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Old Jul 25th, 2009, 12:02 PM
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Problems booking on Air Asia

I have tried several times to book via CC on Air Asia (have used the card for overseas airlines before and i have the verified by visa thingy) but i cannot get the payment to go through. I have also tried to book with one of Muffins cards but still cant get the payment to go through, any suggestions?
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Old Jul 25th, 2009, 04:21 PM
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Never had that problem with Air Asia. Don't they have a toll free number in the UK now that they fly there? You can always ask Bob for his CC numbers and use that instead.
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Old Jul 25th, 2009, 04:26 PM
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Here you go Smeagol - 0845 605 3333
Operates 24 Hours, Daily
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Old Jul 25th, 2009, 05:49 PM
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for nikki or hanuman, my cards are always available, but most know me, so just charge it to my tab....
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Old Jul 25th, 2009, 05:50 PM
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someone else recently reported a similar situation... maybe they could chime in...
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Old Jul 25th, 2009, 05:50 PM
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is it possible that the pound is now worthless??
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Old Jul 25th, 2009, 11:36 PM
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Thanks Hanuman i will give that a try.
Bob, its does seem that my pounds at least don't go very far...well not far past a shoe shop with the words SALE above the door
I'll let you know Bob if your card is required.
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Old Jul 26th, 2009, 12:12 AM
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I actually had that problem trying to book my hotels via AtSiam.com. my visa card didnt go through for an entire day for no apparent reason. eventually it went through..so I think it was an issue with the Thai bank.

personally, I dont recommend Air Asia. I just spent a few more baht to fly Bangkok Air.
Last time we flew Air Asia - domestically in Thailand - I had pre-booked online, and when a couple days after I booked I tried to change the flight dates they charged me almost as much as the entire ticket cost just to change the date on one of the ways! I felt that was completely un-fair. (BKK airways charge 500bht for a change - thats reasonable...!)

Also - we felt that AirAsia seeks ways to charge you extra at the airport.. they will take extra measured to weigh your luggage and charge a lot for even one pound overweight. - Budget Airline - but theres always a catch!!!

my advice - stay away.
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Old Jul 26th, 2009, 01:18 AM
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FiredragonII,

Clearly you didn't read the small prints. They are an OK airline IMO and the discount is quite substantial. Your issues stemmed from you not understanding or not bothering to read their conditions when you purchased your tickets. Advise you be more careful the next time.
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Old Jul 26th, 2009, 01:43 AM
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Hanuman, when seeking flights this time, I see that the airlines offer different prices for different types of tickets - i.e. more flexible ones etc..
however, my booking with Air Asia was well over a year ago and they didnt have that option at the time. Of course I would always prefer to have a more flexible option if available - even at higher cost.
true - maybe I didnt read the fine print. however, since there was no flexi ticket available... I still think it was audacious to charge me almost the fee of an entire new ticket just to change a date on one of the ways...
we requested teh date change at least 2 weeks before the flight and we were 4 ppl traveling - that was a lot of money!

I'd rather pay a bit more up front and have better service.
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Old Jul 26th, 2009, 02:05 AM
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When I book Air Asia I am aware of their conditions and in case I want to change dates or flight time I throw away my old ticket. You can't fault them for charging you extra when you want changes and you can't expect the same kind of service as the regular airlines.
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Old Jul 26th, 2009, 02:08 AM
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I guess it was a lesson learned!
Happy travels all!
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Old Jul 26th, 2009, 02:11 AM
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Just so that you don't make the same kind of mistakes, Thai Airways plus several full fair airlines are now offering very competitive rates and they call them "W" or "V" class tickets with similar conditions to Air Asia. This mean no changes or cancellation.
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Old Jul 26th, 2009, 05:21 AM
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Thanks everyone, problem i have is i can only get flights to Hanoi with AA or TA and the AA flight (including extra baggage allowance and prebooking exit seats) is around £90 TA is £340! (and thats one way) hence my desire to go with AA. I am comfortable that if i need to change there will be a penalty (i expect it) will give them a call on the number Hanuman suggested and see if that works. (i really hate it though when this happens i just want to book it.....)
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Old Jul 26th, 2009, 10:00 AM
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Air Asia is a budget airline. Expect that if you need to change for any reason you will pay for a whole new ticket. No refunds - even if the reason you miss your flight is because of Air Asia. A real deal if things go well... not so much if there is a glitch.
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Old Jul 26th, 2009, 07:55 PM
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I am flying on air asia from Krabi to KL then have a 2 hour layover in KL before my Air Asia flight to Bali. If my flight from Krabi runs late and I happen to miss the connecting flight to Bali, are you saying that I will have to buy a new ticket on Air Asia for Bali? If Air Asia causes me to miss my Air Asia flight, I buy a new ticket?
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Old Jul 26th, 2009, 08:00 PM
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Yes.
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Old Jul 26th, 2009, 08:08 PM
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kind of a weird policy. let's hope my flight doesn't get delayed for too long. I have never flown through Asia before, this is my first trip (going for our honeymoon). Will we have to go through customs when we arrive in KL or will we just remain in the terminal waiting for the flight to Bali? Not sure what other time delays could present problems making the Bali leg....any insight would be helpful!
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Old Jul 26th, 2009, 08:14 PM
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May be this will give you some comfort regarding Air Asia. Lately all my Air Asia flights, domestic in Thailand, have been ahead of schedule! As soon as the last passenger have board the plane they will take off even if it's 1/2 hour early.
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Old Jul 26th, 2009, 08:22 PM
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Air Asia is a point to point carrier. As such, they do not offer any connection services. Upon arrival in Kuala Lumpur from Krabi, you will need to deplane, go through immigration, collect your luggage, clear customs, and get to the check in counter before the 45 minute prior to flight departure time to check in for your flight to Bali. Even if everything goes perfectly, 2 hours will be tight. In the FAQ on the AirAsia website, they recommend at least 3 hours between connections. Still that is no guarantee. You might make it, or you might not and you will need to purchase a ticket to get to Bali on Air Asia or another airline (in another terminal 20 minutes taxi away).

This sort of dilemma is part of flying a connecting route on a low cost carrier. You always end up paying, whether it is in time or money is the difference.
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