Choices needlessly raised travel costs

I was confused by Jerry Haines’ article “Too Much of a Good Thing Is Wonderful on a Low-Cost Airline Pass to Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Taiwan” (Jan. 12). Haines and his wife spent $6,300 on about four weeks in Asia. His trip was hardly low cost.

Because he couldn’t meet the air pass travel window, he and his wife paid almost $1,000 each (not including all taxes) for the air pass, which essentially got them extra flights to Bangkok, Thailand; Penang, Malaysia; and Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It appears that Taipei was a stopover on the way home.

Haines then chose two flights not included in the air pass, which increased the cost of his trip. He flew to Chiang Mai, Thailand, rather than take the train, which for most low-cost travelers would be the preferred and scenic way to go.

He traveled by bus to Malacca but ignored nearby Singapore, which was within easy reach and a quick flight back to Kuala Lumpur with the Malaysian Airlines air pass.

Haines chose not to recharge in Phuket, Thailand, and spent more to go to Angkor Wat, Cambodia, which was not offered as a flight leg.

Their trip was hardly low cost because of their choices. For 30 days in Asia, Haines spent quite a bit and did not keep within the parameters of the low-cost air pass he was highlighting.

Jeffrey Haire

Los Angeles