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Malaysia Airlines
The New Enrich by Malaysia Airlines
May 19th
Being in the travel industry, Frequent Flyer Programme (FFP) is one of the products that we need to learn a lot besides travel products, because there are some hardcore FFP Mileage Runners around to make a quick redemption without paying a single cent more or lesser for their flight. Pay less for more points is their main focus.
So, Malaysia Airlines has just announced a brand new structure, look and enhancements towards their Frequent Flyer Programme, Enrich. The press conference is held at KL Hilton on 18th May 2011.
That’s Raja Dato’ Nordiana, Snr. VP of Corporate Marketing and Loyalty Programme at MAS.
That’s Tengku Dato’ Sri Azmil, MD & CEO of MAS.
This is how MAS Enrich looks like now. Not too bad I suppose…
The new Enrich improvements can be seen in six key innovative and enhanced features.
1) New Elite Qualification Criteria, Elite status is more attainable.
2) Enhanced Elite Tier Bonuses, Members earn miles faster.
3) Platinum Tier Redefined, Enrich Gold can achieve Platinum easier.
4) On-line Redemption Incentives, 15% discount for flights redemption, all year round.
5) New Awards Charts, Lesser miles to travel.
6) e-Lounge Voucher, Can redeem Airport Lounges voucher hassle-free and paperless.
With all the above new enhanced features, MAS’ Enrich targets an increase of 20% membership growth in 2011 alone. Very ambitious but I am sure they will because they have good ratings as one of the FFP which earns miles faster than any other airlines in the region.
If you are not convinced if Enrich is the Frequent Flyer Programme for you, then maybe if you would like to read what others have to say about Enrich as compared to other regional FFPs by other carriers here > FlyerTalk: Rate Malaysia Airlines Enrich.
I have always been reading FlyerTalk and this forum really gives me an insight of what’s new on airlines all around the world from the consumer point of view.
Only thing about Enrich FFP is that, earning miles from MAS or it’s partners is not as wide as AsiaMiles or KrisFlyer, but I guess the redemption availability and quicker in earning miles pays for it. 
Oh, there are 1,000,000 Enrich miles to be won, YES, ONE MILLION MILES! Plus, by joining the contest, you already can earn 1,000 miles. Simple as that!
What are you waiting for? Submit your postcard now! You need to be an Enrich member first of course.
Download/View Enrich’s Magazine World of Riches (May-July 2011) (Right Click and Save As)
MAS Travel Fair is BACK AGAIN!!!
Jun 21st
Yes, just like I said, it is back again!
The Malaysia Airlines Travel Fair (MATF) 2009 – June
Let me be the first* to tell you about it… Here are the prices…
You be your own judge if the price is cheap or not…
Remember, compare an apple to an apple.
You can only use this fare for traveling from 29th June onwards till 15th December.
Your last date to book is on 5th July 2009…
Please READ CLEARLY as it is all self explanatory. More question?
Email me at travel(at)yapthomas(dot)com
Also, with every promo prices there are terms & conditions. Here are the important T&C you should know before you make decision of picking up the phone to call your favourite travel agent (I know it’s me. 
) or start going to http://malaysiaairlines.com. Oh you can also buy this promo ticket from the MAS ticket counter at KL Sentral.
As this fare is open for all, bookings with travel agents will incur a fee. You can either choose to use their service or head on to KL Sentral or MAS website for bookings.
MATF June 2009 Terms & Conditions
| Advanced Purchase | From Malaysia to Singapore & Bandar Seri Begawan: 21 Days From Singapore to Malaysia: 21 Days Others: 7 days |
| Minimum/Maximum Stay | Nil, but all travels must be completed by 15 December 2009 |
| Waitlist | Not permitted. |
| Flight change | Once booking number has been issued, NO Flight changes allowed. |
| Name change | Once booking number has been issued, NO Name changes allowed. |
| Cancellation/Refund | All partially & totally unutilised tickets are NOT refundable. |
| Stopover | Not permitted. |
| Rerouting | Not permitted. |
| Enrich Upgrade | Not permitted. |
| Child/ Infant Discount | Infants pays 20% of adult promotional fares. No discount on child fares. |
| Air Fare | Price includes airfare, airport tax, fuel surcharge, insurance and administrative fees. Certain selected all-inclusive low fares does not include airport taxes as such charge is collected separately by the airport authorities at point of check-in. Price listed is correct as of date of publication and may be subject to change due to fluctuations in exchange rate, airport tax, fuel surcharge, insurance and administrative fees. Airport tax is subject to revision from time to time by the relevant airport authorities. Fares are not applicable during peak periods and subject to seat availability. |
So, now you’ve known every little details…
The question is… Where would you like to go tomorrow?
My previous post on MAS Travel Fair…
* I Google already wan. No other websites popping up.
** GIF pictures from Malaysia Airlines’ website **
Flying with Malaysia Airlines to Bangkok
Apr 22nd
See, the whole reason why I need a ‘blog secretary‘ is to remind me that I haven’t finish posting about my Perth Adventure. Now I am stuck! Should I continue blogging about Perth or should I start with Bangkok?
Oh no! It’s like some love hate relationship with my own blog. What the heck right? I know!
Anyways… I’ve got a plan… nyek nyek nyek…
Okay, so I went to Bangkok two weeks ago. It was such a random plan. Wingz was one of my travel companion to Bangkok. I told him I wanna plan a trip cause I got ‘jalan’ for cheap fare and cheap accommodation at Courtyard Marriott. See! The benefit of a travel agent! Wingz got his buddy Frostier to join in, since he needs to break his flight virginity. That fella so lucky you know! ‘Cause he broke his flight virginity with Malaysia Airlines! So many people out there now breaks their flight virginity with Air Asia. :p hahaha
Since I got my contact in MAS to give me this flight to Bangkok free of charge, I promised to blog about them like how I blog about Air Asia. FOC is only for me, not for Wingz and Frostier. Muahahahha *bragging time*
My flight was…
MH 784 Y 10APR KULBKK HS1 0910 1015
MH 783 Y 12APR BKKKUL HS1 1710 2015
I was so busy before I flew and I barely even have time to pack. But what pack? Three pair of cloths and I’m set to go!
Reached the airport very early in the morning and since I’m still early, I decided to give the self check-in kiosk a try. I’ve tried the self check-in kiosk for Air Asia at LCCT long time ago but never used MAS’ kiosk.
Such a hassle free and not like Wingz he has to line up because the window for self check in is one hour before flight departure. So he was unlucky. Muahahaha!! Take picture summore lah!
Traveling with Malaysia Airlines, I was expecting the MH is Malaysian Hospitality that was much talked and advertised all over.
The plane was a small one (Boeing 737, I think) when I was going to Bangkok but I was only complaining for the first 15 minutes upon entering the plane. This one particular stewardess was so sweet that it took my complains away! Her name is Agnes Soh. *bluek*
See! So sweet right? Her smile just threw all my complaints out of the window. She was just like the Cool & Cold Korean Lady I met when I was at Arirang, Perth. She was kinda frustrating at one point when her mate at the back of the plane was slow in responding to her request but that frustration she had diminish when she turns to the passenger. *melts*
Anyways, that aside. I have babbled enough. *hik* Let the pictures do all the talking from now on…
I got this pillow from the flight going to Bangkok…
Was served Nasi Lemak with Sambal Prawn…
Liked the deserts very much…
Liked even more the smile of Agnes Soh…
Didn’t like the seat given to me. Should have asked for emergency seat which I always do. My leg so long I can’t have enough seat pitch!! *boo* 
The flight coming back was a lot better. They are using a bigger aircraft. YAY! That time I was smarter also, I asked for emergency aisle seat! Clever right? I know!!
That flight MH783 from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur got screen also wei!!!
The seats were a lot nicer and more comfy also!
Was served pizza. I was jealous because Frostier got rice. Was so hungry that I wanted rice, but they said finish. See lah! You want nice seats but couldn’t have nice food because when the trolley cart reaches you, everyone else had the nice food. But I got good seats!! *Hmmph!*
Oh… I was hoping to see that sweet stewardess Ms. Agnes Soh again on my way back from Bangkok.
NO! she was not on that flight. “Hi Agnes, If you are reading this…” hahaha
Anyways… it was a nice experience flying with Malaysia Airlines after so long!!!
I think with the increasing sales volume I have with MAS, I shall ask for a flight to UK?
Coming up next… the hotel I stayed in Bangkok!!…
LSG SkyChef – The In-Flight Meals
Apr 9th
Continuing from the tour at LSG SkyChef, we were treated for lunch. The meals served to us during lunch was all in flight meals that is being served on board their flights.
Come… let me show you what they have on display, which are also what we were fed that afternoon.
This is how their business class lunch looks like. Got scallops, got salmon…!!
This is how their economy snack pack looks like. They got Ferraro Roche and some other tidbits…
This is another type of lunch tray which is meant for economy class. The main course would be depending on your orders. It could be satay or lamb or chicken or anything else…
Now, I’m gonna let you see some pictures of the food. These food presentation is meant for First Class passengers only. They are all served on plate wan, so the high class right? That’s what you get when you pay premium. 
The Salmon…
The Tiger Prawn…
The Lamb Shank…
The Seafood Platter…
That’s about it… you can read more about the experiences of other bloggers who were present that day at the links below.. They got powderful camera, so their pictures are a lot more wonderful too…
During that visit, Lex aka Kampung Boy wore the same tee I have. I wanted to wear that exact same tee, but decided not. Else, sure fashion clash wan!!! hahaha
These are the other bunch of bloggers whom were invited by MAS to LSG SkyChef…
VKeong, Simon, Kenny, Dale, Chef Zainuddin, KampungBoyCityGal, moi and Wingz…
You can read more about their experiences:
KampungBoyCityGal
VKeong
Rojaks
Simon Seow
Now, I am hungry… -_-
LSG SkyChef – The Tour
Apr 5th
Everytime I fly with an airline, I always wonder, how these people ever prepare the meals on board the aircraft. LIke, do they even have a kitchen in the aircraft? That will be cool wei, seeing air crews frying an egg on board. Wouldn’t it? hahaha
About 3 weeks ago, I was invited by Jon of Fleishman and Hillard Malaysia with a bunch of other bloggers to visit the LSG SkyChef at Sepang. LSG SkyChef is a global provider of in-flight meals, in-flight entertainment, in-flight management and logistics . They have a global presence in major cities in the world, either wholly owned or joint-venture base operations.
I got lost when finding that location and if Wingz didn’t call me, I wouldn’t have reached to the right location which is the road leading to LCCT. I would have ended up at KLIA instead. -_-
I arrived just in time when they were about to start. I think they waited for me. *shy*
We listened to the introduction by LSG chef. He brief us through on how did LSG was established and how have they expanded their operation throughout the world.
Today, LSG SkyChef has already served many major airlines and has also won several recognitions from airlines for their outstandingin services. Now, that’s what we Malaysian should be proud of don’t we?
After the presentation, we we brought into their operation area to see how their productions are being made. But sadly, it was lunch break that day, so we can’t see much on how the meals are prepared. Nevertheless, we got to see how their operational facilities look like. Before going to their operational area, we all have to go through a tough hygienic process. We have to wash our hands, put on head condom cap and wear a long robe before entering.
It is a well equipped facility from loading bay to cleaning area to cooking to preparation to pre-flight loading areas. Different area caters to different need. They even have different preparation areas for different class seatings. Not bad.
We took their service lift down one floor to where their pre-flight loading area is. Lower ground also houses many huge temperature controlled storage rooms. If I remember correctly, they have about 10 of them. Big huge chiller and freezers and even dry stock areas.
We were not allowed to take pictures of their operational facilities due to security and industry competitive reasons. So I took this one picture below to show that I am in of their pre-flight loading chiller. This room is where they keep all the meals prepared in trolleys. These trolleys are all prepared and ready to be loaded approximately 3 hours before flight departure. They are all kept in the chiller room to preserve its quality and freshness.
If you want to enjoy winter, come in here. This is what I get after staying in the rooms for about 10 minutes.
It was a brief tour as we couldn’t see much on people working on the preparations. We head back to the presentation room earlier to be briefed by another chef about their in-flight menus. How they are all being designed and set for each different seating classes.
Then, it is time to savor the wonderful meals prepared by LSG SkyChef.
The food are all ready…
and the tables are all set…
It is time to ‘makan’……
Yummm…. till I show you in my next entry of all the foods prepared for us.. stay tuned..
Gonna meet up with the DGMBians for banana leave now.. ciaozz…
MATTA Fair MAR 2009 – Malaysia Airlines Promo
Mar 12th
So yeah, MATTA FAIR is coming… which is tomorrow…
Anyways, I will usually put up image of the pricing for previous MATTA FAIR postings, but you can download them instead.
MATTA FAIR MAR 2009 FIT PRICES
MATTA FAIR MAR 2009 2 TO GO PRICES
There are more and more promotions during MATTA Fair, but always read the fine prints.
Some other airlines that I know would have their promo prices are Qatar Airways, Qantas-British Airways, Brunei Airlines and Japan Airlines. Otherwise, head to PWTC for the fair and look it out yourself…
Read more about it here at MATTA Official Website.
For free passes, you can read Nicolekiss’ post about MATTA March 2009.
Talk Is Not Cheap Above The Clouds
Mar 7th
Remember I mentioned back in November about MAS allows passengers to use mobile phones on board?
It’s here! It’s here.
Read all about it here. Shall I quote a little bit here and there from Mobile World.
Mobile Phones now useable on MAS planes
- Nigel. Friday, 06 March 2009
Yes you’ve read it right you can now use your mobile phones on MAS planes. More specifically mobile phones that use a Maxis postpaid line. Maxis Communications’ cellular postpaid subscribers can now use their mobile phones and BlackBerry devices to make and receive calls, send and receive SMS, e-mail and access GPRS data services while airborne in Malaysia Airlines aircraft. This follows a partnership agreement reached on 5 March between Malaysia’s leading mobile operator, Maxis, Malaysia Airlines and world leading in-flight mobile operator, the UK-based AeroMobile which is owned by ARINC, Inc and Telenor ASA.
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But, with all that, the cost is going to be expensive. Very expensive.
Call and data charges are however rather hefty compared to terrestrial charges, with voice calls charged at RM15 per minute for outgoing and incoming calls; data sent or received is charged at RM100 per MB and SMS message sent are charged at RM3 each but are free for SMS received, with charges billed to the user’s postpaid account.
The charges are crazy!
A phone conversation as simple as:
Tom: Hey Tim, how are you?
Tim: Hey Tom, I am good. Where are you now?
Tom: I am reaching Kuala Lumpur already! Can you come and fetch me?
Tim: Wat time is your arrival?
Tom: 3:30pm. Can?
Tim: Ohkay. I’ll see you at the airport.
*slam* RM 30 charged to your phone. Usually? RM 1 only.
Those of you who wants to use your mobile phones during flight, better make sure you talk business and close a deal out of it. Best is to adopt the “No Money, No Talk” policy with your counterpart. Else, you will cry over the charges that is being sent to your phone.
Definitely, talk is not cheap above the clouds…
MAS Travel Fair 2009: Bigger! Competitive! Longer!
Feb 12th
MAS Travel Fair is back again this year! Bigger! Competitive! and Longer!
Okay! Okay! I know. I’m few days late in writing up about this. But hey, it’s better than not writing about it eh?
Anyways, this year’s promotion span last longer and it is all online now. No longer they are puting up booth to attract people to buy. It’s 2009 financial crisis year, where everyone is cutting their budget. So, MAS is cutting their budget to throw a big huge fair at any convention center. Thus, giving them the option to pull the promotion longer than the usual 3 days only promotion just like MAS Travel Fair 2008.
This year’s Malaysia Airlines Travel Fare is taking place from 10th till 19th February 2009 so that now, you can have a longer period of time to plan and decide. Enough time to get your leave approved as well. As usual, there is a special travel period and it is from 17th Feb till 30th Sep 2009.
One unique point of this MAS Travel Fair 2009 is that, people in Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam can enjoy the same promotion as well. But, with a different set of pricing for each location. Now, did I just said bigger earlier?
Furthermore, if you have the time you can bundle your purchase with either one of MAS Value Fare domestic routing with the current MATF prices to international destinations.
Remember, before you buy, please read the terms and conditions. Many people just don’t read the terms & conditions and just buy blindly. Which, in the end resulted in all complaints about this and that.
When a service company says *Terms & conditions apply*, you better read them. I’m telling you with such honesty because I am from the service industry and well, let’s just say I’m more transparent with my own set of terms & conditions.
MATF 2009 Terms & Conditions
| Advanced Purchase | From Malaysia to Singapore & Bandar Seri Begawan: 21 Days From Singapore to Malaysia: 21 Days Others: 7 days |
| Minimum/Maximum Stay | Nil, but all travels must be completed by 30 September 2009 |
| Waitlist | Not permitted. |
| Flight change | Once booking number has been issued, NO Flight changes allowed. |
| Name change | Once booking number has been issued, NO Name changes allowed. |
| Cancellation/Refund | All partially & totally unutilised tickets are not refundable. |
| Stopover | Not permitted. |
| Rerouting | Not permitted. |
| Enrich Upgrade | Not permitted. |
| Child/ Infant Discount | Infants pays 10% of adult promotional fares. No discount on child fares. |
| Air Fare | Price includes airfare, airport tax, fuel surcharge, insurance and administrative fees. Certain selected all-inclusive low fares does not include airport taxes as such charge is collected separately by the airport authorities at point of check-in. Price listed is correct as of date of publication and may be subject to change due to fluctuations in exchange rate, airport tax, fuel surcharge, insurance and administrative fees. Airport tax is subject to revision from time to time by the relevant airport authorities. Fares are not applicable during peak periods and subject to seat availability. |
What you waiting for?
Now, go to www.malaysiaairlines.com to buy your ticket to your favourite destination. OR you can simply contact me if you can’t buy online. I can help, with a small fee.
You can download the complete fare for a better view or to be printed out.
Hmmm… I’m gonna see if I can grab any cheap London seats
The KLIA and LCCT-Labu Blah Blah Blah
Jan 25th
So, KLIA or LCCT Labu?
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!
Cheaper Air Fares to come! Say Hoorayy!
Dec 14th
ASEAN will see the implementation of open skies policy. In fact, we have already got the feeling of this policy of implementation already. The continues war pricing between airlines and the continues war for a piece of the route (eg. KUL-SIN) has given us, the consumers, the hands down win.
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!
