Malaysia Airlines Weird Pricing Structure & AMEX Points Transfer into Their Enrich Program

Lucky Ivan on 09/09/2015 - 18:18
Last edited 09/09/2015 - 18:19

Hi, I'm looking at prices for flying from Perth to Malaysia using Malaysia airlines.

after playing around with the prices, i got the below prices:

$2240 return from Perth to Malaysia (leave date, return date)
or
$1150 for a return from Malaysia back to Perth. (date flying from Perth to Malaysia is same as above leave date)
$740 for single from Malaysia back to Perth. (date for this is same as above return date)

so i was thinking of purchasing the single + return from Malaysia back to Perth costing $1890 ($1150+$740).

That's a saving of $350.

My question is will Malaysia airlines cancel my return trip if i don't use the first section and are there any other issues i need to be aware of?

I also got some AMEX points accumulated over the years. I've never redeemed anything apart from the domestic flights. Can someone explain to me whether it's possible to use AMEX points to pay for this? i read online, you can transfer the points to Malaysia Airlines Enrich program and then redeem the flight. just wondering if it's worth it?

Thanks, for any info.

Travel

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Comments

  • Paul Atreides on 09/09/2015 - 19:33

    try going further in the booking process of the flights originating from Malaysia and see if the price you're mentioning includes fees.

    also - what dates are you looking at? (pm me if you want or post it here)

    • Lucky Ivan on 10/09/2015 - 00:55

      I'll call them tomorrow to confirm that they'll cancel the return flight if I don't use the 1st flight.

      The theory is that Malaysia airlines gives better pricing to "locals" or those traveling from Malaysia better deals compared to traveling from Australia..

      As an example, a single adult economy ticket from Perth to Kota Kinabalu on 18/10 until 25/10 cost $741.

      To travel on the same day, but the other way around cost $402.

      However if you wanted to catch the exact same flight as above, you can purchase the following tickets:

      Get return from 11/10 to 18/10 from KK-PER for $402 then
      get one way for 25/10 from KK- PER for $249
      Total price is 651 or a difference of $90. You're paying for 3 flights or 1 extra flight, but it will cost you less!

      Anyway, guess it doesn't work if they cancel the return flight since I won't be using the 1st flight.

  • Luminary on 09/09/2015 - 21:22

    Just wondering why you're set on Malaysia Airlines? That price seems really expensive.. I'm paying ~2.2k to fly to Europe during peak season on Qatar.

    • UncommonName on 09/09/2015 - 23:28

      Business class maybe? OP needs to state the class of ticket.

    • Lucky Ivan on 10/09/2015 - 00:10

      Hi Taniiah, it's the only airline that flies direct to Kota Kinabalu. The price i quote is for a group.

  • [Deactivated] on 09/09/2015 - 21:48
    +1

    To answer your question, if you don't take the first flight, the second flight will be cancelled.

    • MITM on 09/09/2015 - 22:07

      Please make sure you don't miss the first flight, cause I'm on the second flight and don't want it to be cancelled.

    • RockyRaccoon on 10/09/2015 - 05:55

      RD is correct. Miss the first leg of any flight and they will cancel the booking. Actually they cancel the rest of any booking, So if you have 4 legs eg Per - KL KL To Kota, Kota to KL, KL to Per then say you miss the KL to Kota then the rest gets cancelled.

      Alternative strategy is to look at flying say Per to KL with AirAsia, then stay a night in KL (to be safe in case flight is delayed etc) then Fly Malaysian to Kota, You could pick up Malaysian back to Per or just do the same AirAsia back to KL then to Per.

      If Amex points can be used on Malaysian you could use those points (if you have enough) to fly say to KL, then pay for the rest of the trip like you mentioned.

      Airlines always have different prices for different markets. Most times this is why return fares are cheaper than two singles, so people cant buy one way then a different price for the return ticket. But the low cost airlines dont always follow this strategy.

      • Lucky Ivan on 11/09/2015 - 05:34

        Ok. Thanks for info.

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