Embarking on a sacred journey to fulfil a lifelong dream is a remarkable experience. Mohammed Haffez Basarath, a Senior Data Analyst at airasia, successfully planned a cost-effective Umrah trip for his family, leveraging the company's exclusive benefits. Through the utilization of airasia's e-Coupons and ID90, Haffez turned his dream into reality while efficiently managing the costs of the trip. Let's delve into his inspiring journey and explore how airasia's benefits program played a pivotal part in creating a memorable Umrah experience for him and his loved ones.

Allstar’s Background and Inspiration:

Hailing from India, Haffez had been a dedicated employee working with airasia for over a decade. When considering his first international trip with his family, he couldn't envision a more meaningful destination than Makkah for Umrah. Despite encountering unforeseen delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, his unwavering determination persisted.

Discovering airasia's E-Coupon for Umrah:

As an Allstar, Haffez was aware of the annual benefit provided to all employees ie. the e-coupon. Realizing the significance offered through this benefit, he decided to plan his Umrah trip and leverage the e-Coupon to ensure the trip was affordable.

Redeeming the E-Coupon and Booking the Umrah Package:

Through the redemption of the e-coupon, Haffez achieved significant savings on airfare expenses, a crucial component of any pilgrimage journey. With COVID-19 travel restrictions in place until 2022, he wisely accumulated his e-Coupon points, patiently awaiting the opportunity to embark on the spiritual journey in 2023.

Cost Savings and Advantages of the E-Coupon:

Generally, The expenses associated with an Umrah trip exceed RM 6,000 per person. However, by utilizing airasia's e-Coupon, Haffez managed to reduce the airfare charges by approximately RM 2,000 per person. Moreover, the flexibility of a one-time date change without additional fees proved invaluable when he needed to reschedule his trip due to his son's exam postponement.

Impact of Cost Savings on the Travel Experience:

The cost savings derived from utilizing the e-Coupon allowed Haffez to elevate his overall travel experience. He chose to allocate the savings towards securing better hotel accommodations closer to the Masjid al-Haram (Great Mosque of Mecca) and Madinah, offering his family a more comfortable and convenient stay during the sacred journey.

Memorable Moments and Gratitude:

The experience of performing Umrah alongside his family left an indelible mark on Haffez, becoming a cherished and unforgettable memory. The opportunity to partake in the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage fulfilled his lifelong dream, and he expressed gratitude for the support and assistance provided by airasia throughout the entire process.

Recommendations and Tips for Other Allstars:

Haffez strongly encourages his fellow airasia colleagues to seize the e-Coupon benefit for their own Umrah trips. His advice emphasises the importance of planning well in advance and saving the e-Coupons to capitalize on this unique opportunity. He also suggests booking onward and return tickets in separate passenger name records (PNRs) to maximize the benefits.

Enhancing Employee Experience Through Benefits:

Undoubtedly, the e-Coupon, coupled with other benefits like ID90, significantly enriches the overall employee experience at airasia. These exclusive perks provide immense value, especially to employees, who work far from their families and home countries.

Suggestions for Further Program Improvement:

To further enhance the benefits program, Haffez proposed that when an employee travels for Umrah using e-coupons, airasia could consider offering a special benefit of deducting only one point instead of two for each sector. This thoughtful gesture acknowledges the once-in-a-lifetime nature of this opportunity during an employee's tenure.

Mohammed Haffez Basarath's inspiring journey to fulfill his dream of performing Umrah with his family highlights the profound impact of airasia's e-coupon program. Through leveraging these exclusive benefits, he adeptly maximised the opportunity while achieving substantial cost savings. Haffez's experience serves as an inspiration and motivation for employees to explore and seize the remarkable benefits provided by airasia, transforming aspirations into tangible realities.