$118 Buys One Year Unlimited Asia Travel Pass (And Coronavirus Will Have Passed For Most Of That Time)

by Gary Leff

Southeast Asian low cost carrier AirAsia has been a success (except for their restaurant chain). AirAsiaX, the long haul version of the airline, has struggled.

The airline had plenty of empty seats even before coronavirus, so they’re selling a one year all you can fly pass for 499 MYR (about US$118). The press release is all about how it’s still fine to travel.

The offer is intended for Malaysia-based members of AirAsia’s BIG loyalty program (God Save The Points thinks others can participate, too) and is on sale through the end of March 7 local time and offers unlimited flying for a year between Kuala Lumpur and “Australia, Japan, India and more” for just the cost of “government taxes and fees, add ons and other charges.” Fourteen day advance booking is required.

Here are the promotion terms and conditions. AirAsia “is not saying how many passes are for sale” and the offer could be pulled before the 7th.

Will Horton points out that AirAsiaX may need to hit specified passenger volumes in some markets in order to receive subsidies. I’d add that fees for things like seat assignments and baggage on a low cost carrier – still payable under this deal – can be greater than the fare.

(HT: David H.)

About Gary Leff

Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel - a topic he has covered since 2002. Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »

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Comments

  1. When I flew Air Asia a few times a couple years ago, the fees were reasonable. I remember everyone lining up to get on the plane and being worries about how crowded it would be in the “premium economy” up front that I paid ~$5 for. There were 2 of us in those 9 seats, and every other seat taken behind. Got the idea $5 was a lot for most of the people getting on.

  2. Malaysian-based AirAsia.
    If CovVid-19 doesn’t get you, AirAsia Sharia compliant destinations will.

  4. Is there any possible way for you to please make it so that your entire articles open in feedly, instead of having to click multiple times to get to the website to read? Other blogs I follow all are able to do this, I was wondering if you can please try to do this as well as it makes it a lot more readable.

  5. Just to be clear, the pass doesn’t cover government taxes and landing fees, not just the add on fees like booking a seat, etc.

    For example, I just priced out a fare to fly SIN-KUL in April. SDG $112 roundtrip, with no extras- eg, no seat assignment, no baggage, etc. Out of the $112 charged, only $28 was airfare, so this flight would have still cost me $84.

    Now, on long haul flights you would save more. But you’ll still end up paying a considerable portion of the ticket, even before adding extras…

  7. Like with AirAsia’s frequent flyer bonus “free” flights, the dirty trick are the add-on fees.

    The actual airfare is just a small fraction of the total ticket cost, even without extras such as seat assignment, meals, baggage.

    Besides, the pass is only for residents of Malaysia and flights from KUL.

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