Review : Flying First Class with Optiontown

Now that I am back from my long break, I am extremely rejuvanated and recharged for childbirth  work and blogging.

For those who are advocates for Air Asia, you would know that flying long-distance can be quite a pain. Literally. They are smaller than the normal ecomony class seats that you pay for those full-fledged airlines. And you can't recline that much. Heck, even leg space can be pretty cramp for those tall ones. Trust me, I know. I flew on AAX to New Zealand (RM750/return tickets) for 13 hours straight and to Melbourne (RM500/return tickets) for 8 hours straight. No joke I tell you.

Of course, that being said, to be fair, we only pay a small fraction on what we would be paying on other non-budget airlines. So it's not right to complain too much as well la. If you are not happy, then don't fly with a budget airline ... simple as that.

Yes.. that's how you will look like after 8 hours of flight on AAX. 

Take my recent trip to Sydney, I only paid RM900 for a pair of return tickets whereas for MAS I would have to fork out approximately RM2,600.

And then ... some brilliant people came up with the idea of selling premium tickets (those flatbeds) at a small top-up for those seats who was not sold out.

Win-Win Situation :

Consumer like me benefit.

AAX also benefit - why waste the space when you can earn, albeit at a lesser margin?

And the brilliant company is Optiontown who is affiliated with AAX to coordinate sales of the premium tickets. What happens is that AAX and Optiontown will send an email (usually 1 month before your flight) to offer an option to upgrade into premium. The process is pretty straight-forward, just follow the instructions and voila ~ you are potentially on your way to flying "first class".

Now why I emphasis potentially is that confirmation of your upgrade will only be emailed to you 3 days before departure or up to 4 hours before flight time. Yes, I know James Bond timing. In view of the above, you are advised to only check-in once you've received the confirmation email.

The reason why it is so last minute is because they need to pick out only the "left-overs of sales" and there are only 12 premium seats on each AAX flights.

You would however need to pay the upgraded top-up upfront. Fret not though - in an event if your upgrade is unsuccessful, your money will be refunded back to you within 5 days.

For me, the top-up was a steal. I only need to pay RM400 per way. Basically to fly "first class", I only paid a total of RM1,700 for return tickets.

A quick comparison shows that I would need to fork out:  

(i) AAX Premium Class - Approximately RM6,000

(ii) MAS Business Class - Approximately RM10,000

(iii) MAS First Class - Approximately RM24,000

Need I say more? :)

I was praying hard that both ways I would be entitled for the upgrade because it would do me good being 7 months pregnant and all. And my prayers were answered! :) I was super elated!!

And all I've got to say is that - it was so darn worth it. For those who are entitled for the option to upgrade, I would highly recommend for you to go for it!

Flat bed.

First-class service.

Own toilet (we share with the pilot ~ heh!)

Priority boarding.

No regrets. :)

Love;

Mummy Geri