Manila

[Kabul Guy]

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Until you make the Journey (and you may be the first ISG guy to try it) you will not know.

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And even once you make the journey you will only know that travel was possible that day and with that particular combination of people manning the check points.

[ForkTruck]

I read GCQ guidelines, and domestic flights will be allow from GCQ to GCQ areas, so getting a flight shouldn't be a problem. The accommodation will be the problem for me.

I read today in PhilStar that GCQ to GCQ travel is OK beginning June 1. However too often in the Philippines the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing or even cares. Local Government Units are making power plays and making up their own rules concerning who can go where and who cannot. When you land you might find yourself in a bureaucratic nightmare. Until you make the Journey (and you may be the first ISG guy to try it) you will not know. Good Luck and let us know how you make out. I hope you don't end up like these hapless folks. " At least 24 residents of Barangay Luz in Cebu City who were among the first who tested positive are still at the barangay isolation center (BIC) 40 days after they were put in isolation". You may also have been following the stories about the thousands of returning OFWs put in a 14 day quarantine in Manila who 30+ days later were still in isolation. Took President Du to demand their release to go home and even then he got push back bcuz some mayors didn't want them so they could not get papers. I do not want to be traveling in the Philippines until the dust settles. What a revolting development this has turned into.

[Kabul Guy]

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I read GCQ guidelines, and domestic flights will be allow from GCQ to GCQ areas, so getting a flight shouldn't be a problem.
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I also read that at least within Manila there will not be travel from once GCQ city to another, except for work.

I want to bring a regular from Manila to Cebu and we will hunker down and ride out the second wave but am not fully convinced that inter island travel will be possible.

My landlords wife is in Negros and cannot get back to Cebu. He thinks that there might be a "private ferry" that can bring her over as the inter-island ferries not officially running.

[Wicked Roger]

Is anybody in Manila at this moment?

Since Manila will be in GCQ on June, I'm planning to flight to Manila on June to visit the Canadian Embassy.

So I'm looking for a 4 to 5 nights hotel / condo / airbnb accomodation.

Here in Negros where I am, the hotels and even short hotels are open for new reservations because we are in GCQ already. So will be the same in Manila?

What about girl friendly stays? Am I allow to bring a guest so she can sleep or maybe visit me for afew hours?

I read GCQ guidelines, and domestic flights will be allow from GCQ to GCQ areas, so getting a flight shouldn't be a problem. The accommodation will be the problem for me.

Hopefully a monger who lives in Manila right now can give me some advice.

Read the local news and this board as tourist are still not allowed (no visas) and maybe 14 day quarantine likely at your cost.

Best call the Embassy and ask before you book.

Residents who are currently outside the country at present have had flight rescheduled a lot so why think you get in front of them?

So rad the local news and if you RTFF you find some comments form informed mongers on this plus links to news articles saying the above.

[Steve Nash]

Is anybody in Manila at this moment?

Since Manila will be in GCQ on June, I'm planning to flight to Manila on June to visit the Canadian Embassy.

So I'm looking for a 4 to 5 nights hotel / condo / airbnb accomodation.

Here in Negros where I am, the hotels and even short hotels are open for new reservations because we are in GCQ already. So will be the same in Manila?

What about girl friendly stays? Am I allow to bring a guest so she can sleep or maybe visit me for afew hours?

I read GCQ guidelines, and domestic flights will be allow from GCQ to GCQ areas, so getting a flight shouldn't be a problem. The accommodation will be the problem for me.

Hopefully a monger who lives in Manila right now can give me some advice.

[Bushes]

No it is not long. You fill out a form with supporting documentation. If you have a legitimate case it takes a couple of weeks. The credit card companies take the money from the bank, the bank of the supplier then deals with the supplier. The credit card companies are international organisations and have consistent rules. They have an issuing bank but you are following Visa or MasterCard etc rules.

YMMV. I find different. Even in US. In the good old days, AMEX was fantastic. Worldwide. But nowadays, they are the pretty much same as their competitors. Maybe just a little better.

My caution is don't prepay if you can or use a credit card guarantee that you might need to spend time resolving.

Even on cards with built in insurance, it will take time and money to get your money back if you ever do. With Airplane tickets are are stuck. You need to pay upfront. If the airline cancels your flight, you might be moved to a different flight automatically. But getting cash back even in the best of times is time consuming and expensive.

YMMV. I don't care what you do. I am just sharing my experience.

[GDreams]

Even if you are protected, it can be time consuming and long.

No it is not long. You fill out a form with supporting documentation. If you have a legitimate case it takes a couple of weeks. The credit card companies take the money from the bank, the bank of the supplier then deals with the supplier. The credit card companies are international organisations and have consistent rules. They have an issuing bank but you are following Visa or MasterCard etc rules.

[Bushes]

Usually your agreement with the credit card company is that you have to get something for your money or you can dispute a charge.

That is why when tour operators or airlines went bankrupt people who had not flown were refunded money by the card company. People who had flown one way got something for their money and so were out of luck for the remainder.

You might have a fight to get the money back but if you can demonstrate that you were unable to use the hotel because it was not accepting guests you should prevail in the long run.

Of course that still does not solve the issue of where you will sleep tonight.

A lot depends on where you get the credit card and where you "are". Most Western countries have good consumer protection rules. Some credit card companies are better than others. In the old days, Amex was the gold standard. It also depends on the "level" or color of your card, as in how much, if anything, you pay in membership fees.

Even if you are protected, it can be time consuming and long.

In the current environment, some major companies are playing games and dragging things out.

If possible, I would not give a credit hold. There are plenty of places that would skip a credit card hold. Or use a travel agency.

It is very difficult to travel internationally now and those operators still up are desperate.

[Kabul Guy]

If you are on your own dime, I would not do anything that requires a credit card or prepayment guarantee. ......t.

Usually your agreement with the credit card company is that you have to get something for your money or you can dispute a charge.

That is why when tour operators or airlines went bankrupt people who had not flown were refunded money by the card company. People who had flown one way got something for their money and so were out of luck for the remainder.

You might have a fight to get the money back but if you can demonstrate that you were unable to use the hotel because it was not accepting guests you should prevail in the long run.

Of course that still does not solve the issue of where you will sleep tonight.

[Bushes]

Are there any flight and / or Visa changes to go along with the relaxing of the hotel restrictions?

G.

If you are on your own dime, I would not do anything that requires a credit card or prepayment guarantee. You don't know which companies will be standing and it will be hard to get cash refunds. Even large establishments are trying to pull fast ones, IMHO. It is only going to get worse. And rules can change rapidly.

Some hotels silently closed because confirmed case (s) stayed there and they reopen. Others close to wait out the storm.

Glad to see some posts of people helping out. I just hope my efforts will not get me in trouble. Can support a couple villages and some girls close by but the girls close by are too close. Last thing Ineed is one loose cannon.

There are exemptions but there are over zealous dirty harries who might shoot first.

[Kabul Guy]

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Would you fly to the USA now and holiday? I see that as a good question to ask about the Philippines.

Even without the virus I have no desire to go to the USA.

[Wicked Roger]

Secondly, travel restrictions have yet to be relaxed here and I can't drive across town, let alone catch a non essential international flight.

Enjoy. G.

I would agree with that best keep your leash tight but then when unleashed am sure your balls so big they will explode LOL.

DG. Yes agree and same for UK and some parts of Europe.

[Dg8787]

Some carriers have flights available (domestically also) but would you want to jump on the first plane into a country that has yet to control the virus? For many tourism will change forever and for some they won't care and hope they never get infected.

Would you fly to the USA now and holiday? I see that as a good question to ask about the Philippines.

It might be safer to fly from USA to Philippines. At least much more pleasurable in PH than USA!

[PedroMorales]

Some hotels like Dusit Thani seems to be accepting reservations from 16th of May onwards. Let's take it as a positive sign.

J.

I think a lot of this is to get cash flow. Ryanair have opened their autumn schedule and are charging a premium. If they have to refund no problem as it will take them many months to do it. Spanish hotels are (supposed to be) opening but they are wasting their time if they cannot get British and German customers. Real chicken and egg stuff. Then we have the bums British Airways gave emergency evacuation flights to complaining there was no social distancing. BA should have left the bums rot.

[Goferring]

Would you fly to the USA now and holiday? I see that as a good question to ask about the Philippines.

I was just asking to gauge how much the PI restrictions are being unwound.

I've no plans on travelling anywhere soon. Firstly, because of the risks that you mentioned would be much higher than where I am now. Secondly, travel restrictions have yet to be relaxed here and I can't drive across town, let alone catch a non essential international flight.

Enjoy. G.