General Info

[AfAsia]

Thank you okay here we go then!

I live in Las Vegas, I plan on visiting the Phillipines or Thailand, which would would you guys recommend and why? How much should I be saving up for the flight / fun? I'd love to stay for a week or two? What do you guys think is best longer or shorter time? I don't really drink but I'd love to be able to see a girl every day I'm there. How much do girls generally run to see in Philippines / Bangkok? Do you guys strictly pick up girls who are working or do you pull civilians?

Thanks guys.

Go to both as I do, it is cheap to fly between the two countries. 8 days in each country should do, any longer and you wasting money. It is important to read the forum especially the reports of distinction thread and make notes on cost, clubs, bars, getting from A to be. All depending on your habits you can generalize your costs per day. Overall it cannot be stressed enough, reading the forum is of the most importance before undertaking a maiden trip to S E Asia.

As in any society girls are available wherever, a smile, gesture, charm will do, bargirls are not your only option. Enjoy and do let us know how you got on.

[Fastpiston]

For those of you concerned about your travel on a one-way ticket being inconvenienced by the demand of an onward ticket just buy an additional, refundable, one-way ticket with 1-year validity. You have to provide the agent a departure date, so choose one in the future that falls within the period of your visa. Yes, this ticket is more expensive than a discounted excursion ticket, which often aren't refundable, so the 'cost' is higher, but since you'll be refunding it later it needn't be a worry. You can cut your expense by choosing a nearby destination. You can also adjust the departure date to one later, but sometimes there is a nominal fee for this. The agent will email you a ticket with the new date. (This is useful when you are able to pick up a very cheap return fare, say Manila > HK > Manila, for a quick jaunt and may need to show proof of onward ticket departing Manila at a later date, just in case.) I've purchased these tickets directly from a brick-and-mortar agent rather than online and have processed the refund through the same agent. As long as your CC is adjusted and you don't have to physically pick up cash it really isn't a hassle.

After many years experience traveling to Philippines, here are my observations on getting the exit ticket for Philippine immigration requirements:

1) Avoid buying the return ticket from a travel agent, it makes getting any refund slower and more complicated. Some will even try and say they will use the money refunded against a future ticket purchase.

2) Avoid buying the ticket on some airlines such as those in the Gulf area. Some of those airlines take many weeks to give a refund on a cancelled ticket.

3) Forget about automatic check in, even with no check-in bags, the counter will still want to inspect your passport / visa & exit ticket before giving a boarding pass.

4) I suspect a lot of the enthusiasm in requiring an exit ticket is to force you to buy one at the counter. Immigration in the Philippines rarely ask to see the ticket.

5) If you need to get a ticket, obviously buy the cheapest possible eg. Routing MNL to BKK or MNL to Singapore.

6) Buy an exit ticket a few days before expiry of your allowed exit date on your visa or allowed stay time (without visa), just in case you are ill or there is a typhoon on your planned exit date.

[ShadowWalk702]

Can anyone reply to my last post for help please? I'm curious as to travel expenses and what I should be cautious of when visiting, anyone point me in the right direction?

[PirateMorgan]

Well one thing for sure. This is no time in our live to be hating malls. Do they have malls! S M Mall, Robinsons Fuente, and Ayala. All in Cebu. S M Mall and Alyala are huge. Huge by anyone standards. The country is third world but when in the mall you are 1st world. Especially Alyala. I could go on about designer this and restaurant that but not now. Suffice it to say that hanging around the outdoor cafes and coffee places really works for me. Really a delight. The food court prices will knock you over for being cheap! My girl ate for $2. 00 and loved it. Again, nice places, clean seating and nice clientele. The restaurants out on the outdoor style terrace all look inviting and are very inexpensive. I have started to not look at prices. I will do a write up on prices of things as time goes by.

Twice I walked away from our table outside on the Terraces and was hit on by different girls. I loved it. Finally something happening. One was very cute. I thought she was about 21. Nope. 32! I gave here my new phone number and maybe she will call tomorrow. This is a very good sign about meeting my future needs. I will going there alone this week for sure. Starbucks and chicas. Not a bad life.

[Wicked Roger]

You're not paying attention WR.

I said ". I noted a "check yourself in" station for travellers with carry-on bags. ".

Of course you need a human to check in and tag check-in bags.

True.

Paying attention. Well I hate to say this but a sure you are pleased to hear this, but you are not cute and slime etc so I have trouble at my advanced years to pay attention at times LOL.

Seriously, once I do the self check in (and I do it online a lot now as saves a lot of hassle IMHO) they still ask for that pesky return ticket.

[ShadowWalk702]

Welcome, fellow newly posting member!

That's a really vague question you're asking, and the way you phrased it didn't really help. Saving up for what? Flights (to here, or Bangkok), your whole trip (to here or Bangkok), just P4P? Why post in the Philippine general info section for information about Bangkok, Thailand?

These questions and more (except that last question, seriously WTF) can be answered by reading the (additional f!) forums, a phrase whose acronym I'm sure other people will introduce you to quickly. My rule of thumb is if you haven't seen it answered after 20 pages or 6 months, it's worth asking again (due to SE Asia being in one big constant state of flux).

Now, go read the Bangkok forums and develop your own concept of a budget--different strokes (hehe) for different folks.

Thank you okay here we go then!

I live in Las Vegas, I plan on visiting the Phillipines or Thailand, which would would you guys recommend and why? How much should I be saving up for the flight / fun? I'd love to stay for a week or two? What do you guys think is best longer or shorter time? I don't really drink but I'd love to be able to see a girl every day I'm there. How much do girls generally run to see in Philippines / Bangkok? Do you guys strictly pick up girls who are working or do you pull civilians?

Thanks guys.

[Advantageous]

Hey guys monger,

Here not sure where I should ask this, if I'm interested in visiting this place or Bangkok is this the right place to ask questions? My questions would be how much would I need to save up, probably most of the basic question thanks.

Welcome, fellow newly posting member!

That's a really vague question you're asking, and the way you phrased it didn't really help. Saving up for what? Flights (to here, or Bangkok), your whole trip (to here or Bangkok), just P4P? Why post in the Philippine general info section for information about Bangkok, Thailand?

These questions and more (except that last question, seriously WTF) can be answered by reading the (additional f!) forums, a phrase whose acronym I'm sure other people will introduce you to quickly. My rule of thumb is if you haven't seen it answered after 20 pages or 6 months, it's worth asking again (due to SE Asia being in one big constant state of flux).

Now, go read the Bangkok forums and develop your own concept of a budget--different strokes (hehe) for different folks.

[ShadowWalk702]

Hey guys monger,

Here not sure where I should ask this, if I'm interested in visiting this place or Bangkok is this the right place to ask questions? My questions would be how much would I need to save up, probably most of the basic question thanks.

[Red Kilt]

I check in online a lot and you are still required to go to the bag drop to 'validate' the boarding pass if you are checking in bags. So you would still be asked. Now if you have hand luggage only that maybe different. Never tried that as always have check in baggage.

You're not paying attention WR.

I said ". I noted a "check yourself in" station for travellers with carry-on bags. ".

Of course you need a human to check in and tag check-in bags.

[Wicked Roger]

However, I noted a "check yourself in" station for travellers with carry-on bags to print their own boarding pass. Is this an easy way to avoid having on onward ticket? Does the machine ask for details?

I check in online a lot and you are still required to go to the bag drop to 'validate' the boarding pass if you are checking in bags. So you would still be asked. Now if you have hand luggage only that maybe different. Never tried that as always have check in baggage.

[Simmer]

However, I noted a "check yourself in" station for travellers with carry-on bags to print their own boarding pass. Is this an easy way to avoid having on onward ticket? Does the machine ask for details?

My guess would be it would tell you to check-in with a human. Sort of similar: you can't check-in online or at a machine for a flight to the US as a green card holder as the system can't find a valid ESTA for you (not required for GC holders) - at least with several of the big airlines like Delta anyway.

[Red Kilt]

Hmm. I have been in Manilla only two times, but both times they asked for return ticket.

Never asked in any other country.

I just returned to Manila from an assignment which brought me through Bangkok for a 3 days stay.

I have a "permanent spouse visa" (aka ICR card) but decided to keep it in my pocket to see what happened at airline check-in (Thai Airways) when I handed over my ticket to return to Manila. I had large bags to check in.

Clerk looked through the ticket, checked again, then asked something of a supervisor who replied in Thai.

She then said "Where is your onward ticket from Philippines to next destination sir?"

At that point I feigned forgetfulness and produced the ICR card which produced smiles all round. No problems sir. You live in Philippines sir.

Clearly, Thai Airways in Bangkok requires proof that you have a ticket to leave Manila before they will fly you there.

However, I noted a "check yourself in" station for travellers with carry-on bags to print their own boarding pass. Is this an easy way to avoid having on onward ticket? Does the machine ask for details?

[PirateMorgan]

No preexisting conditions (unless approved. LOL). Like old predatory US insurance companies.

No "fat bastards" (leaves me out. LOL).

Thanks but I'll stick with my Tricare Overseas Program from the DOD.

Three sentences that in themselves offer readers no contribution to knowledge on the subject. On the other hand it is possible that some guy in Montana contemplating a new life in the Philippines may find the info on Blue Cross useful. (info on Tricare is great as a recruiting tool for military types and CIA types. Oh well.

[MidniteRider]

Ten days ago I applied for Blue Shield of the Philippines. I was approved yesterday. Policy covers seniors (I stop being in my sixties tomorrow) The specific plan is http://www.bluecross.com.ph/index.ph...plan=brpremier Blue Premier. The plan runs around $3000 per year. Limiting coverage to this part of the world brings it down to about $2200. This insurance is unique in the world. Not any plans like it that I am aware of. And yes I still have USA Medicare. And yes there are exclusions but nothing serious in my case.

No preexisting conditions (unless approved. LOL). Like old predatory US insurance companies.

No "fat bastards" (leaves me out. LOL).

Thanks but I'll stick with my Tricare Overseas Program from the DOD.

[Simmer]

I believe that correct. Am aware of two deportations in the last 7 years (one in phils) where the deported was asked point blank by the carrier how he / she intended to pay for the difference in prices between flights (different flight has a different price, and the change-fee). I can't think of any reason why they would not attempt to recoup on your mistake. If you used a credit card to pay for the flight, they are going to bill it.

Whether they do try to reclaim depends on cost and effort involved. If the return plane is not full, and the passenger had a return ticket anyway (deported for other reasons), and from a 3rd world country, then they apparently rarely bother. But if the plane is full, bumping off a paying passenger, fined by immigration for failing to check whatever, long haul back from whence they came, from Europe / US etc, then they likely would try to sue the pants off you.

But the airline can't refuse to take the passenger just because payment hasn't been made before the deportation. That's up to the airline to sort out after the fact.

However, you don't have to go back to the last country of embarkation. If immigration and the airline are in agreement, you can buy yourself a ticket to anywhere. As long as you'll be accepted at that destination! Immigration is happy because you've gone, and the original airline is happy because they're off the hook.

But the best solution is to avoid the situation in the first place. And I hold my hands up for failing to remember the immigration rule of proof of onward travel. Fortunately the airline did its job of checking and the problem was resolved before leaving Singapore.