• expired

Air Asia Pop-Tastic Sale. OOL/MEL/SYD/PER to KUL for $179 One Way or $279 RT and Other Specials

680

Just got an email from Air Asia about the sale they are having tonight. You can fly from Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney or Perth to the following destinations on Fly-Thru routes (ie. whole journey on one ticket).

Kuala Lumpur $179
Singapore $209
Penang $219
Langkawi $229
Phuket $239
Kota Kinabulu $239
Clark (Manila) $259
Bangkok $259
Ho Chi Minh City $259

There are lots of other destinations too so just check the sale page if you don't see it above.

Book from 26 Nov (03:00 AEDST) - 2 Dec 2012
Travel from 1 Jun - 31 Dec 2013

If you book with Air Asia be sure to check out www.optiontown.com for cheap stand-by upgrades to business class or get an empty row of seats to yourself.

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  • +11

    Annoying that PER has to pay the same price as SYD which is twice as far from KUL.

    • haha, on the flip side, I am happy that syd to kl is not that exp.

    • +1

      You should be glad you don't have to fly via Sydney! ;)

    • Yeah, I hate that. However to compensate, wages are a fair bit higher in Perth than in Sydney.

      • Only if you work on the mines. For everyone else, wages are the same. Prices are higher though.

  • Another AA sale. Hasn't been 1 for 3 weeks. Before that had weekly sales.

    Be aware carry-on limit wiii change on Dec1 to 1 item of 7kg max (plus handbag). See previous sale for details.

    • if you don't mind me asking what were the limits before?

  • +3

    $100.00 flights KL-Australia! (All-in-fare - includes taxes etc)
    OP - good idea to add KL $279 return to title!

    • +2

      Good pick up.

      • It sweetens the deal ;)
        Just change FLIGHTS FROM (from KL) in the deal link to see posibilities.
        As usual with AA, you may need to book KL-elsewhere fare separately to get that price!!!
        Got $72 KL-OOL last sale.

      • Defnitely good pick up. I was doubling the fares and thinking it's still a bit exxy from Perth. Shanghai here I come!

  • 3 seat upgrade (2 extra seats to stretch out/sleep) is $33 on my KL-OOL with www.optiontown.com
    You are emailed the options (flat bed, 3 seats, paid to change flight date) after booking.
    Good for lone travellers. But you only get your option if available!!!
    Empty Seat decision will be emailed normally 1-3 days before departure and at least 4 hours before departure.

    • I have used option town empty seat option for my parents a couple of times ( it is never available on my flights for some reason). They love it - last time they each had a row to themselves and were the only people with spare seats next to them. It means that they can lie down and relax on the way home. Only issue was having to tell people that they had paid for the extra seats when they see the spare seats and want to muscle in.

      • Good to hear that - never used it myself.

        On Scoot, from what I observed - they sell off rows of 3 or 4 empty seats if available. The process seems to be - stake an empty row soon after take off (as I did), wait to be told that is not your allocated seat, but for a fee it can be (being cheap, I moved back to my seat). Once 1 seat is sold in a row of 4, you are told all those seats have been bought. But there was seat envy of those snoozing in uncrowded seats! From memory SIN-OOL was similar upgrade price at about $30.

        I almost never pay for a seat allocation - have been lucky with interesting neighbours. On my flight to Singapore with Scoot in July, was sitting between locals from Singapore (my first destination) and Melaka (my second stop). Picked up valuable tips about local foods, sights, customs - so was better informed on arrival.

        • +8

          brucefromaustralia - just want to say that i always read your posts and i have learnt a great deal. i really appreciate the effort that u put in and the detail that u share. thanks mate.

        • The trick seems to be to choose an unpopular flight time. That also will be the cheapest flight. I booked a Sunday day flight (1020-20:30) back from KL. If I had booked the following night's flight (dearer) I could receive a $50 rebate to change to the Sunday flight.
          Hopefully there will be spare seats on my flight. I smile & chat with check-in staff & have been lucky before (EDIT: in getting seats to myself).

        • Thanks R3b3l66. Well, (cheap) travel is what I do for fun most of the year.

      • +1

        I have used option town to upgrade to Business class but didnt get it :(

        • Pity. Seems to be dependent on popularity of flight (availability of seats) & popularity of upgrade on that flight.

        • I've used it 3 times and worked every time. Only my wife and I travelling together.

      • +3

        Frequent AA traveler here. Thanks OP for the post!

        A tactic that I normally use to get a 'empty seat' (apart from using the OptionTown) option is….

        • Air Asia normally allocates everyone in a group. i.e Most people will be, by default, group together towards the front and mid section of the plane. Very smart of AA.
        • I skip the seat allocation during booking your tickets, and around 24-48 hours before your flight, when you web check-in, and have a look at what seats are available.
        • I then choose ($15 fee for seat selection) the seats that are available. If traveling alone, best seats are towards the back, when the 3 seats at the window becoming to two (for AU <-> KL flights). I book the aisle seat, leaving the window seat 'empty'. If anyone else wants to change seat, chances are they wont pay to select that window seat. YES, I do acknowledge that its still a risk that they may allocate someone to that seat, but normally that would mean the plane would be quite full in capacity anyway.
        • If there are not a lot of spare seats, then chances are you wont get the OptionTown option anyway. By checking in as late as possible, it gives you 1. the load on the plane and 2. what seats are available.

        Disclaimer: I know that not all people may like this option, or too risky, but so far I have (as well as other have use it with 'success') and thought I'd share. At the end of the day, do what you are comfortable with :).

        Hope that make sense, and helps.

        • Those twin rear seats are my choice as well, on other discount airlines. Often have a spare seat.
          My guess is airlines are consolidating empty seats to sell off as upgrades. Scattered empty seats seem to be becoming rarer.

  • Oh my god!!!
    The price comes out automatically after 26 Nov (03:00 AEDST)?

  • Cheap hotels to go with your cheap airfares
    http://www.tunehotels.com/promo/25-great-locations/en/?cid=e…

    • +4

      Basic, clean, extra for WiFi, aircon, towels etc in room. (Cleaners always leave a towel for me anyway.)
      Very cheap & great value when on special. Comfy beds. But carpetless means noises carry along corridors! The older ones have had/ are having make-overs.

      A tip - get a voucher for free computer use at reception (for PCs & WiFi in lobby) & use it in room for WiFi! I usually got 4 x 30min vouchers/day.

      Georgetown Penang in August, paid normal price of MYR50($15)/n for 'single' - got free upgrade to double by asking (singles had no window & had asked for a room with a window). (After renovation, there are no single rooms, but some doubles lack windows!) Booked a couple of days ahead. Weekends fill up with people from KL, so gets a little more expensive.

      Just checked KL for 5 nights in February (Single room, no extras) MYR208.80 = $65 ($13/n)!
      Its (medium) walking distance to Little India, the LRT (light rail) is about 5 minutes walk, and the monorail to Sentral (KL CBD) is just outside some windows!

      Extras: (MYR10 = au$3.13)
      12hr A/C + 24hr TV + 24hr Wifi + Towel & Toiletries MYR30
      12 Hours Air Cond. + Towel & Toiletries Kit MYR16
      Entertainment Package + Wireless Internet Access (24 hours) MYR16
      Air Conditioning (12 hours credit) MYR14.00 (12 hours is enough for 5 days in my experience)
      Air Conditioning (24 hours credit) MYR20.00
      Towel Rental + Toiletries Kit (MY) MYR6.00 (bring a towel - a handy travel item)
      Entertainment Package - 24 hour period (32-inch LCD TV with 12 channels) MYR10.60
      WIFI Internet Connection per device (24 hour period) MYR 12.00 (free vouchers at reception)
      Breakfast Set (for 1 set) MYR6.00 (eat locally instead - Roti Canai for MYR1 = 30c)
      Early Arrival (from 11.00 am) MYR15.00
      Late Departure (up to 2.00pm) MYR15.00

      • +4

        Luggage storage is MYR2 (60c) per bag per day. I have gone away for a week trip to the beach - with only a day pack, leaving my main pack at Tune. Very handy.
        Check maximum storage time - was 7days in Downtown KL.

      • What referral? I'm not sure what the cid in the url is for but it looks like a promo code with 121126 (promo date).

    • But plenty of cheap places (Dorms, rooms, home-stays) on Hostelworld, etc.
      Free hostelworld membership for 6 months http://www.hostelworld.com/student
      Discussion of alternative booking sites http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/72674

      Lonely Planet (digital & print editions) are available at many libraries. In Brissie (online or in library) I can download LP guides for 3 weeks loan. Handy for research before a trip.

      TripAdvisor is great for current reviews & recommendations. It has been the best for up to date info on accommodation. I download its free city Apps (eg KL, Singapore) for recommended sights etc (no need for internet connection to use).

  • -1

    Any ideas if this is Inc tax?

    • +1

      Advertised to Australians, in au$ - so has to include taxes by law.
      Even au$100 KL-Oz flights are listed as All-in-fare (includes taxes etc).
      Only need to add usual discount airline charges… baggage fee, food, shuttle bus, booking fee, etc.

    • -2

      'Airport charges and fees' are not included.

      • WRONG!!! … Advertised price ($179/$100) INCLUDES 'Airport charges and fees'
        eg October 2013 departures:
        Depart Gold Coast (OOL) to Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
        1 Guest @ 60.00 AUD 60.00 AUD
        Airport charges & fees 119.00 AUD
        Total AUD179.00

        Depart Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Gold Coast (OOL)
        1 Guest @ ≈39.08 AUD ≈39.08 AUD
        Airport charges & fees ≈59.11 AUD
        Total AUD≈98.18

        • Is $279 the lowest I can get away with (assuming I want zero baggage/upgrades)
          I got charged a booking fee - is there anyway to get away from that?

        • +1

          Not unless you can direct debit (Paypal ok for AUS out legs, but you need local banks in Malaysia for return leg)

        • Unless you have a Malaysian Credit Card, there is a booking fee on a separate return booking :( Booking return from Oz is dearer - as can only find $136 flight back ($315 return). So cheaper to book flights separately.

          Food, baggage in hold, transfer, etc is discounted if booked.
          The shuttle bus is 1/2 price to downtown KL (Sentral) - so is worth booking.

          Its been a while since I've booked out of Oz with AA - didn't know about PayPal & DD payments. Thanks zhenjie!

        • I think you can just change the currency from MYR to AUD on the payment screen and then it lets you pay with paypal. The exchange rate is not great so you'll have to work out for yourself whether it's better to pay with credit card. Probably not so good for return leg to Australia but good for those cheap domestic flights in Asia.

  • lowest i can find is $299 to KL.

    • +1

      Because sale starts at 3.00am!

  • +1

    Why they don't fly to Japan damn it.

    • +1

      They do, you need to change at KL and buy separate ticket, unless jets tar though

    • Jetstar direct from Gold Coast is cheaper when on special.

    • Additional flight KL-Osaka or KL-Tokyo $84 (Cheapest I found: $115/$131)
      But $195 Osaka-KL & $207 Tokyo-KL! A minimum of $589 return.
      (No bookings possible after mid-September 2013. I want October dates for a 1240 year old festival.)
      Look out for Jetstar specials about $400 return from Gold Coast - but limited travel dates.

  • nice deal

  • +1

    Most stress free AA sale in a while. Great fares, good dates and easy booking.

    • +1

      AirAsiaGo hotel booking was terrible. I was trying to book the MYR8 hotel rooms for Singapore and KL. It took forever to get to the payment screen and it crashes every time I submit the payment. After about an hour I just gave up. Ten minutes later I received 3 booking confirmation emails. WTF, 1 for Singapore and 2 for KL. $2.50/n for Singapore (normal price $210/n) and $2.50/n for KL (normal price $40/n). The KL one is double booked so I'm not sure whether to keep it or get a refund.

      • WOW! Great prices. Never checked it out - thanks! Pity about the poor interface.
        Just tried it for Feb - cheapest gave me au$20/n in KL. Tune is $13/n. Even a dorm room in a backpackers is au$8.75. Whats the trick??

        • +1

          Sorry, I should have mentioned that it was at 3am.

        • So that part of the 3am sale? Bugger!@! Back to $13/n at Tune Downtown KL for me!

  • Wife and kid travelling on their own by AA. Thanks all sharing so much valuable information. It justifies me being an OB addict.

  • Can we bring outside food into the plane?

    • im taking enough fish and chips to last the 8 hour flight

      • +1

        I'm not sitting near you :) But I'm bringing anchovies, smelly blue cheese, and aged salami!

        Given the price of AA pre-ordered food & the hassle of carrying on food - why bother. On other airlines (Scoot food was terrible!) I bring on food without problems. But with AA I've ordered 2 meals on some legs - quite nice food.

        • You can bring outside food but I agree with Bruce. Try the nasi lemak. If you get an upgrade to business it will be free.

        • Would recommend that meal choice. But thats an expensive nasi lemak!
          Now you made me hungry for a nasi with a spicy sambal!
          I'm not back in Malaysia until January - thats too long to wait.
          One woman told me to take up jogging if I was to keep eating her nasi lemak - the coconut rice is a bit fattening.

    • +1

      Yes you can… NO DURIANS though :)

  • aaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwww man so badly want to book some flights and jump off.

    why don't i have free money…?

    • Don't need much money in most of Asia - I travel OS on hols up to 9 months a year for many years.
      I splash out & spend a total of $20/day by the beach in Malaysia in own hut, with 3 tasty cooked meals, but includes no alcohol (high taxes).
      In late August stayed at http://www.shari-la.com/ (can't book, just turn up & ask - stayed for 2 weeks) $6/n on a small island resort in an a/c dorm with $3 all you can eat breakfast, $1.50 mango milkshakes (so cold & thick, made with freshly chopped mango) & $5 whole BBQ fish, salad, with fruit, drink & cake on the beach as the sun goes down, after snorkelling the reef.
      Or $13/n for Tune hotel in KL & breakfast (roti canai & tea etc) for less than $1.
      Pop over to Laos etc on AA flight from about $30 for a real cheap time - so I hear.

      • +1

        thanks bruce, what I left out of my post + was slightly insinuating was:

        "why don't i have free money…why do i need to work for my money and because i'm working I don't have time to holiday?"

        =D

        • +1

          I could read that between the lines ;)
          That FREE MONEY Deal never comes up on OB - or is expired before I ever see it!

          I've met people living in mansions worth millions, who envy the life of a simple traveller - because they "haven't been able to afford to take a holiday for years".

          Most people work their lives away! I restructured my life, reduced my costs (thanks OB!) & sold my few assets (no car etc) so I can do what I love - travel (for food) most of the year (on a tight budget). Not everyone can do that (marriage, mortgage, kids, expensive tastes or high expectations, on a limited income, etc). Its sometimes a difficult choice.

          My business was teaching people how to think differently. I had very successful clients (Minister of Govt, business & sports people, etc) - and my most common advice was simply not to work so hard or long. My usual technique was to get them to play - to open their minds to new ideas. My office was full of childrens books & soft toys. My friends joked that I was the highest paid kindergarden teacher! Their lives quickly became richer, their work time decreased, and they made far more money. So took my own advice - on holiday most of time now.

          Still, if you realise you can 'live a memorable life' (my personal motto) - for peanuts, you may be more likely to grab the chance.
          Go and enjoy!

        • thanks mate. as a young graduate just finishing uni and into the workforce, there really isn't much scope for 'play' - all the focus is on getting a job, keeping it, etc etc.

        • Play can be a highly productive state. A state manager of a multinational was sitting on my office floor playing when he developed a new profitable market for his company product (estimated extra sales value of 5min play, $millions).

          I used to teach play at all Uni. I was lecturing and had my own uni office before I even got a degree. I just stumbled into my position because I was good at play. Sometimes would need to leave a class I was a student in to go back to my office, to teach the professor from that class how to improve their teaching - by understanding play & learning. Play paid the bills back then - $250/hr in 1990. Easiest money I made. LOL

          I use the same skills in travel - seeing the world through the eyes of a child. And people love to my inquisitiveness - valuing their lives & helping them see differently. Even have received gifts of hundreds of dollars (in Japan). Play makes travel even better.

        • And that state manager was just another sales rep when he came to play. (My phone changed "a uni" to "all uni" in that post - sorry.)

      • The price on the website shows very different rates?

        • +1

          I can still see the $179 deals for Gold Coast - KL on lots of dates in July. Some dates might be sold out already.

          If referring to the resort, 100RM ($31 AUD) seems pretty reasonable for a private room compared to $6 for a dorm.

        • Shari-la site? Prices are for the resort accommodation & are seasonal. The bungalow beside my room was $600/n against $6/person. That was in 'super high season'. The few cheap rooms disapear quick. None left when I was there, but would be good if you book.

          As I posted you just turn up. Not listed anywhere I could find. There are 2 dorm rooms - 8 single beds in seminar room with lots of windows & nice verandah or 12 bed with dividers between every 2 beds & metal lockers (couples just put blanket between dividers). Huts are available elsewhere on island from MYR50/n. (Cheaper in Thailand etc) Was comfy, friendly - one of my best dorm experiences & made good friends.

          But a constant supply of electricity is only available at resorts like Shari-la. Otherwise electricity is supplied only at night, so you bake in a tiny hut with only a fan. The 24hour electricity & good aircon was worth the $6/n. Had great massages by & in the ocean in the 'private' beach.

        • By local standards, MYR100/n is expensive. Its more of a demountable building of basic rooms, same outside toilet block as dorms (cold showers - its a hot place, common in beach locations). It is a bit basic as a resort, nice location for watching sunsets, and places to sit & chat or use the free WiFi (only at reception). But it's an island - beaches, snorkeling or diving, forest walks to local fishing village…

  • anyone know the weather for asia in june. specificially, KL, bangkok and HK? Good time to go, or too hot, wet and humid (more so than usual)?

    • Simple to Google. Weather changes a lot by location & date, even within a country.
      www.tripadvisor.com is a good source of up to date travel advice from people who are where you want to go & free Apps for those cities. I highly recommend the Apps.

  • yikes, they don't have promotion on those days i want to go :(

  • +1

    Is it possible to book on AirAsia without valid passport dates (or in the case of infants, with no passport at all)? I can make sure the passports are done well before the flights, but currently my passport's going to expire before the flight and I can't finish the booking. :(

    • +3

      http://www.airasia.com/my/en/airasia-sale-promotion-tips.pag…

      can.

      "■If your passport is expiring soon / not registered yet, NO worries. Just fill in your current details and update your latest passport details via 'Manage my booking' at no extra cost and at a later time convenient to you."

      just notify Airasia in the manage my booking section once you get your new passport.

      • After filling in all the passengers' names and details for the Melbourne outbound flight, I get this warning: "Sorry, Guest # 1's passport needs to have a minimum validity of 6 months to travel". Not sure if this has to do with Australian flight regulations.

        I suppose I can't book unless I put in a fake expiry date and possibly a placeholder passport number. Has anyone done this and successfully changed it later? I would hate to do it, be unable to change it, and get in trouble for it…

        • +1

          I think you can just leave your passport number and expiry date blank.

        • To answer my own question, I was able to book by using ID card numbers instead of passport numbers. Since the ID card type is not specified, I variously used a driver's licence and Medicare card numbers for members of the group without valid passports, with the intention of swapping in passport numbers once updated.

  • Malaysia is always HOT all year round, only rains a lot in November-Jan period.

    • Thats a different weather experience to me! Sounds very KL-lah.
      Being a narrow peninsula, weather is very different between East & West coasts - rain on East, good on North-West that time of year. Monsoons usually strike the West Coast in the middle of the year with heavy rain.

      December North-West Coast:
      Langkawi and her west coast neighbours are experiencing ideal beach conditions with plenty of sunshine, calm seas and high temperatures (avg temp: 30°C).
      December East Coast:
      The North-East monsoon is blowing in from mainland China, bringing with it stormy weather. During this period the east coast will experience high levels of rainfall, strong winds, and rough sea conditions. Alot of the east coast island resorts will be closed due to the sea conditions, re-opening in March (avg temp: 27°C).
      December in middle of Peninsula including KL:
      Through the centre of the peninsular and in both Kuala Lumpur and Malacca you can expect tropical downpours on most days but these rarely last longer than an hour and sunshine is never far behind (avg temp: 27°C)

      And Temperature is not always hot everywhere (December):
      lower in the Cameron Highlands due to the altitude at an average of 19°C.
      http://www.selectiveasia.com/malaysia-holidays/weather/decem…

      Compare those temperatures to Australia in summer - its the humidity that makes it feel so hot.
      Still a good spot is just a cold bus ride away, costing about MYR60 ($20) across the Peninsula, or MYR80 ($25) North-South. (Rug up for bus trips!)
      The smoke haze from fires in Sumatra were very bad in August on the West coast, driving me to the sunnier East coast islands. It is a regular event, which makes the temperature unbearable.

  • +2

    Thanks OP, couldn't resist Japan in July School holidays, $650 ea return inc baggage and meals..

    • Stay cool & keep out of the path of the typhoons!
      My only holiday in Summer was my first. Plane was knocked around by a typhoon. Escaped to the Alps at 2500m away from the intense heat & humidity - especially 40C in Kyoto. Hokkaido would be nice. But it's all enjoyable.

      I subscribe to www.adioso.com for updates of Japan flights. Notified of those $253 flights to Japan only for July.
      I'm holding out for my usual $400 return with Jetstar. But those won't be in popular times you want.

      Hope you enjoy Japan!

      • Lowest return is $239 from Osaka. Few available dates now. So you got a good price for this deal.
        Can't book yet after 14Sept, for my Oct-Nov trip - a great time of the year in Japan.

        Researching past Jetstar sales (planning for my escape)…
        (Only handy if you are in Qld, and can fly with little notice like me. Often only 1 way on sale!)
        The patterns tend to repeat most years, so gives an idea when to expect sales & flights.

        12October: Cairns-Tokyo/Osaka: $179/139 (16Oct–8Nov 2012)
        & Gold Coast-Tokyo/Osaka: $229/229 (16Oct–13Dec 2012)
        August: Cairns-Osaka $199 (Selected travel dates in 2012)
        July: Cairns-Osaka $149 (15Jul-8Aug 2012)
        June: Cairns-Osaka $199 (3Sep-17Dec 2012)
        June: Cairns-Osaka: $169 (9Apr-22June 2013(?))
        June: Cairns-Tokyo/Osaka: $149 (9May-27Jun 2012)
        & Gold Coast-Tokyo/Osaka $199 (30Jun-1Aug 2012) $299/311 from Sydney/Melb
        March: Cairns-Tokyo/Osaka: $199/179 (8April-2May 2012, 9 May-18Jul 2012)
        Jan: Cairns-Tokyo: $199 (17Jan-28Mar 2012)
        & Gold Coast-Osaka: $219 (14Jan-28Mar 2012)
        Nov11: Cairns-Osaka: $229 (22Nov-23Dec 2011, 13Jan-21Mar 2012)

  • Aviation regulators find 'issues' with AirAsia
    http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-news/aviation-regulators…

    • +1

      Talking with industry people in Singapore & Malaysia in July, I think there is a bit of politics behind those 'issues' - hence the unusual use of quotes in a headline.

      AA has been a little too successful for some in Malaysia, especially Malaysian Airlines! AA was using MA slots for its European destinations. That undercut MA, so AA lost those slots/routes, according to my insiders. AA is rumoured to be relaunching those London/Paris services out of Indonesia. That has angered some in Malaysia…

      Things operate differenly in different countries (cough… corruption/ favouritism). The report may reflect some problems within AA, which I am sure they will fix - as pointed to in the story. But it may be payback for considering moving the AirAsiaX base from KL's LCCT to another country. Malaysian tourism, investment, & face will be lost by such a move.

      • Ohh how I would love to see Paris/London flights back! :)

        • Yes. And a relaunch may bring back the $650 return fare, like I got in 2010.

  • Is it cheaper if you pay in other countries or does it work out to be the same amount?

  • Booked this on opening morning… ahh yes 3am… thanks also for the tune hotels offer (easily good enough to get its own listing!) Something feels right about booking hotels for 9 cents/night (0.29MYR incl taxes) :)

    $300 SYD - KUL return, 14 nights in tune ho9tels in Malaysia and Indo… now just waiting for a few cheap AA flights to connect up the trip!

    • Wish you had posted Time deal - I would have bought at those crazy prices!

    • 9 cents/n for tune hotel is amazing unfortunately it is for 1 Oct 2013 to 31 Dec 2013 which is outside my travel period.

      • Oh well, $13/n for when I want to stay in Tune Downtown KL is still OK.

  • guys..

    i need an advise

    i plan fly from melbourne to kuala lumpur on 12-1-2013…
    i checked the price , now is aud517..very expensive

    do u guys think got chance to get lower price if i book later in this month december?

    or i better book it now?

    thanks

    • During that period and considering its so close, you'll unlikely get any significant AirAsia discount.

    • That's not a bad price for that time of year. I doubt it will get any cheaper.

  • so just booked a flight and got slugged with a $32 processing fee for 2 people. If I were to add a meal or pick a seat later on, will they charge me another processing fee?

    • What was the processing fee for? I mean, how did you pay?

  • Hey guys, Im planning to go to kl 26th of jan for $259, hk on the 18th feb for $186 and then back to melb from hk on 28th feb for $497. I have noticed that AA prices fluctuate alot! and even sometimes there are no flights then I check the next morning there are…. Anyways what do you guys think of the prices? (all quoted in AUD) Personally, I think the flight from kl to hk and back to melb could be cheaper, as I have seen them cheaper. Do you guys think I should wait a little longer? Also, I was told that because I only hold an Aus passport, when departing melb, I must also have a return ticket? Is that right? because I am not 100% sure my return date and want to book later…. THANKS GUYS! Its my first time using this site, and its so useful!

    • Welcome!

      As for needing return ticket - no need for Oz. Depends on the country you are flying into. No problems with Malaysia. (Many people live there for years without a return ticket - just hopping across the border to renew their 3 month tourist visa.) HK may want to see a return flight (to KL) - but not in my experience. So no need for booked return flight to Oz. That's what I often do.

      www.adioso.com is useful to find cheap flights on any airline. Enter your desired flight(s) (eg HK-MEL) date range, max price & email address & they send daily updates if flights meet your criteria. I wake every day to an email of cheap travel possiblities.

      Air Asia seems to put fares on sale at least 3 months ahead of travel. So you probably have missed the best deals in the busy period ahead. (Chinese New Year 10 Feb - about the busiest travel time in Asia.)

      A tip: as few people read old/ expired deals, ask your question in the Forum section under Travel. Good advice there on how to travel cheap - eg 28degrees Mastercard & Citibank Visa debit to access local currency free.

      Happy travels.

      • Hey! yah tried using adioso, such a great site! I have just signed up for 28 degrees mastercard as a friend told me it would be good! Ill probably just book he one way to kl first, since its pretty cheap for 259, then when I get there I will see what are the prices to hong kong, hopefully something cheap comes up, if not, then have no choice but to book, hahaha ill just go with my gut feeling! thanks again for your reply, it was very useful…just realised I never use paragraphs when i write!!! Haha let you know how everything goes! thanks again!

        • Get the CitiBank Plus account (free) to withraw cash & use 28degrees for accommodation etc using it as your free CC.

          Request & take an additional card (in a friend/relatives name) so if the card is lost you can cancel it, but keep using the spare card on the same account. Replacing a card overseas is complex & usually costly, which can be avoided by carrying a spare.

          Set up automatic (weekly) deposits to Citibank debit card & CC direct debit payments so you can keep your money at a high interest rate, rather than none with these cards. (I've already set up deposits to my Citibank card in January & February.)

          I often buy the return later when I know when I will be flying & find a cheap price.

          Paras are a writers friend - keeping those thoughts separate & organised. I'm old school - used to lecture in writing.

  • Hey Bruce,

    Thanks for all your helpful advice. Thats a good idea, to have a card in another name, I didn't apply for that when it asked me whether I wanted another one in another persons name….I might have to do that.

    SO? for the citibank plus, there are also no fees for holding the debit card? Is the application online? I thought you can withdraw moneth with 28 degrees as long as I put money in it and make my balance cr….? 28 degrees exchanges currency at the near current spot rate right? Thus the only 'cost' i will be paying for when exchanging/withdrawing money in a foreign country is the atm withdrawal fee?

    What are the exhange rates like for the citibank debit card? Do they make a cut from the exhange?

    THANKS SO MUCH!!!!! This is my first time traveling alone! I have sooo many questions!

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