GoAsia pass, etc
Mar 16, 2012 | 8:42 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Montgomery Co MD
Programs: DL
Posts: 101
GoAsia pass, etc
I want to travel in Vietnam/Cambodia. Tried to find out about the GoAsia pass for Vietnam Airlines from Delta Elite reservations but the agent was clueless, even after after calling two other "desks". Has anybody booked one of these lately for travel on Vietnam Airlines? If so, can I use BKK as a gateway (Skyteam site mentions only PEK, CAN, NRT, ICN). I'm not tied to Go Pass or to Vietnam Airlines and I wouldn't mind purchasing tickets in Asia rather than in the US if they would be cheaper overseas. Any suggestions/advice?
Mar 17, 2012 | 2:06 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: |QF LTG|DL Gold|
Posts: 1,784
I just read this article - http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/t...ml?id=10720015 - and one of the things it said was:
You're probably better off going directly to the Vietnam Airlines website to price out the flights you want, or checking out the discount carriers that operate there (AirAsia, Jetstar Asia).
And finally, in much of the world, especially Asia, Europe, and the South Pacific, independent, low-fare airlines can now often undercut airpass prices and provide point-to-point flights at substantially lower prices than even the "discount" prices on the visitor coupons.
Mar 18, 2012 | 8:10 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: New York
Programs: Delta PM, Hertz FS, SPG Plt, HH Gold
Posts: 105
I just read this article - http://www.smartertravel.com/blogs/t...ml?id=10720015 - and one of the things it said was:
You're probably better off going directly to the Vietnam Airlines website to price out the flights you want, or checking out the discount carriers that operate there (AirAsia, Jetstar Asia).
You're probably better off going directly to the Vietnam Airlines website to price out the flights you want, or checking out the discount carriers that operate there (AirAsia, Jetstar Asia).
Mar 18, 2012 | 9:59 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: QF, VN, SQ, SPG, IHG PG
Posts: 455
It is often cheaper to book all of your tickets via an Agent in Vietnam, if your flights are within Indochina, it can be sometimes 20-30% (sometimes even more) cheaper than the actual website price. Prices on MEL-SGN for example one-way is $780 (no tax) on the website, while an independent agent can go for 20-30% less, plus sometimes you receive a complimentary return airfare domestically within Vietnam.
Mar 19, 2012 | 9:00 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: AMS LON
Programs: AF/KLM Gold
Posts: 19
I'm beginning to wonder if any of the SkyTeam Passes are really worth it based on price alone.
Last September I asked the KLM desk at Schiphol for prices of the Go America Pass. After 15 mins of discussing it with ALL the other agents behind the desk the nice guy still didn't have any info so called Delta in the US, and after an eternity managed to get a price list based on number of segments.
When I got the list I was a little shocked - putting together your own Delta intinerary would be much easier and cheaper. (The prices were also pre-tax only). I might have them at home somewhere - will have a look for them. I guess with the passes you are also paying for an element of flexibility(?)
Last September I asked the KLM desk at Schiphol for prices of the Go America Pass. After 15 mins of discussing it with ALL the other agents behind the desk the nice guy still didn't have any info so called Delta in the US, and after an eternity managed to get a price list based on number of segments.
When I got the list I was a little shocked - putting together your own Delta intinerary would be much easier and cheaper. (The prices were also pre-tax only). I might have them at home somewhere - will have a look for them. I guess with the passes you are also paying for an element of flexibility(?)
Mar 19, 2012 | 5:27 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Montgomery Co MD
Programs: DL
Posts: 101
finally got some info
After my second 30 min try on the horn with various Delta reps, I finally managed to reach someone who knew what he was talking about.
Here's the current situation with GoAsia pass. No restriction on gateway cities other than your partner has to fly there, so I can use BKK for Vietnam Air but have decided to try to get to Hanoi with Korean Air first. You must buy at least three coupons and the first coupon must be used to reserve a flight at the time of coupon purchase; other legs can be booked any time after purchase but within six months after the first coupon flight. Coupon prices depend on mileage: 0-200 for $90, 201-600 for $130, 601-1000 for $170. I checked these prices vs web fares and I would save about 30% by using coupons for my itinerary.
So, the coupon savings seem to be in the neighborhood of what SOOROX was talking about for an in-country travel agent. Because my itinerary is completely on Vietnam Air and it is pretty well fixed, I may just reserve all the legs when I buy the coupons - that should eliminate any problems of acceptance since in theory I would have a ticket instead of a coupon (I hope).
Here's the current situation with GoAsia pass. No restriction on gateway cities other than your partner has to fly there, so I can use BKK for Vietnam Air but have decided to try to get to Hanoi with Korean Air first. You must buy at least three coupons and the first coupon must be used to reserve a flight at the time of coupon purchase; other legs can be booked any time after purchase but within six months after the first coupon flight. Coupon prices depend on mileage: 0-200 for $90, 201-600 for $130, 601-1000 for $170. I checked these prices vs web fares and I would save about 30% by using coupons for my itinerary.
So, the coupon savings seem to be in the neighborhood of what SOOROX was talking about for an in-country travel agent. Because my itinerary is completely on Vietnam Air and it is pretty well fixed, I may just reserve all the legs when I buy the coupons - that should eliminate any problems of acceptance since in theory I would have a ticket instead of a coupon (I hope).
Mar 19, 2012 | 6:37 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: HGP/SPG: Apprentice Kettle; UA/AA/DL: Journeyman Kettle
Posts: 866
After my second 30 min try on the horn with various Delta reps, I finally managed to reach someone who knew what he was talking about.
Here's the current situation with GoAsia pass. No restriction on gateway cities other than your partner has to fly there, so I can use BKK for Vietnam Air but have decided to try to get to Hanoi with Korean Air first. You must buy at least three coupons and the first coupon must be used to reserve a flight at the time of coupon purchase; other legs can be booked any time after purchase but within six months after the first coupon flight. Coupon prices depend on mileage: 0-200 for $90, 201-600 for $130, 601-1000 for $170. I checked these prices vs web fares and I would save about 30% by using coupons for my itinerary.
So, the coupon savings seem to be in the neighborhood of what SOOROX was talking about for an in-country travel agent. Because my itinerary is completely on Vietnam Air and it is pretty well fixed, I may just reserve all the legs when I buy the coupons - that should eliminate any problems of acceptance since in theory I would have a ticket instead of a coupon (I hope).
Here's the current situation with GoAsia pass. No restriction on gateway cities other than your partner has to fly there, so I can use BKK for Vietnam Air but have decided to try to get to Hanoi with Korean Air first. You must buy at least three coupons and the first coupon must be used to reserve a flight at the time of coupon purchase; other legs can be booked any time after purchase but within six months after the first coupon flight. Coupon prices depend on mileage: 0-200 for $90, 201-600 for $130, 601-1000 for $170. I checked these prices vs web fares and I would save about 30% by using coupons for my itinerary.
So, the coupon savings seem to be in the neighborhood of what SOOROX was talking about for an in-country travel agent. Because my itinerary is completely on Vietnam Air and it is pretty well fixed, I may just reserve all the legs when I buy the coupons - that should eliminate any problems of acceptance since in theory I would have a ticket instead of a coupon (I hope).
I will call to check, of course, but do you know if the flight segments have to be end to end or can you arrive at one airport/country and then depart from another airport/country while only using two coupons/segments?
I just found this information on Delta Vacations.com
Go Asia Pass — the best way to plan an Asia vacation
Delta Vacations makes global travel easier and more flexible than ever before with the Go Asia Pass program. It lets you explore Asia and the South Pacific easily and economically with affordable flight coupons, purchased in conjunction with an air and hotel vacation package from Delta Vacations.
With the Go Asia Pass program, you can:
* Enjoy a flexible length of stay
A 4-night minimum stay is required, and the length of your stay is limited to up to 2 months.
* Travel as much as you want
Purchase a minimum of three one-way flight coupons on any of the SkyTeam members; you can even return to a city you’ve already visited.
* Earn frequent flyer miles
When making your reservation or checking in, present your frequent flyer number and earn miles on all your flights (some restrictions may apply).
Go Asia Pass details
To qualify for the Go Asia Pass you must purchase a vacation package from Delta Vacations, including an inter-continental ticket on Delta Air Lines and a minimum four night stay at one of more than 65 hotels in China, Japan, Thailand, and Singapore.
Pricing
Go Asia Pass Flight Coupons
Zone Miles Fares*
1 0 - 200 $90
2 201 - 600 $130
3 601- 1000 $170
4 1001 - 1500 $210
5 1501 - 2000 $240
6 2001 - 2500 $270
7 2501 - 3000 $300
8 3000 + $350
* Plus local taxes or fees.
Delta Vacations makes global travel easier and more flexible than ever before with the Go Asia Pass program. It lets you explore Asia and the South Pacific easily and economically with affordable flight coupons, purchased in conjunction with an air and hotel vacation package from Delta Vacations.
With the Go Asia Pass program, you can:
* Enjoy a flexible length of stay
A 4-night minimum stay is required, and the length of your stay is limited to up to 2 months.
* Travel as much as you want
Purchase a minimum of three one-way flight coupons on any of the SkyTeam members; you can even return to a city you’ve already visited.
* Earn frequent flyer miles
When making your reservation or checking in, present your frequent flyer number and earn miles on all your flights (some restrictions may apply).
Go Asia Pass details
To qualify for the Go Asia Pass you must purchase a vacation package from Delta Vacations, including an inter-continental ticket on Delta Air Lines and a minimum four night stay at one of more than 65 hotels in China, Japan, Thailand, and Singapore.
Pricing
Go Asia Pass Flight Coupons
Zone Miles Fares*
1 0 - 200 $90
2 201 - 600 $130
3 601- 1000 $170
4 1001 - 1500 $210
5 1501 - 2000 $240
6 2001 - 2500 $270
7 2501 - 3000 $300
8 3000 + $350
* Plus local taxes or fees.
Last edited by MIT_SBM; Mar 19, 2012 at 6:44 pm Reason: new information
Mar 19, 2012 | 6:46 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Montgomery Co MD
Programs: DL
Posts: 101
I will call to check, of course, but do you know if the flight segments have to be end to end or can you arrive at one airport/country and then depart from another airport/country while only using two coupons/segments?
I just found this information on Delta Vacations.com
So, it looks like I won't be able to use this in the way I thought because of the two month limitation.
I just found this information on Delta Vacations.com
So, it looks like I won't be able to use this in the way I thought because of the two month limitation.
Mar 19, 2012 | 8:43 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: |QF LTG|DL Gold|
Posts: 1,784
That goes for pretty much all the alliances. These passes look good on paper but if you sniff around for good deals, it's worth missing out on a few miles by not spending as many dollars (or whatever currency you are using).