The AirAsia website is designed to rip you off

[Pinot]

Let's face it, the only thing AirAsia has going for it is cheap flights. The AirAsia website is a blatant ripoff. Every screen they put you through on their website is somehow designed to fleece you. I'm trying to book a flight and can't get beyond the screen that tries to take you for 280 baht for flight insurance! The flight was 500 baht. If it wasn't this it would be something else. I wish I had back a portion of my life I've spent trying to negotiate this mess over the years. It's insidious and it's constantly changing. How are they going to try and get me this time? In a western country, they couldn't get away with this. The AirAsia website is designed to frustrate and take as much money as they can from their customers.

[Skint]

The best advice you will get is don't fly with them use someone else.

[cdnvic]

"Doesn't work properly" and "Rip you off" are not one in the same.

[tinhead]

I find AirAsia's unbundling quite refreshing. It's not for everyone. Suggest OP stick with a travel agent.

[Tim207]

While not a fan of their website I am happy with the company. Back in March I booked a ticket. Their website info for the flight had not been updated to reflect their change in departure times to 1 hour earlier. I arrived 1 hour and five minutes early for my flight walked up to the counter and explained to the shocked agents that I was checking in. The guy said they didn't have a 10AM flight. After several minutes of checking the computer he found that I was booked on the 9AM flight that had just been changed from the 10AM flight. They rushed me through the airport, opened the door of the plane for me and got me to a seat while the plane taxied to the runway. So, I walked in to the airport minutes before takeoff and they still got me on. Not exactly with a smile, more of an anoyed expession, and the girl who ran me through security and the gate to the plane politely explaining that I should arrive early for a flight as if I had no idea that I couldn't just step on at the last minute like it was a bus. I was very impressed with them. If I was them I would have just said "sorry you missed the flight".

[Shaksey]

It takes what, 2 seconds to click on "cancel" for their travel insurance.

[chris2004]

It's not that bad. Yes they try to sell you extras but just say NO to everything. The only think you can't avoid is the 180 baht booking fee. I just booked a flight to Khon Kaen 2,345 baht return for 2 people. Still good value.

[kurnell]

No different to any budget carrier such as Jetstar.

[RickSee]

I fully agree with the OP on this one. I have rarely been as frustrated as when I've used the AirAsia website. It really does seem to be carefully designed to confound the casual user and, I would even say, "trick" them into buying some of the "unbundled" items. As a consequence I've already taken some of the other posters' advice and always look elsewhere before even considering AirAsia.

RS

[lomatopo]

It took me less than two (2) minutes to get to the final screen.

Full disclosure: I do not work for FD, nor have I ever flown with them.

Seems relatively simple, straight-forward, easy to follow. All I did was read the various screens.

The only thing I found interesting was that for this dummy booking: DMK-CNX-DMK, that you had to pay at least 79 baht for a seat!

[flightcrew1]

"In a western country, they couldn't get away with this" Take a look at Ryan Air who are 2nd largest low-cost airline in the world after Southwest with one of the worst customer service records in Europe. They get away with a lot more than Air Asia. In fact in the top 20 of low cost airlines Air Asia ranks 10 and most of the low cost carriers are western based. They all work on the same model. Charge for this, charge for that. Just click no, no no and proceed and get your cheap ticket.

[phuketrichard]

i find it very easy to use an its not a rip off, its called marketing from their point to make as much $$ as they can, hence one of the reason they can offer the cheapest arifares ( 80% of the time) than anyone else.

If you find it hard to use, than visit a travel agent and pay them to do it for you. :-)

[chuang]

Why get upset with an airline you don't like.....stop patronize it.....

[givenall]

"Doesn't work properly" and "Rip you off" are not one in the same.

it works fine jus the way they want it to work so you get ripped off

[GuyL]

[cekipa]

I fully agree with the OP on this one.  I have rarely been as frustrated as when I've used the AirAsia website.  It really does seem to be carefully designed to confound the casual user and, I would even say, "trick" them into buying some of the "unbundled" items.  As a consequence I've already taken some of the other posters' advice and always look elsewhere before even considering AirAsia.

 

RS 

It is my same opinion despite the fact that prices are good if booked in advance and I've never had delays. It does get on your nerves if you want to cancel the insurance but, once learned the trick, it is not an hassle anymore.

[phitsanulokjohn]

Why do they charge 500 baht each way for a baggage allowance i don't require?

[kkerry]

 

Why do they charge 500 baht each way for a baggage allowance i don't require?

 

If you don't require it then select 'No checked bag' 'from the list of Add-ons... and they won't charge you...

[StevieH]

"In a western country, they couldn't get away with this" Take a look at Ryan Air who are 2nd largest low-cost airline in the world after Southwest with one of the worst customer service records in Europe. They get away with a lot more than Air Asia. In fact in the top 20 of low cost airlines Air Asia ranks 10 and most of the low cost carriers are western based. They all work on the same model. Charge for this, charge for that. Just click no, no no and proceed and get your cheap ticket.

indeed. airasia is positively civilised compared to ryan air.

[modafinil]

AirAsia is one of the few airlines that tell you about the extra taxes and charges (airport tax, fuel tax etc) before you book your ticket. As well as being upfront, they have loads of flights and they are really cheap.

I suppose one of the reasons that they are so cheap is that many of their passengers, accidentally or otherwise, pay for some of their extra services. I'm not complaining.

[FDog]

I agree with the OP, Air Asia would not get away with it in the western world, hence why they were fined a few hundred thousand dollars in Australia for being dodgy.

I cancelled a flight with them once and they would not refund my airport tax. I told them that the airport tax is not Air Asia's and it is refundable. After a bit more chat they then agreed that it is in fact refundable but as I had paid by credit card then they would refund by credit card.

A month went by, nothing. Finally found someone to talk to on the phone and he said that I could have the refund as a credit on my next flight. I agreed.

6 months later I book a flight only to find there is no credit for the refund. I call again only to be told they have no record of it.

It wasn't much, but just the principle of being ripped off.

Never again.

[Sceptict11]

I have used Air Asia many times flying Phuket-Perth.

Never a problem and always good value for money.

I find the web site easy to navigate and simple to use.

No need to accept any "extras".

[Baloo22]

Here we go again! Time for the "monthly moan" about Air Asia.

I don't find Air Asia's website that complicated, nor do I find it a ripoff, blatant or otherwise. Air Asia is good at what it is; A low-cost regional airline.

AirAsia has some nice low fares if you can book far in advance and can be flexible in your travel dates. That way you can get the "Promo" fares. The deal is the cheap Promo fare is just for you and a carry-on bag. Everything else (like meals, checked baggage, seat selection, etc) is extra. There is no "trick" to it. You just decline the extras as you step through the booking process.

Just last month I booked a round trip flight Chiang Mai <--> Bangkok for a total of 2358.60 baht including airport tax, credit card fee of 180 baht, and VAT. I'm just taking my carry-on bag, and for a one-hour flight I don't need a meal and I don't care what seat I'm in. Works for me!

I used AirAsia last year for round-trip flights Chiang Mai <--> Phuket and Chiang Mai <--> Bangkok. No problems. The day prior to the flights I did a web check-in and printed out the "boarding pass". At the airports, went straight to the boarding gates, no problem.

[buzzz51]

They are no different from Easy Jet and Ryan Air all budget airline prices are gimmicks, if you dont like dont use if we all take this stance they will get the message and change, the thing is these airlines are convenient and fly to a lot of places the big boys dont, so i ithink its a case of shut up or get a bus

[toenail]

I find other airlines to be more customer friendly with their web sites. Definately AirAsia preys on users "tricking" them to click on the wrong answer for NOT wanting the insurance; the extra baggage; or seating. One needs more time and to be awake (sober) when booking with Air Asia. This company has so much going for it (new ideas and such) that it is a pity that it has to have such a scum-bag booking website.

[stickylies]

i agree that AA is a pain in the ass but you can bypass all their tricks. just stay cool and think "logic".

[frimu]

Since I live in Thailand, I learned the lesson, that complaing and worrying is useless in Thailand and In SEA generally.

Yes, the companies are different from a Western country, and complaining is useless too.

But if you really have a problem you get help. I once got a ticket refunded, minus the cancellation fee, because I sent them the paper from the doctor, that I had a hospital treatment. I had to fight to get someone on the phone, but after that obstacle, they helped me and refunded.

I agree with you, that they want to sell a lot of add-ons, but I fly often with them and just learned, which buttons to click to avoid it all. And the flights are almost always reliable and the quality ok.

[NoshowJones]

I find other airlines to be more customer friendly with their web sites. Definately AirAsia preys on users "tricking" them to click on the wrong answer for NOT wanting the insurance; the extra baggage; or seating. One needs more time and to be awake (sober) when booking with Air Asia. This company has so much going for it (new ideas and such) that it is a pity that it has to have such a scum-bag booking website.

Some hotel bookers do much the same, ie book with Agoda, and you get the room price, then the small print says plus tax. Better not deal with those sort of people. What is wrong with stating the complete price to start with?

[asiamaster]

i agree that AA is a pain in the ass but you can bypass all their tricks. just stay cool and think "logic".

Try doing a booking for a group of 8 people like I had to do once.... and if you don't do it quick enough you just get logged out and have to start over again with all the un-clicking of each and every item that is just added and you don't need....

[jpeg]

I agree with the just press cancel for the insurance post, but also the change in flight times without updating their website. They don't accept domestic credit/debit cards whereas the rest of the world does, so took myself along to my nearest agent to find the fare had magically increased by 1700 baht. I've heard you can pay at 7/11's. How? Can't see that option on their page.

Edited September 23, 2013 by jpeg