Buzz
Prepare yourself mentally to buy plane tickets 3 months, 6 months, and even... 9 months to a year in advance.
Securing budget-friendly plane tickets marks a highly advantageous kickstart to embark on your travel adventure. So, why hesitate? Commence your 'ticket hunting' expedition now and explore renowned Southeast Asian destinations.
Timing
To secure affordable plane tickets, take a leap of faith, as these special tickets won't appear when you search for them close to your departure date. Be mentally prepared to purchase tickets 3 months, 6 months, and even... 9 months to a year in advance. Hesitation, indecision, and fear of cancellation will undoubtedly keep these tickets out of your reach.
To be proactive about timing, check the calendar in advance to identify extended national holidays like Independence Day, Lunar New Year, special occasions like New Year's Day, Christmas, or traditional festivals in various countries. However, airlines rarely offer discounted tickets during those periods. Therefore, be flexible with your schedule, and be willing to depart 1-2 days earlier or return later to enjoy significant price reductions.
Weather is a pivotal factor influencing your journey. Despite Southeast Asian countries sharing a climate similar to Vietnam, it's crucial to be aware of periods to avoid travel. Here are optimal times to explore some Southeast Asian nations:
– Cambodia, Myanmar: November to February
– Laos: December to June
– Malaysia, Singapore: January to September
– Philippines: January to May
– Indonesia: May to September
– Thailand: November to April
Another point to note is that flights during the day are usually more expensive than nighttime flights. You need to be decisive and calm because even with discounts, the cheapest tickets may not always be available for you. If the price is reasonable for your trip, go ahead and make the booking decision.
Destinations
To select suitable travel destinations, consider various factors. For instance, if you enjoy the beach, opt for an island. If you like exploring nightlife, head to vibrant cities. If you prefer a tranquil resort experience, consider going up the mountains to enjoy the refreshing air.
Many places are easily accessible by bus, but there are locations where you'll need to take a domestic flight. Therefore, remember to review the time and schedule to organize your trip logically and efficiently.
Some renowned travel destinations in Southeast Asian countries:
– Indonesia: capital Jakarta, Bali island, Yogyakarta city, Bromo volcano...
– Malaysia: capital Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Langkawi, Penang...
– Myanmar: former capital Yangon, new capital Naypyidaw, Mandalay city, Nyaung Shwe town (Inle Lake), Bago city, Bagan...
– Thailand: capital Bangkok, Pattaya city, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Phuket, Koh Samui...
– Cambodia: Siem Reap, Koh Rong, Sihanoukville...
– Philippines: Puerto Princesa, El Nido, Boracay, Cebu, Laoag, Vigan, Coron, Bohol...
– Laos: ancient capital Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng town...
Airlines
To secure affordable tickets, avoid choosing 5-star national carriers. Occasionally, these airlines may offer attractive prices, but generally, budget airlines are your go-to for the best deals.
What you need to do is remember the names of budget airlines, sign up for membership to receive emails, like their Facebook pages, and regularly check their websites. Proficiency in English is essential as most websites use it as the primary language.
Budget airlines operating flights from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang to Southeast Asian countries include:
– Air Asia: http://www.airasia.com/
– Cebu Pacific: https://www.cebupacificair.com/vn-en
– Tiger Air: http://www.tigerair.com/
– Vietjet Air: http://www.vietjetair.com/
– Jetstar: http://www.jetstar.com/vn/vi/home
Some budget airlines may not land at international airports but often have their own. Typically, these airports are smaller and less equipped. Note where the flight will land to choose suitable transportation to the city center.
Booking Tickets
As these are promotional tickets, most airlines limit the quantity and opening time, so quick action is crucial to secure your seat. To speed up the process, practice by attempting to book tickets multiple times. Know how to choose your travel routes, select departure/arrival dates, provide passenger information, and understand accepted payment methods. Once you've chosen the destination and time, practice booking tickets a few times for proficiency.
Commonly accepted international payment cards by airlines include Visa, MasterCard, etc. There are generally two types: credit cards and debit cards. For domestic airlines, you may pay with a local ATM card, but some international airlines only accept credit or debit cards. Credit card payment fees are usually higher than debit card fees.
After completing the ticket purchase, the airline will send you a Booking Number via email. At the airport, simply provide this number at the check-in counter. Some airlines allow online check-in, enabling you to print your boarding pass.
Most budget tickets only include 7 kg of carry-on luggage and exclude taxes, checked baggage, insurance, meals, and seat selection fees. Therefore, the initial ticket price is not the final cost. Carefully check for additional charges before payment.
Some tips when booking tickets:
– When registering as a member, details such as email, phone number, bank card, or specific requests like not purchasing checked baggage or insurance will be recorded by the airline. Fill in this information to save time during booking.
– Some airlines allow you to save passenger information such as names, birthdates, passport numbers, etc. This feature helps avoid confusion when booking tickets for multiple people in a short time.
– Airlines typically price tickets in USD; however, for certain domestic routes, other currencies may appear during booking. You can adjust to USD or leave it as is. The exchange rate will depend on the bank of your card.
– When booking, some airlines may automatically add meals, insurance, or checked baggage. If you don't need these, make sure to deselect them.
– In case of issues, you can call the airline's agent for advice and guidance.
– Each booking page has a specified time limit, usually 10 minutes. Complete your booking within this timeframe; otherwise, you'll have to start over.
– Some airline websites offer a monthly ticket view feature. Remember to use this tool to easily compare prices across different dates.
Source: Ngoisao.net
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Reference: Travel Guide from Mytour
MytourMarch 23, 2015
