Airasia Fake Prices

[blossombkk]

You have to hunt the site and find the exact date that offers that price. It might only be one day.

I did, each day separately. and if you read my post, i even spoke to an agent about it, who admitted the price didn't exist although it's on promotion, and it's there only to draw attention!!!

[Nip]

Right.

So that's resolved then. It isn't a scam at all and the Air Aisa rep was quite right - the OP not only doesn't understand the business and, in addition, can't read.

Its posts like this that has Thai Visa touted as the Fools Forum ...

[MegaRanter]

Blossom, you sure will never get it.

Go buy your own gulfstream.

[bangkokgabe]

I wonder how a topic as such get some of you on your toes ,to the extent of judging my general abilities. I myself travel airasia occasionally and enjoy it. frequently on the higher price. I just don't think they should advertise a lower price just "to draw the attention" as the agent said, and then have me book it on a triple price.

It's called a "loss leader." An illegal (USA) advertising in which the advertiser promotes a product that he either doesn't have/offer, or, is in such limited quality that virtually no one can attain it. A pretty crappy practice. All airlines, foreign and domestic, seem to use this ploy. I've been susceptible to it in the USA as much, as more than, in Asia

[wump]

You have to hunt the site and find the exact date that offers that price. It might only be one day.

I did, each day separately. and if you read my post, i even spoke to an agent about it, who admitted the price didn't exist although it's on promotion, and it's there only to draw attention!!!

Maybe you need to stop believing every word you hear. I have spoken to Thai customer service representatives all over the place and they will tell you anything ("no have", "finish", "yes", etc) just to get out of a conversation or because they cannot admit that they don't know something (loss of face). I have flown Airasia from Australia to Europe and back virtually for free so I know that their advertised fares do exist, however

- they are more than likely sold out within the first few minutes. Because the servers don't work during a sale (overload), use their mobile page instead

- Airasia credit card holders get priority booking I think one or two days before the fares go on sale to the public. It is possible that some fares have been already snapped up by then (I do agree that the fare shouldn't be advertised to the public then)

In ALL communication with Airasia I have always received the true bookable prices stating the destinations. I think a practice like the one described in the OP would be deceptive, maybe he can post a screenshot of the email?

And by the way, it could have simply been an error. Airasia usually doesn't advertise fares from 790 baht when in reality they are from 1990 baht.

Edited April 22, 2012 by MaikB84

[Pinot]

AirAsia has without a doubt the most devious bassackwards website in the biz. I'm used to it now. I use them so much I'm wise to their <deleted>. Charges for Insurance, meals, picking your seat, don't even think about trying to correct something once you've started. Just go back to the beginning and start again. I hate AirAsia and use them all the time. Bought a ticket this morning. Hate em.

[saroq]

I just looked at this sale, wanted to book BKK to Penang but Penang wasn't part of the sale.

BKK - Colombo isn't 790, it's listed at 1990. 790 is only for certain domestic destinations. It is pretty clear on the air asia website.

Just looked at the mail again. It lists all destination for the low fare. Colombo IS one of them. It's true that when you get in to book your flight, fares start at 1990tb. Looks to me like a scam though.

I just looked at the website and you can get flights for 1990 baht, not the 790 bath as advertised so your right but holy crap you've got to be pretty hard up to complain about a flight from Bangkok to Colombo costing you US$64 each way.

[wump]

I just looked at this sale, wanted to book BKK to Penang but Penang wasn't part of the sale.

BKK - Colombo isn't 790, it's listed at 1990. 790 is only for certain domestic destinations. It is pretty clear on the air asia website.

Just looked at the mail again. It lists all destination for the low fare. Colombo IS one of them. It's true that when you get in to book your flight, fares start at 1990tb. Looks to me like a scam though.

I just looked at the website and you can get flights for 1990 baht, not the 790 bath as advertised so your right but holy crap you've got to be pretty hard up to complain about a flight from Bangkok to Colombo costing you US$64 each way.

Actually its 23$ (700 Baht) less as Airasia doesn't get to keep the Thai departure tax. So what OP really wants is a flight for 3$ (so 90 baht as in 790 baht all-in fare minus airport tax).

[blossombkk]

I just looked at this sale, wanted to book BKK to Penang but Penang wasn't part of the sale.

BKK - Colombo isn't 790, it's listed at 1990. 790 is only for certain domestic destinations. It is pretty clear on the air asia website.

Just looked at the mail again. It lists all destination for the low fare. Colombo IS one of them. It's true that when you get in to book your flight, fares start at 1990tb. Looks to me like a scam though.

I just looked at the website and you can get flights for 1990 baht, not the 790 bath as advertised so your right but holy crap you've got to be pretty hard up to complain about a flight from Bangkok to Colombo costing you US$64 each way.

That's not it at all. I'm NOT complaining about the price AT ALL!!! my complaint is re misleading info. how can I put it simpler.

I love airasia. travel with them a lot. appreciate their low fares! but they have to stick to factual prices. they can have me to colombo for 3000 bt too. that's not the point at all!!!

[blazes]

AirAsia has without a doubt the most devious bassackwards website in the biz. I'm used to it now. I use them so much I'm wise to their <deleted>. Charges for Insurance, meals, picking your seat, don't even think about trying to correct something once you've started. Just go back to the beginning and start again. I hate AirAsia and use them all the time. Bought a ticket this morning. Hate em.

If you're willing to go through all that <deleted> just to save a thousand baht here or there, it says a lot about the state of your bank account.

[wump]

AirAsia has without a doubt the most devious bassackwards website in the biz. I'm used to it now. I use them so much I'm wise to their <deleted>. Charges for Insurance, meals, picking your seat, don't even think about trying to correct something once you've started. Just go back to the beginning and start again. I hate AirAsia and use them all the time. Bought a ticket this morning. Hate em.

If you're willing to go through all that <deleted> just to save a thousand baht here or there, it says a lot about the state of your bank account.

So it is such a big deal for you to pay 1000 baht plus a couple of other clearly indicated fees that add up to perhaps 500 baht and then simply book? You rather fly Bangkok Air for 3000 baht for basically the same flight you could have with Airasia? Airasia uses brandnew planes and if you arrive early or late or check-in online you can jump the queues (really the only negative thing I found is the long waiting lines but I had that happen with 5-star airlines too).

Edited April 22, 2012 by MaikB84

[tartempion]

This whole topic is another reminder of why it is always better to pay full price with Thai Air (or whoever) than deal with these airlines whose founders are no better than London barrow boys.

Whether it's RyanAir or Easyjet or all the other cheapo airlines, buying cheap is buying dear.

Rubbish, I have paid and flown many Air Asia flights for around 150 baht return, still have a few to go later this year and early 2013.

It's a question of booking their promotions and planning 9 months in advance, and I pay trough direct debit, not with cc.

[blossombkk]

To all of us who would like to be a smart consumers let me say this: airasia doesn't need representatives. it does very well for themselves.

when advertise from xxx bt that should mean that every destination listed above should have at least one seat at that price.

if some of you might think that from xxxbt means that some destinations should be for that money and others shouldn't, let me tell you that this is considered a fraud. this way they can promote all destinations for 100tb and then say "we did have one seat on one destination but now it's gone".

if they promote a list of destinations starting from xxxbt, that means each one should have that price at least for one seat!!!

[wump]

I agree with you there, that shouldn't be the case. I still believe the customer service representative didn't know what she was talking about and just made that up. I asked you earlier if you can post a screenshot so we can see if it is just deceptively written or plain fraud on the customer.

I remember getting emails that stated

50 destinations in Asia on sale in our Easter promotion starting from RM99.

We have over 50 on sale now for booking now until 30th of May. Booking Period blablbala. Destinations included in the promotion include blablbala cities

I think this would still be acceptable as the headline mentions there is a promotion where you can fly very cheap and then in the email it mentions which cities are included IN THE PROMOTION but it doesn't state a price there, it says for pricing go to the website. So the 99 Ringit is for people to get the fact that there is a promotion and in the email body people can see whether their destination is included.

If it would say Fly to these 50 cities for RM99 then yes, that would be very wrong.

If Ryanair sent you an email 100 cities on special now in our Euro Promo with fares starting at just 99 cents

would you expect that all of the cities 99 cents?

Wording is the key here. The price refers to the bottom price of a range of cheap fares in the promotion and not to all the destinations. The destinations refer to the promotion and not the price.

Edited April 22, 2012 by MaikB84

[blossombkk]

ly from Bangkok <img height="13" width="14" /> Nakhon Phanom <img height="13" width="14" /> Chiang Mai <img height="13" width="14" /> Udon Thani Surat Thani <img height="13" width="14" /> Krabi <img height="13" width="14" /> Hat Yai Trang Nakhon Si Thammarat <img height="13" width="14" /> Narathiwat <img height="13" width="14" /> Yangon Colombo Ho Chi Minh City <img height="13" width="14" /> Hanoi <img height="13" width="14" /> Phnom Penh Guangzhou Shenzhen <img height="13" width="14" /> Hong Kong <img height="13" width="14" /> Macau Chennai Kolkata Fly from Phuket Fly from Chiang Mai Udon Thani <img height="13" width="14" /> Ubon Ratchathani <img height="13" width="14" /> Hat Yai Phuket Bali Jakarta Macau All-in-fare

from THB 790

<img alt="Book now" border="0" title="Twitter" /> Book from 16 - 22 Apr 2012 Travel from 1 Jun - 10 Aug 2012

Terms & conditions apply.

[blossombkk]

ly from Bangkok <img height="13" width="14" /> Nakhon Phanom <img height="13" width="14" /> Chiang Mai <img height="13" width="14" /> Udon Thani Surat Thani <img height="13" width="14" /> Krabi <img height="13" width="14" /> Hat Yai Trang Nakhon Si Thammarat <img height="13" width="14" /> Narathiwat <img height="13" width="14" /> Yangon Colombo Ho Chi Minh City <img height="13" width="14" /> Hanoi <img height="13" width="14" /> Phnom Penh Guangzhou Shenzhen <img height="13" width="14" /> Hong Kong <img height="13" width="14" /> Macau Chennai Kolkata Fly from Phuket Fly from Chiang Mai Udon Thani <img height="13" width="14" /> Ubon Ratchathani <img height="13" width="14" /> Hat Yai Phuket Bali Jakarta Macau All-in-fare

from THB 790

<img alt="Book now" border="0" title="Twitter" /> Book from 16 - 22 Apr 2012 Travel from 1 Jun - 10 Aug 2012

Terms & conditions apply.

Sorry, that's the second time i try to copy paste, but that's what it gives. So i can't really show the details. but believe me, i know how to read. the details are exactly as i stated in my first post.

[wump]

Open the email, hit the PrtScr button on your keyboard, open Paint and press Ctrl-V to paste. 5 seconds, done.

And then just save the image and attach it in your post here.

Alternatively you could use the snipping tool to make a screenshot, found in Vista or Win 7 under Start-->Programs-->Accessories

[blossombkk]

Open the email, hit the PrtScr button on your keyboard, open Paint and press Ctrl-V to paste. 5 seconds, done.

And then just save the image and attach it in your post here.

Alternatively you could use the snipping tool to make a screenshot, found in Vista or Win 7 under Start-->Programs-->Accessories

couldn't do it. but i think that the quote above could be understood.

[wump]

I think you are referring to the first picture where it says Bangkok-Colombo for 790 all-in. The way it is advertised it is indeed wrong when it has always been around 1990 Baht. I guess they either deliberateness advertise wrong fares just for the Thai market (maybe its no big deal here) or it was an honest mistake. I did get hold of a flyer for the Sri Lankan branch of AirAsia where the correct price is advertised. I used to get the newsletter from the Malaysian headquarters and the fares mentioned in the email have always matched the advertised ones on the website. So make a guess...

Edited April 22, 2012 by MaikB84

[KKK]

When some advertising says "FROM" let's say baht 790 there should be at least one option to book at baht 790. But with all the add-ons, fuel hikes, booking charges, taxes, etc (which you can't avoid) you can never actually book anything at that price So IMO the "FROM" then becomes a scam.

[preahko]

No, you are wrong, OP. I have been flying AirAsia since they set up shop in Thailand. Their sales are amazing. Yes, the final total fare ends up being more than the advertised sale price, but the sales are still a great deal...and their regular, non-sale prices are nothing to sneeze at either. Also, keep in mind that if you are using them for regional travel, all airport fees (750 baht out of Suvarnabhumi, $25 US out of Phnom Penh, etc.) are now included in the price of your ticket, sale or otherwise.

I will agree that AirAsia's on-line ticketing policies have turned somewhat sleazy and tricky to maneuver over the years, but if one is an intelligent, educated person, one can easily navigate the maze they set up for you as you make a reservation and avoid insurance fees, pre-purchased meals, premium assigned seats, etc., and end up with a low-priced seat on a very efficiently-run airline.

[PattayaParent]

ly from Bangkok <img height="13" width="14" /> Nakhon Phanom <img height="13" width="14" /> Chiang Mai <img height="13" width="14" /> Udon Thani Surat Thani <img height="13" width="14" /> Krabi <img height="13" width="14" /> Hat Yai Trang Nakhon Si Thammarat <img height="13" width="14" /> Narathiwat <img height="13" width="14" /> Yangon Colombo Ho Chi Minh City <img height="13" width="14" /> Hanoi <img height="13" width="14" /> Phnom Penh Guangzhou Shenzhen <img height="13" width="14" /> Hong Kong <img height="13" width="14" /> Macau Chennai Kolkata Fly from Phuket Fly from Chiang Mai Udon Thani <img height="13" width="14" /> Ubon Ratchathani <img height="13" width="14" /> Hat Yai Phuket Bali Jakarta Macau All-in-fare

from THB 790

<img alt="Book now" border="0" title="Twitter" /> Book from 16 - 22 Apr 2012 Travel from 1 Jun - 10 Aug 2012

Terms & conditions apply.

Sorry, that's the second time i try to copy paste, but that's what it gives. So i can't really show the details. but believe me, i know how to read. the details are exactly as i stated in my first post.

In your first post the details you stated were " It listed a few SouthEsat Asia destinations for 790tb, booking 16-24 April and travelling June 1st to Aug 10th.'

In your copy/paste email it clearly states FROM THB 790

It's clearly a list of destinations included in a promotion, the cheapest of which will be 790, not all of them.

[stevenl]

ly from Bangkok <img height="13" width="14" /> Nakhon Phanom <img height="13" width="14" /> Chiang Mai <img height="13" width="14" /> Udon Thani Surat Thani <img height="13" width="14" /> Krabi <img height="13" width="14" /> Hat Yai Trang Nakhon Si Thammarat <img height="13" width="14" /> Narathiwat <img height="13" width="14" /> Yangon Colombo Ho Chi Minh City <img height="13" width="14" /> Hanoi <img height="13" width="14" /> Phnom Penh Guangzhou Shenzhen <img height="13" width="14" /> Hong Kong <img height="13" width="14" /> Macau Chennai Kolkata Fly from Phuket Fly from Chiang Mai Udon Thani <img height="13" width="14" /> Ubon Ratchathani <img height="13" width="14" /> Hat Yai Phuket Bali Jakarta Macau All-in-fare

from THB 790

<img alt="Book now" border="0" title="Twitter" /> Book from 16 - 22 Apr 2012 Travel from 1 Jun - 10 Aug 2012

Terms & conditions apply.

Sorry, that's the second time i try to copy paste, but that's what it gives. So i can't really show the details. but believe me, i know how to read. the details are exactly as i stated in my first post.

What is says here, looking over the codes, is: from Bangkok to Nakhon Phanom, Chiang Mai, etc. etc., including Colombo, from 790 Baht.

And that is what they're offering as well.

Nowhere does it say: Colombo (singled out) for 790 Baht.

They could also say: from Bangkok to Nahon Phanom and Chiang Mai from 790 Baht, to Colombo from 1990 Baht, etc., but that would not look as nice to Air Asia. But that does not mean their promotion is not true and so a scam.

[bendix]

Christ Alive. Why can't blossom work this out for him/herself.

The ad which he has posted clearly lists a number of destinations, with fares starting FROM 790. Nowhere does it say there is a far to Colombo FOR 790.

This is getting very tedious.

[marstons]

Still surprised with the responses.

When an airline or any other commercial agency advertises from 790tb that means prices start from 790tb and up, It should include this low price and could include many other prices.

In my case, I received the mail this morning, tried to book it 30 minutes after receiving it. instructions said specifically book april 16th and on. couldn't book it any earlier.

even the agent i spoke to didn't pretend the price ever existed.

any lawyer would see it as a scam. sorry you all.

obviously the way they trade is not as ethical as it should be, i had a flight booked on a deal to connect with another flight. it got cancelled and put back 5 hours, hence i would miss my connecting flight. they did offer to refund the 100 baht + tax. you got to take them for what they are and thats a low cost airline opearting in South East Asia, not the western world.

[blossombkk]

Still surprised with the responses.

When an airline or any other commercial agency advertises from 790tb that means prices start from 790tb and up, It should include this low price and could include many other prices.

In my case, I received the mail this morning, tried to book it 30 minutes after receiving it. instructions said specifically book april 16th and on. couldn't book it any earlier.

even the agent i spoke to didn't pretend the price ever existed.

any lawyer would see it as a scam. sorry you all.

obviously the way they trade is not as ethical as it should be, i had a flight booked on a deal to connect with another flight. it got cancelled and put back 5 hours, hence i would miss my connecting flight. they did offer to refund the 100 baht + tax. you got to take them for what they are and thats a low cost airline opearting in South East Asia, not the western world.

This i can understand since they are really low budget and have to manage. I just don't accept misleading info to catch more people to travel with them. it's like having a store and you put a sign saying "products a b c d e sells for 10 bt and up" and actually nothing sells for this price. one thing or everything is same thing for that matter.

[bendix]

Still surprised with the responses.

When an airline or any other commercial agency advertises from 790tb that means prices start from 790tb and up, It should include this low price and could include many other prices.

In my case, I received the mail this morning, tried to book it 30 minutes after receiving it. instructions said specifically book april 16th and on. couldn't book it any earlier.

even the agent i spoke to didn't pretend the price ever existed.

any lawyer would see it as a scam. sorry you all.

obviously the way they trade is not as ethical as it should be, i had a flight booked on a deal to connect with another flight. it got cancelled and put back 5 hours, hence i would miss my connecting flight. they did offer to refund the 100 baht + tax. you got to take them for what they are and thats a low cost airline opearting in South East Asia, not the western world.

This i can understand since they are really low budget and have to manage. I just don't accept misleading info to catch more people to travel with them. it's like having a store and you put a sign saying "products a b c d e sells for 10 bt and up" and actually nothing sells for this price. one thing or everything is same thing for that matter.

It's interesting you only answer posts that support your argument.

Several other people have pointed out how you misread the original ad, and you ignore those. It is very clear that the ad lists a number of destinations and says fares to those destinations are priced from 790. Nowhere does it indicate a price specifically to Colombo for 790.

Edited April 23, 2012 by bendix

[stevenl]

Still surprised with the responses.

When an airline or any other commercial agency advertises from 790tb that means prices start from 790tb and up, It should include this low price and could include many other prices.

In my case, I received the mail this morning, tried to book it 30 minutes after receiving it. instructions said specifically book april 16th and on. couldn't book it any earlier.

even the agent i spoke to didn't pretend the price ever existed.

any lawyer would see it as a scam. sorry you all.

obviously the way they trade is not as ethical as it should be, i had a flight booked on a deal to connect with another flight. it got cancelled and put back 5 hours, hence i would miss my connecting flight. they did offer to refund the 100 baht + tax. you got to take them for what they are and thats a low cost airline opearting in South East Asia, not the western world.

This i can understand since they are really low budget and have to manage. I just don't accept misleading info to catch more people to travel with them. it's like having a store and you put a sign saying "products a b c d e sells for 10 bt and up" and actually nothing sells for this price. one thing or everything is same thing for that matter.

Agree, it is the same, and yes, agree those promotions and ads are sometimes ridiculous. But still, not a scam, before you pay you know exactly what you're going to get and how much you have to pay for that.

And if you think just a little bit, you also know before you start searching their website what they mean with the advertised prices.

[bangkokgabe]

Again, it's called a "loss leader." why are you guys discussing this so much?

[SiamRose]

when advertise from xxx bt that should mean that every destination listed above should have at least one seat at that price.

No, blossom. This is where you are confused. It means that they should have at least ONE destination at that price. Not every destination. I think it would be safer for you if you stay at home for now.