Now days with most people buying tickets online,airlines need to make better options available-"customer is King".
Even full fledged airlines like Jet airways do not allow multiple booking options like 2 passengers on a One way ticket and one booking a return option or two booking economy and one booking business class.
Even Hotels do not provide a flexible option.Can we see a better booking system sometime soon?
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Budget Airline woes
Anyone travelled in a Budget Airline in a group or family?They don't make it easy for upsizing luggage.Jetstar,Tiger and Airasia in particular make it very difficult if you just want one traveller to be upsized.They either have an option that you upgrade the whole group or none! take it or leave it seems the motto!
This seems to be the case when one tries to buy extra luggage or pre booked meals.Hope they become fleible to rectify this situation at the earliest
This seems to be the case when one tries to buy extra luggage or pre booked meals.Hope they become fleible to rectify this situation at the earliest
Credit Card Charges on Overseas Transactions
Most Credit card issuers charge a fee between 1%-2.5% on overseas transactions (Foreign currency conversion charges)These charges are put as fine print.These can lead to significant charges if you incur foreign costs/charges on your credit or debit cards.
There are two types of charges-one is converting from the foreign currency to USD and then back to local currency and then levying a charge of between 1%-2.5%.
Example:One spends 100AUD on a Singapore issued card,the issuer will convert to USD and then to SGD and then add the 2.5% (in case of AMEX).
While some banks profess to charge a lower rate while doing online transactions if you are still in the home country,the reality is otherwise.
Paypal in fact charges about 2.7%,however if you use USD as the base rate your charges in case of Paypal might be lower.
The reality is that -the financial institutions are out to have their pound of flesh anyway they can!By incurring overseas transactions card users are playing into the hands of these institutions.
There are two types of charges-one is converting from the foreign currency to USD and then back to local currency and then levying a charge of between 1%-2.5%.
Example:One spends 100AUD on a Singapore issued card,the issuer will convert to USD and then to SGD and then add the 2.5% (in case of AMEX).
While some banks profess to charge a lower rate while doing online transactions if you are still in the home country,the reality is otherwise.
Paypal in fact charges about 2.7%,however if you use USD as the base rate your charges in case of Paypal might be lower.
The reality is that -the financial institutions are out to have their pound of flesh anyway they can!By incurring overseas transactions card users are playing into the hands of these institutions.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Silk Air a good choice for travel to Chennai
Just returned from a trip to Chennai,it was good value for money.For the oneward journey was upgraded to business class,and food,seating,service was very nice,they managed to get /serve some vegetarian food in quick time.As there was no in flight entertainment-I could catch on some pending work.The in flight service was great.
At a return fare of S$464/- this was worth it.On return as the flight was full,managed an emergency window seat which was quite comfortable,they did provide a lounge access pass,again proving value for money.The
The downside-no FFP and no ticket changes.if they can lower the fares a bit ,then it would give jet airways a run for its money.Except jetairways has In flight entertainment and FFP accrual,but budget conscious travelers with set dates,can save a lot of money combined with the fabulous service and these fares.On the return flight,while service in general was ok,except one air hostess farah chew seemed to have got up from the wrong side,as she was not interested in service at all.
SATS premier lounge at Terminal 1 is better than in Terminal 2.
Clipper lounge in Chennai was as usual,not much choices
At a return fare of S$464/- this was worth it.On return as the flight was full,managed an emergency window seat which was quite comfortable,they did provide a lounge access pass,again proving value for money.The
The downside-no FFP and no ticket changes.if they can lower the fares a bit ,then it would give jet airways a run for its money.Except jetairways has In flight entertainment and FFP accrual,but budget conscious travelers with set dates,can save a lot of money combined with the fabulous service and these fares.On the return flight,while service in general was ok,except one air hostess farah chew seemed to have got up from the wrong side,as she was not interested in service at all.
SATS premier lounge at Terminal 1 is better than in Terminal 2.
Clipper lounge in Chennai was as usual,not much choices
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Tiger Airways
Further to my post of Aug 20th,comes the news that Tiger has cancelled over 40 flights as per Straits Times and other sources.Follow link.http://sg.yfittopostblog.com/2010/10/02/thousands-stranded-as-tiger-air-cancels-flights/
I hope Tiger recovers quickly,but passengers may not forgive it so easily.In the meantime Jetstar has announced the launch of flights to NZ,hope the fares remain low.
I hope Tiger recovers quickly,but passengers may not forgive it so easily.In the meantime Jetstar has announced the launch of flights to NZ,hope the fares remain low.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Air India,Mumbai Airport
Just returned from a trip to India,chose Air India for the international segment and Jet Airways for the domestic.
Air India deployed a 777ER on the Mumbai Singapore sector and Sin -Mum sector.The aircraft was fairly new,well maintained but was pretty empty,maybe it will go back to Indian Airlines.
Air India takes a long time to credit membership points and there are no reminders for lapsing mileage.
Mumbai Airport was chaotic for the International to Domestic transfers,with limited options if one has to spend long hours at the airport.
Bhopal Airport was small and effective.Hope to see better connectivity in the near future though,the new terminal is almost ready.
The left luggage system at the Mumbai airport is not effective as it is at the arrival hall of domestic and inside security.
On International return-check in is not allowed 3 hours before departure.If flying economy they do not allow passengers inside,which can be a pain for passengers who have come in from other cities in India.
Jet should provide better in cabin service -as while it charges full fares-it provides budget airline services via Jet Lite and Konnect.Their tele check in system can be improved.
Jet's redeeming feature is its JP management which is of a high standard.
Air India deployed a 777ER on the Mumbai Singapore sector and Sin -Mum sector.The aircraft was fairly new,well maintained but was pretty empty,maybe it will go back to Indian Airlines.
Air India takes a long time to credit membership points and there are no reminders for lapsing mileage.
Mumbai Airport was chaotic for the International to Domestic transfers,with limited options if one has to spend long hours at the airport.
Bhopal Airport was small and effective.Hope to see better connectivity in the near future though,the new terminal is almost ready.
The left luggage system at the Mumbai airport is not effective as it is at the arrival hall of domestic and inside security.
On International return-check in is not allowed 3 hours before departure.If flying economy they do not allow passengers inside,which can be a pain for passengers who have come in from other cities in India.
Jet should provide better in cabin service -as while it charges full fares-it provides budget airline services via Jet Lite and Konnect.Their tele check in system can be improved.
Jet's redeeming feature is its JP management which is of a high standard.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Tiger Airways
There have been reports of Tiger flights to Chennai getting cancelled.Tiger is a popular choice for low cost travel.
Silk Air continues to offer attractive airfares to Chennai.
Silk Air continues to offer attractive airfares to Chennai.
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