5 Tips for Your Budget Travel
1. Note official Philippine holidays (and long weekends) to maximize your travel dates. Aside from Holy Week and Christmas season, other long weekends are in August and October.
2. Follow the airline's Twitter feed or Facebook page since promos and discounts are posted immediately there. Forget subscribing to email updates because they usually come a day or two later. Promo fares are usually posted a day or two before Philippine holidays. The elusive Piso fare has increased in recent years, so even if the base fare is Php 1, taxes and surcharges will usually cost you around Php 3000 for a roundtrip domestic travel or Php 4000-5000 for a roundtrip Asean travel. Back then, Cebu Pacific starts its sale at 12 midnight, but recently they've also released it at 6am.
If you can't get the elusive Piso fare, either of the following is already a good deal during the other promo dates (roundtrip per adult):
3. Don't have a credit card? Sign up for a prepaid debit card like BPI Eprepaid Mastercard or More Fun Visa card, UnionBank Eon, etc. which are accepted by Cebu Pacific and PAL. [This is not an advertisement/endorsement] I use these alternately for my bookings and never had any problems with them.
For example, if your statement cut-off date is the 6th of every month,
Print out your booking confirmation and keep copies so you can present it to Immigration (Philippines or abroad) when asked for it. Also take note of their contact numbers so you can call them. The booking confirmation sometimes contains the name and address of the hotel in the local language so you can show it to your cab driver or any local for directions.
But... sometimes it's not always cheaper if you book early. If you're traveling to a city during the summer, on holidays (Chinese New Year, Christmas, etc.) or for special yearly events like F1, Rugby Sevens, etc. it's best to book early.
If you're traveling during the low/off season, sometimes hostels and hotels discount their rates to fill up their rooms. Try checking at least 3 weeks before your flight to compare prices. Want to switch hotels on the same day or need to spend an extra night in the city? Try installing the Hotel Quickly app to look for hotels near your location and use my promo code to get a discount.
2. Follow the airline's Twitter feed or Facebook page since promos and discounts are posted immediately there. Forget subscribing to email updates because they usually come a day or two later. Promo fares are usually posted a day or two before Philippine holidays. The elusive Piso fare has increased in recent years, so even if the base fare is Php 1, taxes and surcharges will usually cost you around Php 3000 for a roundtrip domestic travel or Php 4000-5000 for a roundtrip Asean travel. Back then, Cebu Pacific starts its sale at 12 midnight, but recently they've also released it at 6am.
If you can't get the elusive Piso fare, either of the following is already a good deal during the other promo dates (roundtrip per adult):
- For trips that are 4-6 months or more from departure date,
- Domestic (within the Philippines) -- less than Php 3500
- International Outbound (departing from the Philippines) -- less than Php 6000
- For trips less than 2 months from departure date
- Domestic -- less than Php 3500
- International Outbound -- less than Php 6000
Also do watch out for airline anniversary promos and new route launches.
Dates for promo fares are usually leaving Manila on a Sunday or at the start of the week (Monday, Tuesday) or the flights are very early in the morning at 4 or 5am or late in the evening (also known as red eye flights) so take this into consideration especially if you're traveling with kids or seniors.
Want to maximize your trip? Book the earliest flight to the destination and the latest return flight to the Philippines.
Want to maximize your trip? Book the earliest flight to the destination and the latest return flight to the Philippines.
- For short trips (domestic or international flights less than 4 hours), book without prepaid baggage, meals, and seat selection to save on costs (uncheck). I usually travel with carry on luggage (my backpack) when departing from Manila then purchase prepaid luggage before my flight back to Manila, especially when I've bought some stuff during my trip.
- Travel insurance is optional but with the recent trend of flight delays, cancellations, and other bruhaha involving budget airlines, it would be wise to purchase one especially for longer flight travel or if you're traveling with seniors.
3. Don't have a credit card? Sign up for a prepaid debit card like BPI Eprepaid Mastercard or More Fun Visa card, UnionBank Eon, etc. which are accepted by Cebu Pacific and PAL. [This is not an advertisement/endorsement] I use these alternately for my bookings and never had any problems with them.
Unlike a credit card, you will need to load money into the debit cards via bank deposit (or bank transfer if you have an account with BPI or UnionBank) or over the counter (for Globe Gcash Amex or thru BPI ).
4. If you're using your credit card, make sure to book flights/hotels after your statement cut-off date so that the billing charge will be reflected on your next billing cycle to be payable on the succeeding month.
For example, if your statement cut-off date is the 6th of every month,
- if you book flights/hotels before July 6, you will have to pay for it at the end of July
- whereas, if you book after July 6, it will be included in your next billing cycle which is August 6 and to be payable due at the end of August
5. Book your hotel/accommodation at least 3-4 months before your trip.
Popular booking sites include Agoda.com and Booking.com, and recently airbnb.com.
Hotels/hostels near tourist spots/city center are more expensive compared to those located just outside the city. Plus points if you can find accommodations that are within walking distance of public transportation like a bus stop or MTR/MRT station.
- Novena, Balestier, Geylang, etc. in Singapore
- MongKok, Jordan, Yau Ma Tei, Tin Hau, etc. in Hong Kong
If you subscribe to their email updates, you can get info on special discounts on selected dates and venues. Do note that some have a "no cancellation" policy.
Hotel/hostel policy varies so make sure to read the terms & conditions. Some require a deposit/booking charge (usually about 10% of the total fee) or require a valid credit card prior to booking.
Make sure to note their cancellation policies and the dates to avoid forfeiture of your deposit. Some would charge the 1st night or the total stay even if you are a no-show or failed to cancel your booking, so make sure to read the fine print.
Print out your booking confirmation and keep copies so you can present it to Immigration (Philippines or abroad) when asked for it. Also take note of their contact numbers so you can call them. The booking confirmation sometimes contains the name and address of the hotel in the local language so you can show it to your cab driver or any local for directions.
But... sometimes it's not always cheaper if you book early. If you're traveling to a city during the summer, on holidays (Chinese New Year, Christmas, etc.) or for special yearly events like F1, Rugby Sevens, etc. it's best to book early.
If you're traveling during the low/off season, sometimes hostels and hotels discount their rates to fill up their rooms. Try checking at least 3 weeks before your flight to compare prices. Want to switch hotels on the same day or need to spend an extra night in the city? Try installing the Hotel Quickly app to look for hotels near your location and use my promo code to get a discount.
11:07 AM
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