Far Eastern Air launches early-bird off-peak fares to win over passengers; Taipei–Kinmen routes can save NT$676

▲After fare hikes in January 2014, Far Eastern Air rolls out early-bird discounts to retain customers. (Photo / Screenshot from Far Eastern Air’s Facebook)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

With the government announcing the implementation of new domestic flight fare policies starting January 1, 2014, to alleviate the travel burden for passengers commuting between Taiwan and its outlying islands, Far Eastern Air will introduce “Early-Bird Off-Peak Discount Tickets” from January 1, 2014. Passengers who book and purchase tickets online or via ibon and famiport at least 14 days before departure can enjoy a 30% discount on the full fare for selected flights.

Far Eastern Air currently operates four domestic routes: “Taipei–Makung,” “Taipei–Kinmen,” “Kaohsiung–Makung,” and “Kaohsiung–Kinmen.” Flights departing from Taiwan (Taipei and Kaohsiung) to outlying islands (Kinmen and Makung) after 2:00 PM, as well as flights from Kinmen to Taiwan (Taipei and Kaohsiung) before 11:00 AM and from Makung to Taiwan (Taipei and Kaohsiung) before 1:00 PM, are considered off-peak hours. Passengers who book and purchase tickets at least 14 days before departure can enjoy a 30% discount on the full fare. For example, the full fare for the “Taipei–Kinmen” route is NT$2,255, while the early-bird off-peak ticket price is NT$1,579, saving you NT$676.

▲Information on related fare details for Far Eastern Air’s early-bird off-peak discount tickets. (Photo / Provided by Far Eastern Air)

Once booked and purchased, early-bird off-peak discount tickets are only valid for the booked date and flight. Passengers traveling outside the designated time must process a refund and rebook, and are not allowed to pay the fare difference to upgrade to the full fare. A 15% handling fee of the ticket price will be charged for refunds.

Far Eastern Air stated that some flights during the 2014 Lunar New Year and national holidays are not eligible for the early-bird off-peak fare discount. For instance, from January 24 to February 6, 2014, is the Lunar New Year transport control period, during which flights from Taiwan proper to outlying islands (January 28 to February 2) and from outlying islands to Taiwan proper (February 1 to February 6) are under forward and reverse transport bans respectively. During these periods and for these directions, the early-bird off-peak discount fare does not apply. Actual fares and usage terms are subject to Far Eastern Air’s official announcements.