How I bought Return Flight Bangkok / Sakon Nakhon for 863.50 Baht

[spambot]

There is currently a promotion with www.airasia.com – One way Bangkok / Sakon Nakhon 390Baht to generate interest in new destination AirAsia – First flights start 1^st Oct 2014.

 

Here is my experience (being a little skeptical of promotional prices with hidden extra) - what I found – So you can quickly determine if this is something you might also want to benefit from the opportunity.

 

First thing to look out for - There are many extras along the online booking journey that make the promo price look unattractive once you have finished – And they are cleverly designed to look like there is no other choice but for you to pay them – I was timed out of the process a few times trying to figure some of these out , but there are a number of options once pointed out you can skip these extra price increases at the different points in the process.

 

This is how my pricing was built:

 

Go to bottom of page to change to English – Then select flight – There is a very well designed ribbon with all the pricing options for the different days – selected one for 390 Baht – Then found to my surprise this included airport tax. Round trip Bangkok / Sakon Nakhon

- Total price = 780 Baht

 

Then go to next page it asks for your personal details and a has trip summary on RHS - But now it has extra costs added - Checked Baggage 20kg (added 300 Baht x 2 = 600 Baht ) for each flight. Don’t try to look for option on this page since there aren't any – Wait till next page – But first you have to fill in your contact details to get there to see this option and change it.

- Total price = 1440 Baht

 

Next page is in effect - part 2 of your personal details – Now look at the bottom of page for drop down options now visible – Checked baggage – Select on drop down ‘no checked in baggage’ – But do this obviously only if you are only going with hand luggage – Like I am doing. There are other paid options here for buying an in-flight meal and sport equipment – buy a comfort kit.

- Total price = 780 Baht

 

Next page shows your options for seating – Pricing for Standard seat reservation 74.90 – 107.00 depending on location chosen on the plane and premium seats for 374.45 extra – Here it looks as though you are forced to choose a seat and pay a premium – I did not and simply selected next step button, but it doesn't tell you that this is an option, but it is.

- Total price = 780 Baht

 

Final step (possibly could be - But depending up choices made)

 

Payment methods – Defaults to a tab Internet banking Direct debit (only available SCB bank and GHL = extra cost 42.50 Baht)

Other tab options are

– Credit/Debit card (Visa = extra 192.60 Baht)

– E-gift voucher you might have (no extra charge)

– Finally there is an option that you can pay at 7/11 in cash over the counter for extra 53.50 Baht (I didn't know that this would be an option – so nice to know convenience) – This is not the charge being made by 7/11 – This is just an extra way of AirAsia adding an extra fee.

 

Finally I chose 7/11 payment option. - On page it says need to 'confirm payment' – But in my case since I had chosen 7/11 it was not really a payment I was making a promise to pay – I then get an email identifying my promise to pay at 7/11 (They will hold the booking for 24 hrs)

- Total price = 833.50 Baht

 

 

Go to 7/11 – the email says simply "quote the booking reference number" – Not a hope with 7/11 when I arrive to pay -  Even when I show them the mobile phone confirmation (nice graphic to look like a ticket with 7/11 logo) no one seems to believe that I am the right place and get a unanimous 7/11 “No Have” – Finally after several attempts to input the number into epos till with no effect – One of the assistance scans the bar code on my mobile ticket with success – Extra charge from 7/11 is 30 Baht

- Total price = 863.50 Baht

 

Final note: Since the offer is only available for a certain volume of seats anyone wanting this need to act in timely manner - From my personal experience seeing after two days the amount of flights with the promotional price of 390 had a lot of reduced availability.

 

I bought for Fun: For me I had no intention at the start to go to Sakon Nakhon since there is no reason to be there, but for 863.50 Baht I figured that a few days out of Bangkok at this price why not just go for fun – The round trip price is great value if compared with train i.e almost same price as the one way trip on the train which takes 12 hrs vs 1hr flight.

 

I hope someone can make use of this information – Done as a quick overview so you can decide without lots of site experimentation or disappointments / false expectations. 

 

- I have no idea of where is a good place to stay in Sakon Nakhon – so any recommendations would be useful. Also if anyone knows the best way to get from airport to town since I arrive at 8pm not sure if this limits my options for transport buses etc.

 

Thanks

[ATF]

Sakon Nakhon is a great place it's the dog meat for human consumption center of Thailand. You can buy doggie leather gloves even dog skin coats and then dine on prime pooch.

 

If you are "fed up" 555 of soi dogs this is the place to go! Happy Hunting.

Edited August 8, 2014 by ATF

[spambot]

Sakon Nakhon is a great place it's the dog meat for human consumption center of Thailand. You can buy doggie leather gloves even dog skin coats and then dine on prime pooch.

 

If you are "fed up" 555 of soi dogs this is the place to go! Happy Hunting.

 

Ha - Your reply made me laugh!

 

Thanks for giving a light hearted view of Sakon Nakhon.

 

- Appreciated.

[inzman]

Thanks, this was a great review of how to use the airasia site. Much appreciated.

[chris2004]

I was thinking of booking this until i thought what the hell is there to do in Nakon Sakhon. Don't fancy a hot dog.

[spambot]

I was thinking of booking this until i thought what the hell is there to do in Nakon Sakhon. Don't fancy a hot dog.

 

Yup - I know I was half in that same frame of mind - But since i have never been to that particular place before - And its so ridiculously cheap and easy getting there I probably will not go there again  - I purposely booked late in day flight and I am only staying 2 nights - I come back on third day - And hence only 2 days really being there - For me at this price its just a reconnaissance run to see at first sight - Have a few beers and see the local bar scene - see what is actually the vibe - Look at the possibilities of coming back - Its a very low cost to do a quick look and possibly do nothing, but I really do not have any real heavy committed here - I see it as more like a day out - not like a long trip (Like if I was going by train) -So the education i will be coming back with becomes bigger than the need to be enchanted by Nakon Sakhon per say.

Edited August 8, 2014 by spambot

[thrilled]

That's A heck of A a deal.Ya can'd drive for that price.Almost cheaper than taking A large motorcycle.

[parmo2]

Thailand internal flights are very good for low cost airlines because tax is low. 

Next week I fly Udon Thani to Bangkok for 192baht booked  8 months ago

[Greg Nixon]

Its cheaper than the bus fare.

[falang07]

and safer, too :)

 

 

 

 

[ozyjon]

Spent a lot of time in Sakon Nakhon,, know people there and know my way around,, now i am in Bangkok and was thinking of going there,, didn't know there was a flight there,, i only saw an old military landing field there maybe it is open to domestic flights,, if it is then i might go there as it is better then getting a bus from Bangkok or from Udon Thani, thanks for the info.

[JacChang]

Spambot, you mentioned comfort kit.

 

Does that come with food and drinks?

 

I'm still grouchy about AirAsia not having "free food/drinks". While I stare at other people eat.

[parmo2]

Flights are only the safest if you measure in terms of accidents per mile,  if you measure in terms of accidents per journey air travel is not the safest

[KhunBENQ]

Yet another example for the clueless 7/11 staff.

Same happened to a neighbour.

I made up the booking for him and sent him to 7/11 with the printout.

"No have, no can".

He gave up.

 

A hell lot of services advertised at 7/11 and the staff is uneducated/clueless.

 

[frankthetank]

I was thinking of booking this until i thought what the hell is there to do in Nakon Sakhon. Don't fancy a hot dog.

Dog is a dish best served cold!!

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Spent a lot of time in Sakon Nakhon,, know people there and know my way around,, now i am in Bangkok and was thinking of going there,, didn't know there was a flight there,, i only saw an old military landing field there maybe it is open to domestic flights,, if it is then i might go there as it is better then getting a bus from Bangkok or from Udon Thani, thanks for the info.

 

SN has a small but decently outfitted domestic airport for commercial jets.

 

It's already been served by Nok Air, I believe two flights per day from BKK. And now Air Asia is adding new service there, with their promo fares about half the price offered by Nok's promo fares.

 

Last time I checked, fyi, there were no formal rental car operations at the airport there, although I think the Nok Air staff there, after we really pressed them with my wife speaking Thai, gave us a referral on some locals who would provide rental transport services.

 

SN doesn't have any meter taxi service. But my wife, who's from there, says there are mini-bus routes and songthau lines. Last time we visited there, we flew into Udon, rented a car at the Udon airport, and drove to SN in order to have our own transport.

 

BTW, in addition to its reputation as a place for dog meat, SN also has a deserved reputation as a place with quite good local beef and beef steak -- if you can get the local to tell you where to go and find a way to get there.

 

Edited August 9, 2014 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[ALFREDO]

 

I was thinking of booking this until i thought what the hell is there to do in Nakon Sakhon.

 

But since i have never been to that particular place before - And its so ridiculously cheap and easy getting there I probably will not go there again  - I purposely booked late in day flight and I am only staying 2 nights - I come back on third day - And hence only 2 days really being there - For me at this price its just a reconnaissance run to see at first sight - Have a few beers and see the local bar scene - see what is actually the vibe - Look at the possibilities of coming back - Its a very low cost to do a quick look and possibly do nothing, but I really do not have any real heavy committed here - I see it as more like a day out - not like a long trip (Like if I was going by train) -So the education i will be coming back with becomes bigger than the need to be enchanted by Nakon Sakhon per say.

 

 

Sounds same Sakhon Nakhon city or that province is some =outer space= lol, or in the desert,

in a wasteland, on the edge of the world? 

 

I live 120 km from Sakhon Nakhon city, near Sawang Den Din in the countryside.

Since a decade +,

no outer space, just the end of Eastern Thailand is near. 

 

Would believe, NIGHT LIFE is very limited, is it already, in the more sophisticated Udon Thani city,

where I have only 85 km to drive to and use as a door to the world and for bigger shopping. 

[mikecat]

Thanks for the very useful information. Especially about 7/11 didnt know you could do this at all.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

 

Sounds same Sakhon Nakhon city or that province is some =outer space= lol, or in the desert,

in a wasteland, on the edge of the world? 

 

I live 120 km from Sakhon Nakhon city, near Sawang Den Din in the countryside.

Since a decade +,

no outer space, just the end of Eastern Thailand is near. 

 

Would believe, NIGHT LIFE is very limited, is it already, in the more sophisticated Udon Thani city,

where I have only 85 km to drive to and use as a door to the world and for bigger shopping. 

 

 

My wife used to work in SDD, which is kind of halfway between Udon Thani and SN, and that's where we met originally.

 

As for SN, they have a newish mall there, not far from the airport, that has a nice Tops market and a Robinson's and a variety of useful restaurants and shops, including mobile phone stuff, etc.

 

There's also a very nice and modern hotel not far from the airport. Lovely rooms. Go up from the airport to the main highway and turn right at the corner. The hotel place is on the right hand side of the highway not far down.

SN has a bunch of listings for hotels now on Agoda... about 16. But the place I checked out near the airport doesn't appear to be one of them.

 

http://www.agoda.com/pages/agoda/default/DestinationSearchResult.aspx?asq=bs17wTmKLORqTfZUfjFABjlGMiRjCSBFEKFmZldmyAtufsTgcH5%2bGTC3%2fOaFH6EGjnDveQPcyB71EixoUyo%2baI9LV0gbp6dzHS1k1VkUDFijZmSXPajAHzyGZeTJrGPLZSGJH%2bJU4vYu3VsJ0%2b2FbqR94FQJBMULo8cdLobiQPFbzCJCI6Fz61dXaWAng9O8%2fKfq9%2bpIY1T13MPcv3XEgw%3d%3d&tick=635432663323

Edited August 10, 2014 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

This -- U-Style Hotel -- is the hotel we looked at, and toured the rooms, near the airport. But we didn't stay there ourselves, because we already had a reservation elsewhere.

 

It seemed like a nice place, just a couple years old, and modern style rooms. One downside was they have a karaoke bar downstairs, and it was clear the music could be heard into the upstairs rooms at night.

 

http://ustylehotel.com/
 

U Style Hotel is a boutique and budget hotel in Sakon Nakhon Province, opposite to Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University(Gate 1).We offer clean, cozy and friendly accommodation.

Location info:
2 minutes walk to the local market
7 minutes by car to Sakon Nakhon Airport.
13 minutes by car to Robinson Department Store.

 

 

There's also a big older hotel on the opposite corner of the main intersection there alongside the Rajabhat University. From what my wife tells me, the hotel is run by the university as a training ground for the students there.  But when we checked there, they told us all their rooms were pairs of single beds only -- no double or larger beds in the hotel, they claimed.

 

[spambot]

Spambot, you mentioned comfort kit.

 

Does that come with food and drinks?

 

I'm still grouchy about AirAsia not having "free food/drinks". While I stare at other people eat.

 

Hi JacChang - The meal is a separate purchase to the comfort kit - The comfort kit is simply a back cushion and blow up neck rest pillow - Hence I gave no detail of what this contained - since for a 1hr flight seemed a bit of an over kill - But if still interested in this it was priced at 250 Baht.

 

I know what you are saying about the food thing - I used to buy the meals - After not pre-ordering one - simply because I kind of felt left out, but also on occasion became frustrated that I had done so - being in the wrong seat and being and served near the last - As you wait expectantly wondering when it might arrive and then finally getting the meal - Only to then hear "please fasten seat belts we are about to land" announcement.

 

Its sometimes I feel it is better to be in control of the process - Maybe a 7/11 purchase of stuff to eat before the flight - Also this give you a head start on the others who have ordered the in-flight meal who are waiting for their drop, eyeing the trolley many aisle seats away.

 

- In truth for me a 1 hr flight - Its all about reducing the boredom (or possibly sometimes the stress) between sitting down in the seat at the start and then getting out the aircraft at the end of the flight.

[spambot]

This -- U-Style Hotel -- is the hotel we looked at, and toured the rooms, near the airport. But we didn't stay there ourselves, because we already had a reservation elsewhere.

 

It seemed like a nice place, just a couple years old, and modern style rooms. One downside was they have a karaoke bar downstairs, and it was clear the music could be heard into the upstairs rooms at night.

 

http://ustylehotel.com/
 

U Style Hotel is a boutique and budget hotel in Sakon Nakhon Province, opposite to Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University(Gate 1).We offer clean, cozy and friendly accommodation.

Location info:
2 minutes walk to the local market
7 minutes by car to Sakon Nakhon Airport.
13 minutes by car to Robinson Department Store.

 

 

There's also a big older hotel on the opposite corner of the main intersection there alongside the Rajabhat University. From what my wife tells me, the hotel is run by the university as a training ground for the students there.  But when we checked there, they told us all their rooms were pairs of single beds only -- no double or larger beds in the hotel, they claimed.

 

 

Brilliant couple of response post  - You contributed in a big way on both posts sharing solid information - Like this a lot.

 

Post-note: I was originally aiming to stay at the Majestic since they provide a hotel shuttle from the airport - But now looking at the Hotel near the airport - This is a great addition and looks more promising.

 

Big Thanks

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Well, according to the user reviews on Agoda, the best any of the listed hotels in SN get are 3 stars out of 5, and customer reviews of Good, with some 7+ ratings on a 10 point scale. The Majestic and Dusit hotels are among those.

 

The Dusit page for SN on Agoda says they too offer an airport shuttle service, for a 200 baht fee...

 

I was saying to the wife the other day, perhaps with the arrival of AirAsia in SN, one of the various rental car agencies will decide to open a shop/counter there. As I had mentioned above, last time we were there last Christmas, they had naught.

 

BTW, here's a map link for the Robinson's Lifestyle Center in SN.

 

http://www.robinson.co.th/store-SakonNakhon-en.html

 

And here's a Thai site, that can be translated with Google Translate, of an interactive SN map.

 

http://www.sakonnakhonguide.com/index.php?name=blog&category=7

 

 

 

Edited August 10, 2014 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[parmo2]

I do not want to eat during a flight,   I do not want "comfort kits" or red carpet treatment, or be treated like a 45minute squire.  I just want to go from A to B,  the flight to SN is only 50 minutes anyway. 

If you do want to avail those services you can pay extra,  I don't want to subsidise you,  

That is how airasia works,  you pay for what you want to use. 

Edited August 10, 2014 by parmo2

[JacChang]

I do not want to eat during a flight,   I do not want "comfort kits" or red carpet treatment, or be treated like a 45minute squire.  I just want to go from A to B,  the flight to SN is only 50 minutes anyway. 

If you do want to avail those services you can pay extra,  I don't want to subsidise you,  

That is how airasia works,  you pay for what you want to use. 

The reason I was grumpy was because I bought a one way flight to Malaysia by Eva Air, came with top service and great food. Then on the way back, I bought AirAsia, because of the flight availability and timing. And it was more expensive, by 20-30%. Got in the plane, wasn't used to the "budget type airline", where you pick stuffs when you order the ticket. Always usually just pay a ticket and get the "basic needs". And this was an international flight too. So I get on the aircraft, see the trolley coming, but they only serve those who had ordered. Atleast give us water or something lol. So yea, paid more, and got treated like this. Never again.

[ALFREDO]

I do not want to eat during a flight,   I do not want "comfort kits" or red carpet treatment, or be treated like a 45minute squire.  I just want to go from A to B,  the flight to SN is only 50 minutes anyway. 

If you do want to avail those services you can pay extra,  I don't want to subsidise you,  

That is how airasia works,  you pay for what you want to use. 

 

Ok.

 

But, I like to be treated as a "squire" and so,

I prefer to fly with Bangkok Air from Udon Thani, as long as the flights are only slightly higher priced, or even same priced or cheaper, if you have check in luggage with you.

Full small menu and a bit lounge service, before the flight, is also a treat.