Pros and Cons: Is the AirAsia ASEAN Pass Worth the Price Tag?
Mar 28, 2024 • Kyzia Maramara
Mar 28, 2024 • Kyzia Maramara
Dreaming of going on an epic revenge travel across Southeast Asia? AirAsia’s Unlimited ASEAN Pass might be your magic ticket to explore the region. The low-cost airline recently introduced a promo that promises budget-savvy Pinoy travelers unlimited flights across ASEAN countries. But is it truly worth it? Let’s look at the AirAsia ASEAN Pass pros and cons to see if it’s worth the price tag.
AirAsia ASEAN Pass holders can book unlimited international flights within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries for a one-time fee of Php 14,888. The Pass is an annual subscription valid for a year from the date of purchase.
Of course, you’d still have to pay for government taxes, fees, add-ons, and other applicable charges, but compared to paying for individual flights, the ASEAN Pass could help you save more money in the long run. For example, a roundtrip flight to Bangkok this November could set you back more than Php 9,000, including add-ons. That’s only one country, but it’s already more than half of the amount you’d pay for the ASEAN Pass.
The Pass is available for purchase now, with a travel period from May 1, 2024, to April 30, 2025.
The pass only applies to flights to ASEAN countries. Aside from the Philippines, the list includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. So no, you can’t use it to fly to Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, or even Taiwan. You also can’t use it on domestic flights.
AirAsia currently only has direct flights from Manila to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Kota Kinabalu. But if you want to visit other ASEAN countries, you can use your Pass to book connecting flights.
In addition to unlimited travel, the ASEAN Pass also offers discounts on hotels and rides. You can get up to 50% off on hotel deals. Plus, when you sign up, you instantly get 5,000 AirAsia points you can use to redeem flights and other perks. That’s quite a steal!
ASEAN Pass holders can’t exactly go ham on the booking site and book dozens of itineraries in one sitting. The fine print says Pass holders can only hold up to two bookings at a time. They also have to use or cancel at least one of these bookings before they’re allowed to book for a third one. So, to maximize the Pass, you’d have to thoroughly plan out your itineraries for the rest of the year.
So is getting the AirAsia ASEAN Pass worth it? We think the pros outweigh the cons. The pass is a great way to go an in-depth adventure through neighboring countries. It’s a super sulit option if you’re itching to travel a lot, whether solo or with your barkada. You can either maximize all it has to offer or plan a laid-back trip to certain countries every month. Imagine spontaneous weekend getaways to Bali or chill month-long escapes in Thailand – the choice is yours!
Purchase the ASEAN Pass via the AirAsia MOVE App (Play Store/Apple Store) or the website.
Are you thinking of getting AirAsia’s ASEAN Pass? Let us know in the comments!
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Kyzia spends most of her time capturing the world around her through photos, paragraphs, and playlists. She is constantly on the hunt for the perfect chocolate chip cookie, and a great paperback thriller to pair with it.
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1 comment
It’s a total RIPOFF, do not make the same mistake I did and buy the ASEAN Pass. They’re very, very limited seats, in most cases you have to book 2 months in advance to even find a seat. I compared using the Pass vs. just booking the same flight on AirAsia site, less than a dollar difference. Travelocity was $6 cheaper than using the pass. And I used several different dates, times, etc and NO financial benefit. Total RIP OFF!!!