Avoid This Costly Flight Mistake in Southeast Asia

Lessons From Our First Visa Run

Since moving abroad and living in Thailand, I’ve been using Trip.com to plan my family’s travel. Thailand is home base for us as we explore Southeast Asia. My family moved here five months ago. After spending our first 90 days in Thailand, we did a visa run to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and that’s where the learning really began.

I booked our flights through Trip.com. I found three one way tickets on Malaysia Airlines for just $150 total. It felt like a win. But the mistake I made was not booking a roundtrip flight. We weren’t sure how long we were going to stay, so we left that open.

At the check-in counter in Chiang Mai, we learned we couldn’t board the flight without proof of return. With less than 30 minutes before boarding, I scrambled to book our return through Trip.com. The return date we wanted didn’t include Malaysia Airlines, and under pressure, we chose Batik Air. We didn’t know which other airlines were best, and it was a rushed decision.

While we enjoyed our time in Malaysia, feeling secure knowing our return was booked, things unraveled on the day we left.

We arrived at the airport two hours early, only to see that our flight had been delayed. That was an issue, we weren’t going back to Chiang Mai but flying directly to Bangkok for an appointment.

At the Batik Air counter, we learned something else, we’d have to pay $280 for our baggage. That was more than the price of our tickets. We were shocked.

Because we’d been in such a rush to buy the return flight, we hadn’t paid attention to the baggage policy. We later learned this is common with low-cost carriers in the region, airlines that offer low base fares, but charge separately for baggage, meals, seat selection, and other basics. You pay for the seat, and nearly everything else is an add-on. Sometimes even food. It was a hard, expensive lesson.

After going back and forth with the Batik Air ticket counter, we missed our flight and had to book a last minute flight with Air Asia, at the Air Asia ticket counter. Air Asia was not any better than Batik. We paid for our flights, they charged additional for our baggage, and the ticket person knew we were boarding the flight and knew we were not cancelling, but still included insurance that we only learned about while already in the air. While on the flight, food, drinks, and water was served, but we were not given any because we hadn’t paid for it, something the person at the ticket counter never offered us. We later discovered it would have cost the same as the insurance we didn’t ask for. We lost out on so much money with this trip.

We are now thoroughly and cautiously planning all of our travel using Trip.com.

Since then, I’ve only booked full service airlines through Trip.com, and I’ve never looked back.

Why Intentional Booking Matters

Now, I book flights and hotels that give me peace of mind, no surprises, no stress. I like that I can see cancellation policies clearly, check verified reviews, and compare airlines without digging through ten open tabs.

“Explore trusted airlines for Southeast Asia travel”

Trip.com lets me compare carriers I can trust without the pressure of booking on the fly. It saves me from scrambling, and I know what I’m getting. I prefer paying a little more up front if it means avoiding hundreds in unexpected charges later.

How This Supports My Pivot

Living abroad has changed how I move, not just where I go, but how I approach each decision. I don’t chase savings if it means stress. I don’t book in panic. I give myself space to make decisions that align with the life we’re building.

Trip.com has become one of the few tools I trust in this process. I use it calmly, ahead of time, and with intention.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Trip.com safe for booking flights in Southeast Asia?
Yes. I’ve used Trip.com multiple times while traveling with my family throughout Southeast Asia. The site is secure, transparent with pricing, and allows easy comparisons across airlines. It’s been the most reliable platform I’ve used since moving abroad.

What’s the best airline to fly between Thailand and Malaysia?
That depends on your needs. Malaysia Airlines has been more reliable and transparent with fees in my experience. We prefer full-service airlines as opposed to budget airlines. Budget airlines like Batik Air and AirAsia may offer lower fares, but often charge for baggage and extras. I now prioritize full-service airlines to avoid surprises.

How do I avoid unexpected baggage fees on Southeast Asia flights?
Always check baggage policies before booking, especially with budget carriers. Use platforms like Trip.com to review policies in advance. Full-service airlines typically include one checked bag, while budget options often charge high fees at check-in.

Is it better to book one-way or roundtrip flights for visa runs?
If your return date is flexible, one-way tickets make sense, but be cautious, many airlines require proof of onward travel to board. Booking a roundtrip upfront can avoid stress at the check-in counter.

What makes Trip.com different from other booking platforms?
Trip.com is easy to navigate, clearly shows refund policies, and includes airlines not always visible on other booking platforms. It simplifies travel planning, especially in regions like Southeast Asia where policies can vary widely.