Travel Notes

How to Refund Terminal Fee from Cebu Pacific

You can only refund the terminal fee if you were not able to take your flight. Applicable only for flights from February 1, 2015 onwards.

If you booked via AirAsia, click here to go to their FAQ.

If you booked via Philippine Airlines (PAL), click here to go to their FAQ.

For other airlines, go to their respective website or contact your travel agent.

How much is the terminal fee refund?

For flights departing from Manila, it's Php 200 for domestic and Php 550 for international.
For flights departing from Cebu, it's Php 300 for domestic and Php 850 for international (starting July 1, 2018; Php 750 if earlier)
Clark is an exception because it's not included when you book your ticket and you need to pay at the airport.
For flights departing from other domestic airports, please refer to your eticket and look for "Passenger Service Charge" aka terminal fee. Terminal fees for international flights departing from these airports are not included in your ticket and are paid at the airport.

How will I receive the refund?

If you booked via credit card or Paypal, it will be credited there. Check your card statement.
If you booked and paid cash at a travel agent or accredited payment center like banks/Bayad Center/SM/LBC etc, please proceed to a Cebu Pacific ticketing office (click here).

I booked a flight last year around October bound for Hong Kong but wasn't able to go. Then I remembered that I read recently that you can now apply for a refund of the terminal fee or passenger service charge for unused flights (see here).

I booked mine via Traveloka but filed the request at the Cebu Pacific website (click here). You just need to enter the information like booking reference number, name of passenger, and the flight details.

Under the type of feedback, click the dropdown arrow and select Request.

I sent the request Sunday night and was surprised to receive an email regarding my request the following Monday morning.

email confirmation your request has been processed

It's now the waiting game on when it will actually be refunded.

Puerto Princesa and El Nido Itinerary 2018: Getting Around the City

Visited Puerto Princesa again for the 3rd time to attend a convention and also took a sidetrip to El Nido.

Arriving at the new Puerto Princesa airport

The new airport in Puerto Princesa is a little bigger, a bit more modern with high ceilings, more seats, and bigger parking. It's located at

There are charging stations set up near the boarding gates. Just look for the Smart signpost with tables. The outlets are close to one another and also have a USB port (probably up to 1 Amp) for those who don't have their chargers.

There are small pasalubong shops that sells trinkets, magnets, keychains, etc and delicacies. Prices are a bit more expensive at the airport compared to the market and pasalubong center in the city.
Tipas hopia sells for Php 75 per box and the saleslady says they're delivered daily.

There are 2 food stalls at the departure area 2nd floor.

Tips:

First time travelling to the Philippines?

Pick up a sim card at either the Globe or Smart booth at the arrivals area (opposite the luggage claim and before you exit the airport). They can also load credits onto the sim (local term is 'load' instead of credits or top up) and allow you to sign up for a prepaid mobile data promo (costs US$10-20). Wifi isn't reliable in most hostels, hotels, and restaurants.

For Globe, you can use GOSAKTO140 and send to 8080 for 2GB mobile data and unlimited calls and texts to a Globe number for 7 days.
or opt for a Mobile 4G wifi device if your phone is locked to your carrier. You can purchase one at a Globe or Smart store in one of the major malls in Puerto Princesa like Robinson's, or SM City Puerto Princesa.

You can prebook your tours in Puerto Princesa using Paypal

Getting to the City

You can take a tricycle (Php 50/trip for 1-4 people) to the city. If you're staying farther from Rizal Avenue, the trip may cost up to Php 80 per trip.

There aren't a lot of taxis at the airport and there's no TNCs like Grab or Uber so your other options is either a trike or a private car/van charter.

Getting to El Nido

Land transfer usually takes 5-6 hours or take a direct flight to El Nido Lio airport via AirSwift

Van transfer via Klook

You can prebook your land transfer via Klook (use code G3GL4 for a discount). If you are carrying big backpacks or luggages or traveling with children or seniors, I would recommend this over the others. Daytripper vans are roomier in both headroom and legroom, the seats are more comfortable, the driver is more careful in driving, and they stop at a more decent restaurant. See my review here...

If you're flying via Cebu Pacific, you can avail their van transfer by booking it online before your flight or inquire from one of the flight crew. I didn't know they offered it until they announced it during the flight. Their partner is Lexus shuttle which is one of the reputable transportation companies in Palawan. Cost is Php 500 per person per way. You need to show your boarding pass or itinerary receipt as proof (if you didn't prebook online).

Still forgot to prebook your van transfer? Head out the airport exit and turn right at the door. You can approach the farmost window where they offer shuttle vans. They wait for the vans to be full before they leave (usually 14-15 which is cramped).

Cebu Pacific GetGo Local Debit Card: Can You Really #FlyforFree Faster?

This is NOT a sponsored post. If it were, then maybe I wouldn't have to wait for over an hour at my UnionBank branch just to apply (even if all pertinent information has already been filled up online) only to have my account put "on hold" until I could submit additional documents.

I applied for this new debit card from the UnionBank and Cebu Pacific tie-up that lets you earn GetGo points (Cebu Pacific's version of flight awards/points or "miles") for every time you use the card. Since I always fly via Cebu Pacific on budget/promo fares to destinations less than 4 hours away, I figured I could use it. The debit card has the highest peso to point ratio at Php 88:1 point compared to the similar GetGo credit card (Php 30:1).

FAQ:

Card Cost: Php 500 per year (annual fee)
No maintaining balance
BancNet ATM access
Use with Paypal (also for Paypal withdrawals)
For purchases online and offline (swipe & sign)

By far, it's the most expensive prepaid debit card at Php 500/year compared to UnionBank Eon's Visa (Php 350/year) and BPI Eprepaid Mastercard at Php 500 for 2 years. Points from purchases using the card are credited every month.

You can apply using this link here.

So can you really fly for free faster?

It depends which type of card (debit or credit) you get and whether you use it regularly for purchases.

Cebu Pacific occasionally holds sales for GetGo members to be able to book using their points with some short routes going for only 10 points (usually inter-island routes) and international Asean routes at 1000 points or more. For the debit card, that translates to a cost of Php 88,000 just to get 1000 points

Another 5 Tips for Budget Travel

6. Plan your itinerary. List down the places you really want to go to and your agenda for the trip, whether it be shopping, attending a cultural event/concert/conference, foodtrip, etc.

You can use Google Maps to add the points of interest near your hotel/accommodation and to plot your route/itinerary
Research on public transportation of your destination and fares.

bus/trike fares
boat fares
Octopus card for HK (for buses and MTR)
EZLink card for SG (for buses and MRT)

Set a maximum budget for shopping, attraction tickets and other expenses. It is not wise to charge everything on your credit card. Don't get carried away.
If you plan to buy gadgets/electronics abroad, know how much it costs locally first. Sometimes the advantage of buying electronics locally is you get an official warranty from the store, whereas if you bought it abroad the local distributor/service center might not accept it because it was purchased somewhere else.

7. Check the weather at your destination and pack accordingly.

NAIA Terminal 1 and Clark airport are strict and do not allow folding umbrellas in your carry on. An alternative is to bring a light, packable, water-resistant jacket.
Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes and prevent early appearance of wrinkles.
Bring a hat and apply sunscreen, especially Down Under (Australia & New Zealand) where the UV rays are stronger and harsher compared to Manila

8. Invest in good luggage, whether it be a backpack, tote, carry on, wheeled duffel bag, etc.

Buy a good, reliable brand. It doesn't have to be top-of-the-line or super expensive but needs to be tough to withstand being thrown around, stepped on, squished, or dragged by baggage cars. There are lots of videos on Youtube regarding how baggage handlers really handle your luggage, so take heed.

For backpacks, check the material used and if the seams are reinforced at the bottom, zipper ends, and especially at the top where the arm slings/straps are. Bigger backpacks will have chest and waist straps to help you stabilize the load when you're carrying it and distributes the weight evenly. A holder for a water bottle at the side is useful and practical as well as hidden pockets for keys, cards, cash, etc. Also check out wheeled backpacks (cheapest I think is from High Sierra) that can also serve as your kid's book bag. I personally use a Dakine wheeled backpack I bought online a few years back which has served me well on several international solo travels.

You can also bring a sturdy, foldable bag (preferably canvas or stronger material) in your carry-on bag and use it for your other stuff. I don't have checked luggage during my short trips when leaving Manila and only check it in (my carry on bag) when returning to Manila and using the foldable bag as my carry on. Sounds confusing, I know.

Look for luggage with double zippers, especially for checked bags. Ever wonder how some items are stolen from checked luggages even if there were locks in place? See this video. When choosing luggage, poke a pen or key into the zipper and see if it goes through. If it does, then choose another luggage because it can be opened that easily. Newer models of known brands have double zippers as an anti-theft feature.

Choose a lighter luggage so you can put more of your stuff in it. For a 20kg limit on carry on luggage, if your bag already weights 7 or 8kg without anything in it, then you have less space to put your stuff without going overweight.

Look for inline wheels. Known brands use inline skating wheels that are tougher and have fast bearings compared to cheaper brands that use plastic wheels that are prone to cracking or breaking at extremes of temperature (at the overhead cabin or luggage hold) or prolonged storage.

Spinner luggage or those that have two to four wheels that allows for easier maneuverability and handling, especially useful for senior travelers.

9. Sign up for a debit or credit card affiliated with the airlines you usually use when travelling.

10. Bring personal medicines for headache, diarrhea, motion sickness, and topical antibiotic cream/ointment and declare it. Some countries impose a fine if you do not declare medicines. Nothing ruins travel or vacation like being sick in a foreign country.

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):

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.

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.