Manila Tread for English Speakers - join here!

[Rosey_L]

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)

That's St. Raphael Travel and Tours, based in Manila. They give discounts for first time immigrants. They only do cash though.

 

[Dan_from_Surrey]

Quick question regarding purchasing airfares - is it cool to buy from whomever, and have your mate print them up on their side? Ie: I buy the tickets on Expedia, wifey prints them up at a internet cafe, and over they come? I mean no ones knows of any restriction or anything against buying tickets for someone in the Phils, do they?

May seem like a goofy question, but I have this little nagging voice in the back of my head that I read about this for some other countries, and can't remember for the life of me, where or what I read, (or even if I really did read it now) I think old age is rearing it ugly head at me

 

[Steph C]

Quick question regarding purchasing airfares - is it cool to buy from whomever, and have your mate print them up on their side? Ie: I buy the tickets on Expedia, wifey prints them up at a internet cafe, and over they come? I mean no ones knows of any restriction or anything against buying tickets for someone in the Phils, do they?

May seem like a goofy question, but I have this little nagging voice in the back of my head that I read about this for some other countries, and can't remember for the life of me, where or what I read, (or even if I really did read it now) I think old age is rearing it ugly head at me

As scary as it may sound, you need to scan your credit card that you used to buy the flight and send it to the MRS. to print out. They may ask for a photocopy of the original card when she checks in.

 

[chelseaviel]

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.

Thanks for the info gooner! it's really helpful

 

[Dan_from_Surrey]

As scary as it may sound, you need to scan your credit card that you used to buy the flight and send it to the MRS. to print out. They may ask for a photocopy of the original card when she checks in.

Thanks Steph, now there is a bit I didn't know.

 

[CanadianJeepGuy]

She is going to look into buying her ticket there and I will get mine here since there is no savings in buying more than one ticket. She will contact PAL directly and maybe save the agent fee.

 

[Steph C]

Thanks Steph, now there is a bit I didn't know.

Just don't let her stop too long in Hong Kong with that

 

[truesmile]

She is going to look into buying her ticket there and I will get mine here since there is no savings in buying more than one ticket. She will contact PAL directly and maybe save the agent fee.

Whatever you do, don't purchase "preferred legroom" seating from PAL. They repeatedly have attempted NOT to honour that small tidbit with me on more than one occasion. Reserved... paid for... even SEAT ASSIGNED. I almost went 'postal'! (Present company excluded of course).

 

[CanadianJeepGuy]

Whatever you do, don't purchase "preferred legroom" seating from PAL. They repeatedly have attempted NOT to honour that small tidbit with me on more than one occasion. Reserved... paid for... even SEAT ASSIGNED. I almost went 'postal'! (Present company excluded of course).

When I fly Delta I usually get that upgrade. So PAL charges you for it but doesn't give it to you?

 

[truesmile]

They try to tell you "sir that seat is occupied" blah blah blah. First time I was caught off guard and was too 'amicable'... I was ready the 2nd time. I said "Yeah it's occupied all right ... by ME! - Go fix it!" It took her 2 or 3 trips to her supervisor to rectify.

Since our attention is on the matter, you should be aware that the best and only good legroom seats on PAL are row 41 (not the centre section), all the others your feet are still bumping the bulkhead (which to me is worse than having a seat in front of you that has space under it).

 

[GoonerClank]

She is going to look into buying her ticket there and I will get mine here since there is no savings in buying more than one ticket. She will contact PAL directly and maybe save the agent fee.

That is another way to do it. I would try to make sure she knows roughly what price to pay and what day/times for the flights.

 

[CanadianJeepGuy]

They try to tell you "sir that seat is occupied" blah blah blah. First time I was caught off guard and was too 'amicable'... I was ready the 2nd time. I said "Yeah it's occupied all right ... by ME! - Go fix it!" It took her 2 or 3 trips to her supervisor to rectify.

Since our attention is on the matter, you should be aware that the best and only good legroom seats on PAL are row 41 (not the centre section), all the others your feet are still bumping the bulkhead (which to me is worse than having a seat in front of you that has space under it).

Last time I flew on Pal I had the aisle seat in the centre row. That was pretty good. Flying there the plane was mostly empty so you could stretch out and actually sleep along the seats. Coming back the place was packed.

 

[doljan]

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?

we did mine thru expedia, but you can compare prices online to get the best deal, theres cheapoair, travelocity to name a few...
mine was only less than 800 including taxes but twas 3 weeks advance booking...

 

[doljan]

Quick question regarding purchasing airfares - is it cool to buy from whomever, and have your mate print them up on their side? Ie: I buy the tickets on Expedia, wifey prints them up at a internet cafe, and over they come? I mean no ones knows of any restriction or anything against buying tickets for someone in the Phils, do they?

May seem like a goofy question, but I have this little nagging voice in the back of my head that I read about this for some other countries, and can't remember for the life of me, where or what I read, (or even if I really did read it now) I think old age is rearing it ugly head at me

you can buy or book online in your preferred travel site and just forward the confirmation mail to your partner in the phil and she can print it out.
we did mine that way and there were no problemo.. regarding with the airline asking for photocopy of credit card, that i'm not sure as they did not ask one from me. i flew thru PAL out of manila and connects Air Canada in hongkong...

 

[Dan_from_Surrey]

Just don't let her stop too long in Hong Kong with that

When we finally get this done and over with, it will be a non stop flight from Manila to YVR, no shopping lay overs