HELP a fellow ozbargainer stuck in Shanghai getting home!!!

Zarcady on 23/07/2014 - 06:18
Last edited 25/07/2014 - 00:45

Okay long story short, airasia delayed their already late departure time (1.30am), and I dozed off, waking up in horror to find that I have missed my flight. Noone to blame here but me as its my responsibility. So im stuck in shanghai right now at 4am, with no place to stay and noone to help me and with no cash left. Im willing to sleep at the airport for a week if I have to…pretty desperate situation I have gotten myself into and pretty silly too.

Can any ozbargainers find me a cheap flight back home to australia? Dates are pretty flexible as I just need the cheapest ticket out of here. Preferrably to land in gold coast/brisbane but right now ill take anything.

Searched airasia for the cheapest of around $300 leaving in early august but maybe someone can do better.

Airasia flat out refused to help me with anything and certainly its within their right to do so but ive flown with china eastern and korean air who was able to help me in a similar situation before with absolutely no hassle. Certainly I dont feel as though im entitled to any help since it was my fault but some generous goodwill would have gone a long way for me to be grateful.

Anyway I would really appreciate some help from the power of ozbargain!

Thanks in advance

Tldr update
Ozb community came through thanks to tonka and Airasia rescheduled a flight for a small fee and thus I dont have to be a hobo at burger king in pudong airport!!! What an awesome community we have here and something im very proud of being a part of! Thanks everyone

Travel

Comments

    • Zarcady on 24/07/2014 - 14:12
      +3

      Yes you are right. I was staying here because I had luggage to drag around with me and I didnt want to come back here last night at 10pm to talk to the airasia staff..just stay at the airport. Once I get some sort of confirmation about my flight schedule, I plan to check into a motel 168 somewhere and get out and about. When I missed my flight, they cancelled my outbound visa so I was able to enter the country again.
      Im trying to be positive about it all. And not get too down. There is a final solution available to me but maybe airasia can do something for me. Im just waiting to hear back thats all.
      Cheers

      • Mellevegas on 25/07/2014 - 16:42

        Maybe you could join couchsurfing.org & get your accommodation for free? Sometimes the hosts are even nice enough to pick you up at the airport. Most hosts are expats and pretty easygoing people who'll empathise with your situation. Either that or look up airbnb & you'll probably get a bed for $10 or so, then you could hang on & wait until the cheapest flight in August.

  • gummibears on 24/07/2014 - 13:55
    +12

    Personally, I wouldn't travel anywhere if it meant that I would have next to nothing left in my bank account.

    • antzz on 24/07/2014 - 14:07
      +4

      but he still has 2 kidney. :) joke

  • smpantsonfire on 24/07/2014 - 14:31
    +3

    This is too funny.

    • Zarcady on 24/07/2014 - 14:36
      +1

      I'm glad you got a laugh out of it! :) its abit of a silly situation but I think there has been many similar situations before..next time ill be better prepared I hope

      • adn on 24/07/2014 - 15:40
        +4

        Just had an extra tough week at work. This has made my day.

        DW buddy, when you are young and poor. You have time. When you are old and better off, you don't have time. It is easier to cut expenses then to generate income. So keep fighting to save those dollars!

  • tomleonhart on 24/07/2014 - 14:52
    +2

    OP, I have a mean to help you out. But prove to me first that you are really stranded in Shanghai, one way or another. Then we will discuss what my solution is.

    • Zarcady on 24/07/2014 - 14:57

      Thanks for your offer. I will wait for airasia first to try and sort it out that way. Cheers!

      • tomleonhart on 24/07/2014 - 16:30
        +2

        Comment back on here if you still need help. I'll help you out.

        • Zarcady on 24/07/2014 - 16:48

          Thank you tomleonhart. Still waiting for them to call. Hopefully there is a resolution within the next couple of hours

    • suchsavings on 28/07/2014 - 23:16
      +1

      @tomleonhart i'm curious, what was your solution?

      • donga100 on 29/07/2014 - 15:05
        +3

        Bikies

  • davem on 24/07/2014 - 15:27
    +9

    "Airasia flat out refused to help me with anything and certainly its within their right to do so but ive flown with china eastern and korean air who was able to help me in a similar situation before with absolutely no hassle. Certainly I dont feel as though im entitled to any help since it was my fault but some generous goodwill would have gone a long way for me to be grateful."

    So in the past Korean Air and China Eastern have helped you in similar situations and you show your gratefulness by not flying with them again, instead going to Air Asia.

    • hayne on 24/07/2014 - 16:09
      +7

      I'm not sure as a consumer you're obliged to show your "gratefulness" (or gratitude). That's his choice as a consumer. You make this comment without even knowing what the price was for other airlines when he booked his flight. What if Korean Air or China Eastern was three times the price? Or what if it was 10 times the price - should he show that he's grateful for a past situation by buying their ticket instead of AirAsia?

      As an Ozbargainer, he bought the cheapest ticket. Yes, that's one of the reasons he's found himself in his current predicament but how many people here haven't tried to save money by going for a cheaper option? He certainly could pay more for a ticket with another airline, and he'd be well within his rights to do that, but he's also well within his rights to buy a cheaper ticket with a budget airline if he finds one.

      I don't think we should be judging him for that.

    • Zarcady on 24/07/2014 - 16:37
      +10

      China east helped out before because I wasnt able to get a chinese visa in time. They rebooked me onto another flight (my original flight had already departed) at no extra cost and I still remember what thet did for me. I went from shanghai to hong kong and back on this very holiday and I booked with them again for that particular leg of the trip and I told that story to my mates when I came back from my last holiday when it happened. Good wills are rarely forgotten and once again im telling the story to ozbargain here. Qantas was able to give me a credit shell for my recently booked flight from gold coast to townsville minus a $77 processing fee. So I believe some actions can be done, even though they are not obligated to do so. And when I called their customer service in 3 different countries to ask for some assistance, all of them refused to do anything nor give me any sympathetic ear. Certainly if I had a full time job, it would be a different story. I made a mistake but luckily there are people who gave me a lending hand instead of being too cynical or condescending.
      I made a mistake, there is no doubt. And I will learn from this mistake but to say that I deserve what I get or just laughing at me is plain cruel. If something happened to you in a foreign country that cannot understand what you say most of the time, you will be really glad someone out there is willing to lend a hand, regardless of whether it is your fault or whatnot

      • GiggidyGoo on 24/07/2014 - 16:50
        +7

        No offence buddy but try and remember where you are sending your SOS to. This is a bargain website, not an Australian Embassy, and subjectively has the most number of critics here than any other forum. You will get haters, you will get criticism, but you will also get genuine help and assistance as you've witnessed. So my advice is to stop trying to justify yourself and biting back at the critics and just update us how you are getting on. This is the "Home & Away" of my work day so let's get this story moving huh! Don't make me do work instead.

        P.S. There's currently a 2 for 1 sale to Japan on at the moment if you wanted to book your next airport stay in a different country? ;0) (Too soon?)

        • Zarcady on 24/07/2014 - 17:19

          Fair enough. I will take what criticisms that come my way. Someone wanted me to answer some questions so I guess that was my way of justifying myself. Still waiting to hear back from someone and all I have is time for now!

        • GiggidyGoo on 24/07/2014 - 17:25
          +6

          @Zarcady:

          Valuable time you can be investing in finding more bargains for the community! 8 ) Get to work… I'm sure some "bargain" feedback in and around the airport will be of value to some people here. Any duty free specials happening?

  • gstfree on 24/07/2014 - 15:44
    +2

    I hope airasia can give you a seat tonight. I have posted in their facebook.

  • pull the lever on 24/07/2014 - 16:10
    +17

    When Zarcady finally gets home, he needs to obtain The Ozbargain Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Excellence.

  • bluesky on 24/07/2014 - 16:31
    +15

    Tonka should get an award too - for leading the efforts to help.

  • juventino on 24/07/2014 - 16:33

    Zarcady, have you given them your local chinese number?

    I posted the same thing, they are asking for your chinese number. This is 4 hours ago.

    I think Tonka might have informed them about 2 hours ago.

    You can just post it here and delete it afterwards

    • Zarcady on 24/07/2014 - 16:39

      I believe tonka has passed on the chinese number to them and still awaiting for their phone call. Thank you very much!

    • tonka on 24/07/2014 - 17:22

      I sent it via Facebook message. Couldn't hurt for them to get a few more messages asking whats going on.

  • xyron on 24/07/2014 - 16:50
    +4

    I don't understand. You don't want to take money from strangers or your family but you expect AirAsia to give you a cheap flight (at their own expense) - so you are clearly expecting someone other than you to bear the cost of an urgent flight.

    I find it really hard to sympathise with anyone who travels overseas without a contingency plan to get themselves home at the drop of a hat if required. Holidays are supposed to be a reward for hard work, not something taken by fleeting students with so much free time on their hands that they can afford to stay at an airport for two weeks just to save a few hundred dollars.

    Swallow your goddamn pride and ask for some financial assistance from your parents/friends to get home. Don't rely on or expect a multi-national corporation to give a damn about your failure to catch your flight.

    • tonka on 24/07/2014 - 17:12
      +73

      Hi Xyron, All he asked us for is cheap flight information.

      I took it to Air Asia to ask them to help so if you have an issue with that take it up with me. Zarcady's only part in that is hoping I'm successful.

      If you would like to explain something though, please tell me why so many people want to lecture or critic someone who admitted their fault straight up and is in a difficult situation. I don't understand the need to kick people when they are down but I would like to as it seems common.

      • asianbargain on 24/07/2014 - 17:49
        +14

        Dude u rock . So glad to see other nice pp still exist .. lol !!
        This time is him .. and who know .. maybe next time is us !

      • smpantsonfire on 24/07/2014 - 18:00
        +14

        Let's see a selfie in Burger King in the airport.

      • deal seeking missile on 24/07/2014 - 18:40
        +9

        @TonkaTruck: You're a legend! keep up the good work man.
        @Xyron: In retrospect, yes, some backup money would have been handy but hindsight is 20/20 and nobody is perfect. OP is just exhausting all other options he can afford, before burdening his family. Is that really such a bad thing?

    • juventino on 24/07/2014 - 17:32
      +1

      xyron,

      He asked Ozbargainers to help him find cheap flight back to Australia.

      Looking at Air Asia website, the earliest flight is 27th which cost a whooping $1300.

      We, ozbargainers, just took it up a notch by posting it to social media.

    • twodollah on 24/07/2014 - 17:41
      +7

      Agreed. I just read through the entire thread and I have to say, I am also finding it hard to sympathise with the OP. The contents of his posts gives me the impression that he is disorganised. He is quick to admit fault which I guess is a good thing, but never fully accepts responsibility. Instead, he asks for acts of 'good will' and for companies/people to 'lend a hand'. It is not just a simple error of missing a flight, OP's predicament came about due to a series of poorly made decisions and neglect.

      OP, if you really have learnt your lesson, you should show it by sucking it up and just purchasing a full price fare, instead of hoping AirAsia to carry the cost of your mistake or waiting two weeks at the airport without basic hygiene and making the poor passengers who will sit next to you suffer.

      • abh_gup on 24/07/2014 - 18:09
        +4

        have u both - juventino and twodollah - ever been in a similar position. I've been in younger days… Many people have missed flights. Haven't you heard 'final announcements' before the plane shuts door before take off? Criticism ain't helping here… Have you a solution?

        • twodollah on 24/07/2014 - 18:19
          -4

          No, I can't say I have been in a similar position. Why? Because I make sure I always have a contingency plan.

          My solution is to purchase a full price fare. It appears the OP has friends who is willing to lend him the funds, as opposed to hoping AirAsia to pick up his slack.

        • juventino on 24/07/2014 - 18:32
          +1

          abh_gup : apologies, my response is actually directed at xyron who said that OP is expecting someone else to burden the cost.

          which is not the case, he merely asked for help finding cheapest options.

        • tonka on 24/07/2014 - 18:48
          +38

          @twodollah:
          Just last week I left my wallet at home and needed a hand. None of my contingency plans were appropriate. A Stranger helped out.

          A few years ago my mum was on the twice weekly bus out of her country town when she got a call my dad had died. She got off at the next town and a stranger drove her the 100km back home. No contingency available, I was 600 km away.

          Have you never been in a situation where you would be grateful for a bit of help.

          So if you need to 'pay it forward', if not maybe make an advance deposit just in case.
          Might not even be you that needs a hand maybe your child or like me my parent.

        • hj0809 on 24/07/2014 - 18:52
          +7

          I have. I missed my AA connecting flight (end to end) to China. Also, my return, I was late and missed my flight. So I used my parents Visa (which I applied for before the trip as a contingency) and then paid them back (after working overtime) after coming back. Mind you, I was 17 then.

          Admitting fault is one thing, stepping up and resolving the problem (rather than sitting at a BK hoping a company gives you a flight 'as goodwill', pathetic…

          Given that he's a grown man, smart enough to go to university if he really wanted to come home he would have exercised all his options already (loan from family, or consulate) to get back ASAP. Therefore, I assume his intentions were to get this social media support in the first place. Flight details were provided, why not book?

        • twodollah on 24/07/2014 - 18:54
          +5

          @tonka: I'm sorry to hear that tonka. You sound like a very kind person. I know I sound like I'm being very harsh but I'm a firm believer of taking responsibility.

          I guess my view is that your examples were not foreseeable. Or in the case of the wallet, foreseeable but the consequences are not dire (no money for one day). However, in OPs instance, something going wrong on an overseas trip is a very foreseeable event and to not have a contingency plan before you leave is irresponsible.

        • tonka on 24/07/2014 - 18:59
          +2

          @twodollah:
          Agree I am also fiercely independant and believe in others being the same.
          I just think we can be better than we are, I probably am too idealistic you know always room for more heroes.

        • twodollah on 24/07/2014 - 19:13
          +5

          @tonka: You're probably right. I'm too cynical for my own good. I should take a leaf out of your book and be more positive, but let's agree to disagree for now ;)

        • Serapis on 24/07/2014 - 19:15
          +5

          @twodollah:

          Pretty sure the OP is taking responsibility, it's more that some people here are willing to go above and beyond to try and provide assistance (well done Tonka!)

        • striker5950 on 25/07/2014 - 16:33

          @hj0809: agreed 100%

      • tonka on 24/07/2014 - 18:30
        +1

        Not sure what your point is.If you really read the post you would know the only option the OP has is to rely on either 'help' or to wait two weeks.

        You seem to be saying he shouldn't do either? He already knows he shouldn't have missed the plane.

        As far as the solution of buy an expensive fare, everybody has different situations, who knows what sort of commitment that is for the OP, maybe he is flush, maybe it means he won't afford to see a dying relative. Not for us to judge.

        • twodollah on 24/07/2014 - 18:49
          +4

          If you read all his comments, you'd see that his friends offered to lend him funds for a ticket, not to mention he has 2000hkd cash on him. He can take the offer, purchase a ticket then slowly pay his friend back. This is called being accountable for yourself and will serve as a good life lesson.

        • tonka on 24/07/2014 - 18:55

          @twodollah:
          Is not accepting money from his friends them lending a hand?

          'he asks for acts of 'good will' and for companies/people to 'lend a hand'.'

          Re-reading your post, you are very critical of a stranger.

        • twodollah on 24/07/2014 - 19:07

          @tonka: It is lending a hand, however, the difference is that the OP will pay it back at a future date.

          It appears that the OP has the means to come back now, but he wants AirAsia to come to his rescue.

        • Serapis on 24/07/2014 - 19:18
          +1

          @twodollah:

          He never really asked that. What he said initially was:

          "Can any ozbargainers find me a cheap flight back home to australia? Dates are pretty flexible as I just need the cheapest ticket out of here. Preferrably to land in gold coast/brisbane but right now ill take anything.

          Searched airasia for the cheapest of around $300 leaving in early august but maybe someone can do better."

          He wanted more people to help him find a cheaper ticket, understandable if you are strapped for cash.

          He never asked for a free flight from Ozbargainers, but people are still willing to help

        • twodollah on 24/07/2014 - 19:22
          +3

          @Serapis: Yes, you are right. I must've gotten sidetracked after reading the rest of OP's comments.

        • tonka on 24/07/2014 - 19:23
          +2

          @twodollah:
          Cool, I get that. I think we would all probably wait the hour for the promised phone call to see if there was a better deal though. I do think the OP always planned to sort it himself and is just hoping 'our social media punt' may make it a little less financially painful.
          It was me that thought Air Asia could have been more helpful than to just stonewall considering the flight was delayed and he was checked in. We weren't there so don't know if they looked for / paged him.

    • PresidentClinton on 26/07/2014 - 17:06

      Xyron you have never lived.

  • itishere on 24/07/2014 - 17:26

    I'm pretty sure you can ask your Credit Card company for an emergency increase. Better to pay off your credit card then get stuck in an airport for the next 10 days.

  • Zarcady on 24/07/2014 - 17:35
    +16

    Okay got a call back from them. Spoke to one of their associate who was willing to credit me back for the flight I bought to rebook onto the next available flight for $833. Which is fair enough and the best solution I could hope for. Unfortunately still a price I cannot afford at this time. They told me they will contact me back in 1 hour to see what they can do. Certainly you guys have helped me tremendously and I will keep you updated within the next 2-3 hours.
    Thanks guys!

    • zelda707 on 24/07/2014 - 17:42
      +12

      Why not just book a more expensive flight and get home asap instead if waiting around at the airport for a few days? If you can't afford a flight home (have back up money), you probably shouldn't be going on a holiday…

    • asianbargain on 24/07/2014 - 17:45
      +8

      Man I just follow your story is like reading a adventure book. Lol.. If nothing else I admire your confident.
      Pp here often comment bashing toy when they couldn't even done it. Admire ur tenacity …
      Just wish u come home soon! Stay safe ..

      Do update the story !!

    • d3ft on 24/07/2014 - 18:03
      +20

      There's a limit to how sympathetic one can be when someone would rather sit in a foreign airport than pay $800 for an international flight. Did you get all the way there for free?

      Just book the (profanity) flight you tightwad…

      • thecraw on 24/07/2014 - 18:07
        +16

        'Just book the (profanity) flight you tightwad…'

        You do realise what forum your posting to right ?

      • Serapis on 24/07/2014 - 19:21
        +5

        He did mention he only had $600 on his CC…

    • juventino on 24/07/2014 - 18:37

      Shanghai to Manila $173 26th
      Manila to adelaide $684 28th

      Flying Airasia, so you can deduct whatever credit they gave you, so I assume it will be around $500 ish

    • hj0809 on 24/07/2014 - 18:56
      -5

      Do you want them to give you a free flight? Maybe another 2 for your next holiday as well?

      Sorry OP, I'm being very negative about this, but there's a limit to what people can offer you as a goodwill. If you were genuine about coming back you would have taken that option and used 'your 2000hkd' (the FX rate difference is negligible for such a small amount)

      • jinroh on 24/07/2014 - 23:02
        +10

        Do you want them to give you a free flight? Maybe another 2 for your next holiday as well?

        Wow, it's surely a nice view up there on your high horse isn't it? as Tonka said above, talking about kicking someone while he is down…

        While I agree that if I were in his shoes, I'll just suck it up and pay for the next flight, but that's just me. I don't feel I have any rights to tell other people how one should use his/her money the way I would use my money in the situation, and throw a 'cheap punch' comment like above when he disagree.

        It's funny how those guys overly critical above talking about the OP needs to grow up, etc. Looking at comments like above, I think they can start talking about growing up to the man in the mirror first.

        I see the OP below that he eventually got what he wanted through his perseverance, and guess who actually makes the difference in the end?

        Well done Tonka, I liked your post in Air Asia FB page and most of your comments above. The world really needs more people like you. More do-ers, less whiners & sceptics.

  • Lancerx on 24/07/2014 - 18:05
    -6

    what kind of traveller who don't travel with credit card these days? I know cash is king, but it's also risky if you lost it all…

    Surely they can let you call your family to organise some financial support? Kind dumb to ask it here no?

    • asianbargain on 24/07/2014 - 18:09
      +5

      Did u even read all comment ?

  • watson4884 on 24/07/2014 - 18:12
    +2

    25/7rmb 399 to Hong Kong#china ass #, 30/7hkd 2500 to Gold coast #scoot#.No visa required, but need to stay in Hong Kong till 30/7
    around aud4xx get you back home

  • pop on 24/07/2014 - 18:19
    +2

    If u can find a local internet cafe, get a private room for like 5yuan an hr, you can basically sleep on the couch for roughly $1 per hr. You will need to show em your passport for ID purposes

  • ltwo on 24/07/2014 - 18:35
    +10

    Take a selfie please. We need illustrations for this story!

    • smpantsonfire on 24/07/2014 - 18:42
      +11

      Selfie in Burger King in the Airport

  • matt_will_fix_it on 24/07/2014 - 19:10

    What credit card did you pay with your initial AirAsia flight with? It may come with complimentary travel insurance which may at a stretch help you out.

  • umoddbro on 24/07/2014 - 19:23
    +13

    Look Ozbargain is great as a community but sometimes things like spamming Air Asia's fb page with #BringHomeCheolOokLee stuff is quite embarrassing.

    • tonka on 24/07/2014 - 21:25
      +14

      Lol, but crashing websites over $2 deals and complaining to ACCC about one off price errors isn't embarrassing.
      btw. The facebook thread is quite civilized mostly just asking them to help. A good PR exercise for them. Lots of extra traffic on their page as well.

  • Serapis on 24/07/2014 - 19:30
    +5

    I think Zarcady owes Tonka a beer at the very least (buy when they have those Dan Murphy sales with free shipping)

    • hj0809 on 24/07/2014 - 20:44
      +34

      Maybe he will wait outside Dan Murphys for 2 weeks until they got a sale.

      Too soon?

      • ltwo on 24/07/2014 - 21:33
        +3

        He may sleep in his local Dan's!

      • striker5950 on 25/07/2014 - 16:40
        +3

        @ hj0809 Maybe he will wait outside Dan Murphys for 2 weeks until they got a sale.

        hahahahaha I spilled my drink because of you

  • Vhope07 on 24/07/2014 - 19:40
    +3

    OP-ignore the mean posts here. I get it - you are not begging for charity and were just checking if anyone had a cheaper way to get you home at your own cost.

    We wish you all the best young padawan

    -V

  • ShanB on 24/07/2014 - 19:45
    +1

    I really hope the OP gets home safe and sound, and thank you for all those trying to help.
    I believe this serves as a lesson to the OP and the rest of us to be careful while travelling and always to keep a contingency plan.

    • tonka on 24/07/2014 - 21:27
      +1

      Yeah I see it as a free lesson for us. Even if you already know the reminder is valuable.

  • budgetgaming on 24/07/2014 - 19:56

    Think airasia facebook might be looking into it. Tonka/zar can u pm me what the outcome of this is. Keen to find out

    • tonka on 25/07/2014 - 11:41

      Hi, turn your PM on :-).

  • Zarcady on 24/07/2014 - 20:05
    +152

    Okay I have some extremely good news for people who really have gone out of their way to help me. The airasia staff has spoken to a higher up management who has told me that they will wave the flight fee and will let me in on the flight that leaves on the 27th at 1.30am after paying $110 transfer fee!!!
    I just have to really thank everyone who has given this so much interest and supported a complete stranger.

    Selfie at burger king will be coming rest assured!!

    My original aim on posting this on ozbargain was not to get a free flight from airasia nor from anyone else.
    I wanted to see if there were other ways I could possibly get home using other airlines maybe with a discount code or a special sale that could have been happening of which I wasnt aware of.

    Upon learning of Tonka's initiative to ask airasia through facebook, a new hope began for me that maybe they can just make a special circumstance for me; which was why I held out on buying another ticket Until I got a confirmation on whether they could or couldnt help me.
    A hope is a hope; I was certainly not expecting nor was I thinking I was entitled to be a special case, when there were so many other similar cases such as mine. But until I had some real answers from airasia themselves, I couldnt let go of that hope.
    Im an ozbargainer at heart, and it wasnt as though I had absolutely no way of getting home. At best I could have waited for the flight on august the 3rd or sold some possessions to make my way home.
    I think everyone is different in that many people will stump up the cash to get home (taking responsibility for your mistake), or ask family/friends for favours.
    Everyones situation is different but in my case, I have lost many friends through disputes with money, even though I considered them my best mates. There was one who I went to korea with earlier this year, and he was someone I lived together for a long time. Needless to say, there was a dispute earlier in my house of which I ended up getting kicked out of (I wrote my situation in a previous thread a couple of months ago on ozbargain) and that was also to do with money.
    Please do not judge me too harshly based on what you would do personally because i wasnt being stubborn for the sake of being stubborn and everyones situation is quite different.
    I wasnt in a situation where my life was being threatened so I wanted to exhaust all my options before deciding to get help from an external source such as cash advance, australian embassay, friends/family, etc.
    I can asssure you I have though carefully about all these options but that it was best to wait for a response from airasia before I made any decisions and luckily for me, the good people at ozbargain really came through and saved my tightarse (no reference to tightarse of ozbargain).
    I value everyone's feedback and the criticisms and have learnt something from this experience. Sometimes being a student, you pinch a penny here and there and think you are invincible…until you doze off at the wrong time and it comes back to bite you…hard.

    I will update again with a new thread when im safely back in australia and once again im truly grateful for everyone who has helped a fellow ozbargainer to come back home!

    • tightarse on 24/07/2014 - 20:15
      +6

      Glad to hear this will all work out for you. Have a safe trip home :)

    • ScuseMe on 24/07/2014 - 20:16

      Happy to hear the good news mate. Have a safe journey!!!!

    • lolmao on 24/07/2014 - 20:29
      +5

      Congrats Zarcady!! You win ozbargain today. Are you planning on finding a hotel or gonna stay in the airport another 48 hours?

    • ladeeda on 24/07/2014 - 20:31
      +24

      Great news! :)

      Don't fall asleep and miss this flight!

      Alternatively, you could give us your chinese mobile number and give you a call to make sure you board your flight!

      • ladeeda on 24/07/2014 - 21:37
        +2

        I promise to set an alarm to wake myself up to give you a reminder/wake up call to board your flight :)

        (had to reply to my own message, don't know how to edit comment)

    • asianbargain on 24/07/2014 - 20:47
      +9

      Dude.. I so happy for u to be back home. Feel like my relative just solve his problem though I didn't help or anything!! As I follow the story , the person name Tonka is very nice or good person . He did what other didn't do. He help to reach out to airasia ! Damn good person man !!
      Anyway just flight safe bro !! And be sure not to over sleep AGAIN ! LOL

    • [Deactivated] on 24/07/2014 - 20:47

      Very happy you are coming back home

    • ltwo on 24/07/2014 - 21:37
      +3

      Good to know that you'll be making your way back sooner rather than in August. As others have said, don't oversleep… again.

      Also, don't forgot to take that selfie before you depart. I'll need to know what you look like before I can start casting for an actor to play you in The Terminal: Pudong. Do you happen to look like G Dragon by any chance?

      • Wyzard on 29/07/2014 - 03:04

        I just laughed so hard I woke my fiance up. Can I be in your movie?

    • matt_will_fix_it on 24/07/2014 - 21:46

      Well done :) Now do you need help finding a cheap hotel for the next couple of nights? :)

    • Tech5 on 24/07/2014 - 21:59

      Congrats, Don't miss it again bro ಠ_ಠ

    • frewer on 24/07/2014 - 23:17

      Congrats, and dont sleep until step on THAT plane.

    • Serapis on 25/07/2014 - 00:31

      Stay awake this time! Glad it all worked out, have a safe trip home =)

    • ronnknee on 25/07/2014 - 08:58
      +2

      Also remember to save up a bit before going on your next trip.

    • Kenb0 on 25/07/2014 - 14:03
      +5

      I'm impressed this has turned out the way it did. At first I couldn't understand why you didn't just buy another ticket, wear the extra cost, and just get back to Oz as that's what I would have done. I thought maybe you didn't have a credit card, didn't have any cash left, etc. Then I realised that while you could have done that, you just made the choice not to because you didn't want to spend the extra money which you hadn't budgeted for and that there wasn't anything really that you needed to be back in Oz for(eg. a job, whatever), and that you were willing to wait two weeks(!!) just to get a cheap flight back. While its not the option I would have taken as I value my time more than that, I respect your choice as that, yours. Everyone has different values and you decided to stand up for yours. Good on ya mate. Also good to see it seems to have turned out relatively ok.

      • Benicio on 25/07/2014 - 20:25
        +1

        oh to be young again!

    • maximum on 25/07/2014 - 16:10
      +4

      That's great ! three cheers for Tonka

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 25/07/2014 - 18:32

      Great news! Travel safe

  • tikei on 24/07/2014 - 20:11
    +35

    Good luck op. Don't mind too much about the mean posts. You're young, what you have is time. When you are older you wouldn't be able to do these kind of things anymore. Maybe this brings out the bitterness in some people? Years later you can recount the tale of how you were stranded overseas, slept at burger king, got a bunch of ppl to social media lobby you. I wish I had more silly adventures when I was young.

    • asianbargain on 24/07/2014 - 20:49
      +2

      Lol… sound like u old !! .. anyway I know what u mean !! My childhood pretty Damn bored .. nothing excited ! And what u said were true !! Years later he will tell tales to his young one. . Lol

    • tonka on 24/07/2014 - 21:31
      +9

      What an awesome post.

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