This may just cause you a few hours delay, however if your using them to make an international connection be very wary.

2.) NEVER turn up late for your flight. We missed the cut-off time in Bali by 5 minutes and were turned away. Had to go to Garuda counter and pay £300 to fly to Singapore. We still took off before the Air Asia flight which was delayed and landed in Singapore 2 hours later. You might wonder why if the flight was delayed they did not allow us to board ? I believe, but can't prove, that by operating this policy it allows them to sell on the seats to people that they refused boarding to earlier flights for the same reason, that is a well known Ryanair ploy.

Incidently on our flight to Bali from KL we were refused boarding as we arrived at the gate over 45 minutes late, we were in fact told the flight had departed We then asked for a refund only to be told that we could not receive a refund as it was our fault we were late. We played our trump card, the reason we were late was that the connecting AA flight from Langkawi was 2 hours late. Suddenly it turned out the flight had not departed, they could check our bags through instantly and escort us through to the gate.

To sum up, I would say AA offer good value provided you check them out against other carriers but be aware of the pitfalls.