Flying with Air Asia: Local and International Flight

I'm not really too observant when it comes to airlines.  I don't see much difference since most of my flights are not longer than 1-1/2 to 2 hours.  Here in the Philippines, I've tried almost all of the domestic airlines available for my trips.  It was just last October when I tried Air Asia, which was Zest Air before here in the Philippines.  But for Air Asia, I tried flying with them in my local and international flight for the same trip.

In my previous blog about my free trip to Pimalai Resort and Spa in Krabi, Thailand, I choose Air Asia as our airline.  Well, its not really a free trip since the flights or airfare and other transportation cost will be shouldered by us.  In my previous blog, I am choosing from Phuket, Bangkok or Krabi as destination coming from Manila.  It was Air Asia who holds a flight direct to Krabi from Malaysia at the cheapest rate.  Tiger Air also have flights to Krabi but from Singapore. 

From Manila, I booked a flight going to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia via Air Asia/Zest Air, then I booked another flight from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Krabi, Thailand.  I did the same for the return flight, from Krabi to Kuala Lumpur via Air Asia but then I chose a different airline from Kuala Lumpur to Manila.  Main reason is because of the flight schedule.

It was my first time to fly to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia via Air Asia/Zest Air.  It was a 3-hour long flight.  I regret that I didn't "book" for a meal (at an extra cost) for the duration of the flight as there was no any food for sale on board.  I felt it was the longest 3 hour of my life.  The time of departure from Manila was quite delay by some minutes but that's understandable since it has been a common problem in the runways here in the Philippines.

From Kuala Lumpur to Krabi, the airport will be at LCCT in Malaysia, domestic flight.  We were not allowed to stay or lounge at the departure area hours before our flight.  The in-charge personnel will just call on the passengers about 30 minutes before the flight. 

LCCT is also the same airport destination from Krabi to Kuala Lumpur.  Since we toured in Kuala Lumpur (you may read my blog post about it here), we can take either the bus or train going to our destination.  LCCT airport have various bus, shuttle and vans available to wherever your destination is.  It is nice that Air Asia have Skybus, their bus transportation brand, purchase option on their website upon booking.  It will be helpful if you plan to ride on it after you arrived at Kuala Lumpur.  But I think the rate is more expensive on Air Asia's website than buying tickets at the LCCT airport.  We chose the latter. 

Overall, my experience with Air Asia / Zest Air is ok.  Not much to rave or rant about but the flight was safe and cheap of course.  We didn't experience too much delay as well.  Although on the first day, our flight schedule was changed but it was only 10 minutes earlier.  A notice/advised was sent via email on the changes weeks before the flight.  What I like about Air Asia is that they hold seat sales even to near traveling dates.  So anytime you wish to go somewhere on an unplanned trip, you may check Air Asia's cheap fares.  I may not be able to grab a very cheap fare during my Thailand/Malaysia trip but somehow it was on promo.  By the way, I booked our tickets about only a month before our travel date.  Cost is about Php 6,000 per person, roundtrip (Mla-KL-Krabi-KL; KL-Manila from different airline).  Not that cheap but I think it was still a good deal.

Off to Krabi, Thailand... For Free!!!

Well not really 100% free.  I still need to pay for my airfare and transfers but the accommodation is free, for 3 nights!  How?  Well, it isn't a sponsored travel as a blogger but I won a contest posted by Inspire Travel Magazine.  This magazine is Singapore based and they feature luxurious destinations quarterly through their publication.  One of their feature is the Pimalai Resort and Spa in Krabi, Thailand.  A 5-star luxury resort located in one of Thailand's beach destination.

A fellow Girltalker posted the magazine's fb link contest in our travel group.  The prize to be won is a 3-night stay in Pimalai Resort and Spa.  The contest runs from mid May and ends 6th of June.  I joined the contest and post it in my FB timeline 4th of June at almost midnight.  So I just have about a day to go before the contest ends.  When I got home on a Friday early morning (about 1am), I checked my FB notifications and a friend tagged me to his comment in Inspire Travel Magazine's post, congratulating me since I was declared the winner.  Checking the Inspire Travel's FB page, it was posted there that I was indeed the winner.   I was overwhelmed when I saw it.  I seldom join contest in FB.  I don't usually have the luck in winning any contest or raffles.  But this time is different.  I was so lucky!  It was almost a last minute post to join the contest and my post was like the 2nd contest I joined this year.  And I won.  I was so happy!  It will be my first time to travel to Thailand.  The best part, it was a beach destination!  My favorite place!

So now before I placed my booking with the magazine, I need to research first on how to go there.  Is it by Bangkok, Phuket or Krabi?  Can you help me out please?  Anybody went to Pimalai Resort and Spa?