Thailand forum

Difficulty booking online with AirAsia...

ms1892

flashpacker
Posts: 38

I have been trying to book a trip from BKK to Phnom Penh through the AirAsia website but it constantly rejects my debit card, which is issued by a well known UK bank. I have never had problems using this card previously.

In fact straight afterwards I used it online to pay for another flight on a different carrier.

I was tempted to try and pay for the flight on Airasia using a credit card in my fathers name (with permission of course!) but then i noticed that the conditions of carriage state that the card holder must fly and bring the card along with them to check in. How rigorously is this requirement enforced?

Also, has anyone encountered similar problems when trying to book with Airaisa?

Thanks in advance,
M.

#1 Posted: 19/2/2010 - 19:23
francesstel-
la

traveller
Posts: 95
Located in:

Private message

Hi M!

I'm pretty sure AirAsia only accept credit cards & direct debit. The latter might be a good option for you to avoid the whole credit card issue.

How do you intend to withdraw money when you're in Asia? Debit cards withdraw money directly from your bank account, I have the feeling some of them may not be accepted abroad. I think the only exceptions are debit cards with Maestro & (from memory) Visa Electron.

Does anyone have better informed details?

Thanks & good luck,
FSH

#2 Posted: 19/2/2010 - 22:02
tails101

tuk tuk driver
Posts: 105
Located in:

Private message

FWIW I've done numerous flights with Air Asia and Air Asia X and have never had to produce the credit card that I booked the ticket using at check-in. All I've ever presented is the electronic itinerary and my passport!

Also, I've never had an issue booking Air Asia flights with a credit card - never tried using my debit card. Is it Visa one?

Hope this helps!

Cheers,
Mark.

#3 Posted: 19/2/2010 - 23:50
tails101

tuk tuk driver
Posts: 105
Located in:

Private message

Further to the above - that should have said "i've never had any problems booking Air Asia flights with a UK credit card"... D'oh! Friday afternoon syndrome!

#4 Posted: 19/2/2010 - 23:51
EmjayReet

tuk tuk driver
Posts: 156
Located in:

I have had a couple of issues with using the Air Asia website but it came down to my banks security. I had to phone my bank and get it reset so that I could use it. Just call your bank and check its not something from their end

I have never produced identification and the credit card ever on any Air Asia flight. As above only my passport and itinerary! You should be fine using your Dad's card if you need to!

#5 Posted: 20/2/2010 - 02:36

------------------------------
http://www.travelblog.org/bloggers/reet
khunwilko

som tam seller
Posts: 560

Might be a blessing in diguise - you will probably spend more time on the ground waiting than actually in the air flying with them.

#6 Posted: 20/2/2010 - 21:06
tails101

tuk tuk driver
Posts: 105
Located in:

Private message

No offence intended, but you are beginning to sound like a stuck record. We get it - you don't like Air Asia...

FWIW, I've had no issues with delays etc on any flight I have ever taken with them over the past few years and there has been quite a few. I did have a customer service issue with them on a recent Air Asia X flight which they dealt with very well and resolved more than to my satisfaction.

BTW, Air Asia latest punctuality figures (Dec 09) - 92% on time. Yes, issues happen, but there figures are improving and I'd wager the majority of travellers have no complaints.

#7 Posted: 20/2/2010 - 23:41
busylizzy

under-employed
Posts: 1258
Located in:
Private message

I have flown Air Asia several times over the last few months and they have never asked to see the credit card.

I have also had problems booking online using my Mastercard due to some new security thing that was introduced. I contacted my bank to sort it out once, but it didn't quite work out and I couldn't be bothered trying again. I carry a spare backup Visa card and this works on Air Asia fine.

#8 Posted: 21/2/2010 - 03:30

------------------------------
As you grow older, you'll find the only things you regret are the things you didn't do.
Sparts

tuk tuk driver
Posts: 137

I've take aroudn 10 Air Asia flights, the staff were excellent both in the air and on the ground, the planes were spotless and the fares reasonable to say the least. Every single flight went on time :)

#9 Posted: 21/2/2010 - 04:44
ms1892

flashpacker
Posts: 38

Sorry for the delay on checking back in on this thread. I have been away from my computer for the weekend. I appreciate all of your comments. I will call my bank on Monday morning and double check its not a problem at their end. If all else fails, then i can just apply for a credit card and do it that way. The only problem is that i had found some pretty cheap flights which may be gone by the time i get round to booking now. Grrr!

#10 Posted: 22/2/2010 - 06:05
ms1892

flashpacker
Posts: 38

I just tried to book again now and the payment was accepted. Perhaps I too was suffering from Friday afternoon syndrome last time I tried and miskeyed the card details or something, or perhaps there was a glitch in the website. No matter. I am now the proud puchaser of two flights. One from Bkk to Phnom Penh and the other Hanoi to Bkk. All for less than £100 (150USD). I am fairly happy with the result all things considered.

Thanks again for your input.

#11 Posted: 22/2/2010 - 06:46
pfk98

longtail driver
Posts: 5

AirAsiaX... be careful.

Most recently, my wife and I were stranded in Abu Dhabi when AirAsiaX announced they were canceling service to/from Abu Dhabi in January this year. They didn’t notify us(their stranded passengers)until Feb 10th. Neither did they offer any accommodation nor answer our emails asking for help. We had to get back to Malaysia on our own. They won’t reimburse our additional expenses either.

They said they would refund the Abu Dhabi/Kuala Lumpur portion of our trip, but it will take them 30-50 days to process the refund. Such an attitude!

Watch out for these guys. If you are considering using AirAsiaX, It might be a good idea to develop a plan B... just in case.

#12 Posted: 9/3/2010 - 13:38