Wow! I am sure it is definitely a talk of the town with AirAsia promoting their fares to Japan as cheap as RM 99 one way all inclusive of tax. What’s even more interesting to find is that they have packages as low as RM 1,999 per person which includes flights and accommodation at AirAsiaGo!

Wow Wow Wow!

I was impressed at the rate of how AirAsia is going with all their marketing and promotions and opening of new routes time and time again. This time it would be Japan! Dyyiiaaammm…

Oh yeah! Moshi Moshi Japan! AirAsia is selling seats to Japan from RM 99 onwards! Check it out yo!

But wait! STOP! Don’t so rush! The sales starts at 1100 hours on 23rd September 2010, which is TODAY! hooray!

Wheeee….

Oh wait! There’s more! There’s more! AirAsiaGo is selling Japan packages in conjunction of this launch by AirAsia.
Can you believe it? Package to Japan which includes flights and accommodations from RM 699!

With that kind of package price, even my nephew and niece can go, albeit they don’t use their pocket monies lah!

AirAsiaGo also works as a one stop center for any destination you fly with AirAsia for packages. They even offer transportation and even lots more package options for you to choose.

So yeah! What are you waiting for? Go grab your credit card and start clicking the “Buy” button! If you don’t have a credit card, go grab your parent’s or if you want, ask me nicely.

Now, happy moments are over while I need to bring these awareness up before you start clicking “Buy”

1) Terms & Conditions of purchasing this round of promotion by AirAsia.

While it is all nice and rosy about the cheap promo fares to Japan, I still think their terms & conditions is a little bit untrustworthy towards the consumer. What am I talking about? Read these fine prints by AirAsia on their promo banner:

Booking Period     :
23 September 2010 – 31 October 2010
Travel Period    :     9 December 2010 – 31 July 2011
Travel Notes
- Advanced booking required.
- Fares are not available during embargo period.
- Flights start 9 Dec 2010 and are subjected to regulatory approval.
- AAX flies to Japan every Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday.
- Fares and flights shown on our website are subject to government approval, all funds charged for flights will be quarantined pending Japanese government approval.

What does that mean you ask me? Ok! Don’t quote me buy just let me guess. I don’t want to be sued by AirAsia while I’m still broke.

I would believe with the above quoted statement, AirAsia has not gained any Japanese government’s approval to land at Haneda Airport while the date of 9th December may be a tentative flying out dates. While the regulatory approval would suggest that AirAsia hasn’t or still waiting for IATA or similar bodies to approves the airspace routes to be taken.

While these are the case, do not be alarmed at the same time, as this promotion may be AirAsia’s ticket to convince the Japanese government to grant them (AirAsia) a right to land at Haneda Airport. Which means, if A LOT of you starts buying, AirAsia can show the volume and the potential tourism income Japan will gain by granting flight access to AirAsia.

Now, the issue is that, what if AirAsia doesn’t get the rights to land at Haneda Airport in December and delayed till January only? What will happen to all the monies spent to buy tickets flying out during Christmas. Everyone will surely plan their holidays and if AirAsia doesn’t fly, consumer’s plan will be screwed all over.

Now, bearing in mind that customer service support from AirAsia via call in or email may not be prompt to handle the number of cases, should the above happen. Unless, AirAsia opens a dedicated channel to serve the Japanese route. What more, waiting in line at their walk-in service centers is really a bummer at times.

So, decide nicely before you buy and while you are screwed all over, don’t say I never warn you. While I am not worry for losing clients to go direct online to purchase, I do not want to see people suffer because of “dodgy” terms and conditions by AirAsia. You all know how budget carriers can be really a pain in the arse sometimes.

OK! Next…

2) Traveling to Japan. Visa is definitely needed.

Why I am concern on this matter is that, the price is so cheap, every tom dick and harry would also wanna buy. Markets I would see responding very well to this campaign or route would be the youths.

Now, be very well aware that you definitely need a visa to enter Japan and it takes a lot more in requirements to process which involves financial capabilities and traveling arrangements in Japan.

I do really suggest you read well the info stated in this page > Visa Application Requirement.

There you go, I’ve state my suggestions and it’s time to fly to Japan?

Anhyong Haseyooo!!

Eh wait… wrong country… ermm..

YAMATE!?

oh wait.. too “adult” .. ermm…

MOSHI! MOSHI!…

One thing about me is that, I always leave my travel posts hanging. See, the last post I did for Perth was on Perth Day 2 – Rottness Island Fun. Okay, that was like 4 months after the trip, but still the excitements from the trip is still in me. Blogging it now brings back memories. I’m sure Jun and Rue would agree with me. Right boys?

It was somewhere in September 2008 that we decided to plan for a trip and well, got Jun and myself a ticket to Perth while Rue bought it later. When I informed CK that we’ll be making the trip to Perth, his reaction was “Why do you want to go over to that dead place?” or something along that line. It made me wanting to make the trip and prove him wrong, and I did. Perth is such a nice city…

These was the itinerary for the 7 days we had in Perth.
Day 1 – Perth City on Foot
Day 2 – Rottnest Island
Day 3 – Exploring the City, Leederville and Subiaco
Day 4 – Kings Parks, Swan Bells and Cottlesloe
Day 5 – Pinnacle Tours, City Night and Moon Cafe
Day 6 – Freemantle (Full Day)
Day 7 – Chillings and Duxton Hotel

If you ask me, the best of the 7 days would be Rottnest Island. Okay… how about I talk about the highlights of each day while I was there. Sure it will definitely entice you to make a trip down to Perth.

Day 1 – Remember we had no itinerary? The first day I decided to make a round in the city, on foot and the Boys agreed. The highlight of the day would be The Perth Mint, where we get to see how they make gold bars. It is the same day that we decided what to do for the rest of the 7 days.

Day 2 – We decided to make this a full day thing and Rottnest Island is where we planned to go. No tour package blah blah blah, but we did all this trip all on our own. Took a speed boat from Freemantle and off we went to Rottnest Island where the fun of cycling around the island began. You can read more on my trip here.

Day 3 – Free and Easy Day. Nothing much that we did… wait, actually, we walked a lot. Like… A LOT! From the city we traveled to Harbourtown, then I traveled to Leederville myself where I have an office there and finaly at night we had dinner at Subiaco with The Girl who was still in Perth that time.

Day 4 –We did some touristy visits to Swan Bells, Kings Park and the best was Cottlesloe. What’s in Cottlesloe? Superb beaches is what’s there. But, before we made our journey there by bus, which we went lost for a bit because of the map. Okay, maybe it was because of me, but hey, we managed to explore some new places… So, this is what Cottlesloe looks like.

Day 5 – It is the only day we did an organized tour and we paid for Full Day Pinnacles Tours where it took us to the Caversham Wildlife Park and Pinnacles. Imagine yourself in a 4WD coach and you are actually doing this (look below). Cool right? That’s the highlight of the day, other than that… throw in some visit to see Kangaroos and Koalas and Platypus.

Day 6 – Okay. I’m stuck… what to tell you about Freemantle? Hmmm.. Oh yeah. They have a Freemantle Prison which I never had a chance to visit. It was such a dramatic day where the rail system broke down and we had to take the feeder bus down. Impressed with their quick solution to their transportation mess, but that aside, Freemantle is actually a Port. So, seafood here is nice but price is also “VERY NICE”. Good place to chill, away from the city.

Day 7 – Our last day there was pretty much a relaxing one, because it’s a Sunday. We went for some last minute shopping and of course, what’s the best was the night that we put up at Duxton Hotel, Perth. Don’t ask for the price paid but please join me to thank Jun for spending us a night there.

So yeah… That’s about it for Perth from me for now. I can tell you so much more about Perth, but it would take me another few posts and maybe a few trips to Perth again (*hints*) to explore more on Perth. Yes, you hear me right. What’s more to do in Perth? Let me tell you what I would really want to do if I’m there next.

Walpole, where there is The Valley of Giants Tree Top.
Monkey Mia, visit the Shark’s Bay for Dolphins.
Margaret River, the Wine Region.
Mandurah, just another city which I want to visit.
and many many many many…. more….

You know, there is one person I envy right now would be Dr. Ling Shih Gang. He was the winner for Experience Extraordinary Taxi Ride for the second leg. You can follow his recent adventure here at Experience Extraordinary, Western Australia. Fully sponsored trip to the South West of Western Australia. How cool can it get? Can I get one too?

Plan your trip now as AirAsia flies to Perth. Click Here for AirAsia Schedules.

I’ve pretty much covered Perth in general, what about you?

I’ve given you some travel tips above, so start planning already!…

P/S: I’m definitely gonna continue my Perth Day 3 onwards. Pls chills…

I am back from Phuket, Thailand as some of you would already know. But if you didn’t know, now you know.

Before I go on and proceed with my traveling experiences, let me write about one experience that I always see it with my own eyes but never had a chance to proof my words whenever I tell people what I saw.

It is about Air Asia’s baggage “handling” practice. I’m just curious, how much Air Asia actually has spent on baggage damage compensation?
Maybe to the airlines, it is cheaper to spend on compensation rather than spending time to carefully transfer our baggage from the aircraft to the baggage trolley. I don’t know, don’t quote me on this.

Here was what I captured when I arrived at LCCT on the 30th March 2010 at 0200 hours from Phuket. This flight is not my flight, but some other flight that arrived a moment earlier than us.

Looking up for my video I saw other similar videos that would show you further on how Air Asia handles your baggage.

Here’s on from danielpurser

Interesting isn’t it? Oh wells, what can I say? You want cheap and budget, your service also cheap and budget lah.

Okay… to be fair, Air Asia is not the only airline that does this kind of baggage handling. Search on YouTube reveals that almost all the airlines does this. Saves time… but does it save their cost in compensation?

This is how easyJet handles baggage from ValienteVejete.

Maybe these airport workers/airline staffs learn their trick from these luggage monkeys in the USA. Video by ministryofcctv.

But if you want to view more of baggage handlings on YouTube, click here.

It’s good that airlines offer us cheap fares and made it affordable for us to travel, but if we were to experience this kind of baggage damage trauma, why do we have to pay you to handle our baggage?

My take is that, if you want to accept a fee in handling our baggage, handle them with care! Why waste money to print out the “Fragile” sticker and stick on our bags.

Might as well put up a disclaimer right in front of your check-in counter and say “Your baggage “might” be thrown by our tarmac staffs, please take note that you can claim for any damages.” Right?

Oh wells, this is my 3rd time experiencing and seeing how Air Asia handles their passenger’s baggage. Next time, I will just buy a harder cover luggage bag or a heavier luggage bag and then see how much they want to throw my luggage!

How?

Because I’m working in a travel agency!

I’m on a last minute plan to head up north, yes again. This time with Air Asia.

Wanted to fly Firefly because I’ve never flew on it and they have good comments so far. But, Air Asia stole my heart as the air fare that I can get is super cheap!

This is what I get from Firefly.

So expensive, even though it is nearer to my place but still, I don’t mind traveling further for cheaper fare.

This is what I get from Air Asia online price.

Even more expensive, given that I’ve added 20kg baggage and also taken advance boarding and on board meals, it is still expensive compared to what I can get through my system. Look at how cheap it is…

Half the price I can get online. Nyek! Nyek! Nyek! This is so so so cool! Plus, I just only bought my flight. Super last minute right? Even if I buy tomorrow also, the price is fixed and will never change.

Yes. I shall brand this as “Air Asia Last Minute Super Value Fare” (C). Of course, as a travel agent, we still will charge service fee and what not. In the end, it will still be cheaper than online price. Say, we charge RM 50 for all tickets issued, it totals up to RM 176 and it’s still cheaper than RM 241.

Who says you can only get cheaper price online?

Good thing about this “Air Asia Last Minute Super Value Fare” is that with the price I’m paying, I’m getting all these:

- Additional 20kg of baggage allowance.
- Meals of my choice.
- Express boarding with seat selection.
- I can change date anytime I want without being charged extra.

You know where to reach me should you feel like trying to grab this deal.

But anyhow, just email travel(at)yapthomas.com for more info.

Disclaimer:
“Air Asia Last Minute Super Value Fare” is my own term and is a contracted fare with my agency. I’m only using that term of “Air Asia Last Minute Super Value Fare” on my own accord. Don’t sue me.

What? Let me show you…

This was my original flight itinerary…

and this is the new flight itinerary…

My times are moved forward and I have less time in Chiang Mai.

Gah!! I have to rework my whole travel itinerary now.

Wait! I don’t even have a travel itinerary. Haha. This is so gonna be fun.

Touching down in Chiang Mai and then not knowing where to go!

No time to do research lah. Call me lazy, but I’m adventurous that way!

While waiting for our flight D7 2712 to Perth, we tried to get a seat at the boarding gate. It was difficult. Why is it so difficult? LCCT sure has enough adequate seats but, it is the other people waiting for the same flight are making it difficult for us to get a seat.

Those people just don’t understand that seats are for humans, not for bags! Grrrr….

It was a tiring and long 5 hours flight. You know how bad can the leg room be for people as tall as me. I can’t complain either as flying with Air Asia, you want a good seat, you pay extra.

So throughout the flight, we entertained ourselves with their on board chat system. Which pretty much took away our boredom.

I also paid for their entertainment package which cost me RM 30 and I can watch most on board movies and I watched Cars. Yeah I know how outdated I am. -_-

One lesson one should learn when flying with Low Cost Carriers is that, fill in your stomach first before flying. You can save quite a bit from the on board meals which cost a bomb. I had Sri Melur Roti Jala with a cup of coffee and it comes to about RM 12 (Roti Jala) + Coffee (RM4). Crazy!!

It was really yum for the Roti Jala, but I thought they could do better with the serving potion. Maybe two more pieces of the Roti Jala?

Time passes by very fast and the captain announces our arrival to Perth 30 minutes before landing.

We checked out and when my baggage arrives, I found that in front of my backpack, the string was torn. Must have been that the gound handling people destroyed it by holding my backpack by the string or it was just rough handling by all parties. Gah! It is new bag… *sobs*

Passing through all the immigration and out we are at the arrival hall. We took the airport shuttle that cost the 3 of us AUD $35 to the city.

The journey to the city took approximately 30 minutes and were in Perth!!!

and… we are going to explore the city…

Nothing much, but I think the airport guys busted my bag. Not that bad, but they just snap my front compartment elastic string. I saw that when I received my bag from the carousel. Gah!

Then, the backpacker’s I’m staying is was so held up with being full they separated us. But heck, I’ve got nice roomie. Ngeh. Heh. Heh.

Oh… and I guess I totally killed Jun by doing my usual ritual of exploring the city once I arrive to a foreign land.

I’m liking the weather here already!!!

Okay! Time’s up! 10 Minutes!

*toddlesss*

All I can say is that LCCT Labu is just a gimmick. As much as I have support for Air Asia as well as MAS, I do seriously think, spending on LCCT Labu is just not wise and no businessman would venture into that.

Why do I think so?

I don’t know. Maybe I am wrong, but don’t quote me. MY focus will be solely on KLIA and how to make KLIA better. We don’t need something new to make a name for ourselves. Just re-brand!

Why would they want to upgrade the facilities in LCCT now when they have plans to get LCCT Labu up and running soon? It is like throwing money without thinking of ROI. I don’t think any businessman would do that. Unless, the money recovered is unimaginely quick.

Again, the logic is, soil problem is not a big huge problem at all. If we have the desire to get KLIA LCCT done up as soon as possible, we can always adopt a technology to do so. The receipts from tourism can easilly offset the cost of adopting such technology. If there is any technology available.

Should cost be MAHB biggest concern, invite Sime Darby to venture into airport business and get a cut out of them. I mean, MAHB has serious problem in promoting KLIA and making KLIA to a world class airport to attract many more world class airlines. With a venture with Sime Darby, I think, maybe MAHB can quite make the cut and build KLIA to a status a par with Changi or Suvarnabhumi.

We seriously need to get a professional planner to get things done at KLIA and put KLIA and LCCT on more airline’s landing radar now! Airport is a very essential facility for any country to grow.

What I see at KLIA and LCCT now is that, they are from the same mother, but it seems that LCCT somehow has stole the limelight and KLIA is now jealous and pulling a sour face, emoing.

They should be working together to link both great facilities up and make it more convenient to the mass public. It is sad to know that LCCT sits just beside KLIA, but just because of some soil problem or railway blocking in between, there is no linkage. Imagine how much can both KLIA and LCCT benefit in terms of passenger growth if they are both well connected?

Let’s say, I want to fly from Penang to Miri. There immediate connection from Penang to Miri is on MAS in KLIA. But, there is a later flight to Miri at LCCT. I would rather save the buck to travel from LCCT and KLIA and take Air Asia instead. It’s human psychology. Distance without proper immediate connection deters a great relationship between two great airports.

Somebody needs to buck up and I do seriously think that MAHB and LCCT needs to put on their thinking cap again to restrategize their business for the benefit of the country. Not just the people. not just themselves and not for some idiot politician who say what they should do.

And they should do it, PRONTO!

A happy news which sparks a new beginning.

and, this is where it all started…

If you can see me now, my smile is as big as the Joker’s scared face smile.

Scary it may seem, but carries thousands of joy!

Another day to mark in my life-book of achievements…

I read in interest of the cover story of TheStar’s Saturday Biz Week cover story, Competition up, fares down.

As a consumer I yearn for this day to come, where open skies policy is fully implemented and everyone can enjoy low fares given by numerous airlines. But, commercially as airline’s middle agent, we do not want to see this happening as we will lose out due to airline’s direct sales to consumer. That aside, I’m looking at this phenomenon as a consumer now.

(source: The Star)

You see, we should be having even more open skies policy with many countries in the world. This would allow even more people to travel and when people travel, they move multiple economic activities.

For example, when Jet Airways and Tiger Airways started flying into KLIA, the market grew approximately about 6-7 percent. Every other airlines that flies into KLIA, will do the same too. We should start gaining the status of regional hub! With the liberation of open skies policy, we can! Just that, we should have done it earlier. Now, we have to compete with Singapore and Thailand as regional hub.

Over the past ten years, we have seen several airlines pullout from KUL. Some of them are British Airways, Qantas Airways, Aeroflot and Lufthansa. Why? Is it the policy within our government that is pushing them away or is it the open skies that is not liberated?

The roadmap to full ASEAN open skies policy implementation is at 2015, which many of us hope it will be realized ON THE DOT.

(Source: The Star)

Now, when you see the chart above, you will ask why so little open skies agreement Malaysia has with other countries? We are little slow in implementation of anything good. Just put it that way. Our neighbour Singapore is otherwise had an earlier start and now, Singapore is like an aviation hub in the region. No doubt to it.

You see, in Europe, the aviation industry liberalization took place in 1987. We in ASEAN only wants to get it started a year ago. In ASEAN, it is a little bit different because of the huge differences in economic capacities, industry development and infrastructure. How can a region with such huge differences participate and gain from such policy? ASEAN needs to acknowledge these differences to be able to gain from the benefits of an open skies policy.

One biggest barrier is transparency which the ASEAN governments is not quite ready to let it go. There are calls for greater transparencies. The ASEAN open skies policy can really spur tourism and other economic activities within its chain effect. Open skies policy would benefit most countries, as it would allow for the improvement of infrastructure, gaining of skilled workers and overall establishment of smaller airlines before entering the competition.

See how AirAsia has grown and just take a look at LCCT. Not to mention, Malaysia Airlines is also the hot talks of the town now. Never anyone has thought you could fly cheap on Malaysia Airlines. Thanks to the fierce competition with AirAsia, now we all can.

In other words, I WANT CHEAPER FARES and thus I as a consumer would want to see this open skies policy implemented ASAP!