Manila Tread for English Speakers - join here!

[Luckyman]

Mmmm..... Crispy rooster... Haha

 

[truesmile]

Toronto-bound here as well. I emailed PAL last week regarding custom-clearing for Manila-Toronto flight, and here's their response:

Dear Madam,

Thank you for your email. Please allow us to clarify that when the flight stops in Vancouver, all passengers will be required to deplane and clear Immigrations in Vancouver. After clearance, passengers will take the same aircraft to Toronto. For further inquiries, please call our Reservations office to be assisted.

Thank you,

Customer Relations

Reservations
Manila, Philippines (24 hours)
Tel : (632) 855-8888


When PAL launched Manila-Toronto flight Nov last year, twas supposed to be a non-stop flight, but I guess they changed it as there's now a 1.5hr stop in Vancouver. I was kinda haggling with my husband to go this route to avoid staying in HK but he'd want me to take Manila-HK-Toronto via Cathay Pacific and clear custom in Toronto, and not in Vancouver.

I will call PAL probably once I received my PPR to clarify things further, and I'll ask them if 1.5hrs is enough to clear things in Vancouver.

Took this flight less than a month ago. I did NOT deplane in Vancouver and I most certainly DID clear customs in Toronto. There's NO way they would hold up a Boeing 777 with the customs clearance of all passengers hanging in the balance.

 

[CanadianJeepGuy]

This thread is getting quiet now that we are all waiting for the last few pieces to fall into place.

 

[chelseaviel]

Hello guys,

Just want to ask if it is wise to buy the plane ticket in canada than in the philippines? Thanks!

 

[CanadianJeepGuy]

Hello guys,

Just want to ask if it is wise to buy the plane ticket in canada than in the philippines? Thanks!

I was wondering that myself. If I was to buy my ticket here and my wife get her 1 way ticket from there.

 

[Rosey_L]

Took this flight less than a month ago. I did NOT deplane in Vancouver and I most certainly DID clear customs in Toronto. There's NO way they would hold up a Boeing 777 with the customs clearance of all passengers hanging in the balance.

that info came from PAL a week ago.

 

[Rosey_L]

Thanks Rosey_L, let us know if you decide on this flight. I am sure there is a few of us in Ontario that would be interested.

i'll call PAL tomorrow, and clarify this further. i thought i've read in the other Manila thread that someone took this flight, and they had to inform the officers about their connecting flight, but I can't find it anymore, I will look for that again ;D i was kinda hesitant with Cathay because last time my husband took that flight, he had to stay in HK for 6hrs.

 

[doljan]

Hello guys,

Just want to ask if it is wise to buy the plane ticket in canada than in the philippines? Thanks!

if you book online, it will be the same price whether you pay in canada or phil... ;D

 

[Luckyman]

Question..... Does anybody know how they'll send copr and package?

I'd assume lbc.... But there are 5 courier companies in masbate city with lbc being the most popular?

Thanks!

 

[Steph C]

Question..... Does anybody know how they'll send copr and package?

I'd assume lbc.... But there are 5 courier companies in masbate city with lbc being the most popular?

Thanks!

DHL is the company of choice

 

[Luckyman]

Great... Thanks Steph... There is no DHL in Masbate... But LBC=DHL because LBC is owned by them. Even when I sent my wife things DHL from Canada they ended up LBC in Masbate.

That's helps a lot!

Cheers!

 

[chelseaviel]

if you book online, it will be the same price whether you pay in canada or phil... ;D

Hi doljan thanks for the reply!

If I book online am I able to print the booking certificate from there too? Do you have any suggestions which site is offering a best price for the ticket?

 

[scos]

Been trying to find a shipping company I saw months ago. I know I saved the link somewhere. I heard just using normal mail isn't bad. One place was charging $60 per box. The place I remember was something like $120 for 3 boxes.

 

[GoonerClank]

Hi doljan thanks for the reply!

If I book online am I able to print the booking certificate from there too? Do you have any suggestions which site is offering a best price for the ticket?

Sites that I find are good (just a couple):

Expedia.ca - shows some deals that were not on the usual place I look
hipmunk.com - has a really nice way of displaying the flights. User interface is easier to use
kayak.com - you can see prices + or - 3 days from your target day
Orbitz.com - is not bad either

One site I would not use is travelocity. I had problems with them in the past, hence my approach of going to an travel agent.

There is also a site in the Philippines: http://www.santraphael.com/home.php (I am totally unsure about this site. Also the prices do not include the taxes and fees)

For me I take a print out of the flight I want and go to a Flight Centre rep (The travel agency is nearby) They have a policy of matching any price. This way I can find out about any hidden things about the flight. Flight Centre will email you a .pdf of the booking certificate which you can print and or send to your significant other to print.

 

[GoonerClank]

This thread is getting quiet now that we are all waiting for the last few pieces to fall into place.

I notice that too... is it the calm before the storm?