AirAsia baggage charges

[billyhouston]

Those who regularly fly with AirAsia might like to check their revised baggage charges. It seems as though they are doing a 'Ryanair'!

 

On domestic flights excess baggage is now charged at Bht350/Kg and internationally Bht450/Kg.

 

Since the most you can buy at checkin is 15Kg, turn up with 20Kg and your charge will be Bht2265. (Bht515 + 5 x 350)

 

Pays to 'supersize' online even though those charges have increased significantly over the past year or so.

[KhorTose]

Sound advice. I have not found Air Asia that much cheaper when you add up all the additional charges. I really try not to fly them. I get far better prices and service on Nok Air and do not find the trip into Bangkok any more expensive then Suvanabumi. The only place where they really seem to shine is Malaysia and Indonesia.

[pong]

billy, I am pretty sure you are confusing something-or maybe these are the rates for those who did not do their homework properly and arrive at airport unannounced with the local kitchensink and all that. When booked in advance these rates were quite low and you could choose -like any hamburger, between small/Medium and Supersize.

IMHO it reads like parrotting (=brainless thinking) to repeat every time that unfounded mantra. I prefer people using brains.

But yes- it does indeed seem that AA imitates what Ryan tries out here in Europe-maybe thats wise Asian-look what the markets respond and choose wisely.

In INdonesia BTW thre is a plethora of low-cost airlines are those flying for even less as AA-but also with less safety. Like Adam Air-went bankrupt after a crash or 2.

[Bob]

There might be a little confusion here.

 

When you book your ticket, you pay for check-in luggage that exceeds their apparent 15kg free level. For example, if you're going to have the biggest they allow (30kg), then you pay a fee of 535 baht for that (you pay less for lower amounts). That's what I have done in the past and, even with that fee, it's been quite a bit cheaper for me to fly Air Asia than either Thai or Nok.

 

I've flown Air Asia internally for the last few years mainly due to scheduling times and, other than paying extra for a heavy suitcase (when I have that), I've luckily not had any problems and it's been the cheapest way for me to fly (I only ever fly between BKK and CNX).

 

Edit: I have to book a flight for early September and just checked Air Asia's and Nok's prices. For Air Asia, the total price (free 15kg of check-in luggage) for a one-way flight is 1,386 baht (so, if I supersize up to the 30kg limit), the total charge is 1,921 baht). For Nok, the price is 1,490.00 with the 15kg limit but, if you want the 30kg luggage limit, then the total is 2,788 baht. Still cheaper with Air Asia. (Also checked Thai Air and their fare was 2,610 baht....and you're allowed for economy two pieces of luggage up to 23kg each. Didn't see anything on their website as to how much they charge for excess luggage fees).

 

I would note that Air Asia does note that you'll be charged "up to double" for excess luggage weight at check-in versus paying for it when you book your ticket. Maybe that's what this post is all about (if so, even if it's "double", that's only 1,070 baht).

[Guest]

Getting under the 15kg check in luggage limit is not difficult. Camera, netbook, toiletries, spare pare of shoes, changes of clothes for 8~9 days still adds up to less than 15kg.

[billyhouston]

Beg your pardon, I obviously didn't make myself clear, though the final paragraph explains

that these charges can be avoided by 'supersizing' online.

 

The charges relate to baggage not booked online prior to arriving at the airport.

 

For one flight BKK-CNX in October I found, to my surprise, Bangkok Airways to be the cheapest option. I normally avoid them because of their rip-off charges to Koh Samui and Luang Prabang.

[Bob]

No problem. For the heck of it, I just checked Bangkok Air for the same one-way flight from BKK to CNX. The total cost is 1,990 including free check-in of up to 20kg (it's 70 baht per kilogram over that limit).

 

Although more than Air Asia, this is the lowest charge I've ever seen Bangkok Air provide (it's usually - at least between BKK and CNX) more than any other airline.

[Guest]

I've found NOK, Bangkok Air and Air Asia all to be good so far.

If you travel on a route with competition, surely the logical option is to check prices with each of the airlines running the route?

The problems arise when travelling on a "monopoly" route, where maybe BKK air might charge twice what you pay on routes with competition. I remember flying to Siem Reap or Vientiane would have been more expensive than going to Phnom Penh, Udon Thani or Chiang Mai.