Matta Fair March Tips and Tricks

Tips and Tricks for Matta Fair

Here are some Matta Fair March Tips and Tricks for those planning to visit the largest travel fair in Malaysia this March. As you may already hear of this, sometimes one cannot be too confident while visiting this travel event in Kuala Lumpur. 

Since I have been going to Matta since 2008, I have managed to talk to a number of people about what goes on here and other related topics that can be used as a rough guide for those planning to go there. 

Matta Fair Tips and Tricks 

The most important thing to remember is your main reason for going there. Is it to just look-see, explore the choices or gunning for that particular travel package? Or is it to collect the flyers and re-sell them to a paper recycling center?

Anyway, we all have our own little reason why we wait for the promotions at Matta Fair. It is said that the best deals can be found here, but then again, you have to be aware of what you are buying. Below are some tips and tricks for those heading to PWTC this coming March or September.   

Cheap travel package at Matta Fair
Cheap packages at Matta Fair

PWTC has Three Entrances for the Matta Fair - the main entrance would be right in front of the Sunway Putra Shopping Mall or the old 'The Mall' next to the Seri Pacific Hotel. The other entrance is located along Jalan Rahmat which is off Jalan Ipoh.

 The regulars or vendors usually use the second entrance to the Matta Fair as it is much easier to get in and the third entrance is via the UMNO Building main entrance, most people use this as a drop off point. There is parking up there but not cheap as well. I usually go through the second entrance to PWTC.

Parking at PWTC? This is a nightmare if you are planning on doing so. Unless of course,  you come at 8am. Alternatively, you can leave your car at the hotel car jockey, but this will cost you from RM20-40 depending on how long you are there. Another way is to park at Hentian Putra Bus Terminal but I have heard that break-ins have happened there so park at your own risk.

The other car park is over at Sunway Putra Mall, hourly rates and you just cross the road. Sometimes I will park at the open-aired car parks along Jalan Putra, right after the LRT station. The rates are fixed at RM8 or RM10 for the entire day.

Then it is a short 300-500 meter walk to PWTC. Never, I repeat, never park illegally along the main roads here, you are guaranteed to get a police summons, or worst, get your car towed away!

My legs are killing me! The smartest thing to do is come wearing a pair of comfortable walkabout shoes or sports shows as you never know how long you will take here. Forget the high heels as it is going to hurt your legs after a few hours. The place is huge as there are three main halls there where you will be walking a lot. 

Hungry? Yes, everyone needs to eat, so at the Matta Fair, there are a number of choices of food available. However, these are event prices, so prepare to pay a little more while the selections are poor. Here are some other places nearby where you can get some decent food. At Sunway Putra Mall, there is a food court on the top level.

There are cafes and fast-food restaurants on the ground floor while a Starbucks is out front for the coffee lovers.

At the second entrance (Jalan Rahmat) there are various restaurants selling Malay and Mamak food which is street prices.

Inside the PWTC, there is a Riverside Cafe which is slightly on the higher side. Otherwise, you can pack some sandwiches and drinks to bring along to the fair.

I lost my phone and wallet! Yes, at crowded places in KL, it is no surprise that pickpockets operate in full force. You can never be too safe at events like these.

Always keep your belongings close to you and ladies, when you carry handbags, please zip them up! Also for those with backpacks, watch those zippers behind as thieves can easily unzip and take stuff out.

Help! I lost my child! Yes, not uncommon but it does happen. They have an intercom service but in this case, please go to the main information center if this happens. Best to always keep an eye on your children.

Mummy, I want to go home! Yes, this is a common problem when you bring your children there. If you want to browse and get the best deal after five hours of shopping around, you might as well leave the kids with a baby sitter or family member.

Bringing them here will simply make things a little difficult. Seriously, what can the kids learn from this except mingling with thousands of people?

Is the place Wheelchair Friendly? Yes, it is, but you need to check with the relevant authorities about using an elevator to get to the first floor of the building.

Otherwise, it is the main escalators up and down. Inside the halls, there is space to move around and the link bridge is also wheelchair friendly. 

Is it hot there? Is there air conditioning? Yes, the entire three halls are fully air-conditioned. However, at Hall 3, it can get crowded and stuffy at times. 

Are there toilets there and more importantly, are they clean? There are toilets in every hall located on the sides. Outside the event area in PWTC, there are some large toilets as well.

However, since there are tens of thousands of people moving in and out, you should not expect a 100% clean washroom. Bring your own sanitizers if you must.

Should I bring bag loads of cash or credit cards? Since most of the travel packages only require a minimal booking fee, you need not do so. Credit cards are accepted by almost all agents there. Cheques are accepted by some companies but I would advise not to.

Can I smoke there? Not in the main halls. There are smoking areas as you exit Hall 3 to go to the linkway (across the river).

Just before you enter Hall 1 and 2 along the linkway, there are ashtrays at the side. Otherwise, you need to exit the fair, do your stuff and then get back in.

Can I bring my pet? Of course not! Are you crazy?

Club Med Promotions at Matta Fair
Club Med Promotions at Matta Fair

What is the best deal at Matta Fair? 

The golden question everyone is asking. My tip is to carefully select the deal that you want, check with a few operators on prices and most importantly, the Terms and Conditions!

Many people make that mistake of buying a cheap package without realizing the terms of the packages. Here is a glossary of the travel packages sold so you understand it better;
  • The validity of the Travel Packages - Before I start, everyone should know that when you buy any packages at the Matta Fair, the validity of it ranges from 3 months to 6 months. So this means, you have to plan ahead well in advance.

    ALL travel companies will take a deposit when you make any purchase during the fair. You can then make the full payment after the fair at the respective travel company or you can give them your credit card details. They will issue you a Receipt or Booking Form too, please do not lose that!
  • Ground Only - This means there is no flight tickets or airport transfers included. Sometimes you will see 'Beijing 4D/3N at RM888' and you need to ask the company what is in this deal, what kind of hotel and what else is included.

    }Most of the time it is Free and Easy, this means, you just get the hotel room only. Meals may or may not be included too. Sometimes they are sold as Free & Easy Packages, Ground Only.

    You buy this package, then you buy your flight tickets by yourself. The downside, after you book your package, the flights may be expensive on those dates or vice-versa.

    Solution:
    Bring your own  tablet or smartphone with Internet access, when you check the packages, check flight tickets online at that moment so you can get the best of both and save on your holiday.
  • Series Group  - This is when you see super cheap packages being sold, BUT this is a Fixed Departure Date and Fixed Group Size. This means the dates are pre-set, you cannot move them around and also the group will only depart when it reaches a fixed size of let's say 20 in a group.

    Example: You and your wife buy this package, so you would be 2 out of 20. When they reach 20 people who bought the same package, then the tour is a go-ahead as scheduled.

    You must read the terms and conditions or ask them all questions before buying these. Technically, your holiday is in the tour company's hands. 
  • Flight Tickets - You can get some really good flight ticket deals at Matta Fair. Most of the travel agents get cheaper rates from airlines, therefore, it is a bulk game. You can simply go to any agent and ask them about ticket prices too.

    AirAsia, FireFly and Malaysia Airlines would also have their ticketing counters there as well. So if you are unsure about flight tickets, you can just ask them everything you want to know.

    Other international airlines have booths there but they only provide information about their promotions.
  • Outside Matta Fair - I am sure you have seen the big travel companies like Reliance Travel or Mayflower promotion booths before entering the Matta Fair.

    In actual terms, they are not part of the Matta Fair, what they do is rent the outside areas to have their own little travel fair.

    In a way, they are riding on the fact that thousands of people are visiting the fair. Sometimes they even have it at the main concourse of the Sunway Putra Mall opposite PWTC.

    You can see staff in uniforms standing at the LRT station and along the main roads targeting the visitors who are going to the fair.

    Pros and Cons:
    No wrong here, but if you buy from them, you will miss out on the amazing Matta Fair Lucky Draw where lucky visitors who purchase packages stand a chance to win RM20000 and travel trips. 
  • Cruise Packages - From local Southeast Asian cruises to International Cruises, these are the high-end packages. Cruise companies and travel agents sell all sorts of cruises. Popular ones include the 20-30 days Alaska Cruise, Scandinavian Cruise and even Caribbean Cruises.

    Note that these packages are well over RM5000 and can reach RM20k per person. Local cruises to Phuket or Krabi are also popular due to the on-board casinos that cater to those who enjoy gambling on holiday.
  • Buy One Free One - This is very well known with Club Med Packages as every year, the resort offers these packages to many of their resorts around Southeast Asia from Bintan to the Maldives. Honeymooners or romantic couples usually go for these deals.

    On the light side, if you always wanted to experience the Maldives on a budget, this is something to look into.

    Some other companies may also offer packages like these, but then again, you need to check the terms and conditions carefully.
     
Visitors to the Matta Fair
Visitors comparing prices from travel brochures

Summary: Well, there are those who go early on day one (Friday) to avoid the weekend rush and just get whatever they want. While there are some who come on all three days to scout booth by booth and finally making the purchase on the last day before dinner.

Sometimes, travel agents may throw prices or offer 'Last Day Special' deals. One of the reasons is that on the 3rd day, they may have not hit their quota so they need to have a quick sale. Another is that most of the exhibitors would be packing up to go back by 8.00pm.

A lot of them come from around Malaysia, therefore, they need to prepare and catch the early morning flight or bus back and then clock in at the office the same morning. Such is life... I've heard some even fly back on the last flight from KL on the 3rd day of the fair.

The conclusion on the Matta Fair March Tips and Tricks

Overall, it can get hectic or stressful when you visit this fair, the best is to come prepared so you know what to expect.

I hope the information provided here will be of some help as this is purely done by me to share with all of you some Matta Fair March tips and tricks.

Malaysia Asia

Blogging since 2007, but writing online since 1997. I belong to the 1st generation of worldwide bloggers, which is of course old-school. Since 2008, I created Malaysia Asia and this travel, flood, gadget and lifestyle blog has won numerous physical awards from tourism boards around Malaysia. (Not those online awards). After 12 years of blogging, I have semi-retired and now blog about things I like, do product reviews and enjoy life. My work has been featured in Lonely Planet, CNN Travel, Yahoo Travel, Wall Street Journal, and many other international publications. Find out more about me and thank you.

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