Manila

[Kabul Guy]

Along those lines, I have an IPhone XS Max, which has dual SIM capability. Since my phone is financed through AT&T, it is locked. Does that mean that a Globe or Smart SIM will not work in my iPhone unless I can get it unlocked?

RG.

I don't know. I have been outside of North America for so long all phones I have bought in the last 10 or so years have been unlocked. I go with android as well.

I just use my oldest functional phone for mongering (Samsung S3 mini, bought in 2013) That way if it disappears, all I have lost is the data on it, mainly contacts and chats but these get backed up to the cloud periodically.

You can buy a reasonable basic smart phone here for 4 to 6 k peso.

[Free2]

We know what you mean!...From all the black guys lurking on this board.

No idea where you are, but Pasay is only 9 km from Chinatown.

Good one! LOL.

9 km across Manila can take hours as you know. That's what I meant. Probably better to fly in a girl from the province next time rather than wait for them to take the trinity of busses, jeepneys & tricycles.

[Dg8787]

Along those lines, I have an IPhone XS Max, which has dual SIM capability. Since my phone is financed through AT&T, it is locked. Does that mean that a Globe or Smart SIM will not work in my iPhone unless I can get it unlocked?

RG.

Nothing will work on a locked phone other than your assigned att SIM card.

BTW, only GSM network unlocked cell phones will work in Philippines.

[Radical Guy]

Get a free local SIM, Smart or Globe are good most places, and top up there and then pick a data and SMS plan, not much phone time as most people, not just the girls, will use SMS or a message app like WhatsApp.

Along those lines, I have an IPhone XS Max, which has dual SIM capability. Since my phone is financed through AT&T, it is locked. Does that mean that a Globe or Smart SIM will not work in my iPhone unless I can get it unlocked?

RG.

[Dg8787]

They send me 18 million messages about giving money to the driver to get some credits.

Exact opposite for me. I did not know you could use a credit card until you just mentioned it.

Painfully I am aware of all three options.

I have found it hard at times for the credit card charge to process through for advance credits of 500 or 1000 pesos. So I have been charging each trip with my credit card.

In the past I would carry a prepaid 1000 pesos credit for the convenience of it. I found out that the account was connected to your PH cell phone number. After my CP was picked pocketed and I got a new cp number I was not able to transfer the credit balance over. Supposedly now there is a way to transfer it over but it is quite complicated.

So each options has its benefits.

[Mr Enternational]

I've never heard of Grab credits.

They send me 18 million messages about giving money to the driver to get some credits.

I was not aware one could use cash with Grab until mentioned here recently.

Exact opposite for me. I did not know you could use a credit card until you just mentioned it.

[WestCoast1]

In Grab it doesn't go directly to the CC. You use the CC first to withdraw money to the Grab App as Grab credits. You need to have credits in the Grab App to be able to pay any transaction within Grab. On the positive side, this gives you the option to be able to use Cash to load into Grab App (technically a grab driver should be able to do this, but I tried with at least 5 drivers and they had no clue how to load cash on to my account), but on the negative side, you need to have credits ahead of time if you want to use CC.

I've never heard of Grab credits. I entered my credit card details in Grab when I first got the app. Never looked back, I only use the CC, the charge goes directly to my CC. A few minutes after stepping out a Grab car / taxi, my CC account shows the charge as 'pending'. Uber in States is same for me, direct to CC. I was not aware one could use cash with Grab until mentioned here recently. I thought the idea was that you take a ride in the Grab / Uber car / taxi, pulled up at the curb, got out without pulling out a wallet or cash, and walked away, knowing the Grab taxi meter amount (plus Grab fee) or the original Grab fee for Grab car was about to be billed to your CC. There is always a Grab notification about 60 seconds after departing the car that says something like: "Your card has been charged for this ride", or such.

[ItIsMe83]

There is a subtle but important difference between Grab CC payment and Uber / Lyft CC payments in the USA In Uber / Lyft, when the charge goes directly to the CC. In Grab it doesn't go directly to the CC. You use the CC first to withdraw money to the Grab App as Grab credits. You need to have credits in the Grab App to be able to pay any transaction within Grab. On the positive side, this gives you the option to be able to use Cash to load into Grab App (technically a grab driver should be able to do this, but I tried with at least 5 drivers and they had no clue how to load cash on to my account), but on the negative side, you need to have credits ahead of time if you want to use CC. You can use Grab credits to load your phone and so on. The Grab account does act like a local bank account and has the associated identity proof issues. Like another poster mentioned, you can use cash to pay the driver directly.

Grab can work exactly like uber and lyft. Just enter your CC, choose it instead of cash payment and done. No checks / ID proof issues whatsoever and it pays every time for your ride.

Maybe some taxi driver told you that and asked you to use him to top up your account because they get a small percentage if you do it that way. I not once used grabpay credits in any Asian cities and always just pay with credit card. You can now even tip the driver on it as well like you could with uber / lyft.

[Kabul Guy]

There is a subtle but important difference between Grab CC payment and Uber / Lyft CC payments in the USA In Uber / Lyft, when the charge goes directly to the CC. In Grab it doesn't go directly to the CC. You use the CC first to withdraw money to the Grab App as Grab credits. You need to have credits in the Grab App to be able to pay any transaction within Grab. On the positive side, this gives you the option to be able to use Cash to load into Grab App (technically a grab driver should be able to do this, but I tried with at least 5 drivers and they had no clue how to load cash on to my account), but on the negative side, you need to have credits ahead of time if you want to use CC. You can use Grab credits to load your phone and so on. The Grab account does act like a local bank account and has the associated identity proof issues. Like another poster mentioned, you can use cash to pay the driver directly.

Grab can charge to a credit card per ride. I use the prepay method because the points add up much faster.

[Kabul Guy]

...... My question is, does the airport's WiFi reach outside to where one picks up Grab cars? .....

Get a free local SIM, Smart or Globe are good most places, and top up there and then pick a data and SMS plan, not much phone time as most people, not just the girls, will use SMS or a message app like WhatsApp.

[JohnIsFun]

I will be visiting the Philippines next month for the first time in a few years, and I just downloaded the Grab app. I will be arriving at NAIA Terminal 3. I have an iPhone with AT&T, and the app will work with the airport WiFi. My question is, does the airport's WiFi reach outside to where one picks up Grab cars? If not, I need to figure a way to make my iPhone work with the local coverage. Also, does Grab work like Uber, where charges go to your credit card, or do you pay cash to the Grab driver? Thanks.

RG.

You can buy local SIM card outside the airport. Global is a good company. Keep in mind the people selling SIM cards outside are independent sellers and do not offer the discounts or specials normally given by the mobile operators. They will try charging more and lure you in buying data. Best is to buy small pack and top it up online by registering on the company web site. Grab works best in Asia. Takes away the hassles dealing with taxi drivers. Just in case you decide to take a taxi avoid the agents trying to get you in taxi across the parking. Only take the yellow taxi outside the arrival hall.

[PilotPaul]

Once you arrived to the airport, go toward the exit doors. You will see Money changer. They usally have very good rates.

I prefer the rate of my ATM card and ING (no fee) card.

[MohdirFan82]

I will be visiting the Philippines next month for the first time in a few years, and I just downloaded the Grab app. I will be arriving at NAIA Terminal 3. I have an iPhone with AT&T, and the app will work with the airport WiFi. My question is, does the airport's WiFi reach outside to where one picks up Grab cars? If not, I need to figure a way to make my iPhone work with the local coverage. Also, does Grab work like Uber, where charges go to your credit card, or do you pay cash to the Grab driver? Thanks.

RG.

Once you arrived to the airport, go toward the exit doors. You will see Money changer. They usally have very good rates.

You will see 2 counters on your left selling Sim cards. Buy the sim card, and activate it.

Order Grub and go to your hotel. I do this every time in Philippines, and in Indonesia.

[TxDGuy]

Grab works like uber with a credit card set up. You can connect to WiFi outside but try connecting while you are still inside the airport because once you walk outside you will not be able to walk back inside. I downloaded the app while sitting outside and it took awhile for me to connect to a good signal, I must have wasted 45 minutes to be honest.

There is a subtle but important difference between Grab CC payment and Uber / Lyft CC payments in the USA In Uber / Lyft, when the charge goes directly to the CC. In Grab it doesn't go directly to the CC. You use the CC first to withdraw money to the Grab App as Grab credits. You need to have credits in the Grab App to be able to pay any transaction within Grab. On the positive side, this gives you the option to be able to use Cash to load into Grab App (technically a grab driver should be able to do this, but I tried with at least 5 drivers and they had no clue how to load cash on to my account), but on the negative side, you need to have credits ahead of time if you want to use CC. You can use Grab credits to load your phone and so on. The Grab account does act like a local bank account and has the associated identity proof issues. Like another poster mentioned, you can use cash to pay the driver directly.

[ShinyCrazy]

This time tried Flight 168. Elsewhere on the internet, this is described as one of the top massage style venues in Manila. It is the first floor of the Air Force One KTV complex. Air Force One is apparently more of a "KTV" karaoke type place, with more expensive girls, but it was closed on the day I visited, a Sunday.

Flight 168 is open 12 noon-4 am every day. It is like a Bangkok soapie with a fishbowl type set up and what appears to be about 50 private rooms with large bed, jacuzzi, shower, en suite toilet / sink etc. You can order food and drinks to your room. If you arrive before 7 pm, the prices are better. An "economy" room is for 90 minutes. A "first class" room is for 120 minutes. You pick the room quality first and then they walk you over to the fishbowl. Room quality doesn't determine which girl you get. I arrived around 5 pm and had about 10 girls to choose from. By the time I left around 7 pm, there were twice as many. My girl told me she only works from 12 noon-8 pm, then rides two hours home to take care of her 6 year old son. The first class room was 2500 for two hours, and you can swap out for a second girl in the second hour if you choose. Service included covered BJ, DFK, DATY, and covered FS. Price for the girl was another 2500 per hour (one pop). Tried to negotiate for BBBJ, no luck. Tried to negotiate for second pop for another 1000, no luck. Would only accept 2500 for the second hour / pop.

Overall, very easy. Solid normal service. Would be great if you had a long layover at the airport since it so close. Also good for daytime service, since the EDSA / Burgos options are not rocking until around 8-9 pm. Pricing is pretty high, comparable to FKK in Germany. Based on covered BJ and pricing, I wouldn't repeat, unless I was stuck at the airport on a long layover.