HELP a fellow ozbargainer stuck in Shanghai getting home!!!

Zarcady on 23/07/2014 - 06:18
Last edited 25/07/2014 - 00:45

Okay long story short, airasia delayed their already late departure time (1.30am), and I dozed off, waking up in horror to find that I have missed my flight. Noone to blame here but me as its my responsibility. So im stuck in shanghai right now at 4am, with no place to stay and noone to help me and with no cash left. Im willing to sleep at the airport for a week if I have to…pretty desperate situation I have gotten myself into and pretty silly too.

Can any ozbargainers find me a cheap flight back home to australia? Dates are pretty flexible as I just need the cheapest ticket out of here. Preferrably to land in gold coast/brisbane but right now ill take anything.

Searched airasia for the cheapest of around $300 leaving in early august but maybe someone can do better.

Airasia flat out refused to help me with anything and certainly its within their right to do so but ive flown with china eastern and korean air who was able to help me in a similar situation before with absolutely no hassle. Certainly I dont feel as though im entitled to any help since it was my fault but some generous goodwill would have gone a long way for me to be grateful.

Anyway I would really appreciate some help from the power of ozbargain!

Thanks in advance

Tldr update
Ozb community came through thanks to tonka and Airasia rescheduled a flight for a small fee and thus I dont have to be a hobo at burger king in pudong airport!!! What an awesome community we have here and something im very proud of being a part of! Thanks everyone

Travel

Comments

  • CrazyMexican on 23/07/2014 - 07:20

    Shanghai night :z , try checking skyscanner.com ?

    • onlyletters on 24/07/2014 - 23:14

      OP should live at the airport and visit the AirAsia counter every hour, empty seats pop up all the time and they should be willing to do one for a really good price..

  • affable on 23/07/2014 - 07:40
    +16

    Head down to the port and start chatting to the ship captains?

    • snappy1234 on 23/07/2014 - 07:48
      +1

      @affable

      Head down to the port and start chatting to the ship captains?

      Read "Bawdy Ballards" first tho…;)

      snappy1234 on 23/07/2014 - 07:48 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
    • [Deactivated] on 23/07/2014 - 10:05
      +5

      That's always an option… "work your passage" to get home ;)

      [Deactivated] on 23/07/2014 - 10:05 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
    • Cluster on 23/07/2014 - 15:28
      +5

      Befriend the local seamen?

      • rekabkram on 24/07/2014 - 09:32
        +7

        You could always polish their aft and scrub the poopdeck.

      • nicksinternet on 24/07/2014 - 22:21

        You could also sell your semen.

        nicksinternet on 24/07/2014 - 22:21 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
  • mooney on 23/07/2014 - 08:24
    +90

    Wait.. You've been in this situation a couple of times before???

    • StewBalls on 23/07/2014 - 08:46
      +13

      Narcolepsy is a cruel mistress…

  • [Deactivated] on 23/07/2014 - 08:42
    -1

    You are probably better off trying to find an Australia Embassy or similar over there. Im sure they deal with this issue all the time.

    • matt_will_fix_it on 23/07/2014 - 15:54
      +29

      They are there for people that require consular assistance… not assistance for people that overslept.

      Maybe the OP isn't an Australian citizen either.

    • dbun1 on 28/07/2014 - 11:33

      You are kidding, right?

  • leonheart1 on 23/07/2014 - 08:53
    +38

    At least this time they're not locked in their own room.

  • frondono on 23/07/2014 - 08:57
    +3

    don't worry mate, your travel insurance should cover this

    • SirFlibbled on 23/07/2014 - 09:32
      +28

      What falling asleep and missing your flight?

      • bruschetta on 23/07/2014 - 11:33
        +4

        hahahaha

        • abh_gup on 23/07/2014 - 18:14
          +2

          unless he breaks his leg quick, and says its health and injury while claiming!

        • centrelink on 24/07/2014 - 08:49
          +1

          @abh_gup:

          Why break a leg, just get bitten by a dog and you can immediately go back because chances of rabies.

      • JimmyF on 24/07/2014 - 19:33

        Yes some cover missed connections……… ;)

    • Joshman5k on 23/07/2014 - 15:53
      +2

      I'm pretty sure most policies don't cover missing a flight through fault of your own.

  • tomleonhart on 23/07/2014 - 09:18

    Which airport are you at in Shanghai ?

  • scotty on 23/07/2014 - 09:26
    +32

    "You snooze you lose" — often quoted here when someone missed out on a bargain. Applicable here, but a lot more seriously :(

    Hopefully you can find a solution soon. Maybe doing a bit of fund raising here?

    • superadmin on 24/07/2014 - 18:53

      =)

    • donga100 on 24/07/2014 - 21:58
      +5

      Hang in there OP. I'll nominate you for the Ozbargain EOFY charity donations next year.

  • SirFlibbled on 23/07/2014 - 09:35
    +4

    That sucks for the OP.. hope he gets a flight soon.

    I have a CC with a $1K limit which is never used, strictly for emergencies like this. It pretty much only comes out of the box when I go on holiday. Takes a bit of self control not to use it though.

  • tonka on 23/07/2014 - 10:00
    +11

    Sell something? You could prob even sell something from home xbox etc on ebay, get the cash and mail it when you get home.

  • Malarkey on 23/07/2014 - 10:10
    +31

    I don't know how people can travel without some kind of emergency backup money for occasions like this?

    • sparkles on 23/07/2014 - 13:54
      +24

      Yeah, you really shouldn't jump on a plane to anywhere, if you couldn't afford the fare home at a moments notice.

  • YouLIKEyouLICK on 23/07/2014 - 10:36
    +4

    Don't you have friends or family in Shanghai/Australia to help bail you out? You should of set an alarm.. If you buy that ticket for August, you still have to figure out about food, hmmm maybe eat what people leave behind at the food court.. if your desperate. So how much money do you really have? Sell or pawn your jewellery, mobile phone, but write down the numbers you need. Sucks to be you.

  • ZippyRoo on 23/07/2014 - 11:02
    +11

    I hope you figure out a way soon. I just did a quick search with Air China and China Eastern and I see what you mean. All the one way tickets to Australia are over 2k! Maybe you can catch a different Air Asia flight to somewhere close, for example, Singapore, Malaysia or Philippines and then buy a connecting flight from there. I just saw that Philippine Airlines has a one way ticket to Australia for about $800 departing next week. A ticket from Shanghai to Manila should be about $200. It's still a lot of money but at least you don't have to wait till August! If you know your way around in Shanghai, there are a lot of local hotels/motels you can stay at for only $30 a night. It's a shame that we're not there right now, otherwise I would happily help you out in any way possible. I'm going in October unfortunately.

  • tonka on 23/07/2014 - 11:21

    Any chance an email campaign to Air Asia will help?

    If you want to share some details I will be happy to send an email saying how concerned I am that they couldn't help and that I would be too worried about my safety/wellbeing to travel with them.

    • quaddie on 23/07/2014 - 20:59

      AirAsia won't pay for some idiot's lack of responsibility, even with the terrible threat of one guy not flying with them held over their head.

      • tonka on 23/07/2014 - 22:43
        +34

        Dude, hope you can look in the mirror and call yourself that the day you make a mistake and need help.

  • [Deactivated] on 23/07/2014 - 11:38
    +36

    let's social media this motherf**ker all the way back to australia.

    • StrawberryCheesecake on 25/07/2014 - 00:11
      +4

      let's social media this motherf**ker all the way back to australia.

      Your words came true!

    • deal seeking missile on 28/07/2014 - 20:28
      +1

      We have an oracle over here

  • [Deactivated] on 23/07/2014 - 11:38
    -1

    https://www.facebook.com/AirAsia

  • [Deactivated] on 23/07/2014 - 11:39
    -1

    https://twitter.com/AirAsia

  • [Deactivated] on 23/07/2014 - 11:39
    +1

    can anyone think of a suitable hashtag?

    • tonka on 23/07/2014 - 11:43
      +1

      Bring Zarcady (need real name?) home.

      • Malarkey on 23/07/2014 - 14:23
        +13

        …. because he fell asleep which wasn't in any way the airlines fault?

        • tonka on 23/07/2014 - 14:48
          +4

          No it wasn't, nothing wrong with helping out our own though is there?

        • Malarkey on 23/07/2014 - 15:26
          +2

          Nothing wrong with helping him out, however I think picking outside AirAsia saying that they left him "in such dire straights" is a bit of a stretch.

        • tonka on 23/07/2014 - 15:40
          +6

          @Malarkey:
          Why not, they have.
          As the OP mentioned and as I am aware many airlines are helpful in this situation.
          I can only assume the OP is being accurate when saying they flat out refused to help with anything.
          And yes it can be said it is the OP's fault, but the OP is only human and made a mistake. The mistake only occurred as the flight was late and I don't think it unreasonable for them to help on some level.

        • tonka on 23/07/2014 - 15:42
          +12

          @tonka:
          By the way, if you are negging me for trying to help a complete stranger…. Well enough said.

  • bruschetta on 23/07/2014 - 11:43
    +1

    Zarc where did you go? Maybe he finished the battery on his phone or he got a flight home :)
    Man, if you truly don't have any way post your bank account details - if each of us donate some coins you would be able to find a solution soon :) let us know, all the best

    • Cluster on 23/07/2014 - 15:17

      Chances are he/she is sitting on a plane back to Australia.

      • Zarcady on 23/07/2014 - 15:55
        +8

        I wish that was the case :( unfortunately im still sitting in the same burger king in the pudong airport for the last 20 hours or so…and I havent even bought anything because they cannot accept credit card.

        I called airasia in australia/malaysia/china and they all said the same thing. I booked a qantas plane ticket from brisbane to townsville which I was meant to catch to go home when I arrived at the gold coast and when I called them, they were at least able to give me a credit shell (minus $77 processing fee) to use on another flight. All im saying is, yes I know it is completely my responsibility to make sure I am ready to board…I checked in, got my passport validated and was waiting for the delayed plane that changed the boarding gate to half way across the airport…and fell asleep (so dumb I know). I didnt plan for such an event to occur and I cannot afford to pay for a brand new ticket. I called my mate to pick up some of my stuff to sell on ebay and hopefully I can get back hom from then…in the meantime, looks like another night spent at the airport for me until I get some sort of accommodation sorted out.

        Its an expensive lesson learnt but I cannot believe airasia would leave a customer out to dry like this, even when I pleaded my case multiple times. None of them would let me talk to their manager, saying they cannot help and will say the exact same thing as them. Buy a new ticket. Oh well

        • Cluster on 23/07/2014 - 16:03

          Do you know how much a new ticket is going to cost yet? See my post below about offers being available in the $1100 to $1200 mark, possibly about $600ish just to get back to anywhere in Australia (even if it's far from your final destination).

        • SirFlibbled on 23/07/2014 - 17:00
          +12

          Surely you have a friend/parent/uncle/aunty who can buy you a ticket and you can sort it out when you get home and pay them back?

          I know I'd help out a close mate who was in your situation like that.

        • eatwell365 on 24/07/2014 - 02:34
          +1

          Cardboard and pen. In front of their counter.

        • p1 ama on 24/07/2014 - 13:38
          +5

          Its an expensive lesson learnt but I cannot believe airasia would leave a customer out to dry like this, even when I pleaded my case multiple times.

          That's what happens when you fly with a budget carrier though. I'm not defending them and saying what they're doing is right, but when they offer a service for cheap, they've got to make cuts somewhere and the bottom line is, they can't simply just chuck you on another plane the way that premium airlines might be able to. That's just a part of flying with budget airlines, you can't expect as much.

        • Serapis on 24/07/2014 - 18:53

          *please delete

      • boozler on 24/07/2014 - 15:25
        +1

        Lots of casual jobs available to earn your flight ticket. You can do it!

  • GiggidyGoo on 23/07/2014 - 11:47
    +29

    Dude you are really having a bad year.

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/145508

    You also seem to have frequent holidays overseas (based on your last post - 4 weeks early this year, another one now). Not a bad life for a student…

    • h4zey on 24/07/2014 - 11:41

      bad luck brian, hope you got your shit sorted soon dude..

  • Zarcady on 23/07/2014 - 12:20
    +1

    First time sleeping to miss a flight unfortunately..last time had issue with visa so missed the flight but they were able to rebook me onto another flight. I took a semester off to work to come to sh but I guess I didnt plan for such an emergency as this. A big oversight on my part and something I will not repeat again.
    My booking reference number is GGRK2E if anyone can facebook them for help! I cant use it here… I just slept in the airport and waiting until 10pm for the airasia agents to come here (only 1 flight a day out of here..) so I can plead my case but somehow it doesnt look good for me. Unfortunately most places here doesnt take mastercard so Im trying to look for some food! Haha what a predicament to be in for dozing off a little….

    • tonka on 23/07/2014 - 12:41
      +17

      Will do but will probably not get much cred without your name. Ie dear air asia please help my friend who I dont know his name.

  • Zarcady on 23/07/2014 - 12:49
    +4

    My name is cheol ook lee. Thank you!

    • tonka on 23/07/2014 - 13:44
      +64

      Posted on Facebook. I'll email as well.

      Please help, you left one of your Australian passengers behind in Shanghai? I just heard from a friend who is stuck in Shanghai airport with no way home. After their plane was delayed they fell asleep and the plane boarded and left without them. The Air Asia Shanghai staff aren't able to help.

      What can be done? I can't believe you would leave a passenger in such dire straights, there must be a way. People would be too scared to travel otherwise because nobody can be perfect.

      • tonka on 23/07/2014 - 14:27
        +26

        Come on Ozbargain, give me some likes/comments on Facebook.

        I would really love to see if the power of Ozbargain can do something besides crash a site :-)

        https://www.facebook.com/AirAsia

        • devpress on 23/07/2014 - 14:54

          can't find your post?

        • tonka on 23/07/2014 - 15:06
          +1

          @devpress:
          I posted in the comments of their CEBU Phillippines post as Teetonka.

        • 729fx on 23/07/2014 - 20:04
          +3

          @tonka:
          Great idea Tonka! I gave the Facebook post a like.

          You deserve a special Ozbargain medal if this works!!

        • tazmaniak on 23/07/2014 - 21:50
          +1

          @729fx:
          Liked and commented. Hope they can assist him!

        • juventino on 23/07/2014 - 22:34
          +1

          after we like the post, please copy and paste and post exactly the same thing on their facebook wall…so it will get noticed

        • frewer on 23/07/2014 - 23:04
          +1

          gj i liked n comment on it too.

      • Banana on 24/07/2014 - 22:59
        +3

        Just saw your post Tonka! You have a great heart <3 I hope you get home soon Zarcady!

  • Cluster on 23/07/2014 - 14:56
    +3

    http://matrix.itasoftware.com/ is what you need.

    I put it on one way, Shanghai (all airports) to Brisbane. 6500 yuan departing Friday, so about $1100. Use 'See calendar of lowest fares' and select the cheapest date. Bear in mind if you choose a later date (August for example) you'll need to factor in the cost of accomodation/food/hassle etc. Good luck.

    EDIT:

    Shanghai to Melbourne, $600 on 1 August. Try to catch a cheap Jetstar/Tiger flight to Brisbane from there?

    Shanghai to Sydney, $610 on 31 July.

    Lastminute.com.au: (Shanghai to Brisbane)

    July 28: $1150 to $1200

    • [Deactivated] on 23/07/2014 - 23:23
      +1

      Or leave tomorrow

      $223 to Hong Kong (China Eastern or Shanghai Airlines)
      $896 Hong Kong to Brisbane (EVA air)

      [or $695 Hong Kong to Sydney (Friday, Garuda)

  • matt_will_fix_it on 23/07/2014 - 15:59
    +1

    Do you need a visa for China? If so when does it expire?

  • fusion17 on 23/07/2014 - 16:57
    +1

    Have you tried flights to Singapore, then scoot airlines to AUS?

    When I left Japan I did that because it was cheaper by 200-300 and I got to see Singapore.

    Quick search showed shanghai to sing about 350
    Sing to the coast about 650 (850 to Syd)
    Man they're no longer cheap

  • Harry2017 on 23/07/2014 - 17:24
    -3

    your travel insurance should cover this

    • SirFlibbled on 23/07/2014 - 22:10
      +2

      What policy would cover this?

  • ironjd on 23/07/2014 - 17:31

    Your countries consular services usually can offer assistance to contact ur fam for emergency funds. They will not borrow u money or arrange u a flight.

    As for eating some banks have agreement with unionpay (I'm surprised no MasterCard acceptance for what is a international airport… Did you spent ur limit?)

    Tbh it seems like u want ozb to get u a flight free through social media, it probably ain't gonna happen so I suggest u look at more realistic options ASAP

    • matt_will_fix_it on 23/07/2014 - 18:15
      +6

      They will not borrow u money

      You mean they will not lend you money

  • currymuncher101 on 23/07/2014 - 18:04
    +7

    become the hobo at central station…but at shanghai airport

  • striker5950 on 23/07/2014 - 18:18
    +14

    all ozbarginers are stuck somewhere these days, one in apartment, one is Shanghai..
    "Im willing to sleep at the airport for a week if I have to" :P you remind me of that movie with tom hanks called the terminal lmao
    mate do what tom hanks done, start pushing luggage trolleys till you make enough money to buy a return ticket.

    • FutureTech on 23/07/2014 - 23:35
      +1

      Unlike most airports in the capitalistic countries, China as a great socialistic country does not allow paid trolley hire to exist within its territory.

      • Cluster on 24/07/2014 - 01:15
        +5

        Maybe that's a tactic… start working for someone in the airport and do your best to attract the police's attention. Get arrested and be automatically deported :-)

  • Hotpotcorn on 23/07/2014 - 18:32

    what you should do is beg around the streets of shanghai for money. dont be embarassed because from as what i remember there are HEAPS of people begging for money out there in shanghai streets even outside the city

    • striker5950 on 23/07/2014 - 18:35
      +9

      his gonna be begging for a while..

      • mmd on 23/07/2014 - 21:32
        +1

        +1, You have to become a busker if u want some money quickly.
        If begging or singing/dancing doesnt work, use ur credit card to withdraw cash at an ATM as the worst case scenario.
        There will be a cash advance interest of something crazy like 20%, but at least u have money to cover bare essentials like food and water. Interest is calculated daily, but to minimize charges, keep topping up ur credit card via ur bank account.

        Hope you find a way to get home.

    • Indomietable on 23/07/2014 - 22:26
      +2

      Naaah .. just rent your self out :
      http://edition.cnn.com/2010/BUSINESS/06/29/china.rent.white.…

      • mmd on 23/07/2014 - 23:28
        +1

        Very certain Zarcady is Asian. His/ Her name is cheol ook lee as above.

  • Zarcady on 23/07/2014 - 19:23
    +57

    Sorry if it sounded like I was expecting to get a free flight from ozbargain..I have neither asked for any donations nor any form of charity. Just that maybe someone can find a cheaper flight if possible or an option that I havent thought of. I dont like asking for help and put burden on friends or family. It is my fault that im stuck and my resposibility to sort it out. Yes im australian, and my lack of a common western last name doesnt mean australia is not my home country. Airasia has contacted me through email to say they need to contact me on a mobile to try and arrange an alternative flight back and I suspect it might have been something to do with the facebook post by tonka to whom im eternally grateful to try and help out a fellow human who have made a mistake. I will update with any new development and thanks to everyone who has helped out. Cheers~

  • Hotpotcorn on 23/07/2014 - 20:09

    airasia facebook page

  • lolmao on 23/07/2014 - 20:20
    +22

    Garuda flight Shanghai to Denpasar (via Jakarta) - depart 24 July 10:05, arrive 24 July 23:30 - $342.25

    Jetstar flight Denpasar to Brisbane - depart 25 July 23:35, arrive 26 July 06:55 - $381.00

    indonesia visa = $35usd = $37.05

    Total: $760 and you'll be home Saturday morning

    first flight source: http://english.ctrip.com/flights/shanghai-to-bali/tickets-sh…
    second flight source: www.jetstar.com

  • Clementt on 23/07/2014 - 20:29
    +1

    I not sure if this may help. If your credit card operator has International Hotline number, then give them a call.
    Also, some might be able to provide you instant emergency cash advance. Good luck!

    Anyway, everyone go and like Teetonka Stoneman post at https://www.facebook.com/AirAsia
    Just a "like" to show we care about each other. Spread the love and kindness

  • Thongy on 23/07/2014 - 21:15
    +2

    Have authority cancel VISA & be deported back to Oz. Or try catch a train to Nanjing and then Scoot to Singapore and through to the Gold Coast.

    • [Deactivated] on 23/07/2014 - 23:37

      Is this a realistic option? Any repercussions?

      • FutureTech on 23/07/2014 - 23:44
        +3

        Next time you wanna apply for a Chinese visa it's gonna be rough

      • Cluster on 24/07/2014 - 01:16

        Some places like Singapore want to know if you've ever been convicted of a criminal offense. Makes entry much more difficult.

  • [Deactivated] on 23/07/2014 - 21:19
    +35

    Call 108 610 (Chinese operator - cost of a local call)

    Ask to make a reverse charge call to:

    Westpac:+61 2 9293 9270
    ANZ: +61 3 9683 7043
    CBA: +61 2 9999 3283
    NAB: +61 3 8641 9083

    Ask your bank for an ECA (Emergency cash advance)

    They will arrange something with mastercard/visa for you and mc/visa will provide a location you can visit within 24-48 hours (or maybe less) to collect the cash (usually up to 1k AUD).

    • massafiri on 23/07/2014 - 23:11
      +14

      Wow I didn't know this. Thanks for sharing.
      This is waaay more informative then my Google search for "farts"

  • zelda707 on 23/07/2014 - 21:46

    I haven't read all the comments but if you've got your MasterCard with you, couldn't you just book another flight with Air Asia or Qantas? Sure its going to be more expensive but at least you'll get home quicker…

  • sillyguy on 23/07/2014 - 21:46
    +1

    @OP you can follow this guy footsteps: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/324283889/potato-salad

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