Suggestion - Break Journey or Direct

Lvamo on 09/03/2014 - 10:53

Hi,

Just wanted to get some advice from fellow ozbargainers if they have ever done this before.
I was searching for flights from Sydney to Kolkata (India) and I found that if I book a direct flight then the fare comes to $631 but if I book two separate tickets - Sydney-KL and Kl-Kolkata then I am getting a fare of $566 so that's a saving of $65.
I called Air Asia and they said u can book the cheaper one as they cannot match the fare. The big difference between the two is that if I do book a break journey then I would have to check in my luggage at KL again.

The halt while going is 5 hours but while coming back from Kolkata is only 2hrs 40 mins and I wanted to know if its possible to collect luggage and check in again within 2 hours?

Thanks all for ur comment

Travel

Comments

  • csg001 on 09/03/2014 - 12:04
    +2

    5 hours is enough but 2h40m is a bit tight, especially if you factor in likely delays.

    If you book 2 separate tickets and the first flight is delayed, causing you to miss your second flight, AirAsia won't help you at all. Whereas if you booked it as a single ticket, and you miss your second flight due to delay with the first one, AirAsia will be obliged to put you onto the next available flight free of charge, and you may even be able to demand some form of small compensation/voucher to cover food/misc expenses while you wait for your next flight.

  • waterstone on 09/03/2014 - 15:45
    +2

    For a saving of $65, just book the direct flight. Saves you the stress of not making the next flight and the time that it takes you to get to India.

  • TheAviator on 09/03/2014 - 16:20

    Not worth the risk for $65. Just book the direct flight. If you wanted to stay a night in KL however, different story.

  • qwertykiri on 09/03/2014 - 16:43

    Or you can stay the night in kl. return bus to city is about RM10 (au$3.5). Takes 1.5hr each way. If u have kids, can take them to the indoor theme park which is open till late.
    Worth staying if there are more than 2 people involved, what you save on the flights can go towards a mini break

  • RockyRaccoon on 10/03/2014 - 08:07

    Worth reading Asia's own website for info

    Here are some links

    http://www.airasia.com/ask/template.do?id=255&name=If+I+miss…

    http://www.airasia.com/ask/template.do?id=517&name=What+is+F…

    http://www.airasia.com/ask/template.do;jsessionid=573B08122B…

    Which implies that you need to book with "Fly-Thru" to be eligible for assistance by Air-Asia-X

    Keep in mind you may have to pay booking fees for the separate flight bookings which would reduce the savings.

    And the "benefits"

    What are the benefits of FLY-THRU?

    Baggage is checked through to the final destination – guests do not need to collect baggage in KUL and check-in again.
Guests do not need to clear immigration. Upon arrival, guests will go through the transfer hall which is located at the left side of the entrance of arrival gates.
Guests will not be subjected to fulfill visa requirements in Kuala Lumpur (except during extended delays)
Guests will be checked-in and provided with the second boarding pass at the transfer hall.
Guests can then go directly into departure hall.
  • vamo on 10/03/2014 - 21:53

    I think I will just book the fly-thru option.
    I agree the hassle and risks involved far outweighs the $65 benefit that I could get.

  • kobrien456 on 12/03/2014 - 07:59

    dupe

  • kobrien456 on 12/03/2014 - 08:01
    +1

    For anyone trying to make a tight connection (under 3 hours), definitely only take carry-on. I would have been in trouble recently if I had to wait for my bags. Made the check in time with 10 minutes to spare! Ran like hell to get there! (Would have been fine if plane was on schedule, but change of plane, change of gate…. it happens!)

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