Reports by MARTIN CARVALHO, TAN SIN CHOW, JUNAID IBRAHIM and GERARD GIMINO

       PETALING JAYA: Malaysians wishing to travel abroad following the reopening of the nation’s borders should plan their trips ahead to avoid paying higher airfares, stressed travel experts.

       Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) president Datuk Tan Kok Liang advised against rushing to book flight tickets, particularly for long-haul flights.

       “This means planning months before a trip and avoiding last-minute bookings.

       “Because airlines use a dynamic pricing system, earlier bookings cost less compared to tickets booked at the end of a promotion,” he said.

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       He also urged Malaysians to seek advice from travel consultants, as they would be able to provide a price comparison between different airlines.

       Madelina Kuah, who runs a travel agency, said that although promotion prices might seem irresistible, one must read the “fine print” carefully before making a decision.

       “Most just look at the offer price but fail to read the terms and conditions. They just click and click to make a quick booking and end up paying more than what was initially offered,” she said.

       Kuah, who is also the Melaka Tourism Association president, claimed that ticket prices could vary even within the same class.

       For example, the cost of a business class ticket might differ, she said, based on whether it is a basic ticket or one with extra frills.

       According to Kuah, pricier business class tickets might offer a higher maximum luggage weight or allow the return tickets to be changed.

       She advised travellers, particularly those in a family or in a group, to purchase their tickets through authorised travel agents.

       “They will be able to help deal with the airlines in the event there are last-minute changes.

       “This may not be allowed if the tickets are purchased online, or come with higher charges if allowed,” she said.

       She noted that there had been an average increase of between 7% and 12% in ticket prices for international flights.

       “The increase is due to several factors such as the recent hike in fuel prices and flight frequency, as borders around the world begin to reopen,” she added.

       Malaysia Tourism Council (MTC) president Uzaidi Udanis advised travellers to check the Covid-19 policies of their destinations.

       “Travellers should contact the embassies or representatives of the countries they are planning to visit to find out if there are extra conditions when it comes to Covid-19 policies,” he said.

       Some countries require polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, which are pricey, on top of regular testing, he claimed, adding that knowing the regulations before visiting a country will allow travellers to budget accordingly.

       He reasoned that the recent increases in ticket prices were due to the ongoing global Covid-19 pandemic and the Ukraine-Russian war, adding that higher fuel prices were the main contributing factors.