As more countries, including Malaysia, begin the COVID-19 vaccination programme, tourism and air travel are ready for a rapid rebound.
And there is a new 'ASEAN Unlimited Pass', which provides unlimited travel for RM599 within Malaysia and ASEAN countries, was introduced in the run-up to the reopening of state and international borders by AirAsia.
The AirAsia ASEAN Unlimited pass is currently available to all Malaysia-based AirAsia BIG Members for RM599 while BigPay members can enjoy RM50 off (RM549).
The pass is available for purchase via AirAsia’s Deal page or via the Unlimited Deals tab on the AirAsia SuperApp (Apple App store, Google Play Store, Huawei AppGallery).
The pass actually started selling yesterday (10:00am) 3rd March until (11:59pm) 7th March 2021.
Before you decided to have it a go, do read the terms and conditions as the unlimited pass is tied to the passenger, and it is non-transferable. For example, if a family of three wants to enjoy the unlimited pass, you’ll need to purchase a pass for each member.
Most important, the passengers must be at least 12 years old on the day of departure to travel.
Available Travel Date & Destinations
The unlimited pass will allows you to not only enjoy unlimited flights across ASEAN but also includes Malaysia’s domestic destinations. This includes Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.
Take note that the travel period for the pass is from 17th March 2021 until 26th March 2022.
Take note that flight bookings must be made at least 14 days before departure. Each pass holders are allowed up to 3 no-shows and once exceeded, your pass will be forfeited.
According to the FAQ, if you can’t make it for the flight, you can make a flight change via MyBookings. However, it is subject to flight availability and a fare difference fee may apply.
Based on the chart above, it forecasts that interstate travel in Malaysia might be available in Q2 2021 and ASEAN borders could reopen for travel as early as Q3 2021. Take note that reopening of borders is very dependent on individual governments.
Editor Note :
As the title suggest, there is a mixed feeling over this unlimited ASEAN travel pass as our Instagram poll shows that 51% vote 'NO' and the balance will definitely buy the pass. On a traveller group on Facebook, most of the comments are negative (sorry AirAsia) by saying that this is just another way for AA to 'hold' their customer money since some commenters still didn't receive or having problems regarding their cancelled flight and the previous unlimited pass.
On the other note; they highlighted that the trick here is 'its only available for AK' flights and when browsing for more info in the FAQ, I came across this :
The use of AirAsia Asean Unlimited to redeem flight ticket(s) will only waive the base fare for the flight(s) and does not include any optional add-ons, passenger service charge (Domestic: RM11 / Asean: RM35), regulatory service charge (RM1), Malaysia departure levy (RM8), and other charges set by international airports (ie border clearance levy, advance passenger facilitation charge/processing service), if any. For the avoidance of doubt, such additional fees and charges shall be payable by the passenger at the time of booking.
Our verdict; you may buy it if you will be travelling frequently on 'domestic route' and to prepare mentally as there might be more cancellation etc.