AirAsia Big Sale 2012 As Predicted

Yes finally the wait is over. Biggest sale once again during May. Read research, predictions and analysis here: http://denzukefinance.blogspot.com/search/label/AirAsia%20Zero%20Fares%202011

Almost thought there will be changes since it was already 21st of May, two thirds of the month of May had passed. Perhaps my AirAsia analysis isn't correct this time around? Fortunately it is. And glad those readers and bargain hunters who followed my tips will benefit once more. "Asean for Asean." Saw a huge poster proclaiming just that in Jogjakarta.

Well sharing some budget airfare tips on our favourite airline is my pleasure.
Past tips:
How To Get Cheapest AirAsia Flights
http://denzukefinance.blogspot.com/2011/02/how-to-get-cheapest-airasia-flights.html
Zero Fares Yearly Promotion Analysis

http://denzukefinance.blogspot.com/2011/02/airasia-zero-fares-yearly-promotion.html

Contests Roundup:

http://denzukefinance.blogspot.com/2011/04/win-7d6n-trip-to-new-zealand-on-airasia.html

http://denzukefinance.blogspot.com/search/label/Free%20Airticket%20Contest

In short the low-down on the Big Sale:
Booking commences from 23rd May and ends on 29th May 2011.
Travel period from 6th Feb until 20th June 2012.
Prices start from 10 sen (or 1 Thai baht; 300 Rupiah; 3 US or Aussie cents; 2 pence!!)
Even if you have factored and added in all fees, it's still relatively much lower saving 40-80% off nett fares of full service airlines which often don't allow single way booking (they penalise you with a hefty fee).

There are a few NEW AirAsia Destinations that may perhaps be included. They are:
1) Kathmandu, Nepal
2) Maldives
3) A USA city

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What are the big cost components of a holiday, vacation, travel, trip?
1. Airfares - mitigated with AirAsia - plan and book early and follow those tips above.
2. Hotel - Get prices all in one page from

Priceline, Agoda, Bookings, LastMinute, compare reviews and total cost and fees, then decide on the best option Even same hotels may have different pricing on different booking systems because of their bulk discount quotas and bag the best deal at the time of your search, saving time and effort from a single hotel information system.

3. Food - bread, fruits, local food, protein bar. Go global, think and eat local. Try something local. Perhaps 1 out of 3 times, you may not be able to eat the food, so share it with a local new friend. Get to experience, ask why is it spicy or taste like this, and how is it made? Perhaps you can even get the recipe of a secret delicious local food, bring it home, and be an entrepreneur and start a food business out of it.
4. Transport - walking, public transport (weight in the pros and cons of bus, taxi, train rides, motorbike taxis, xe om, ojek, song taew, bemo). Going everywhere with taxi is not the cheapest nor fastest sometimes. And sometimes going by taxi is the most efficient. Balance it by researching early. A city may have several central bus stations and they may be located half way around the city (for instance Bangkok or Jakarta) taking 1-2 hours to get from one end to the other.
5. Theft - yes this is also one big cost. Think of getting a travel insurance package. Protect your valuables with lock, secure your DSLR (are you sure you're bringing the 1 ton black monster?!), Asus netbook, and your hard currency. Using credit cards might look cool and can collect points, but some unscrupulous places may swipe and copy your card details - not using them yet - but commit fraud after months; you won't know or can't remember what hit you.

KUL HAK and PEN MCM flights suspended 29th March 2011

Two more flights suspended:
Kuala Lumpur - Haikou (KUL-HAK) Flight AK 62 and AK63.
Penang - Macau (PEN-MCM) Flight AK5072 and AKL 5073.

Bangkok Taipei Flights Suspended 27 March 2011

Flight FD3656 from Bangkok-Taipei and flight FD3657 from Taipei-Bangkok will be suspended indefinitely effective 27 March 2011. 

In view of Bangkok-Taipei suspension, please note that the following options are available for our affected guests. These options are strictly for traveling dates from 27 March 2011 and onwards.

For affected guests, we kindly suggest the following options: 
Option 1 Refund

Option 2 Change of destination (re-routing) allowed, penalty will be waived but fare difference (if any) will apply. Please note that there will be no refund if the new flight sector is of a lower fare amount.Option 3 Credit Shell can be applied and strictly valid for three (3) months only.

Note: Taken from Air Asia announcement page. 

Air Asia's Next Destination Guessing Contest 2011

Today while at the LCCT (Low Cost Carrier Terminal), and while having a meal, I saw a group of Air Asia trainees. They were wearing tidy regular clothes (jeans) and with an Air Asia tag. There was someone leading them entering the Food Garden, and was asking "what food do you recommend?"

Obviously they are from another country. They are trainees because all of the ladies wear make-up as would a cosmetic sales staff would, and there was only 1 guy there out of the group of about 20.

These trainees are in Malaysia for their Flight Attendant training and possibly their first time.

Where is Air Asia's next new exciting destination? This group of travelling trainees is the answer. Therefore the next question is where are they from? Where are they possibly from based on the limited clues and facts?

More clues: They have black Asian hair. They have pale skin comparable to Japanese, with thick black eye brows. No Japanese. The tell tale sign of Japanese is their idiosyncratic bowing - and "so desu ne" - you can gently hear from afar. They are not Thai. I would need to hear just 1 Thai word for a confirmation. Ka. But none was uttered.

They are taller than the average Asian women. But alas, this is a Flight Attendant training, so likely those who passed are the top of their peers, in terms of presentation, height and other essential factors.

China? Taiwanese? Singaporean? Indonesian? Balinese? NO no no. All no. And all are currently in Air Asia's team of crew. What do you think based on the limited information above?

      
My personal take: Could be Mongolian. The only male in the group looks very tall, much like Mongolian. Bhutan. This is a long shot. But possible. And finally a bit further off, some Central Asian country such as Kyrgyzstan. Many years ago, I met someone from there, who really looked like Japanese but with taller features, and that distinctive firm yet pleasantly balanced eye-brow.

Bali 3 Nights Room For 36,300 Rupiah

Bali 3 Nights Room For 36,300 Rupiah which is approximately 3 USD.
Where - in Kuta Bali.
The catch is you've to booked the place about 9 months to a year ahead. Read more of my travel tips here.

Air Asia Massive Sale 2011 for Long Haul Flights

This is Air Asia's Long Haul Flight Promo immediately following "Big Sale".
Also known as "Massive Sale 2011".
Booking Period :
1 March 2011 - 6 March 2011
Travel Period : 13 September 2011 - 29 February 2012
Travel Notes
- Advanced booking required.
- Fares are not available during embargo period.
- Booking starts 12:00 pm (GMT+8), 1 Mar 2011

      
Operated By AirAsia X Economy seats Premium seats
Perth RM 199.00 RM 1249.00
Gold Coast RM 249.00 RM 1899.00
Melbourne RM 249.00 RM 1899.00
Chengdu RM 149.00 RM 799.00
Hangzhou (Shanghai) RM 199.00 RM 889.00
Tianjin RM 199.00 RM 999.00
Paris RM 529.00 RM 1999.00
Mumbai RM 199.00 RM 749.00
New Delhi RM 199.00 RM 749.00
Christchurch RM 249.00 RM 1999.00
Seoul RM 249.00 RM 1499.00
Taipei RM 199.00 RM 729.00
London RM 529.00 RM 3299.00

No Big Sale for Air Asia flights to Japan

Air Asia just updated that there will be no sale for flights to Japan because they were unable to secure approval from Japan local authority. While the "Big Sale for Long Haul Flights Operated by Air Asia X" is still on schedule, starting from 1st March 2011.

See my previous post: http://denzukefinance.blogspot.com/2011/02/fly-airasia-now-before-oil-prices-rise.html

TuneHotels 3 Nights in Legian for 100K Rupiah

This is a sample of an excellent deal obtained last year for 3 nights stay at Tunehotels Legian, Bali.

KUL DPS 115 RM AirAsia Big Sale Promo 2011

KUL DPS 115 RM(approximately 40 USD) AirAsia Big Sale Promo 2011.

Lonely Planet Bali Encounter
Search last minute hostel and hotel deals to save

BKK to CNX 314 Baht on AirAsia

Here is a sample of an unbelievable airfare on AirAsia.
From: Bangkok (BKK)
To: Chiang Mai (CNX)
Cost: 214 Baht plus 100 Baht Convenience/Credit Card Fee

Total Cost = 314 Baht (approximately 10 USD)
Distance: 720 km
Cost per km: 0.436 Baht
Bus Fare: 1200 Baht (600 Baht One Way)
Saved: 1200 - 314 = 886 Baht!

The Road to Chiang Mai The Road to Chaing Mai: Tranquil Buddhas

Fly AirAsia Now Before Oil Prices Rise to 110 USD

The recent political winds-of-change through the Middle East and North Africa has fanned uncertainty into the availability of oil, simply due to the fact that this region holds a very large stockpile of the so-called black gold.

The past 2 months since the beginning of the year 2011, has seen Brent Crude Oil price increased 17%.

Even our favourite airline, AirAsia has made it clear with price adjustments but not hardcore fuel surcharges yet. When will a surcharge be imposed? According to AirAsia, the break-even point is when oil prices hit 110 USD.

Will we see an end to Zero Airfares Promotion by AirAsia? Probably not - but they might have that added column of cost in the total fare - titled "FUEL SURCHARGE". Among many other reasons I prefer AirAsia than other airlines is that dreaded mysterious hidden cost - called FUEL SURCHARGE. Many airlines will advertise in the newspaper seemingly cheap airfares with the fine print stating "Does not include fuel surcharges and taxes". So when you get the final nett price, it is not affordable anymore. Agree?!

Therefore, take the best chance now to plan and book your AirAsia tickets. The BIG SALE currently on will last only until 26th February. Just 3 more days to go.

Frommer's Paris 2011 (Frommer's Colour Complete Guides)
Special INSIDER INFO: From my secret inside information research, AirAsiaX will also be launching a BIG SALE right after this. Perhaps this weekend. AirAsiaX flies longer haul flights that last 5 hours or more. So these destinations will be up for grabs at promotional price:
Melbourne
Perth
Gold Coast
Christchurch
Hangzhou
Tianjin
Seoul
Tokyo
Paris
London

    
How much will the airfare be? Here is more of my research. Traditionally, full fare airlines will charge an optimal price. And they offer slight discounts (10-20%) if flown within their return-flight schedule timeline. Such as 7 days, 14 days, 30 days, 3 months. Else you will be charge the premium full 1 year fare. This is one way to "lock-in" passengers for both ways of a flight route.

For instance: Bangkok to Hong Kong return fare is about 10000 Baht for a month. Or Full Fare is 12000 Baht. And a 7 day return fare could be around 7000 Baht to 8000 Baht. And what is the price for a one-way fare? It is likely 6000 Baht or 7000 Baht. It is ridiculous? Shouldn't it be halve the price of a return flight?

AirAsia does not do that. This is one of the best reasons to use AirAsia. It doesn't force you to return at a fixed date, and fixed destination. You could be flying multiple destinations and just paying per direction without any penalties.

AirAsia's usual rate is almost half (50%) of full fare airlines booked in 3-6 months. So you could do a quick estimation. And the promotional fares will be much lower.

For instance, Bangkok to Denpasar flights cost 10000 to 13500 baht in other airlines. If you booked at a regular fare level, AirAsia's price is around 6000 Baht. If you booked the special promotional fare, you could get a return flight for 2500 Baht to 3000 Baht.

Sample AirAsia DPS KUL Total Fare 345000 Rupiah

Here is a sample AirAsia flight from Denpasar (DPS) to Kuala Lumpur (KUL) totalling 345000 Rupiah.

A flight from Jakarta to Bali would have cost the same fare.

Read more of my Travel Tips here. How to get 3 nights stay for 3 USD?!

How To Get Cheapest AirAsia Flights

AirAsia's online booking system is indeed very fast and has improved tremendously through the years. Imagine increasing their planes to over 100 in a span of 10 years. Each plane can carry at least 100 passengers. Multiply that to the number of flights per day (100 planes x 100 seats x 100 flights) = 1 000 000 per day?

             
With some further researching, I found they have 697 flights per day. So using that number omitting the number of planes (because each plane is irrelevant, some might be on the air for 2-3 routes, some even more so the essential number is the total number of flights per day): 697 flights x 100 passengers = 697 000 passengers. This number is not full capacity. But a good bell curve average.

It is possible to get the cheapest or lowest AirAsia fares if some research and preparation is made:

45 RM fare to Bali, Indonesia. That is lower than the cost of the bus fare to Singapore.

Firstly, when AirAsia announces their Zero Fares or Super Low Fares, 1 RM Fares, Promotion(s) be aware before it is announced. To find out more about when these super low fares are announced, read my analysis here: http://denzukefinance.blogspot.com/2011/02/airasia-zero-fares-yearly-promotion.html

Next, as this is an online system, AirAsia keeps some record of "members". Therefore sign-up before hand. Fill in your details, address, name and other essentials.

As soon as the AirAsia Promotional Fares are announced, you have a head start. Log-in and start looking for your low fares. And this means you have to be mentally prepared, have checked your calendar for the best holiday duration, and made notes when and where, you can do the trip.


Once you've chosen the desired destination and date, the system will bring you to the page that you need to fill up more details. If you're flying, then click "I'm the traveller" - so those essential information are automatically copied.
Super Tip: To save more time, you can omit typing the passport number and issuing country. This is not a compulsory required field.

Next, AirAsia will want to up-sell some products which include Insurance. Click Cancel to forgo this. As well as Seat Selection. These "slow down trap" may make you stuck in choosing seats or considering about the benefits of Travel Insurance. Do this way before the date of booking. As I said earlier, mental preparation much earlier - if you are a frequent traveller, you should have bought a yearly Travel Insurance Policy usually about 300-350 RM for a full year's coverage.

Next Super Tip: You can forgo booking the baggage allowance to save more time. Once you've booked the flight and secured the booking number, you may return back to the AirAsia booking page to add the baggage allowance. This will save shave a few more thinking time - which is essential. If you're new to AirAsia you might be wondering why? If you've used the online booking before, and especially during Super Promotion Fares, you will know and dread the "system time-out" situation - mainly due to network congestion and when the booking system servers sense that your computer is not interacting so fast or constant with the server, you connection or in computer terms "handshake" will be offloaded from being linked to the system.

Now you're almost there at the finalising pages. If you would like to save paying the Convenience Fee (approx 1.5 USD, or 5 RM per route, so essentially 10 RM for both ways), you have to have a local Malaysian Bank Account that has online payment capacity - such as Maybank, Public Bank. For Thailand, Siam Commercial Bank (SCB).

Else, prepare your credit card in advance. If your bank has a practise of putting security at the forefront to combat problems with credit card fraud, inform them early you will be buying some products or services online and get a verification that you are flagged to do so.

Most Visa cards now implement the Verified By Visa Online Authentication Process, which is linked to a server in Australia. Make sure you have already obtained and created your access username and online password prior to making the AirAsia booking(s). Also, if you're at a location with weak internet or possibly laws that may prohibit internet usage freely, make sure it is able and allowed to connect to Australia and specifically auth.onlineauthentication.com.au.

Win Flights 2011 here:
http://denzukefinance.blogspot.com/2011/03/win-free-qatar-airways-flight-2011.html

Get prices all in one page from Priceline, Agoda, Bookings, LastMinute, compare reviews and total cost and fees, then decide on the best option Even same hotels may have different pricing on different booking systems because of their bulk discount quotas and bag the best deal at the time of your search, saving time and effort from a single hotel information system.

AirAsia Big Sale 2011 Limited 1 Million Seats Route Charts

Booking Period :
22 February 2011 - 27 February 2011
Travel Period : 13 September 2011 - 29 February 2012
Travel Notes
- Advanced booking required.
- Fares are not available during embargo period.

Fly from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (LCC Terminal), Kuala Lumpur to:
Domestic All-in-fare from
Penang RM 11.00
Johor Bahru RM 11.00
Kuala Terengganu RM 11.00
Kota Bharu RM 11.00
Alor Setar RM 11.00
Kuching RM 16.00
Kota Kinabalu RM 16.00
Langkawi RM 21.00
Labuan RM 31.00
Sibu RM 31.00
Miri RM 31.00
Tawau RM 31.00
Sandakan RM 31.00
Bintulu RM 31.00
International All-in-fare from
Bangladesh
Dhaka RM 100.00
Brunei
Brunei RM 30.00

       
Please take a moment to read this story -
Loans that changes lives: http://www.kiva.org/team/artofyourmind

Cambodia
Phnom Penh RM 30.00
Siem Reap RM 70.00
China
Guilin RM 100.00
Shenzhen RM 120.00
Guangzhou RM 120.00
Hong Kong
Hong Kong RM 120.00
India
Tiruchirappalli RM 100.00
Bangalore RM 100.00
Chennai RM 100.00
Kochi RM 100.00
Indonesia
Medan RM 30.00
Palembang RM 30.00
Yogyakarta RM 30.00
Pekanbaru RM 30.00
Banda Aceh RM 30.00
Padang RM 30.00
Jakarta RM 50.00
Solo RM 50.00
Balikpapan RM 50.00
Surabaya RM 50.00
Makassar RM 50.00
Bandung RM 50.00
Bali RM 70.00
Laos
Vientiane RM 50.00
Macau
Macau RM 70.00
Myanmar
Yangon RM 50.00
Philippines
Clark (Manila) RM 70.00
Singapore
Singapore RM 30.00
Sri Lanka
Colombo RM 100.00
Thailand
Hat Yai RM 30.00
Bangkok RM 50.00
Krabi RM 50.00
Phuket RM 50.00
Chiang Mai RM 70.00
Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City RM 50.00
Hanoi RM 100.00

    
Please take a moment to read this story -
Loans that changes lives: http://www.kiva.org/team/artofyourmind

Fly from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (T2), Kota Kinabalu to:
Domestic All-in-fare from
Tawau RM 11.00
Miri RM 11.00
Sandakan RM 11.00
Kuching RM 16.00
Kuala Lumpur RM 16.00
Johor Bahru RM 31.00
Penang RM 51.00
International All-in-fare from
China
Shenzhen RM 120.00
Hong Kong
Hong Kong RM 120.00
Philippines
Clark (Manila) RM 50.00
Singapore
Singapore RM 50.00
Taiwan
Taipei RM 120.00


Fly from Kuching International Airport, Main Terminal, Kuching to:
Domestic All-in-fare from
Bintulu RM 14.00
Sibu RM 14.00
Miri RM 14.00
Kota Kinabalu RM 19.00
Kuala Lumpur RM 19.00
Johor Bahru RM 19.00
Penang RM 34.00
International All-in-fare from
Singapore
Singapore RM 76.00

Fly from Penang International Airport, Penang to:
Domestic All-in-fare from
Johor Bahru RM 14.00
Langkawi RM 14.00
Kuala Lumpur RM 14.00
Kuching RM 34.00
Kota Kinabalu RM 54.00
International All-in-fare from
Hong Kong
Hong Kong RM 126.00
Indonesia
Medan RM 41.00
Surabaya RM 96.00
Jakarta RM 96.00
Singapore
Singapore RM 76.00
Thailand
Bangkok RM 96.00

Fly from Senai International Airport, Johor Bahru to:
Domestic All-in-fare from
Penang RM 14.00
Kuala Lumpur RM 14.00
Sibu RM 19.00
Kuching RM 19.00
Miri RM 19.00
Kota Kinabalu RM 34.00
Back to top

Fly from Sultan Abdul Halim Airport, Alor Setar to:
Domestic All-in-fare from
Kuala Lumpur RM 14.00
Back to top

Fly from Bintulu Airport, Bintulu to:
Domestic All-in-fare from
Kuching RM 14.00
Kuala Lumpur RM 34.00
Back to top

Fly from Sultan Ismail Petra Airport, Kota Bharu to:
Domestic All-in-fare from
Kuala Lumpur RM 14.00
Back to top

Fly from Sultan Mahmud Airport, Kuala Terengganu to:
Domestic All-in-fare from
Kuala Lumpur RM 14.00
Back to top

Fly from Labuan Airport, Labuan to:
Domestic All-in-fare from
Kuala Lumpur RM 34.00
Back to top

Fly from Langkawi International Airport, Langkawi to:
Domestic All-in-fare from
Penang RM 14.00
Kuala Lumpur RM 24.00
International All-in-fare from
Singapore
Singapore RM 76.00
Back to top

Fly from Miri Airport, Miri to:
Domestic All-in-fare from
Kota Kinabalu RM 14.00
Kuching RM 14.00
Johor Bahru RM 19.00
Kuala Lumpur RM 34.00
International All-in-fare from
Singapore
Singapore RM 31.00
Back to top

Fly from Sandakan Airport, Sandakan to:
Domestic All-in-fare from
Kota Kinabalu RM 14.00
Kuala Lumpur RM 34.00
Back to top

Fly from Sibu Airport, Sibu to:
Domestic All-in-fare from
Kuching RM 14.00
Johor Bahru RM 19.00
Kuala Lumpur RM 34.00
Back to top

Fly from Tawau Airport, Tawau to:
Domestic All-in-fare from
Kota Kinabalu RM 14.00
Kuala Lumpur RM 34.00
Back to top

Fly from Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Bangkok to:
Domestic All-in-fare from
Nakhon Si Thammarat RM 17.00
Ubon Ratchathani RM 17.00
Udon Thani RM 17.00
Narathiwat RM 17.00
Surat Thani RM 17.00
Hat Yai RM 49.00
Phuket RM 49.00
Chiang Mai RM 49.00
Krabi RM 49.00
Chiang Rai RM 49.00
International All-in-fare from
Cambodia
Phnom Penh RM 82.00
China
Shenzhen RM 104.00
Guangzhou RM 136.00
Hong Kong
Hong Kong RM 180.00
India
Kolkata RM 141.00
New Delhi RM 158.00
Indonesia
Medan RM 136.00
Bali RM 136.00
Surabaya RM 158.00
Jakarta RM 158.00
Macau
Macau RM 158.00
Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur RM 104.00
Penang RM 104.00
Myanmar
Yangon RM 82.00
Singapore
Singapore RM 104.00
Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City RM 104.00
Hanoi RM 104.00
Back to top

Fly from Soekarno Hatta International Airport, Jakarta to:
Domestic All-in-fare from
Yogyakarta RM 17.00
Bali RM 35.00
International All-in-fare from
Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur RM 28.00
Penang RM 46.00
Singapore
Singapore RM 35.00
Thailand
Phuket RM 64.00
Bangkok RM 71.00
Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City RM 46.00
Back to top

Fly from Changi Airport (Terminal 1), Singapore to:
International All-in-fare from
Indonesia
Jakarta RM 117.00
Bandung RM 122.00
Bali RM 130.00
Yogyakarta RM 130.00
Malaysia
Miri RM 82.00
Kuala Lumpur RM 82.00
Kota Kinabalu RM 117.00
Langkawi RM 117.00
Kuching RM 117.00
Penang RM 117.00
Thailand
Phuket RM 82.00
Bangkok RM 117.00
Chiang Mai RM 117.00
Back to top

Fly from Phuket International Airport, Phuket to:
Domestic All-in-fare from
Udon Thani RM 17.00
Ubon Ratchathani RM 17.00
Bangkok RM 49.00
Chiang Mai RM 49.00
International All-in-fare from
Hong Kong
Hong Kong RM 158.00
Indonesia
Bali RM 136.00
Jakarta RM 136.00
Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur RM 104.00
Singapore
Singapore RM 82.00
Back to top

http://www.airasia.com/my/en/promotion/rr0260902.page
Fly from Denpasar Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali to:
Domestic All-in-fare from
Jakarta RM 35.00
Bandung RM 35.00
International All-in-fare from
Australia
Darwin RM 89.00
Perth RM 108.00
Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur RM 50.00
Singapore
Singapore RM 46.00
Thailand
Bangkok RM 64.00
Phuket RM 64.00
Back to top

Fly from Husein Sastranegara Airport, Bandung to:
Domestic All-in-fare from
Bali RM 35.00
Medan RM 46.00
International All-in-fare from
Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur RM 28.00
Singapore
Singapore RM 35.00

http://www.airasia.com/my/en/promotion/rr0260902.page