Wow, talk about a promo-gone-wrong! Garuda Indonesia has abruptly pulled its 90%-off promo and updated the language on its Indonesian website. After conflicting reports of whether Garuda will honor reservations placed on hold during the promo but not yet ticketed, two agents have confirmed to me that held reservations can be ticketed at the 90% off prices!
Word came just an hour ago that Garuda had pulled the promo via @MatthewDW. Shortly thereafter, Garuda updated its website to confirm it had pulled the promo.
Language (translated via Google) included the following:
If you already have a booking code confirm prior to the date of December 24, 2016, you can still get the promotion to date issued until December 31, 2016.
That sounded like Garuda would honor held reservations. But that was not good enough for me.
The first agent I spoke with, Daisy, very clearly confirmed that award bookings made on 22 and 23 December will be honored at 90%-off as long as they are ticketed by 31 December 2016. I told her that I had heard conflicting reports and she assured me that the reservation could still be ticketed before 12/31, in-person of course.
Daisy was competent, knowledgeable, and seemed very trustworthy, but I called again. This time I reached Rama and he also confirmed that held reservations would be held. So there you have it — confirmed and re-confirmed.
I asked Daisy, by the way, about the the U.S. ticketing offices. She said those are only “representative” offices and therefore cannot handle award bookings. This confirms what those who have called the U.S. offices or actually showed up have been told.
Bottom Line: If you have a reservation on hold, it will be honored…if you can ticket it.
I discussed my strategy for ticketing my held Garuda reservation this morning. As outlandish as it sounds, I am considering flying to Singapore on Monday. At the same time, I am worried that I may fly to Singapore only to find Garuda has again changed its mind.
What a mess. Oh what fun it is to ride on the Garuda sled tonight…♫ ♬.
Wow, talk about a promo-gone-right!!!! Garuda got exactly what they wanted: free publicity from all US travel bloggers. Just see how many posts were written talking about Garuda in the last two days. They knew it was almost impossible for anyone to succeed booking a ticket under this promotion based on the several limitations they added to rules. Yes, you may fly to Singapore and succeed to issue your ticket but I can assure you Garuda got way more. I’ve done business in Indonesia for many years and I can tell you Indonesians are probably the most savvy business people I ever encountered. Every move is meticulously planned and they usually succeed in what the want. Like they did with this promotion.
Santastico, if you are right than hats off to the Garuda team. I assume they are operating under the assumption, “Any press is good press” because they will be hammered now. And if Indonesia has the savviest business people, why can’t they fix the road problem? My goodness, three hours from CGK to the Hyatt. I have never seen anything that bad in 125 countries…
Hi Matt,
First of all, congratulations on your first new born child, as well as moving to boardingarea from upgrd. You used to be the sole reason for me to visit upgrd, after I got to know you in the DC FTU 2 years ago. Now I’m glad I can read all of my favorite blogs on one site!
Regarding GA’s promotion, luck’s have it, my friend happened to fly F from CGK-LHR yesterday. And he purchased the miles as well as issued the ticket for me in the F lounge. However, the airport ticketing manager mentioned to him that he would be the last one to enjoy the promotion, as GA is not going go honor the promotion any more after 23rd of December, even if you had a booking on hold already. Of course this is only a data point, but I thought I should let you know that.
Best of luck, and Merry Christmas!
Best,
JZ
Congrats on getting ticketed! I remain very concerned that they won’t honor held reservations! Appreciate you reading my blog.
I second Jingfu on that I am very happy you are now on Boarding Area. I used to go to Upgrd just to read your blog and now I can have it all in one place. As for Indonesia, it is all about making money. They are savvy. Good or bad, talk about me. 🙁 As for the roads I guess it is part of the culture. Every manager level executive there has a driver so they can work on their computer and phone while in traffic. I had several business meetings inside a minivan in Jakarta while going from one client to another. Crazy!!!!!!!
Rooting for you, buddy! It sounds like all the economy and business seats have been taken as well! Given the success of this promo, hopefully they’ll do this again in the future. I didn’t take advantage of this promo but if you get this ticketed I’ll admit i’d be a tad bit jealous. 😉 good luck on Monday! After all this is said and done, let’ us know how you found award space to SIN this late during peak travel season!
I’m confused why anyone would waste their time on this “deal”? You are willing to fly to Singapore (at what cost in time/money?) on the hope that you might get a cheap award ticket on a crappy airline? I guess it’s good for clickbait.
You may be right to question my sanity, but Garuda is by no means a crappy airlines. From the reports I’ve read, it offers one of the best premium cabin products in the world.