Comments on: Cloudless Sky ahead for Lion Air? http://www.nomad4ever.com/2008/01/02/cloudless-sky-ahead-for-lion-air/ Life is what you make it! Thu, 29 Jul 2010 10:59:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: chan http://www.nomad4ever.com/2008/01/02/cloudless-sky-ahead-for-lion-air/comment-page-1/#comment-47430 chan Fri, 19 Feb 2010 06:01:07 +0000 http://www.nomad4ever.com/2008/01/02/cloudless-sky-ahead-for-lion-air/#comment-47430 Forget about LION AIR. They may have over 100 new planes, but what is the use if people have big problems booking with credit card. Even booking in Indonesia or Singapore is too much of a hassle. I had booked and paid for my grandfather's ticket in Singapore to fly domestic in Indonesia, and yet, during check in in jakarta, they ask for credit card verification!!! How is it possible for me to fly down from Singapore to Jakarta , just to verfy? It is not low cost anymore. Forget about LION AIR.

They may have over 100 new planes, but what is the use if people have big problems booking with credit card. Even booking in Indonesia or Singapore is too much of a hassle.

I had booked and paid for my grandfather’s ticket in Singapore to fly domestic in Indonesia, and yet, during check in in jakarta, they ask for credit card verification!!! How is it possible for me to fly down from Singapore to Jakarta , just to verfy? It is not low cost anymore.

]]> By: Jurgen http://www.nomad4ever.com/2008/01/02/cloudless-sky-ahead-for-lion-air/comment-page-1/#comment-47172 Jurgen Tue, 05 Jan 2010 14:32:28 +0000 http://www.nomad4ever.com/2008/01/02/cloudless-sky-ahead-for-lion-air/#comment-47172 <strong>Dmitri</strong>, LionAir stopped accepting non-Indonesian credit cards since about 12 months. Prices in the airport are sensibly higher than on the web. The only way to get these rates is with the help of someone here in Indonesia who has a bank account with one of the banks listed on their website. Than you do the booking online and tell your friend to go to an ATM of his bank (it must be an ATM of his card issuing bank!) within a 3-hour-timeframe where he has to enter your booking number in order to be able to pay for your flight. After that he will receive a receipt slip from the ATM which has to be scanned and send to you via email as you will need it as proof of purchase at the airport. Very complicated, I know, but that's the only way... Dmitri, LionAir stopped accepting non-Indonesian credit cards since about 12 months. Prices in the airport are sensibly higher than on the web. The only way to get these rates is with the help of someone here in Indonesia who has a bank account with one of the banks listed on their website.
Than you do the booking online and tell your friend to go to an ATM of his bank (it must be an ATM of his card issuing bank!) within a 3-hour-timeframe where he has to enter your booking number in order to be able to pay for your flight. After that he will receive a receipt slip from the ATM which has to be scanned and send to you via email as you will need it as proof of purchase at the airport.

Very complicated, I know, but that’s the only way…

]]> By: Chris http://www.nomad4ever.com/2008/01/02/cloudless-sky-ahead-for-lion-air/comment-page-1/#comment-47168 Chris Tue, 05 Jan 2010 08:39:16 +0000 http://www.nomad4ever.com/2008/01/02/cloudless-sky-ahead-for-lion-air/#comment-47168 <strong>Dmitry</strong>, what country is your Creditcard (cc) issued in? In Russia? I heard that many times (also from airlines in Singapore or the Philippines), that cc's from some countries don't work in Asia. In general, there are more problems, when they are not issued in Asia, but in some European or developing countries. Actually hard to understand, as Visa/Master are global brands, but maybe they just block certain number region due to past fraud attempts or something like that. But am just guessing here, it could be as well an error in the Lion Air booking system. Guess you are out of luck for now.... :( Dmitry, what country is your Creditcard (cc) issued in? In Russia? I heard that many times (also from airlines in Singapore or the Philippines), that cc’s from some countries don’t work in Asia. In general, there are more problems, when they are not issued in Asia, but in some European or developing countries. Actually hard to understand, as Visa/Master are global brands, but maybe they just block certain number region due to past fraud attempts or something like that. But am just guessing here, it could be as well an error in the Lion Air booking system. Guess you are out of luck for now….

]]> By: Dmitry http://www.nomad4ever.com/2008/01/02/cloudless-sky-ahead-for-lion-air/comment-page-1/#comment-47167 Dmitry Tue, 05 Jan 2010 07:17:54 +0000 http://www.nomad4ever.com/2008/01/02/cloudless-sky-ahead-for-lion-air/#comment-47167 For a couple days I'm trying to book and pay the flight (Jakarta-Denpasar) by VISA classic on Lion official site. Unsuccessfully. After entering all data of my VISA and connecting with e-payment system it gives an error "We were unable to get an authorization of your payment...". When I called my bank they said they even didn't get a request for this operation. So, I have to buy the flight only in Jakarta airport. Hope the price will be as cheap as on site.. :-? For a couple days I’m trying to book and pay the flight (Jakarta-Denpasar) by VISA classic on Lion official site. Unsuccessfully. After entering all data of my VISA and connecting with e-payment system it gives an error “We were unable to get an authorization of your payment…”.
When I called my bank they said they even didn’t get a request for this operation.
So, I have to buy the flight only in Jakarta airport. Hope the price will be as cheap as on site..

]]> By: Chris http://www.nomad4ever.com/2008/01/02/cloudless-sky-ahead-for-lion-air/comment-page-1/#comment-45183 Chris Wed, 20 May 2009 05:12:06 +0000 http://www.nomad4ever.com/2008/01/02/cloudless-sky-ahead-for-lion-air/#comment-45183 Hm, I would say Jetstar also, but they only fly in the evenings. Maybe Garuda could be an option as well, they have as far as I know several flights a day, and depending on where you book, quite reasonable rates. As for cheaper flights from Germany/Europe - I was taking Air France 2 weeks ago from Berlin via Paris to Singapore, which was cheap (but I booked already in March) and the whole flight was only half (!) full, so I had 3 seats for myself to sleep. KLM (same group now) always seem to have a good deal also, but I don't know how short-notice you'll fly. Or the usual suspects Thai Airways, Malaysian and maybe even Korea Air via Seoul. Ah yes, forgot, Qatar Airways offers direct flights from Frankfurt via Doha to Bali since a 1 year or so, but don't know about the pricing, since they call themselves the 5-star airline. :( Hm, I would say Jetstar also, but they only fly in the evenings. Maybe Garuda could be an option as well, they have as far as I know several flights a day, and depending on where you book, quite reasonable rates.

As for cheaper flights from Germany/Europe – I was taking Air France 2 weeks ago from Berlin via Paris to Singapore, which was cheap (but I booked already in March) and the whole flight was only half (!) full, so I had 3 seats for myself to sleep. KLM (same group now) always seem to have a good deal also, but I don’t know how short-notice you’ll fly. Or the usual suspects Thai Airways, Malaysian and maybe even Korea Air via Seoul.

Ah yes, forgot, Qatar Airways offers direct flights from Frankfurt via Doha to Bali since a 1 year or so, but don’t know about the pricing, since they call themselves the 5-star airline.

]]> By: Jurgen http://www.nomad4ever.com/2008/01/02/cloudless-sky-ahead-for-lion-air/comment-page-1/#comment-45173 Jurgen Tue, 19 May 2009 17:50:05 +0000 http://www.nomad4ever.com/2008/01/02/cloudless-sky-ahead-for-lion-air/#comment-45173 I'm planning to go from Singapore to Bali and as I will arrive late evening in Changi after a long connecting flight via Beijing, Lion Air is the earliest and cheapest flight out, at least from what I found till now... If you have any better (cheap) solution to fly one-way from Frankfurt to Bali, your suggestions are more than welcome... ;-) I’m planning to go from Singapore to Bali and as I will arrive late evening in Changi after a long connecting flight via Beijing, Lion Air is the earliest and cheapest flight out, at least from what I found till now…
If you have any better (cheap) solution to fly one-way from Frankfurt to Bali, your suggestions are more than welcome…

]]> By: Chris http://www.nomad4ever.com/2008/01/02/cloudless-sky-ahead-for-lion-air/comment-page-1/#comment-45170 Chris Tue, 19 May 2009 12:28:05 +0000 http://www.nomad4ever.com/2008/01/02/cloudless-sky-ahead-for-lion-air/#comment-45170 <strong>Jurgen</strong>, I'm currently in Manila for a few days before flying to Negros. I mainly use zuji.com or expedia.com to book tickets online with credit card, but I'm almost certain, they don't offer Lion Air flights. As for travel agents in Singapore, I liked the ones in People's Park Complex or People's Park Center in Chinatown. They always have the best flight-only deals and some of them do Lion Air also. Where do you want to fly in Indonesia? For flights Singapore-Jakarta I can currently recommend JetStar, one-way costs only USD 25 (with hand luggage) or USD 35 with up to 20kg check-in luggage. Even with short notice booking. That's almost cheaper than the Taxi drive from Singapore's Changi into town. ;-) Jurgen, I’m currently in Manila for a few days before flying to Negros.

I mainly use zuji.com or expedia.com to book tickets online with credit card, but I’m almost certain, they don’t offer Lion Air flights. As for travel agents in Singapore, I liked the ones in People’s Park Complex or People’s Park Center in Chinatown. They always have the best flight-only deals and some of them do Lion Air also.

Where do you want to fly in Indonesia? For flights Singapore-Jakarta I can currently recommend JetStar, one-way costs only USD 25 (with hand luggage) or USD 35 with up to 20kg check-in luggage. Even with short notice booking. That’s almost cheaper than the Taxi drive from Singapore’s Changi into town.

]]> By: Jurgen http://www.nomad4ever.com/2008/01/02/cloudless-sky-ahead-for-lion-air/comment-page-1/#comment-45169 Jurgen Tue, 19 May 2009 10:52:43 +0000 http://www.nomad4ever.com/2008/01/02/cloudless-sky-ahead-for-lion-air/#comment-45169 <strong>Chris</strong>, as you happen to be in Singapore right now, can you advise for an online travel agent in Singapore who accepts international credit cards and does the bookings on Lion Air? Thanks! Chris, as you happen to be in Singapore right now, can you advise for an online travel agent in Singapore who accepts international credit cards and does the bookings on Lion Air?
Thanks!

]]> By: Jurgen http://www.nomad4ever.com/2008/01/02/cloudless-sky-ahead-for-lion-air/comment-page-1/#comment-45168 Jurgen Tue, 19 May 2009 10:48:17 +0000 http://www.nomad4ever.com/2008/01/02/cloudless-sky-ahead-for-lion-air/#comment-45168 Hi, I do have to revise my feedback on Lion Air! While last year it has been no problem booking a flight from their Website and paying by Italian Credit Card, this year it became impossible (using exactly the same card as last year). I tried many times over the last few weeks and the errors go from an immediate page not found to the much more complex rerouting to their banking site, which in return gives you just a plain payment did not complete error. I called up my card company too and they confirmed that they never received a payment request. Googling a bit I found that this problem apparently persists since September 2008. Hi, I do have to revise my feedback on Lion Air! While last year it has been no problem booking a flight from their Website and paying by Italian Credit Card, this year it became impossible (using exactly the same card as last year). I tried many times over the last few weeks and the errors go from an immediate page not found to the much more complex rerouting to their banking site, which in return gives you just a plain payment did not complete error.
I called up my card company too and they confirmed that they never received a payment request. Googling a bit I found that this problem apparently persists since September 2008.

]]> By: Chris http://www.nomad4ever.com/2008/01/02/cloudless-sky-ahead-for-lion-air/comment-page-1/#comment-44508 Chris Mon, 02 Mar 2009 13:00:21 +0000 http://www.nomad4ever.com/2008/01/02/cloudless-sky-ahead-for-lion-air/#comment-44508 Interesting numbers regarding (domestic) passenger volumes in Indonesia. Lion Air overtook Garuda first time last year. Here is the article and the numbers: <blockquote>Aggressive New Comer Displaces Garuda’s Dominance in Flying Domestic Passengers. In 2008 a total of 9.14 million domestic passengers took a commercial flight within Indonesia. The deregulation of commercial aviation in Indonesia has given consumers choices and competitive pricing unimaginable just a few years before. A recap of passengers carried provided by the Indonesian Department of Transportation reports that Garuda Indonesia is no longer the busiest domestic air carrier, having been displaced by the aggressive newcomer Lion Air who carried 19.5% more passengers than the state-owned national carrier. In fact, if the total passengers carried by the Lion Air and its subsidiary of Wing Air are combined the gap over Garuda widens to 49.7%. Here’s a recap of total domestic passengers carried by domestic Indonesian airlines in 2008, based on figure provided by the Department of Transportation: • Lion Air - 9.147,942 • Wing Abadi - 2,328.508 • Garuda Indonesia - 7,665,390 • Batavia Air - 4,771,272 • Sriwijaya Air - 4,272,876 • Manadala Airlines - 3,449,218 • Merpati Nusantara - 2,477,173 • Indonesia AirAsia - 1,503,672 • Trigana Air Service - 702,718 • Linus Airways - 268,203 • Travel Express - 267,371 • Riau Airlines - 232,248 • Kalstar Aviation- 16,913 • Indonesia Air Transport - 7,548 </blockquote> Interesting numbers regarding (domestic) passenger volumes in Indonesia. Lion Air overtook Garuda first time last year. Here is the article and the numbers:

Aggressive New Comer Displaces Garuda’s Dominance in Flying Domestic Passengers. In 2008 a total of 9.14 million domestic passengers took a commercial flight within Indonesia. The deregulation of commercial aviation in Indonesia has given consumers choices and competitive pricing unimaginable just a few years before. A recap of passengers carried provided by the Indonesian Department of Transportation reports that Garuda Indonesia is no longer the busiest domestic air carrier, having been displaced by the aggressive newcomer Lion Air who carried 19.5% more passengers than the state-owned national carrier. In fact, if the total passengers carried by the Lion Air and its subsidiary of Wing Air are combined the gap over Garuda widens to 49.7%. Here’s a recap of total domestic passengers carried by domestic Indonesian airlines in 2008, based on figure provided by the Department of Transportation:

• Lion Air – 9.147,942
• Wing Abadi – 2,328.508
• Garuda Indonesia – 7,665,390
• Batavia Air – 4,771,272
• Sriwijaya Air – 4,272,876
• Manadala Airlines – 3,449,218
• Merpati Nusantara – 2,477,173
• Indonesia AirAsia – 1,503,672
• Trigana Air Service – 702,718
• Linus Airways – 268,203
• Travel Express – 267,371
• Riau Airlines – 232,248
• Kalstar Aviation- 16,913
• Indonesia Air Transport – 7,548

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