URGENT - Looking for cheap flights/recommend travel agents

[The Tot]

I'm in desperate need for anybody who knows of a good travel agent. I'm going to fly back to see my mum who'se just had a cancer operation, but i don't want to be pessimistic or skeptical about matters and her condition but my folks indicated that they wanted me about so I guess i need to conjure up a flight ASAP. I just NEED a flight off to see them and i KNOW Malaysia airlines fly direct so it cuts out the bullshit.

If any of you know a travel agent or ARE one, let me know.

I'm planning to fly:

Outbound Heathrow (LHR) to Yogyakarta (JOG) on Monday 08.09.08
Return (JOG) to (LHR) 26.09.08

The best fare i've got is 759 BUT my funds aint Xfered on my halifax and the bank aint open 2moro. They don't accept maestro which i have sufficient funds for on my HSBC.

If anybody can help me, it's much appreciated. It's pretty much spontaneous but i figured that my folks need my support. I've got other contingencies, BUT i would like this direct flight since it means less pissing about with customs and immigration when i land in Indonesia (bribes etc).

Before anybody asks, i HAVE tried lastminute.com, Opodo, Ebookers, Travelocity, Statravel etc... 800 was cheapest BUT i want the option of paying 759 using my maestro... that's all.

Cheers for your help.


I aint thinking straight, still jumpy since news of the op and just full of energy and aggression. Serious answers, no pissing about cos i aint really in the mood. It's pretty much in the middle of the night but i'd want to get some sort of answer by monday at least.

Tit
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[iooi]

You should be able to transfer funds from HSBC to Halifax in minutes for that amount.
Using the internet banking and faster payments, tick immediate payment box, its there in a max of 2 hours. In fact most times its there in the time it takes to log out of hsbc and into the halifax accounts online.
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[fortknoq]

https://www.skyscanner.net/

is supposed to be good

[The Tot]

I've tried skyscanner too. Most of the flights were £4000 for the same flight as what i could get off Malaysia Airlines direct. i guess i'll have to pay the waiting game until i get my funds cleared. Bloody weekend!
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[Mr Nice Guy]

Hope your mum is on the mend dude.
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[mattd]

https://worldwideflights.farebase.net/worldwideflights/schedules2/orderform.asp?supplier=SKYL&price=341&child=25&destination=JOG&dept=LON&via=KUL&dept_date=8/8/2008&return_date=8/26/2008&airline=MH&farecode=Y/L&valid=5D-3M&apttax=350&validfrom=06/08/2008&validto=30/09/2008&flight_type=return&updated=17Jul08&from_airport=LONDON&to_airport=YOGYAKARTA&via_airport=KUALA+LUMPUR&airline_name=MALAYSIA+AIRLINES

Give them a ring? It's probably too good to be true, but worth a shot?
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Professional Hobo

[The Tot]

I've tried doing a saynoto0870 search for affordableflights.co.uk and it seems pretty dodgy cos there's no geographical location for the their telephone calls. Also googled into moneysavingsexpert.com and they said approach with caution.
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[Itchy]

Had a look at that site myself as they were cheapest by far for some trips I need to do in the next couple of months

However I checked their ATOL number of 3448 and it came up with:

Telephone: 020 7462 0011


But I saw the money saving expert thread , which seems to say that the prices are only a guide line.

But back to the OT , there is a travel agency which is completely racist and will only sell tickets to asian looking types they managed to be £90 cheaper than anywhere else, I'll try dig out their company name.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[mattd]

Suspected that would be the case - as you probably know the airline sells a number of seats to a 'company' who sells these onto the punters.

Unfortunately it seems the only way to get to Indonesia easily is to fly to either KL or Hong Kong. The thing is this then adds another 2 sector's worth of tax, which is why the price goes through the roof (It's nearly an extra £180 in tax to fly to KL and out again).

The Malaysian airlines looks like the cheapest, I have looked and looked and I work in the industry and it's a bit of a random destination so there are no direct flights that I could find on those dates, with anyone.
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Professional Hobo

[iooi]

The other worry i would have with these cheap non uk airline is if they fold you have no cover.
You can be sure that they have no bond under ATOL.
So i hope to god you are paying via a visa/master credit card. Or if they go under like a few already have this year you can forget getting your moeny back.
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[The Tot]

I've asked a few mates to help about.

Itchy, are you talking about Lee's Travel in Edgware Road by any chance? I used them the other time when i flew back last year and got a silly cheap deal (750 to jakarta), but i want to fly to Yogyakarta direct. Malayasia Airlines ARE the only airlines that are doing direct flights. It's like flying to edinburgh without having to transfer at heathrow if you know what i mean.

Singapore airlines DO have flights to jakarta (on the A380 which is an added bonus), BUT i have to transit at that hellhole which is jakarta.

It looks like Opodo are the viable choice at 803 quid for the direct flight to Yogyakarta so i may have to bite the bullet if I can't get the e-ticket directly from malaysia airline's website. which was 758 quid.

Malaysia Airlines, like singapore airlines are THE only airlines i chose to fly with. I've never been fond of emirates because of the long waits and unnecessary transits (it's more like a shuttle bus!) and even though the prospect of using Etihad is plausible, I'd have to pass through Jakarta. Garuda Indonesia got black listed for failing to meet minimum standards, hence they aint flying to europe... OR was that because the EU fucked them over because they chose to buy a fleet of Boeing 777's, 787's etc instead of airbuses? Who knows.


If anybody DOES have any startling deals or travel agents, PM me.

Thanks for your help guys.
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[MarJay]

[MarJay]

Also have you thought about booking a single ticket (IE not a return)? It may be cheaper to book your return flight from your destination. Being that you won't be staying in a hotel or something it might make a lot of sense...
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Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[The Tot]

750 - e ticket, DONE! Had to go to halifax to sort out my 800 quid transfer.

Thanks for all your help guys. The travel agents ran out of ticket allocations on the days I wanted.

The other choice was Singapore Airlines to Solo City (To my grandma's home - about 1 1/2 hour away from my home). That was 20 quid cheaper but there was a 1 day transfer involved in singapore. Either way, both airlines are highly rated South East Asian Carriers ( I flew SQ 2 years ago and MAS last year) and the airports aren't too bad.
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism