Air Asia refusing to refund

malkie76

hotel with a swimming pool ?

ken_1969

richardw wrote: »

What's wrong with that then?

We have a boat transfer from Manado to Bunaken on 22nd May, the KL flight got us there with about two hours to spare, but if we have to connect via Singapore that's adding at least another 7 hours (shortest I've seen so far) which means we miss the boat and don't make it to Bunaken. Also the flight via Singapore is over £600 - about three times what we'd paid Air Asia for KL - MDC.

richardw

When's the next boat then?

ken_1969

richardw wrote: »

When's the next boat then?

I see - so basically I should just spend an extra £400 and cut my holiday a day short because Air Asia have cancelled my flight? Good plan. Thanks for that.

richardw

You didn't buy a through ticket, Air Asia ain't gonna refund you. They don't do through ticketing.
Consider the best alternative for a holiday with the flights you already have.

jammin_2

What about flying KL to Jakarta, then Jakarta to Manado?

Tozer

ken_1969 wrote: »

I see - so basically I should just spend an extra £400 and cut my holiday a day short because Air Asia have cancelled my flight? Good plan. Thanks for that.

To be fair, I think Richardw's suggestion is appropriate.

You aren't going to get anywhere with Air Asia so you are going t have to suffer some inconvenience here.

Caz3121

I agree you now have a flight to KUL that you are not going to get refunded.

does anyone know if travel insurance would aid with the additional costs for the alternative connecting flights

Sam_Bee

Right, I thought i'd come out of retirement to help you as I feel a little bit sorry for your predicament.

However, not for using Air Asia for such a trip. Just like Ryanair Air Asia chop and change and cut routes like we change underwear. And the entire time whilst telling you they are a point to point airline, and cannot help you with connections. Neither would it help you if I said that if you had booked Singapore Airlines from the UK - Manado you might have for it for £5-600 including tax. Unfortunately Silk Air are massively expensive if you book standalone ex-Singapore flights (sometime they have a sale on - I guess you've checked).

If Silk Air is not possible, then look to maximise your existing stay in Bunaken.

And this advise comes from probably the only person on this board to have lived in Manado! Firstly, don't worry about the transfer, getting to Bunaken is a doddle. Your hotel should re-schedule for you, or you can book one locally, cheaply.

Secondly, how do you get to Manado? Some people have recommend Jakarta. However, have a look at Air Asia flights to Makassar (Ujung Pandang) - airport code UPG - they still fly there I believe. From there there are a number of flights to Manado (book Garuda if you can - avoid Lion Air if you can). I think Garuda can be booked online for Domestic Flights. It's about a 1h45 flight.

The chances are you will have to lose one or so night of your trip, and pay for the privilege (probably have a night there).

If that doesn't work out for you then you will have to look at Jakarta. Garuda do actually offer connecting flights from KL to Manado daily (someone can translate):

GA 819 08MAY KULCGK HS2 0710 0810
GA 600 08MAY CGKMDC HS2 1045 1505

GA 601 18MAY MDCCGK HS2 1545 1745
GA 818 18MAY CGKKUL HS2 2010 2310

Trouble is that I don't think you can book Garuda international flights online. Solution - call up the Garuda Sales Office in the UK (it exists!). This may be the best option at limiting your losses timewise.

Otherwise, all you can do is firefight, and start minimising your losses and start begging with airline and hotel involved.

Hope you make it, the diving is second to none (well, except for the Togian Islands, but you won't be making it there by Air Asia ).

dmg24

ken_1969 wrote: »

We have a boat transfer from Manado to Bunaken on 22nd May, the KL flight got us there with about two hours to spare, but if we have to connect via Singapore that's adding at least another 7 hours (shortest I've seen so far) which means we miss the boat and don't make it to Bunaken. Also the flight via Singapore is over £600 - about three times what we'd paid Air Asia for KL - MDC.

To be fair, if the boats are not that regular, you do seem to have taken a big risk in only allowing two hours between your flight and the boat. I am not sure of Air Asia's reliability, but what would you have done if the flight had been delayed?