How to interpret LCC change costs?

[ethernet]

How do I figure out what the cost of changing a ticket is, and if I was to book a ticket on one of the below - which is best for changes

Say SGN to to BKK-KUL/SIN etc. Any worked examples?

AirAsia
Tiger <- which LCC has least ticket change 'sting'?
Jetstar

I know you pay the difference + what
Service Charge
Booking Fee
change fee - all designed to be confusing - and they dont give examples.

Tiger gets a special mention. On some legs they claim USD $50 Tax.
So If I can cancel a ticket do I get all this 'tax' back?

Broadly little difference between the lot, so if I plan changing, which one should get my business first?

 

[gilby08]

Well Jetstar Asia flight to change is $33 SGD (online) $40 SGD (offline), or about the same in a different currency if flight is originating from another country and called change fee.
http://www.jetstar.com/au/en/fare-types.aspx
So you'll pay in THB if your 1st sector originates from BKK, or SGD if trip is starting at SIN.
Also you pay the fare difference.

Tiger airways is a SDG$40 (online) and SDG$50 (offline) fee to change, plus any fare difference, or equilvient in local currency.
http://www.tigerairways.com/th/en/fees2.php

Airasia is a SDG$40 - THB950 (online) or SDG$55 to do (offline)
http://www.airasia.com/site/th/en/p...d=a30f2cb8-7f000010-11fb68f0-b5c8a6aa&nav=0-0

 

[Dave Noble]

I would also suggest looking at some of the other carriers on SGN-BKK. LH has fares from AUD41 plus tax for that route with business class at $212 plus tax. AF offers business class at AUD262 plus tax ( which is what I have used for flight between BKK and SGN ) and is a v pleasant flight. The AUD41 fare is non refundable or changeable though. LH has a $68 fare which allows changes for EUR50

LH also fly BKK-KUL with a $64 fare ( non changeable ) or $86 which allows changes at EUR50 with a business fare of $277.

I found the business fares v good value on LH with a nice 747 operated service and has no change fees

Dave

 

[ethernet]

Thanks all.

Tigers 'No Refund' policy or the $40/50 change cost, plus their lower 15Kg limit put them in last for value airline I consider basket - unless a 1 cent sale.
AirAsia always bump next day or 2 day fares really high, even when the flights are 1/2 empty, so they come in 2nd

Jetstar seems the look first winner, plus I was told 'at the airport' deals if the plane has room to swing a cat, are sometimes doable - but I am not an aircraft inspector with an aviation card - that btw gave him 20% off at duty free. I would use double the difference too - but they have wised up and have 'sold out' papered when you try to book

Dave,
The LH $41 fare to BKK - need to add $70 in 'taxes'
Th Fuel and Security Surcharge AUD 53.50, undef (ALLP.list.Taxe.JC) AUD 15.80, Total AUD $69.3

 

[Dave Noble]

Including taxes, $106 economy and $275 business for SGN-BKK is pretty decent
For BKK-KUL, if wanting to travel economy MH would look like a good option to me

For economy class SGN-BKK, LH is slightly cheaper ( inc taxes ) than Jetstar Asia at $106 vs $116 including taxes . For a changeable ticket , LH would be $128.

Given that Jetstar would be $100 for BKK-KUL whilst Malaysian charges $103, I wouldn't be using Jetstar

I would take LH/MH

Dave

 

[dajop]

For economy class SGN-BKK, LH is slightly cheaper ( inc taxes ) than Jetstar Asia at $106 ...
Given that Jetstar would be $100 for BKK-KUL

Do you mean Air Asia (not Jetstar Asia)? Whilst Jetstar Pacific codeshare on Bangkok Airways operated flight SGN-BKK, I don't think it operates on either SGN-BKK or BKK-KUL in it's own right.

If it is indeed Air Asia, that only furthers the preference for LH and MH, so agree with you totally!

FWIW and along the same theme, I was looking at some fares to SIN-BKK-SIN, for a particular weekend (fly out Fri pm and back Sun pm). For flights around the same time I could take one of Jetstar, Tiger or Air Asia for around $400 SGD. Or I could go on CX in business class for ~$470 SGD after I use a $50 zuji voucher I have. No brainer really, especially when the status credits may come in handy. Demonstrates that the LCC's aren't always as Low Cost as they make out to be.

 

[Dave Noble]

Do you mean Air Asia (not Jetstar Asia)? Whilst Jetstar Pacific codeshare on Bangkok Airways operated flight SGN-BKK, I don't think it operates on either SGN-BKK or BKK-KUL in it's own right.

If it is indeed Air Asia, that only furthers the preference for LH and MH, so agree with you totally!

I think I meant Air Asia

Given the fares of MH/LH , I wouln't be heading to Air Asia

Dave