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Air Asia X - Upgrade to Premium Seats Using UTO (Save up to 75% on Upgrades)

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Air Asia X - Upgrade to Premium Seats Using UTO (Save up to 75% on Upgrades)
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L[Deactivated] on 11/10/2010 - 15:17 airasia.com (3430 clicks)

Just browsing the AirAsia.com.au website and noticed they have partnered up with optiontown.com, basically you can pay a samll disocunted fee using optiontown and opt for premium/business or first class seat at a great discounted rate….and if on the day there happens to be empty seats in that class then you will get it or else they will refund your $$$ back after 5 days. I just upgraded my seats from Gold Coast to Malaysia for around $100 Aussie dollars. Lets hope i get them!!!

Some info of the airasia website…..

"It’s now more affordable to upgrade your Economy seats to Premium, courtesy of our new partnership with Optiontown! You’ll save up to 75% as compared to the regular AirAsia Premium fare!

When you upgrade to Premium, you’ll enjoy the comfort of a Flat Bed, the exclusivity of Priority Check-In and Priority Boarding, plus a Combo Meal and Baggage Allowance*.

Just follow these simple Upgrade Travel Option (UTO) steps to experience the best perks of Premium class"

Travel Premium Seats Upgrade

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closed Comments

  • No on 11/10/2010 - 15:30

    Interesting, has anyone used this before? I have been given a price of $56AUD on a PER-KLL flight.

    • ausooi on 11/10/2010 - 21:27

      I haven't used this before. But i did get a special deal recently from KL to Hangzhou (extra RM$100 for the upgrade) and it was definitely worth it!! Very impressed with the premium seatings. They were very very limited seats, but they had universal charger, handy for my netbook movies! as well as sleep beds. first time anything other than economy and was great.
      So hope this deal actually works though. Definitely a good deal if you are the lucky person who gets the upgrade.

  • dirtybird on 11/10/2010 - 15:34

    interesting

  • blinkhme on 11/10/2010 - 15:41

    Like this idea, 100 aud(for 2) for GC - KL , seems like a great deal if you got your tickets for cheap in the first place.

    • greenfish on 11/10/2010 - 17:23

      hi Blinkhme,

      How did you manage to get 100 aud (for 2) for GC- KL, when I try to use it, it showed up as 618MYR = 202 AUD for 2?

  • baz123 on 11/10/2010 - 15:48
    +4

    I used them to pay for an upgrade on Kingfisher in India. On the day of the flight the business class section was entirely empty, but I still didn't get the upgrade. I was refunded the upgrade fee promptly, but couldn't understand why they didn't follow through with the upgrade. Good deal if you score the upgrade though!

  • whitenite on 11/10/2010 - 15:58

    Didn't like the fact all passengers under the same Booking No. had to sign up. I'm travelling with kids, they don't need the sleeper-seats on Air Asia.

  • tim_geo on 11/10/2010 - 16:22
    +1

    Be careful, I've seen a similar deals where they are happy to take the membership fee, but extremely difficult to get anything done after that, including getting bookings confirms (in this case upgrades confirmed I guess).

    • vwh on 11/10/2010 - 16:45

      Good point there. It could be a 'catch' there, if you never actually get the upgraded seat. Yes they'll refund the upgrade fee, but what about the membership fee?

      Care to share a bit more of your experience? hopefully we can all learn something.

  • kingzac on 11/10/2010 - 16:52
    +2

    I see it as a bit of a thing for air asia to make some money at the last minute if premium hasn't been purchased.

    I've got a flight out of Melbourne at 1am so it's worth a shot.

    • bennib0i on 11/10/2010 - 21:42

      Good luck.

      The 1am flight out of Melbourne is extremely busy on weekends and Fri / Mon nights.

      Just a tip for you. Check in online..it works now and you only have to line up in the shorter line ;)

      • kingzac on 12/10/2010 - 15:38

        Thanks for the tip, it's on a Wednesday night so I guess we'll see.

  • josephlee80 on 11/10/2010 - 16:57

    Good find, pondering if I would in fact get upgraded.

  • scampy on 11/10/2010 - 17:04

    Not too sure if this is worthwhile due to the hit and miss factor. If they guarenteed they would honor the upgrade, different story.

  • wildstone on 11/10/2010 - 17:12

    I got $100 AUD from KUL-OOL and another $100 AUD from OOL-KUL. Anyone got it cheaper?

  • anthony on 11/10/2010 - 17:16

    I will be flying with Air Asia X so think I will give this a try.

    Thanks!

    I guess this is good for Air Asia X as if you book an economy seat, buy food, baggage, and pick your seat they get to keep this money even if you get an upgrade.

  • venismecha on 11/10/2010 - 17:20
    +1

    Definitely worth a shot. I've already pre-paid my meal, but I can always eat more if I get premium. I'm good at that.

  • Nazrath on 11/10/2010 - 17:30

    Anyone having problem with the optiiontown site? Its buggy as hell and I can't seem to retrieve my booking.

    Edit: Got it working with Firefox.

  • anthony on 11/10/2010 - 17:32

    Does it matter that there is no optiontown Australia selection?

    The only difference I can see is the currency it shows you

  • zhenjie on 11/10/2010 - 17:40

    They only notice you 4 hours before a flight??

    This sounds more like a lottery then anything. No refund on the signup fee and they seem pretty vague on how and when you might get an upgrade.

  • anthony on 11/10/2010 - 18:00

    Looking into it there is not much of a price difference (for my flight)

    The flight I am on in an economy seat with food, bags and seat selection for 2 people cost me $340
    The optiontown upgrade fee is $100
    So for upgraded seats with optiontown I will end up paying $440

    To buy 2 premium seats on the same flight would cost me $460

    For an extra $20 I think I would rather go through the airline and be able to pick my own Premium seats. If I was upgraded through optiontown I think that we would be placed in any free seat, not seats together.

    • shiba on 11/10/2010 - 20:31

      which date is it that u managed to find 2 premium seats for $460?

      • anthony on 12/10/2010 - 10:55

        The date doesnt matter prices are based on the flight.

        The flight I was looking at was from KUL to DEL.

        Look on Air Asia X for that flight.
        26 October 2010 has a premium seat for $228

        • shiba on 12/10/2010 - 11:09

          cool. i thought it was for a flight connecting aus and msia. i think it is probably worthwhile for destinations where they charged a higher premium for premium seats if that's the case.

          • anthony on 12/10/2010 - 11:36

            @shiba: Sorry to confuse you!

            I am sure there are some routes where the difference in price will be greater making optiontown better value.

            The purpose of my post was to make people aware that not all the flights were much cheaper so to look at the prices carefully before using optiontown. (That is why I did not put any specific flight information)

  • [Deactivated] on 11/10/2010 - 18:13

    Guys, Guess what!!! Air Asia just called me and upgraded my seats to Premium for my flights next week!! Actually is worth the while. Good luck to anyone else trying.

    • anthony on 11/10/2010 - 18:27

      Lucky you.

      My flights are not until January and the Premium cabin is already half full so I dont think I will bother with trying to get an upgrade as it will fill up in the coming months

  • yarrow on 11/10/2010 - 18:15

    So tempted, we fly on Wed night from Melbourne to KL.

    I have already paid for seats and luggage though. As these are included on the premium seats seems silly to pay for them again.

    • cairnsn on 12/10/2010 - 17:23

      Maybe next time you should book your economy seat without for paying luggage. Then if you are unsuccessful you could modify your booking and purchase luggage a day or so before the flight.

      Optiontown website does say they can notify you at the very latest 4hrs prior to a flight. You'll have to take a chance of paying for your luggage if you haven't heard from them yet.

  • insertusernamehere on 11/10/2010 - 21:23

    only 4 premium seats left on my Nov flight so don't think i'll bother. seems good though

  • prankster on 11/10/2010 - 22:09

    assume frist page, just put UK because australia not available.. will see if theres seats on my flight hehe

    • prankster on 11/10/2010 - 22:30

      i guess its just the currency value - anyway what do people put? should I put USA? if our dollar goes higher then they refund me i lose out! LOL guess no biggie for trying

      but whats this sign up charge? it better be a one off!!

      • anthony on 11/10/2010 - 23:01

        but whats this sign up charge? it better be a one off!!

        I think it is for every time you "sign up" for an upgrade.

        Just a way for optiontown to make some money and probably cover the credit card fees.

  • customundo on 11/10/2010 - 23:06
    +2

    from the comments and sentence structures there's obviously lots of Malaysians on here lol :D

  • inherentchoice on 11/10/2010 - 23:23

    If your flight's not for a few months it looks like they get to hold onto your money for all that time…

    I presume this deal is here to stay? Would chances of getting an upgrade be different if you booked closer to departure date?

    Also, can someone tell me how to find out how many premium seats are available on the flight? On the flight I looked at the economy seats are from row 7 back, however the premium seats seem to be only the first two rows, so i'm not sure what rows 3-6 are…

    • anthony on 11/10/2010 - 23:38

      Would chances of getting an upgrade be different if you booked closer to departure date?

      You would think so

      Also, can someone tell me how to find out how many premium seats

      As you have done, count the empty seats.

      There are probably no rows 3-6 it will be where the toilet and kitchen are.

      I have noticed when walking through the qantas cabin that business class seats are "A/C isle D/F"
      There is no B or E

      • prankster on 12/10/2010 - 10:52

        yeah i checked this out as well too, premium only 1-2 rows and economy after 7 lol

    • shiba on 11/10/2010 - 23:44

      i think there are 12 premium seats. i looked for number of premium seats available by making a dummy booking of 9 person (max) and reduce the number if it shows sold out.

  • venismecha on 12/10/2010 - 10:39

    I've got a flight next Tuesday (two seats, booked separately) and I just got confirmation that one seat was upgraded. Hopefully the second one comes through, but either way, pretty good and quick!

    • prankster on 12/10/2010 - 10:50

      what happens if your partner/friend misses out.. lol

      • anthony on 12/10/2010 - 11:41

        As long as both people are on the same booking then they will both be upgraded.

        But as venismecha said they are on separate booking it is possible that wach person could be sitting alone.

  • prankster on 12/10/2010 - 10:52

    just a question with this, is this a special or should i book it closer to my date? im going in june next year

    • anthony on 12/10/2010 - 11:43
      +1

      It is not a special.

      Without knowing how optiontown works it is hard to say when you should sign up.

      It might be that the people who apply first are upgraded first or it might be a random draw as the flight gets closer so it doesnt matter when you signed up.

      You are better off applying later as you can see if there are going to be any empty seats. If there are no empty seats then it is not worth applying.
      But if optiontown upgrades those who first asked for an upgrade then by applying late you may not be upgraded.

    • Nazrath on 12/10/2010 - 12:27

      I just booked for an upgrade for my flight in January. Either way if I don't get upgraded I'll get my money back, if they do it first come first served at least I'm covered. It's only $100AU, you really can't lose by buying early unless of course, optiontown ceases to operate.

  • Cluster on 12/10/2010 - 12:07

    I've just come back from an Air Asia X flight between KUL and Delhi using the premium seats. Best seats I've ever had on a plane. Paying extra is highly recommended. Please note: you still have to pay for almost everything, including food and drinks on board. A pillow and a blanket are included however.

    • anthony on 12/10/2010 - 12:15

      A meal and water is free with the premium economy seats
      http://www.airasia.com/au/en/myflights/premiumseat.html

      A pillow and a blanket are included however.

      That is what the website says and I am sure it is correct however if you try to book a premium economy seat they try and charge you for a blanket "Comfort Kit (25.00 MYR)"

      • cairnsn on 12/10/2010 - 17:12

        Website says that pillows and blanket are for on-board use only. So i'm guessing if you purchase the comfort kit it's yours to keep.

        • dirtybird on 15/10/2010 - 16:03

          Dont bother with the Comfort kit if you are in Premium.
          As a Premium customer you will get a pillow and blanket.
          The comfort pack has a neck pillow and eye patch and blanket.
          If you are in economy tho, the pack is worth it and you can reuse on the return journey so dont buy one for each leg of the trip!

  • yarrow on 12/10/2010 - 13:54

    Just applied for our flight from Melb-KL this Thursday (14th). Will see how we go.

  • cairnsn on 12/10/2010 - 15:34
    +1

    They now have Australia in the list of options with fees quoted in AUD.

    I did a comparison of my upcoming one-way flight between OOL-KUL by selecting the various country options.

    As per my example you may be able to save a few dollars by paying in foreign currency.

    Australia (per passenger)
    Joining Fee = AUD4.00 (non-refundable)
    Upgrade Fee OOL-KUL = AUD105.00

    Malaysia
    Joining Fee = MYR10 (non-refundable)
    Upgrade Fee OOL-KUL = MYR299
    Total = MYR309 or approx AUD101.60

    However, don't forget most credit cards charge a 2-3% foreign currency conversion fee. If you are not successful the refund is most likely going to be in the same currency as the initial charge and will be at the exchange rate applicable at the time of refund which may or may not be different from the exchange rate of the initial charge. Your credit card company may also charge the conversion fee on refund transactions although some don't.

    Personally i'd just pay the fee in AUD to avoid the currency risk and extra credit card fees.

    • anthony on 12/10/2010 - 16:05

      Your credit card company may also charge the conversion fee on refund transactions although some don’t.

      And others will not refund the original currency conversion fee.

  • yarrow on 12/10/2010 - 15:41

    Just got a call from air asia, am now upgraded to premium seating :)

    • cairnsn on 12/10/2010 - 16:41

      As in a telephone call or an email advice?

    • No on 12/10/2010 - 18:10

      When did you sign up & when is your flight?

      Cheers

      • yarrow on 12/10/2010 - 18:13
        +1

        A telephone call from Air Asia. Logged and paid about 1.30pm today, got the call at 3.30pm. Check online and we are definitely in premium seats.

        Flight is 1.45am on 14th October 2010, Melb to KL.

        • prankster on 12/10/2010 - 22:24

          ok so it seems they call you to confirm you got the seats - what happens with your ticket? do they send you an email saying to present these to Air Asia when you check-in or do you think it will be automatic? because obviously you bought economy seats which you will get tickets for but then because of the upgrade what happens next..

          anyway hope you can advise and let everyone know how you went with your check-in later on.
          also want to confirm this because i will be in another country and not in aus (if i was to be upgraded) so want to know if they can't contact me on my mobile - what would happen - would this be automatic.. etc

          also asking because before completing registration one of the conditions state ' c. you will be informed about the upgrade on the email address provided by you.' so just curious if they will give you a new ticket or not..

          • yarrow on 13/10/2010 - 07:18
            +1

            @prankster: They emailed me a new itinerary with Premium as the fare type and with my new seat allocation. I could then log in via asia and change my seats if I wanted as well as change my free meal type.

            Optiontown also send an email telling me my upgrade was successful (but this arrived AFTER the call from Air Asia).

            We check in tonight in Melb and I have printed the new tickets to take- will try and post to let people know how it went.

            • anthony on 13/10/2010 - 10:28

              @yarrow:

              and with my new seat allocation. I could then log in via asia and change my seats if I wanted as well as change my free meal type.

              Did they allocate you with a seat next to the person you are travelling with or were the seats randomly assigned?

              • yarrow on 13/10/2010 - 15:24

                @anthony: Next to the person I am traveling with.

  • MAsider on 12/10/2010 - 17:26

    how come it doesnt seems for me to make selection on their website after i register. anyone with similar problem?

  • wcm8382 on 13/10/2010 - 02:10

    is it possible to get a refund for pre-paid extras such as check-in baggage, choice of seats etc.? i'm thinking of trying this out if i can get a refund for my pre-paid extras.

    • yarrow on 13/10/2010 - 07:21
      +1

      No. We didn't get a refund for baggage or seat allocation. Premium gives you 20kg free but if you purchased more than that (we purchased 25kg) you can use up to what you purchased.

      • carolinetps on 14/10/2010 - 11:50

        But i just call the airasia customer service centre and they said for upgrade customer will not get hte 20kg free and the combo meal as well. Are you sure i can use up the 20kg and my pre-paid extras of 25kg?

        Do airasia apply extra charges for upgrading in UTo?

        • yarrow on 14/10/2010 - 12:20

          You get 20kg free regardless of if you paid for baggage with Premium. If you paid for 25kg you get 25kg (not 45kg).if you paid for for 30kg you get 30kg.

  • yarrow on 14/10/2010 - 00:42
    +3

    Currently sitting in Melb airport awaiting boarding to my premium seat. Check in was a breeze - no waiting in the queue just straight to the Premium check in counter. Luggage tagged for priority at the other end as well.

    Will check in on here later and give a review on the seats.

  • bargrin on 14/10/2010 - 01:25

    awesome, try and stay awake and stuff yourself with enough drinks equal to upgrade fee ;)

    • anthony on 14/10/2010 - 09:32

      Drinks still need to be paid for, even in the premium seats

      • yarrow on 14/10/2010 - 12:29

        We got a free meal and 2 bottles of water each. Everything else had to be paid for.
        I will say the Premium seats are FANTASTIC! Huge amounts of room and so easy to sleep in, well worth the upgrade fee (esp for an overnight flight). We didn't queue to board, just walked up to the gate and were 1st on. Getting off we were 1st off and luggage was waiting for us.

        Now to decide if we try to upgrade on the way home :-)

        • carolinetps on 14/10/2010 - 14:29

          But i already pre book the meal. Will they refund me?

          • yarrow on 14/10/2010 - 15:40

            @carolinetps: No.

          • dirtybird on 15/10/2010 - 15:56

            @carolinetps: If you manage to get the upgrade I can tell you the fact you had to pre pay a meal wont concern you in the slightest once you have experienced the Premium seating.
            The meal isnt that expensive anyway.

      • lilyvarol on 12/11/2010 - 01:27

        once you are upgraded to premium cabin you deserve all the facilities given in that cabin

  • williamducles on 22/10/2010 - 23:00
    +2

    Hurray!!! I have just got a call from optiontown.com and they told me that I am upgraded to Premium for my flight from KUL to LHR. I just got to pay 499 MYRs only!!! I was just experimenting with this offer from Optiontown.com and Air Asia. Now I am very much excited to board on their business class. I really wanted this for long journey like this.

  • annoshjou on 01/11/2010 - 22:57

    Great! I have never used optiontown upgrade but thinking to use it on my next trip to Melbourne. Their websites says it is just 299 MYR from Kuala Lumpur to Melbourne. If it is true then I will save enough money. Hope i get upgrade …..

  • emmathomas on 17/11/2010 - 21:21

    unbelievable !!!
    never heard of this before. it is just wow.
    Do they upgrade for all the air asia flights ??
    How much exactly it costs??

    • lilyvarol on 18/11/2010 - 21:05

      You might not have heard this because they have launched this services very recently..
      This services is available on many Air Asia flights.

      You can save upto 75% of the full premium class fare but it is not fixed.

  • williamducles on 20/11/2010 - 22:57

    Recently traveled from KUL to LHR in Air Asia Premium class. Seats were very comfortable for sleeping with enough leg room.The value for money was excellent as I get upgraded from economy to Premium though Optiontown.com. I had to pay only 499 MYRs as an upgrade price for Economy to Premium!!! I was very excited when I got this superb offer and this excitement got doubled when I flew in their premium class. I am waiting for my next trip getting scheduled so i can book again for this offer.

  • annoshjou on 21/11/2010 - 02:12

    good luck william :)

  • emmathomas on 23/11/2010 - 02:07
  • emmathomas on 23/11/2010 - 02:10

    I am getting tempted for this offer. Just waiting for Air Asia Sale offer to have the best bargain :)

  • annoshjou on 23/11/2010 - 23:25

    finally i registered with optiontown upgarde from Kuala Lumpur to Melbourne flight next April.
    Its a long time,i have a fair chances of upgrade.
    :)

    • dzf on 24/11/2010 - 15:12

      lol…I'm going flying Melb-KL (Return flights too) in March and signed up in mid-Oct, I'll let you know how I go… ;)

      In hindsight, prolly not the best thing to do as they've got ~AUD$400 (for 2x ppl, return) of my money for ~5 months.

      • williamducles on 25/11/2010 - 21:32

        $400 for 2 and that too for return trip1! That is a huge saving I must say. Have you booked for extra baggage? I stopped booking for it after I tried their upgrades :)

      • annoshjou on 25/11/2010 - 22:23

        yeah raichu I thought the same before i registered with them. But if you invest this much money anywhere , still you can't save that much. I still see it as a profitable deal.
        So I have registered for upgrades. I have heard a lot about this websites on other websites as well. It is very popular in Europe.

        I think you should go for it raichu

  • williamducles on 24/11/2010 - 01:32

    Have you already signed up for the upgrade? I would say this is already an ever going sale with optiontown. You can not think of any other way of traveling in premium if you have tried them.

  • emmathomas on 24/11/2010 - 23:29
    +1

    Just think of it as an investment with very high returns :)

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