Hello,

I'm new to this form, and let me just say that this is the best find ever (came accross it by accident). I would like to go to South East Asia and Asia for 3 month next summer (I know i'm really planning ahead), so I'm just trying to learn as much as possible about it.

Cathy Pacific Airlines "Asia Pass" might seem like the best choice for us. The only problem is you have to book the all Asia pass through a travel agent. Does anyone have a reliable travel agent that has booked this pass before? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Also, If I want to go from mid-May '08 to early august '08 (more then 90 days), is this "Asia Pass" by Cathy pacific my best choice for the money (I want to get the best bargain on flying). How do you feel about the one offered by malaysia airlines?

Thanks!
Yelena

The Cathy Pacific all Asia Pass, gasp...... Horror of all horrors Does not earn frequent flyer miles....... On a trans-Pacific flight!!!!! By any calculation you chose, the frequent flyer miles from a RT trans-Pacific flight alone are worth at least a couple of hundred miles if not more so factor the loss of the miles into the price.

You also must back track through Hong Kong every time you want to go from city to city and depending on connections, may get stuck in Hong Kong for almost a day on some connections.

Check out the LCC's is SE Asia. http://www.airasia.com , http://www.tigerairways.com, http://www.jetstar.com, http://www.nokair.com , http://www.fly12go.com , http://www.cebupacificair.com , http://www.adamair.co.id (only fly Adam Air if you are brave ) et al

Flying around SE Asia is VERY cheap. Especially if you are booking far ahead. Particularly keep an eye on Air Asia. They periodically give away tickets for next to nothing in big over hyped promotions on their web site but if you are booking far ahead you can wait and pick these up when they have a sale. Sign up for their mailing list. Then bank the FF miles for the trans-Pacific trip and fly around SE Asia with much greater flexibility.

Also http://www.pacificairlines.com.vn/ if you're thinking of visiting Vietnam ̣̣̣̣̣̣(nothing to do with Cathay).

Some of the mainstream airlines have good deals from time to time, so its always worth a glance at their websites too.

Others have already pointed out the many negatives with the All Asia Pass. The only points I'll add are that the price really can creep up with add on charges (summer supplement, extending validity, adding South Pacific or Vietnam flights, etc). It's important to consider the total price of the pass, and not to get "sucked in" by the advertised base price.

OP - if you provide an idea of what cities you want to visit, people may be able to give you more detailed suggestions on airlines and routings to consider.



Edited to add: WOW - I just looked at the AAP website, and the prices have really gone up in the last few years! The base price used to be $999, with $100 off for becoming a subscriber. The price is now $1599, with $200 off for the subscription.

During the SARS days of 2003 the All Asia Pass was $699, but even then it wasn't the deal to end all deals because NW had USA-BKK for $399 all in, WITH miles.

Hey Yelena, first of all, welcome to FT!

You should also check out the ASEAN pass here: http://www.thaiair.com/Promotions/Sp...aseanapass.htm. Seems there might be currency plays you can make depending on the country you depart.

I am not sure they are good values but I have looked at them a few times though never bought. I seem to always travel last minute.

Mabuk dan gila, love your FT handle! We try to live by that philosophy in Jakarta.