Let’s Visit Asia

If you check the website of the Thailand-based budget airline One-Two-Go, this is the message that will greet you:
Dear Valued Passengers
We would like to inform you that during 22 July 2008 – 15 September 2008 we are operating a reduced schedule.
We apologize for any inconvenience to your travel plan and thank you for your kind understanding.
One-Two-Go Airlines.
The reports that are circulating, however, say something different. According to Bangkok Post, the 56-day grounding is due to “mounting cost pressures spurred by ballooning oil prices, fierce competition from rival airlines, falling domestic passenger demand and the poor business outlook”. Bloomberg confirms that …read more

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I was surfing around for cheap airfare deals for November and noticed that I’m still able to see the kind of airfares I was seeing a few months ago. I thought this a bit strange, considering the skyrocketing fuel prices of late. It was when I got to the page indicating the total amount I need to pay that my jaw dropped: the tax and fuel surcharge fees cost more than the seat itself!
Now I understand how airlines can advertise that they haven’t increased airfares, and in fact are still offering discounted fares. As usual, the trick is in the …read more

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Here’s some airfare offers from our traveling folks down there. Air Asia X, the long-haul budget airline, is offering airfares from Perth to KL for just AUD 132, and from Perth for just AUD 172. Here’s a screenshot of the Air Asia website showing all the details:

Air Asia X is just like the lowcost Air Asia flights, except for a few, but tangible differences that will make traveling long distances more comfortable. They offer a limited number of XL seats for those who require more legroom, and set meals are provided (snacks are available for purchase). You don’t get free …read more

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One thing I don’t like with flying budget airlines is that you have to pay for your meals. But because budget airlines usually fly short routes, it’s tolerable. Afterall, the savings you get from the airfare more than covers the cost of the meal. However, if you find yourself really hungry onboard, most budget airlines won’t have much to offer anyway to fill your grumbling stomach. Perhaps the most filling you can get is a sandwich, which can a little bit unsatisfying for the duration of say, a 3-hour flight.
Well, not with Air Asia, which just announced that they are …read more

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Initially called Air Korea, Korean Air’s budget affiliate has been rebranded as Jin Air. There seemed to be a lot of thinking that came into coming up with this name. First, Jin Air supposedly has the same pronunciation as the Chinese character meaning “truth” and “sincerity”.
Pursuing “freshness” and “pragmatism,” the budget airline showed unconventionality in many aspects
The crew will be wearing jeans and t-shirts, and will be called “Jini” ― pilots will be called “Jini pilot,” flight attendants, “Jini flying mate,” and ground crew, “Jini ground staff.” Cool eh? And the best is, according to the report, flights will cost …read more

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Out of the many out there, which website do you use to book your accommodations online? Which website do you find easiest to use? Which offers the best room rates?
Often, I consult 2-3 websites to book my travel needs, compare the rates offered, and book from that which returns the best offer. Although I have my favorites, they don’t consistently show the best rates, and sometimes I’m surprised to find better offers from websites I wold never have thought of checking out.
With Hotels Combined, the search for that best deal has become a few clicks easier. It searches more than …read more

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Yowza, budget airline Tiger Airways is now charging extra fees for checked in luggages!
I’ve been watching similar developments in US-based airlines the last several weeks and was hoping the trend wouldn’t reach this part of the sky. Ugh, wishful thinking. Tiger has followed the lead of Air Asia on charging fees for checked in baggages.
Which airline next?

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Starting July 2008, Jetstar Asia will be offering daily flights between Singapore and Phnom Penh in Cambodia, either with four non-stop flights weekly or via Siem Reap thrice weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
That means you can now fly from Singapore to Siem Reap, stop there for a few days, dive and take a peek into Cambodia’s past (and see where Angelina Jolie’s Tomb Raider was filmed). Then you have the option of either heading back, or flying further to Phnom Penh for more gallivanting.
This makes booking your flight to see more of Southeast Asia just a few clicks easier!

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Asia is a popular destination for budget holidaymakers, and indeed, if you want more value for you buck, you will spoiled for choices of destinations here in Asia where you can really streeeetch your dollar. But if the budget’s real tight, you still might be able to pick up some ideas from these 13 secrets for stretching your travel dollar. I’m quoting the main points here, followed by some comments of my own, but go and read the entire article for more info.
1. Be mentally ready — identify a target budget, or at least make a mental note of how …read more

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Dreaming of Phuket or Koh Samui but are on a budget? Conde Nast Traveler suggests you give Vietnam’s Hoi An a try.
In it’s Dollar-Friendly Destinations 2008, they recommend the Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort & Spa. It’s not five-star, but the resort is certainly equipped with all the amenities one would need on a holiday, and, here’s the bottomline: room rates start at just $145 a night.
And while you’re in Hoi An, take the opportunity to get a made-to-measure suit or dress. Haute couture for a fraction of the cost!
Interest awakened? Let these pictures whet your appetite for more …read more

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