<\/span>1. Baggage fees<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nOnce you\u2019ve filled up your details, you will likely come across the first extra charge trap: checked baggage.<\/p>\n
Malaysian low-cost airline AirAsia lists 20kg as the default option. This will cost you an additional RM45 for a single journey.<\/p>\n
![\"airasia](\"https:\/\/static.imoney.my\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/airasiawithbaggage-800x442.png\")
<\/a>Here\u2019s how much a return flight ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore would cost with the default 20kg checked baggage for both trips.<\/p><\/div>\n
A 20kg checked baggage allocation (or more) may be necessary if you\u2019re planning on going away for a long holiday. However, if you have a shorter trip on your agenda, say a weekend in Singapore from Kuala Lumpur, chances are, you probably won\u2019t be needing all the extra luggage space.<\/p>\n
If minimalist is your way of life and you\u2019ve decided to go with zero checked baggage, make sure you deselect the default options twice, for both journeys, if you have booked a return flight ticket. It\u2019s really easy to just click next and miss this.<\/p>\n
![\"airasia](\"https:\/\/static.imoney.my\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/airasianobaggage2-800x413.png\")
<\/a>You save RM90 for a return flight ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore if you opt for zero checked baggage for both trips.<\/p><\/div>\n
Singaporean budget airline JetStar charges similar rates for checked baggage, at RM47 for 20kg. However, customers are notified of the pre-selected (optional) 20kg checked baggage option during the booking process. In addition, JetStar also offers a slightly cheaper 15kg (RM40) checked baggage option.<\/p>\n
![\"jetstar](\"https:\/\/static.imoney.my\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/jetstarbaggage-800x511.png\")
<\/a>JetStar pre-empts the customer on the pre-selected 20kg checked baggage option during the booking process.<\/p><\/div>\n
Meanwhile, Tiger Air, another budget airline headquartered in Singapore, charges RM55 and RM61, for 15kg and 20kg of checked baggage respectively. However, checked baggage does not come as a default option when you book your ticket online with the airline.<\/p>\n
![\"tiger](\"https:\/\/static.imoney.my\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/tigerairbaggage1-800x308.png\")
<\/a>Tiger Air charges RM61 for 20kg of checked baggage.<\/p><\/div>\n
PRO TIP:<\/strong><\/div>If you are travelling with a friend and you both absolutely need to check-in certain items (example: more than 100ml of shampoo), either one of you can purchase a checked baggage allocation that you can both share. You can even split the costs. That way, you can both save on checked baggage.<\/div><\/div>\n<\/span>2. Insurance charges<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nAirAsia lists its Travel Protection insurance as the default option. For RM30, passengers get to enjoy benefits such as flight cancellation or delay, loss or damage to baggage, and personal accident coverage.<\/p>\n
![\"airasia(insurance)\"](\"https:\/\/static.imoney.my\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/airasiainsurance.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nWe do not recommend having no insurance when travelling, but if you already have travel insurance<\/a>, you can always uncheck the insurance option to save some cost.<\/p>\nYou can also get covered with your credit card. Some travel credit cards<\/a> offer travel insurance benefits when the full cost of your flight is charged to the card.<\/p>\nPRO TIP:<\/strong><\/div>The Ambank Visa Infinite<\/a> credit card offers Travel accident Insurance with coverage of up to RM2,000,000 when you pay for the full cost of your flight using the credit card.<\/div><\/div>\n<\/span>3. Seats<\/span><\/h2>\nMost budget airlines charge to book specific seats. And they present this to you like it\u2019s just a standard option. So it\u2019s easy to accidentally pay for your seats when you really didn\u2019t need to.<\/p>\n
Fireflyz (a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines), takes a step further by charging RM15 for a standard seat for both domestic and international flights \u2013 this means you will need to fork out RM15 just to be on-board whether you like it or not.<\/p>\n
Children below the age of two will also be charged a RM50 \u201cinfant fee\u201d (per child) for each way of the flight. This applies for both domestic and international flights.<\/p>\n
![\"firefly(seats1)\"](\"https:\/\/static.imoney.my\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/fireflyseats1.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nPassengers can book preferred seats with travel companions if they pay RM25 extra, and for RM45, they can have extra legroom with the desired seats.<\/span><\/p>\nPRO TIP:<\/strong><\/div> If you are not travelling with someone that needs your assistance throughout the flight (such as, elderly or child), forego choosing your seats to save some cash.<\/div><\/div>\n<\/span>4. In-flight meals<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nIt\u2019s almost a given that budget flights will charge you extra for in-flight meals. However, purchasing food and drinks on a budget flight often costs a bomb, sometimes up to a few times more than what it would cost you anywhere else.<\/p>\n
That said, most airlines do offer cheaper prices when you include your meals in your flight booking. That said, they still cost you more than a regular meal on ground but are notably cheaper than what you will have to pay for if you bought them during your flight.<\/p>\n
For example, if you\u2019re flying with Air Asia, a nasi lemak<\/em> meal would cost you RM15 if you bought it online together with your flight ticket. The same nasi lemak meal could cost you up to RM20 or more if you were to buy it during the flight.<\/p>\n![\"airasia(food1)\"](\"https:\/\/static.imoney.my\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/airasiafood1-800x515.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nMeanwhile, with JetStar, even a light meal comprising of just a sandwich, a bottle of water, and a chocolate bar would cost you RM23. \u00a0But this could have something to do with the exchange rate and the weak Ringgit, since JetStar is a Singapore-based airline.<\/p>\n
![\"jetstar(meals)\"](\"https:\/\/static.imoney.my\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/jetstarmeals-800x588.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nPRO TIP:<\/strong><\/div> If you\u2019re on a short flight and you\u2019re keen to save a few bucks, you can always opt to have a heavy meal before the flight to avoid paying more for food. However, this is not advisable if you\u2019re on a long-haul flight.<\/div><\/div>\n<\/span>5. Processing fees<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nSome credit cards<\/a> give you discounts when you shop online. For example, CIMB Cash Rebate Platinum<\/a> offers 5% cash rebate for online shopping, and up to 25% discount and additional 20% cash rebate at participating merchants like Expedia and Agoda.<\/p>\nHowever, AirAsia does charge a processing fee when you pay for your booking with credit cards, debit cards or charge cards.<\/p>\n
![\"processingfee2\"](\"https:\/\/static.imoney.my\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/processingfee2-800x340.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe processing fee is as per guest per way if you pay with your credit card.<\/em><\/p>\nAccording to AirAsia\u2019s website<\/a>, the fee was introduced to \u201censure that guests are provided with a comfortable and safe booking environment.\u201d<\/p>\nNot keen on paying extra? Well, you can skip the processing fee if you pay through the BIG Visa card<\/a>, though it comes with a RM10 one-time joining fee.<\/p>\nAlternatively, you can save a few bucks on processing fee if you pay via direct debit (charged as per booking). It won\u2019t eliminate the fee completely, but you pay less when you use direct debit.<\/p>\n
![\"airasia](\"https:\/\/static.imoney.my\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/airasiawithbaggage.png\")
<\/a>Here\u2019s how much a return flight ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore would cost with the default 20kg checked baggage for both trips.<\/p><\/div>\n
A 20kg checked baggage allocation (or more) may be necessary if you\u2019re planning on going away for a long holiday. However, if you have a shorter trip on your agenda, say a weekend in Singapore from Kuala Lumpur, chances are, you probably won\u2019t be needing all the extra luggage space.<\/p>\n
If minimalist is your way of life and you\u2019ve decided to go with zero checked baggage, make sure you deselect the default options twice, for both journeys, if you have booked a return flight ticket. It\u2019s really easy to just click next and miss this.<\/p>\n
<\/a>You save RM90 for a return flight ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore if you opt for zero checked baggage for both trips.<\/p><\/div>\n
Singaporean budget airline JetStar charges similar rates for checked baggage, at RM47 for 20kg. However, customers are notified of the pre-selected (optional) 20kg checked baggage option during the booking process. In addition, JetStar also offers a slightly cheaper 15kg (RM40) checked baggage option.<\/p>\n
<\/a>JetStar pre-empts the customer on the pre-selected 20kg checked baggage option during the booking process.<\/p><\/div>\n
Meanwhile, Tiger Air, another budget airline headquartered in Singapore, charges RM55 and RM61, for 15kg and 20kg of checked baggage respectively. However, checked baggage does not come as a default option when you book your ticket online with the airline.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Tiger Air charges RM61 for 20kg of checked baggage.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/span>2. Insurance charges<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nAirAsia lists its Travel Protection insurance as the default option. For RM30, passengers get to enjoy benefits such as flight cancellation or delay, loss or damage to baggage, and personal accident coverage.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nWe do not recommend having no insurance when travelling, but if you already have travel insurance<\/a>, you can always uncheck the insurance option to save some cost.<\/p>\nYou can also get covered with your credit card. Some travel credit cards<\/a> offer travel insurance benefits when the full cost of your flight is charged to the card.<\/p>\nPRO TIP:<\/strong><\/div>The Ambank Visa Infinite<\/a> credit card offers Travel accident Insurance with coverage of up to RM2,000,000 when you pay for the full cost of your flight using the credit card.<\/div><\/div>\n<\/span>3. Seats<\/span><\/h2>\nMost budget airlines charge to book specific seats. And they present this to you like it\u2019s just a standard option. So it\u2019s easy to accidentally pay for your seats when you really didn\u2019t need to.<\/p>\n
Fireflyz (a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines), takes a step further by charging RM15 for a standard seat for both domestic and international flights \u2013 this means you will need to fork out RM15 just to be on-board whether you like it or not.<\/p>\n
Children below the age of two will also be charged a RM50 \u201cinfant fee\u201d (per child) for each way of the flight. This applies for both domestic and international flights.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nPassengers can book preferred seats with travel companions if they pay RM25 extra, and for RM45, they can have extra legroom with the desired seats.<\/span><\/p>\nPRO TIP:<\/strong><\/div> If you are not travelling with someone that needs your assistance throughout the flight (such as, elderly or child), forego choosing your seats to save some cash.<\/div><\/div>\n<\/span>4. In-flight meals<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nIt\u2019s almost a given that budget flights will charge you extra for in-flight meals. However, purchasing food and drinks on a budget flight often costs a bomb, sometimes up to a few times more than what it would cost you anywhere else.<\/p>\n
That said, most airlines do offer cheaper prices when you include your meals in your flight booking. That said, they still cost you more than a regular meal on ground but are notably cheaper than what you will have to pay for if you bought them during your flight.<\/p>\n
For example, if you\u2019re flying with Air Asia, a nasi lemak<\/em> meal would cost you RM15 if you bought it online together with your flight ticket. The same nasi lemak meal could cost you up to RM20 or more if you were to buy it during the flight.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nMeanwhile, with JetStar, even a light meal comprising of just a sandwich, a bottle of water, and a chocolate bar would cost you RM23. \u00a0But this could have something to do with the exchange rate and the weak Ringgit, since JetStar is a Singapore-based airline.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nPRO TIP:<\/strong><\/div> If you\u2019re on a short flight and you\u2019re keen to save a few bucks, you can always opt to have a heavy meal before the flight to avoid paying more for food. However, this is not advisable if you\u2019re on a long-haul flight.<\/div><\/div>\n<\/span>5. Processing fees<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nSome credit cards<\/a> give you discounts when you shop online. For example, CIMB Cash Rebate Platinum<\/a> offers 5% cash rebate for online shopping, and up to 25% discount and additional 20% cash rebate at participating merchants like Expedia and Agoda.<\/p>\nHowever, AirAsia does charge a processing fee when you pay for your booking with credit cards, debit cards or charge cards.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nThe processing fee is as per guest per way if you pay with your credit card.<\/em><\/p>\nAccording to AirAsia\u2019s website<\/a>, the fee was introduced to \u201censure that guests are provided with a comfortable and safe booking environment.\u201d<\/p>\nNot keen on paying extra? Well, you can skip the processing fee if you pay through the BIG Visa card<\/a>, though it comes with a RM10 one-time joining fee.<\/p>\nAlternatively, you can save a few bucks on processing fee if you pay via direct debit (charged as per booking). It won\u2019t eliminate the fee completely, but you pay less when you use direct debit.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nWe do not recommend having no insurance when travelling, but if you already have travel insurance<\/a>, you can always uncheck the insurance option to save some cost.<\/p>\n You can also get covered with your credit card. Some travel credit cards<\/a> offer travel insurance benefits when the full cost of your flight is charged to the card.<\/p>\n Most budget airlines charge to book specific seats. And they present this to you like it\u2019s just a standard option. So it\u2019s easy to accidentally pay for your seats when you really didn\u2019t need to.<\/p>\n Fireflyz (a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines), takes a step further by charging RM15 for a standard seat for both domestic and international flights \u2013 this means you will need to fork out RM15 just to be on-board whether you like it or not.<\/p>\n Children below the age of two will also be charged a RM50 \u201cinfant fee\u201d (per child) for each way of the flight. This applies for both domestic and international flights.<\/p>\n Passengers can book preferred seats with travel companions if they pay RM25 extra, and for RM45, they can have extra legroom with the desired seats.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s almost a given that budget flights will charge you extra for in-flight meals. However, purchasing food and drinks on a budget flight often costs a bomb, sometimes up to a few times more than what it would cost you anywhere else.<\/p>\n That said, most airlines do offer cheaper prices when you include your meals in your flight booking. That said, they still cost you more than a regular meal on ground but are notably cheaper than what you will have to pay for if you bought them during your flight.<\/p>\n For example, if you\u2019re flying with Air Asia, a nasi lemak<\/em> meal would cost you RM15 if you bought it online together with your flight ticket. The same nasi lemak meal could cost you up to RM20 or more if you were to buy it during the flight.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, with JetStar, even a light meal comprising of just a sandwich, a bottle of water, and a chocolate bar would cost you RM23. \u00a0But this could have something to do with the exchange rate and the weak Ringgit, since JetStar is a Singapore-based airline.<\/p>\n Some credit cards<\/a> give you discounts when you shop online. For example, CIMB Cash Rebate Platinum<\/a> offers 5% cash rebate for online shopping, and up to 25% discount and additional 20% cash rebate at participating merchants like Expedia and Agoda.<\/p>\n However, AirAsia does charge a processing fee when you pay for your booking with credit cards, debit cards or charge cards.<\/p>\n The processing fee is as per guest per way if you pay with your credit card.<\/em><\/p>\n According to AirAsia\u2019s website<\/a>, the fee was introduced to \u201censure that guests are provided with a comfortable and safe booking environment.\u201d<\/p>\n Not keen on paying extra? Well, you can skip the processing fee if you pay through the BIG Visa card<\/a>, though it comes with a RM10 one-time joining fee.<\/p>\n Alternatively, you can save a few bucks on processing fee if you pay via direct debit (charged as per booking). It won\u2019t eliminate the fee completely, but you pay less when you use direct debit.<\/p>\n<\/span>3. Seats<\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/span>4. In-flight meals<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/span>5. Processing fees<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n