AirAsia ASEAN Pass: Suggested Itineraries from the Philippines

After Tan Sri Tony Fernandes recently hinted at an AirAsia ASEAN Pass in support of the region’s economic integration, the airline launched one. The pass, available at 7200 PHP for 10 credits and 12,900 PHP for 20 credits, may be redeemed for flights using a credit system based on flight cost, duration, and frequency. Some flights cost one credit, while some three. We’ve created suggested itineraries coming from the Philippines that fully consume the pass. Read more…

In creating an AirAsia ASEAN Pass itinerary, the following must be considered:

• A route may not be taken more than once (e.g. MNL-KUL and KUL-MNL).
• The number of credits a flight takes is based on cost, duration, and frequency.
• The pass only covers the base fares. Fuel surcharges are not imposed at the moment.
• Airport taxes, as well as add-ons like meals and baggage, are paid separately.
• Seats are subject to availability—chances are lower on weekends and holidays.
• Tickets must be booked at least 14 days in advance.

What we have created so far are four itineraries that use 10 credits—making the flights cost 720 PHP (one credit) or 2160 PHP (three credits) plus airport taxes per flight.

CLASSIC INDOCHINA
Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia

Flights: 6     Miles: 5061     Cities: 5     Countries: 4

Notes:

• Phnom Penh may not be excluded because only PNH-KUL is one credit. Hence, Siem Reap to Phnom Penh must be traveled by land.
• Travel must end or begin in Clark because MNL-KUL or KUL-MNL may only be used once.

FROM BORNEO TO INDOCHINA
Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand

Flights: 8     Miles: 5148     Cities: 9     Countries: 4

Notes:

• The journey begins in Cebu. For it to begin and end in Manila, a MNL-CEB domestic flight must be booked separately, and the last KUL-CEB leg must be replaced with KUL-MNL or KUL-CRK.
• Singapore to Johor Bahru must be crossed by land. AirAsia has a free shuttle bus with Causeway Link from JB Sentral near the CIQ Complex to Senai International Airport.
• Krabi and Phuket are interchangeable, and both or only one may be visited. Distance between Krabi and Phuket is approximately 150 kilometers.

VISIT MALAYSIA
Malaysia and Singapore (optional)

Flights: 8     Miles: 4213     Cities: 6     Countries: 2

Notes:

• The journey may be started in Cebu by replacing MNL-KUL to CEB-KUL and removing the last CEB-MNL leg. That would also bring the total down to nine credits used.
• Singapore is an optional stop and may be replaced with a KCH-JHB flight if going direct to Johor Bahru is more preferred.

THAILAND EXPEDITION
Thailand and Malaysia (optional)

Flights: 7     Miles: 5484     Cities: 7     Countries: 2

Notes:

• The journey begins in Clark. For it to begin in Manila, CRK-KUL must be replaced with MNL-KUL. However, the flight back to the Philippines must also be replaced accordingly.
• Kuala Lumpur is an optional stop and may be used as a transit point only.
• The total number of credits for this journey is 11; therefore, one flight must be booked separately. Best choices are the domestic flights to or from Bangkok (i.e. KBV-DMK or DMK-CEI) because promo fares on these routes are typically cheap.
• Krabi and Phuket are interchangeable, and both or only one may be visited. Distance between Krabi and Phuket is approximately 150 kilometers.
• Chiang Rai may be removed and replaced with Chiang Mai (i.e. DMK-CNX flight) if desired. Distance between Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai is 200 kilometers.
• Surat Thani is the jump off point for Koh Samui, Koh Phi Phi, and Koh Tao. There are airport-to-ferry services that include land arrangements to these islands.

For the full listing of flights and corresponding credits, as well as the mechanics of the AirAsia ASEAN Travel Pass, check out www.airasia.com/ph/en/book-with-us/asean-pass.page. For questions, comments, clarifications, and ideas, use the comments box below.