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Thread: Air Asia Sucks

  1. #1
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    Air Asia Sucks

    I thought that I had posted about my experiences over the last few months with Air Asia but upon looking, I couldn't find the thread, so I thought I share .....

    Back in December, the agency I work for had a raffle, with the top prize being Air Asia gift vouchers. 5 vouchers worth 1000B each. 2 others won the same prize.

    Shockingly enough I won! I honestly thought my streak of seriously fucked luck had been broken.

    Just after we came back from the New Year's break, I got four emails saying I've received a voucher (not 5) worth, each worth 1K. The email said click on this link and I'd receive another email with the voucher code. I did this for the four I received.

    No response came. I called Air Asia several times, sent emails and literally got zero replies from them. Nothing. Nada.

    I informed the office and they told me the other two grand prize winners never even got the notification email and the boss was pissed because the company had spent 15K for literally nothing. The company finally decided to pay us cash.

    As Air Asia had been the only airline I've used I logically went back with them to book our flight up to CR to visit Crackerjack.

    I decided to wait to book the return tickets from Chiang Mai until we got up north and made definite plans with both CJ and Nooner.

    Sunday evening, I'm trying to book tickets back from CM and of course Air Asia's site isn't working. I even tried putting their app on my tablet and nothing.

    Crackerjack tells me he never flies with Air Asia for several big reasons...they suck when it comes to online booking and they only fly into Don Muang and that he prefers to fly into Suvarnabumi, so his airline of choice is Thai Smile.

    I realize I've been stupid, yet again (I live 20 minutes at most from Suvarnabumi) and try to book with Thai Smile, only to find out the card I have with Krungsri Bank isn't good for online payment.

    At this point my blood pressure is shooting through the roof.

    After talking with the bank, Mrs. CJ points out that she's paid for plane tickets at 7/11, but it has to be within 12 hours, something I've never done before.

    I get up the next morning, I give Thai Smile my name and they still have the booking plans from the evening before. I'm on the phone literally five minutes and I've got the number to bring to 7/11. Five minutes in 7/11 and I'm out the door with a receipt, sms and email confirmation of our flight.

    Never again will I have anything to do with Air Asia...
    "I was a good student. I comprehend very well, OK, better than I think almost anybody," - President Trump comparing his legal knowledge to a Federal judge.

  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by CSFFan
    I realize I've been stupid, yet again (I live 20 minutes at most from Suvarnabumi) and try to book with Thai Smile, only to find out the card I have with Krungsri Bank isn't good for online payment.
    Topper why did you decide to book at the last minute returning from the north? Why not book an RT? It was your fault you did not know which airport each airline flies into. Sorry there website was down for you but that happens.

    For me Air Asia is a great little point to point airline and I have not had a problem one. I prefer them as I am 10 minutes to DM airport.

    Thai Smile has less than half the flights than Air Asia so you dont have the choice. All the low cost carriers provide less service as thats why it so damn cheap.

    Great trip report though. I would love to go visit Cj as well.

    Coming back from Phuket at New year we realized we had to check a bag and had not arranged to do it. Checking the website it was 900 baht to check a bag at the airport. Freaking expensive as the tickets were only 750b. Rather than freak out the wife and I thought about it and stopped at a post office on the way home and sent the items that needed to be checked for about 90 baht. Got them the next day.. Its all in how you play the game.

    If you had booked Thai Smile from Swampy by doing your research you would not be complaining now. All low cost airlines are going to have hiccups...You do get what you pay for...
    Last edited by aging one; 13-04-2017 at 01:03 PM.

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    Had to make an emergency trip to NZ a couple of weeks back and after looking at possibilities Air Asia was the best short layovers and left from DM which suits me.

    Lady boss booked on line for a flight the next day, she has some sort of customer number or something, no problems.

    Good comfortable flight down but when it came to booking a return trip there was a long layover in KL with Air Asia so I had to go with a combo of Air NZ and Thai.

    I went AA premium on the way down and the beds were quite comfortable and I had a good sleep. The way back was business and the free food and drinks at the departure lounge were great but the beds were no better than AA if anything less comfortable.

    Conclusion, Air Asia food was not much chop but then neither was the food on the return trip which amounted to only 2 breakfasts due to a midnight departure time

    Cost on AA was a third of that on ANZ-Thai and the the trip between SWP and DM is a pest. Will use Air Asia again if I have to make another trip.

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    Quote Originally Posted by aging one
    Why not book an RT?
    We flew to Chiang Rai but returned from Chiang Mai, so no way to book a RT. We also weren't sure what the exact plans were so we needed to maintain some flexibility.

    Quote Originally Posted by aging one
    If you had booked Thai Smile from Swampy by doing your research you would not be complaining now.
    You're right, I should have realized that Air Asia sucks and ended our relationship and I was an idiot for not choosing an airline that flies into Swampy.

  5. #5
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    ^ Bangkok Air does too.

    Quote Originally Posted by aging one View Post
    Coming back from Phuket at New year we realized we had to check a bag and had not arranged to do it. Checking the website it was 900 baht to check a bag at the airport. Freaking expensive as the tickets were only 750b. Rather than freak out the wife and I thought about it and stopped at a post office on the way home and sent the items that needed to be checked for about 90 baht. Got them the next day.. Its all in how you play the game.
    Sounds like a lot of hassle at the end of a holiday to save $23. Why not accept that the flight cost 1200 baht each instead of 750 baht each? It's hardly expensive.

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    .....

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    Quote Originally Posted by Immigrunt
    Sounds like a lot of hassle at the end of a holiday to save $23. Why not accept that the flight cost 1200 baht each instead of 750 baht each? It's hardly expensive.
    Because we flew down with no carry on no problems, but with the wives shopping we needed more coming back. Okay? Save your mind reading skills for another post Nothing about money. Living only flag drop fee from DM we prefer not to wait around for luggage.
    Last edited by aging one; 13-04-2017 at 01:32 PM.

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    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by CSFFan
    I was an idiot for not choosing an airline that flies into Swampy.
    Bangkok Air every time for me now.

    Decent meal and a lounge with wifi and snacks.

    And if I lived 20 minutes at most from Swampy, well...

  9. #9
    Thailand Expat raycarey's Avatar
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    IMO air asia is fine for most domestic flights IF

    1. you know how to avoid their website's default add-ons
    2. you don't mind delayed departures
    3. you can stand sitting next to a hillbilly for an hour or two
    4. you're not over 6'2''

    they're cheap and fly pretty much everywhere in thailand, but the above needs to be considered.

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    I used AA for my trip last year: MNL, KL, Vientiane, Yangon, KL, MNL. You don't have to book a return trip - what I did was to book multi-city and book separate flights. I agree with AO that it's not the airline's fault. On your part, you could've done more research. I'm also using AA for this trip, and I've no complaints. Flight to Taipei was delayed, but itws due to air traffic congestion and not really the airline's fault. I know how it is in Mnl airport & the lack of runways esp during peak season. As far as I know, Terry57 uses AAas well, and from his trip reports, AA was okay. Here, one can pay AA (and Cebu Pacific) from 7/11, malls & other outlets.

    Anyway, your holiday is done & you've had a good trip to the north. We all live and learn. Cheers & happy songkran/easter!

  11. #11
    Thailand Expat Slick's Avatar
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    Never had a problem with Air Asia.

    A to B thats it. Expect nothing else.

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    Quote Originally Posted by raycarey
    1. you know how to avoid their website's default add-ons
    The key especially with baggage and insurance..

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    Quote Originally Posted by aging one View Post
    Save your mind reading skills for another post Nothing about money. Living only flag drop fee from DM we prefer not to wait around for luggage.
    Ok.
    Quote Originally Posted by aging one
    Checking the website it was 900 baht to check a bag at the airport. Freaking expensive. Rather than freak out the wife and I thought about it and stopped at a post office on the way home and sent the items that needed to be checked for about 90 baht
    Different story but ok.

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    Wow you like to go back and check my other posts as well. Interesting. Have a nice Songkran Sherlock...

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    Yeah thanks for the red too.

    Air Asia Sucks 13-04-2017 02:16 PM aging one not a way to make friends dude. have a good one

    I'm not trying to become your friend. Understanding what the heck you're on about on this thread will suffice. Got redded for it.

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    Not a Mod. Begbie's Avatar
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    Stopped using AA years ago due to a string of delayed flights. However what Topper is complaining about is his inability to use online booking systems not the airline.

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    Who's topper? I've had problems with the booking system too. Flights are fine, as good as any competitors. They wouldn't be so widespread and successful if they were inferior.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Begbie
    However what Topper is complaining about is his inability to use online booking systems not the airline.
    Naw, about their inability to have a functioning computer system or the ability to deal with issues that arise from said system.

    My agency never got reimbursed for the ticket vouchers as far as I'm aware.

  19. #19
    Being chased by sloths DJ Pat's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Immigrunt
    Yeah the thanks for the red too.

    Air Asia Sucks 13-04-2017 02:16 PM aging one not a way to make friends dude. have a good one

    I'm not trying to become your friend. Understanding what the heck you're on about on this thread will suffice.
    (???) What's the fuss? Stupidity it seems. Simple thread, man.

    Air Asia have developed some bad habits I've noticed after a few flights last year. Appears that I must catch the wrong staff in a bad mood that shift....

    I stopped useing them after they lost my bag for 3hrs on return to DM. I did get it back eventually, it was dumped at my feet by a lost-faced somchai who clearly wasn't happy with the farang supposedly getting 'one over' on the native, purely because they claimed I didn't check it on at Krabi, but I then proved that I had.
    (simple luggage ticket)

    I've found Nok Air to be pretty good, their brighter uniforms matching the smiles and service and punctuality.

    Obviously I can't boycott AA but I just had a bit of a sour taste.

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    It's all cyclical. Wait a few years and Nok Air will be as bad, if not worse, than Air Asia. After all, they are no more than a bus service these days.

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    Being chased by sloths DJ Pat's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by aging one View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by raycarey
    1. you know how to avoid their website's default add-ons
    The key especially with baggage and insurance..

    Just unclick them ?

    I find booking AA via Ebookers is more straight forward, the same cost and my UK debit card doesn't get charged for an overseas transaction.

  22. #22
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    paying at 7/11 works for more than you realise

    pay for nakon chai air there also

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    Quote Originally Posted by baldrick
    paying at 7/11 works for more than you realise
    That should be a thread...things you can pay for at 7/11...

  24. #24
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    7/11 has done a good job of bringing in business by allowing customers to pay their utility bills, True Vision bill, airlines tickets and many other consumer products. Not that they need it since they usually have a continuous stream in and out of the store. I wonder what the profit margin is in a typical 7/11?

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    I'm not a big fan of LCC's, but with Thai dropping a lot of flights because of the competition, either you fly them or accept pissing about at Swampy for hours after a long haul flight.

    Never been impressed with Air Asia or their Thai offshoot, and I had shit experiences with Bangkok Airways when I first used them.

    But since then I've used Bkk Air a few times and can't really fault them.

    I had nearly 40Kg of baggage on my last flight from CNX to BKK, and even though I offered to pay, they didn't even charge me for it.

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