Cheap flights aren't worth it ;)

[FrugalAussie]

This year has been heavy with travel, an expense we anticipated when I applied to work (as a volunteer with a small living allowance) overseas . With my partner and I currently living in two different countries we’ve had several flights between Australia and Cambodia and next weekend (5 days because of public holidays) we’re meeting in Malaysia because we got a great deal (I get email notifications and check out every special that comes along). So when I was talking about my weekend plans I mentioned this great deal on a low cost carrier, the conversation went like this...

Me: “We were lucky we got a great deal with Air Asia”

Friend A: “You don’t really save any money on those flights, you have ridiculous connection times, like what am I going to do for 7 hours, you have to pay $20 for water, another $20 for entertainment ‘cause the flights are so long and boring and then for baggage on top of that.”

Friend B: “Yeah, I looked at flights home it was $850 with Air Asia but only $1200 with Malaysian Airlines. That’s only an extra $200 and I get a meal.”

Me: But, but... I’m thinking. Water is $1 per bottle, I don’t drink 20 bottles.  In fact I always carry an empty bottle and fill it in the departure lounge (this trick works flying out of Australia but doesn’t work when flying in), the connection time for some of our flights is 4 hours which is a drag but not excruciating, I don’t need entertainment because the longer flights are overnight so I try to sleep but if I can’t I read a book, our trips are, unfortunately short, so the free allowance of 7kg of hand luggage is enough, I don’t need a meal on the flight because I’m flying during the night and have breakfast with my family when I get home or my Dad makes me a little picnic to take with me which is better tasting than any airline food (and it’s only a curried egg sandwich and a banana). And, the difference isn’t $200 it’s $350 which is a lot of money to me.

Of course, by the time I’ve thought all this the conversation has moved on to $125 dress purchases and I’ve missed my window to respond but on my way home I thought, aha (!) fellow Mustachians might appreciate that $350 is a lot of money to save on flights by getting organised and being prepared with food, water and a good book.

[CU Tiger]

Think of all the things you can do with $350. i would keep right on doing what you have been doing and not worry about what those spendy friends think!

[Left]

note on the connection times... If it is >3 hours, or close, I rent a locker for carry on (luggage already checked)... I know I'm spending some money... But after that I go sightseeing around the airport. Sure the large ones I have trouble walking anywhere since they are separated from other places. But If i see some spots within a few miles I'll just walk over there and check it out, renting locker helps since I can run back fairly quick not carrying them, and I don't worry about being mugged carrying them either. Some airports are nice and have things to look at so I don't mind waiting. My favorite was a missed connecting flight in Fiji, got to stay on the island for an extra day (vacation time so I didn't need to be anywhere on a schedule). Airline paid us for the missed connection, and I went around the island and saw some great scenery. When I got back, turns out aside from me and a few other people, the rest of the passengers all stayed inside the airport (it's tiny). They complained about the lack of everything (bathroom/"good" food). After a day, I was already darkened (not tanned but not sun burnt).

I know people plan ahead and let them selves get "bumped" to next flight for a compensation, I don't do that regularly, but if there's a long layover, I will enjoy seeing the city if possible.

[FrugalAussie]

eyem, I like it. You're a glass half full kind of person, I'd suggest.

Changi Airport in Singapore has a free 2 hour city tour if you're in transit for 5+ hours
http://www.changiairport.com/in-transit. I wonder if any other airports do this?

CU Tiger, you're right.  I'm happy with my actions, why waste my energy worrying about other peoples spendy ways. I've been there myself anyhow, just thankful I read Your Money or Your Life in about 1997. It's been a long journey (though not painful) and worth it.

[Peter]

My co-worker recently took a long haul flight vacation to asia. In the lunchroom, she shocked me with this one: "I think if they offer the upgrade to first class at the airport for under $1000 I'm going to go for it."

Nearly shit my pants.

That's like 75 bucks an hour to sit at the front of the plane instead of the back!

It seems we make wayyy too much money around here haha.

[Lans Holman]

Can I totally veer off topic and ask how you make a curried egg sandwich?  Because that sounds delicious but I've never heard of it before.

[ruthiegirl]

There is a tune that starts that way...'cheap flights, cheap flights..'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPyl2tOaKxM

[mm1970]

My co-worker recently took a long haul flight vacation to asia. In the lunchroom, she shocked me with this one: "I think if they offer the upgrade to first class at the airport for under $1000 I'm going to go for it."

Nearly shit my pants.

That's like 75 bucks an hour to sit at the front of the plane instead of the back!

It seems we make wayyy too much money around here haha.

I dunno, it would be tempting, depending on the length of the flight.  I have friends who travel to Asia or Australia, and it's something like $1500 to $3000 a ticket.  Apparently, it's long, cramped, and uncomfortable. 

Of course, if I were flying, it would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, which is why I'd consider the upgrade.  Then again, I have two kids and I wouldn't be willing to pay for 4 upgrades.  But maybe I wouldn't mind being in 1st class if my hubby were stuck in the back with the kiddos.

;)

[mobilisinmobili]

I'm happy when people take expensive flights.. they're subsidizing my cheap flights.

Usually stuff like this is so individualized I rarely bother having a discussion about it.

When I was in my early 20s I was always taking the cheapest possible option, regardless of how inconvenient it was. Now I still like cheap options, but will pay a bit extra for convenience.

Was I wrong when I was younger? Nope. Am I wrong now? Nope. Just different preferences.

I find these conversations are productive when you meet people on the same page as you (and this would apply to your friend as well) because then you can exchange tips and experiences.

[FrugalAussie]

What a laugh, who should I meet on the plane on the way back from Malaysia? One of my lunch friends from the weekend before!

I agree, sometimes it's better to catch a more expensive flight but honestly unless it's one of the really good airlines my experience is that flights are always long and uncomfortable. Personally, I'd never pay $1000 for an upgrade, I could make that money go so far when on holiday.

Sure, everyone makes the decision that works for them. I mentioned the conversation on MMMM because, except for my partner, I don't know anyone 'on the same page' as me. 

Curried egg sandwiches: hard boil an egg or two, when cold shell them, mash up with a fork, add a little mayo and your favourite curry powder.  Too easy!

Cheers.

[killingxspree]

having been sick from in flight meals more then is statistically coincidental. Usually its because I fall asleep, wake up hungry and serve me whatever is left (maybe they are too lazy to heat it for the full time or something?) So for me its actually a perk when there is no food included.

[little stache]

When I need to get somewhere on-time, I pay an little extra to go with the airline that will treat me nice and can deal with bad weather, a broken plane, or some other mishap (that almost always happens these days). For me, not getting stuck in an airport for days hoping to catch up with the family or get back home is really worth it. Days in Detroit trying to get home on Spirit (ya their corporate motto is they hate the customer) for a few bucks? No thanks. Sometimes, you do get what you pay for. Also, track the cost of the luggage. Just flew United for long stay and had checked bag. Work paid $50 extra bucks round trip. If they would have flown me on Jet Blue I would have checked the bag for free and the cost was about the same (and I would have gotten nice service, more legroom, and free movies). Devil is in the details sometimes.

[merry3irwin]

I'd pay a little to avoid the stopover in some countries. The airport in Mumbai is HELL. I would have happily paid 150 extra to go through Singapore, but Hong Kong was part of the trip and they unfortunately go through Mumbai.

[Riceman]

This year has been heavy with travel, an expense we anticipated when I applied to work (as a volunteer with a small living allowance) overseas . With my partner and I currently living in two different countries we’ve had several flights between Australia and Cambodia and next weekend (5 days because of public holidays) we’re meeting in Malaysia because we got a great deal (I get email notifications and check out every special that comes along). So when I was talking about my weekend plans I mentioned this great deal on a low cost carrier, the conversation went like this...

Me: “We were lucky we got a great deal with Air Asia”

Friend A: “You don’t really save any money on those flights, you have ridiculous connection times, like what am I going to do for 7 hours, you have to pay $20 for water, another $20 for entertainment ‘cause the flights are so long and boring and then for baggage on top of that.”

Friend B: “Yeah, I looked at flights home it was $850 with Air Asia but only $1200 with Malaysian Airlines. That’s only an extra $200 and I get a meal.”

Me: But, but... I’m thinking. Water is $1 per bottle, I don’t drink 20 bottles.  In fact I always carry an empty bottle and fill it in the departure lounge (this trick works flying out of Australia but doesn’t work when flying in), the connection time for some of our flights is 4 hours which is a drag but not excruciating, I don’t need entertainment because the longer flights are overnight so I try to sleep but if I can’t I read a book, our trips are, unfortunately short, so the free allowance of 7kg of hand luggage is enough, I don’t need a meal on the flight because I’m flying during the night and have breakfast with my family when I get home or my Dad makes me a little picnic to take with me which is better tasting than any airline food (and it’s only a curried egg sandwich and a banana). And, the difference isn’t $200 it’s $350 which is a lot of money to me.

Of course, by the time I’ve thought all this the conversation has moved on to $125 dress purchases and I’ve missed my window to respond but on my way home I thought, aha (!) fellow Mustachians might appreciate that $350 is a lot of money to save on flights by getting organised and being prepared with food, water and a good book.

Qantas's little brother, JetStar, is the worst airline I've ever taken.  My wife and I paid 1000 dollars for two international round trip tickets.  On our trip back home, the flight was cancelled 12 hours before takeoff, which was scheduled for Monday morning.  It took two hours to reach their customer helpline, and they told us the next available flight was Friday.  This is between two major international capitals.  They would not pay for a similar flight on another airline, only offering to pay for our hotels if we wait four days and miss a week of work.

We ended up asking for a refund, paying 300 dollars for a train to another city, then booking a 600 dollar flight that returned the next day (this was the cheapest option).  When we received the refund from JetStar, it was for 330 dollars, or 33% of the original price, despite the fact that we only used 50% of the service!

In the end, buying the 1000 dollar ticket cost us 1550 dollars, a day of missed work, and countless headaches with the worst customer service department in the world.  While I won't generalize this to all budget airlines, DO NOT FLY JETSTAR if you value or sanity or money.

[FrugalAussie]

Well we've learned the hard way :(

My friends had planned a trip, months ago, to visit me in Cambodia and Air Asia has messed up big time.  Here's her Facebook message to them...

air asia cancels our flight, puts us on later flight, connecting flight will be missed - response from air asia "aaaaaaah no flights available" until 4 days after original flight - seriously! appalling service - nice job air asia

They'll still get here but a day late after a night time stop over. Very disappointing. 

Must also say I had appalling treatment on one of the "good" airlines. There was a missed connection after a long flight from NYC to Hong Kong, the voucher they provided didn't cover the cost of food and a drink. 40 hours from NYC to home. Disruptions are always a risk when flying.

[nktokyo]

When I was corporate I would pay extra to travel faster in my vacations. Japan to NZ is 10 hrs direct but closer to 20 if you detour and layover somewhere. On a return trip that's a whole day and I valued my time home too much to worry about the extra $400-500.

Now I work for myself and don't have the "be back in two weeks or else" mandate I take longer trips and am happy to take meandering flights.

[SnackDog]

AirAsia is fabulous.  Watch for their great sales.  They occasionally do $50 roundtrips between Perth and Bali.

We have friends who routinely pay for business class seats, on their own nickel.   Crackers, if you ask me.