General Info

[Red Kilt]

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 int the right direction?

I think WR and others have been quite gentle with you SW702.

I guess you haven't travelled much because the questions that you asked simply cannot be answered by anyone, because there are too many variables.

For example, travel expenses.

To get to Manila, you can buy a first class seat or you can get a cut-price budget seat that might be available for one-day only. As WR suggests, you need to log in to the various carriers. I receive emails from a couple of airlines whenever they have specials available.

Again; travelling around places like Manila can vary from walking to using regular taxis to buses to trains to having a hotel taxi. Prices can vary from 8 pesos to 1500 pesos depending on distance and mode of travel.

So many variables.

Re being cautious. No difference whether you're in LV, LA, Sydney, London, Rome, Manila or Bkk.

Pickpockets lurk everywhere.

You need simple common sense, and an ability to make quick decisions based on your own acceptance of levels of risk.

Now go and read the ISG forums; start with the Philippines Manila thread and work backwards.

Then go to Thailand Bangkok reports and read backwards and decide where you fit in the universe.

[Wicked Roger]

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 int the right direction?

Why can't you research airline prices that gives you an idea of travel costs to the country. If you fly First Class then clearly this is a tad more expensive than Cattle Class or a freebie using frequent flyer miles / reward programme.

Then you an research hotel discount web sites that if you had RTFF (methinks you did not bother) you would find a variety of suggestions.

If you further RTFF then other costs are easy to find. Or Google as it is also there.

This is what many do when visiting a new place (myself included) so why do you think you are special and need assistance.

The Philippines thread has a wealth of information. If you spend time to check and research the forum.

RTFF and you will find LOL.

[Red Kilt]

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.

All sensible advice FP. Re Point 4: Immigration will rarely ask to see a ticket because they know the airlines are required to check it. However, just last week a colleague of mine was actually asked, out of left field, where he was going after Manila. He said "back to Australia" and the immigration guy said "where in Australia? After he replied "Sydney" the officer asked "when"? At this stage, my colleague, who wasn't sure exactly when, took out his ticket, checked it and told the guy the date. Apparently satisfied, he was allowed to go on his way.

So there is always a chance the immigration guy will ask you something about your onward journey.

I cannot see any reason for anyone coming to the Philippines not to have an onward ticket anyway, especially if it allows flight changes down the line (usually it's not much more expensive, and it allows piece of mind). Buying a cheap ticket with locked-in dates is high risk IMHO, especially in the Phils where lots of things can go wrong.

BTW. I just returned from Laos on an early morning departure exactly 9 hours after my visa had expired at midnight on the day before. Off to the side room to pay my $7 usd fine (it's $7 per day) with receipt and all. Virtually no delay for me but it was a reminder not to f**k around with immigration requirements although it was apparent to them that I had extended for 30 days which was the maximum allowed. The Lao immig guy who fined me knew (from his computer) that I have NEVER overstayed anywhere before, because he told me when he joked that I should have left yesterday.

[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?