ZED Fare around Asia
10-07-2010, 06:16 PM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
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Joined APC: May 2009
Position: CRJ-700/CRJ-900 Gear Monkey
Posts: 120
ZED Fare around Asia
Hey everyone, I am going on vacation later this month around Asia (Tokyo, Singapore, Bangkok, and Hong Kong) I was curious if anyone had any tips or suggestions as to getting around on a ZED Fares. I know the rules of the ZED but was wondering if anyone checked bags or had any real issues that they could share. You're help is much appreciated as this is my first time to Asia and using ZED.
10-10-2010, 11:47 PM
#2
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Joined APC: Oct 2010
Posts: 5
ZED travel around Eastern Asia is not a big deal and pretty straight forward.
You did not mention what airline you fly with, but be aware that several US and European airlines have some pretty interesting 5th freedom privledges in the region (ie. Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh City on United Airlines or Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok on Lufthansa) which you are able to make use of if you have the right ZED ticket.
Travel with luggage is not a problem and you will be typically be treated with more respect than you are afforded as a staff traveller in North America. The only problem can be if you are travelling on a different sector but in the same Zone Level-- some airline employees not used to the ZED concept may not allow you to do so.
For example, I had a ZED coupon from Ho Chi Minh to Bangkok on Thai Airways, but because my travel plans had changed, I wanted to travel from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh on Thai. The ticket agent at the city ticket office told me "impossible," to which I politely asked to see the manager. It meant having to return to the office after lunch, but the manager was more familiar and was able to put an endorsement in the PNR listing saying that the coupon was acceptable for travel. There was some headscratching at the airport but with the print-out of the endorsement which the manager had made, everything was OK.
Some sectors can get filled up quickly, and for that reason the rules of getting to the airport as early as possible and trying the earliest flight possible apply. I tried to get from Chiang Mai to Bangkok a couple of years ago. Loads looked OK on the early am flights and Thai had flights every hour or two, so I was optimistic about making it out. However, at last moment Thai Airways non-revs were constantly showing up so of course, their priority will always trump mine. Finally, by 10am, the ticket agent told me that he could not guarantee that I would even be able to get out before the end of that day.
Fortunately, there are some acceptable LCC options for domestic travel (I went on Air Asia) but be aware of their very restrictive checked luggage restrictions (and the super high cost of additional weight) on the cheap cheap fares.
As always, helps to go with a bundle of tickets on different airlines/different routes.
Good luck and happy travels.
You did not mention what airline you fly with, but be aware that several US and European airlines have some pretty interesting 5th freedom privledges in the region (ie. Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh City on United Airlines or Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok on Lufthansa) which you are able to make use of if you have the right ZED ticket.
Travel with luggage is not a problem and you will be typically be treated with more respect than you are afforded as a staff traveller in North America. The only problem can be if you are travelling on a different sector but in the same Zone Level-- some airline employees not used to the ZED concept may not allow you to do so.
For example, I had a ZED coupon from Ho Chi Minh to Bangkok on Thai Airways, but because my travel plans had changed, I wanted to travel from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh on Thai. The ticket agent at the city ticket office told me "impossible," to which I politely asked to see the manager. It meant having to return to the office after lunch, but the manager was more familiar and was able to put an endorsement in the PNR listing saying that the coupon was acceptable for travel. There was some headscratching at the airport but with the print-out of the endorsement which the manager had made, everything was OK.
Some sectors can get filled up quickly, and for that reason the rules of getting to the airport as early as possible and trying the earliest flight possible apply. I tried to get from Chiang Mai to Bangkok a couple of years ago. Loads looked OK on the early am flights and Thai had flights every hour or two, so I was optimistic about making it out. However, at last moment Thai Airways non-revs were constantly showing up so of course, their priority will always trump mine. Finally, by 10am, the ticket agent told me that he could not guarantee that I would even be able to get out before the end of that day.
Fortunately, there are some acceptable LCC options for domestic travel (I went on Air Asia) but be aware of their very restrictive checked luggage restrictions (and the super high cost of additional weight) on the cheap cheap fares.
As always, helps to go with a bundle of tickets on different airlines/different routes.
Good luck and happy travels.
10-11-2010, 09:01 PM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: May 2009
Position: CRJ-700/CRJ-900 Gear Monkey
Posts: 120
Great suggestions, I will be using my ZED privilege through Delta. I have been debating with myself if I should buy a few ZED fares for different airlines just in case. But every place I am laying over has a Delta ticket counter.
As a commuter I am very aware of the first flight out for standby travelers. I was hoping to enjoy sleeping in on vacation but better take the early flight just in case.
thanks again
As a commuter I am very aware of the first flight out for standby travelers. I was hoping to enjoy sleeping in on vacation but better take the early flight just in case.
thanks again
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