No two Agodans are the same, so why should their employee benefits be? While traditional benefits are important, everyone has different goals, interests, and priorities outside of work. That’s why we offer Agoda Choice, a flexible benefits program that lets employees decide what matters most to them—whether that’s health and fitness, learning and development, personal travel, or grooming and wellness.
One of the best things about Agoda Choice is seeing the many different ways people use it. Some Agodans have used the benefit to learn a new skill, others have revisited a long-forgotten passion, and some have used it to create meaningful experiences with family and friends. The common thread? Having the flexibility to invest in something that adds value to their lives.
Read on to see how these Agodans have made the most of Agoda Choice.
Kathak Dance Classes
Srimantini Velmurugan
Accommodation Services Senior Specialist
I learned that Agoda Choice could be used for classes that support health, fitness, and learning, making it the perfect fit for my Kathak dance classes. Kathak, one of the eight major forms of Indian classical dance, has always been a passion of mine. It keeps me physically active, helps me relieve stress, and gives me a creative outlet for self-expression. However, I hadn’t practiced it in years.
Returning to Kathak has been incredibly rewarding. Practicing regularly has lifted my mood on low days and helped me channel my energy positively on good days. Along the way, I’ve strengthened important qualities such as teamwork, asking for help, persistence, patience, observation, and discipline. I’ve brought these lessons back to work, which has made me a more focused and collaborative team member.
Restarting a passion I had paused for over ten years was deeply meaningful. It reminded me that age is just a number and gave me the confidence to pursue what I love again. 40 truly feels like the new 20!
Family Reunions
Michael Santoso
Staff Software Engineer
Living away from my home country, I don’t get to spend as much time with my family as I’d like. That’s why I chose to use Agoda Choice to help my mother travel from Indonesia to Thailand, so that she can be part of the important moments in our lives.
It’s not easy for my mother to fly often, but Agoda Choice helps to bridge that gap, allowing my family to focus on what matters most: enjoying quality time together and making memories that will last a long time.
This experience has been especially meaningful because my family comes from a mix of cultures. My son is half Indonesian and half Thai, and these visits allow him to build a closer relationship with his grandmother and connect more deeply with his Indonesian heritage.
I miss my mom a lot, and having her here makes me feel happier, more emotionally balanced, and more connected as a son, husband, and father. It was very special to watch my mom spend time with my wife’s family, share experiences, and build connections despite the language barrier.
For me, the value of Agoda Choice lies in its flexibility. At other times, I’ve also used it to support my professional growth through online courses and conferences. That’s something I really appreciate: it’s able to support both personal wellbeing and career development, allowing me to invest in what matters most at different stages of life.
Windsurfing Classes
The Anh Phan
Senior Strategic Account Manager, Key Accounts
For me, Mui Ne always felt like a place where time moved differently. Every time I visited, the salty breeze, the endless stretch of sea, and the golden light over the shoreline instantly made everything feel lighter. My latest trip started as a chance to rest, but it ended up giving me something much more meaningful.
This time, I decided to use Agoda Choice, a company benefit that I’d always appreciated but never fully explored. Instead of choosing something familiar, I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone. That’s how I found myself signing up for a windsurfing class.
At first, it was anything but easy. I struggled to balance, fell into the sea countless times, and questioned whether I would ever get the hang of it. But with each attempt, frustration gave way to excitement. Slowly, I learned that windsurfing isn’t about fighting the wind and waves: it’s about working with them.
Then came the breakthrough moment: the sail caught the wind just right, the board started gliding forward, and for a few seconds, I was no longer struggling. I was riding. That moment felt bigger than just learning a sport. It showed me how rewarding it can be to embrace the unfamiliar, even when it feels awkward at first.
Thanks to Agoda Choice, I came home with a fresh perspective, a surprisingly fun new skill, and a renewed sense of confidence. What could have been a simple beach getaway became a real adventure — and a reminder that the best souvenirs aren’t the things you bring home, but the experiences that stay with you.
Private Pilates Training
Fah Chokpitiboon
Senior Software Engineer in Test
I’d been eyeing private Pilates classes for a long time, but the high cost always held me back. Agoda Choice changed that. With the subsidy, it felt almost like getting a free trial opportunity, and it gave me the push I needed to finally go for it.
Now, I’ve been using Agoda Choice to book 1:1 Pilates classes that perfectly match my introvert lifestyle—I can fully focus on myself without any distractions. I’ve been training once a week for over a year now, and I’ve gained so much balance and strength in areas that regular self-training couldn’t really target.
This benefit has been a huge support for my wellness journey. The subsidy allows me to book larger class packages with better discounts. It’s not just financial support—it’s also the confidence boost that encourages me to invest in myself and keep going consistently.
The most memorable part is realizing how much stronger I’ve become over time. I know I wouldn’t be able to train this effectively on my own. It feels amazing every time I notice my progress, and that feeling keeps me excited to show up and continue this journey.
Wine Courses
Natcha Sanguankiattichai
Senior Specialist, Internal Communications & Employer Branding
I appreciate the way Agoda Choice encourages me to reflect and take stock of what matters to me. Each year, it prompts me to think about how I want to invest in my learning and wellness, and what I want to prioritize in the months ahead.
I’ve always been interested in food and drinks and curious to learn more. Over the years, I’ve used my Agoda Choice budget to learn how to make bread, taste chocolate, brew coffee, and understand wine.
Back in 2020, I took a Level 1 wine course with an Agoda colleague. While it only scratched the surface of the world of wine, it was enough to shift my perspective and make me more intentional in the way I appreciate it. Countless bottles of wine later, my interest continued to grow. So last year, my Agoda Choice budget contributed to the cost of my Level 2 course.
I enjoyed tasting a wide variety of wines from different regions and learning how grape varieties, winemaking techniques, terroir, and climate influence flavor. Taking the class made me feel more confident in choosing and talking about wine. Now I share that passion and knowledge with others by hosting wine gatherings and helping people discover what they enjoy.
Skin-Diving Classes
Tomomi Fujiura
Quality Assurance Senior Specialist
I’ve always wanted to try skin-diving, and this benefit gave me the perfect push to finally do it. The idea of seeing fish up close and feeling like part of the ocean was incredibly exciting. I started by booking a few practice sessions at a diving pool and eventually joined a skin-diving tour to earn my license.
What I love most about this sport is that it gives you the chance to experience the ocean in a completely different way. One thing I didn’t expect, however, was how calming it would be. Being underwater felt incredibly peaceful, allowing me to unplug, recharge, and clear my mind in a way that’s hard to do elsewhere. At the same time, stepping out of my comfort zone to try something new gave me a real confidence boost.
The most memorable moment was looking up at the glittering sunlight from more than 10 meters below the surface for the first time. It was both humbling and beautiful. I also discovered something surprising about myself along the way: I can hold my breath for four minutes!
Since that first tour, skin-diving has grown into a passion of mine. I’ve explored the waters around the Izu Islands and Sagami Bay in Japan, and even swan with manta rays in Bali, Indonesia! Thanks to Agoda Choice, I’ve not only gained a new hobby and certification, but also a deeper sense of confidence and adventure.
