General Info

[Jarango]

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-67305693

This is a report on how Thailand is getting a different sort of Chinese tourist: top tier and rich LGBT only. I guess the Philippines is still, ahem, virgin territory, helped by itb only catring to Koreans, Western losers and grand papas like us.

[TooDirty]

Thanks for the feedback.

[GDreams]

TD I am not sure of that $6 (p300) price, as Manila prices are often a few bucks higher ($10 maybe) than elsewhere. To twist it a bit more, my province city's prices (which should be lower than Manila) were pre-covid p300, then jumped to p600 for standard 1-hour massage after the post-covid re-opening and remained that way for 2 years, before settling back down to p400. In AC last month p400 was standard, and the place across the street from Scorebirds was p300.

I usually go to a massage shop opposite Robinsons in Malate. I was shocked in July that the price had risen to 350 p which is $A10. I did get a haircut for 100 p and the girl sorry LB was so excited with my 100 p tip. The cut was pretty good BTW.

[Goferring]

Yes. You must wait to make the reservation during the stated sale period (in this case, you must make the reservation between Nov 1 and Nov 15), and only for flights within the travel period (in this case, flights between those particular cities between Nov 1 and March 31 2024). They run this type of special 2-3 times per year. I have noted that during the sale period, starting Nov 1 thru Nov 15, the website often slows to a crawl as everyone is attempting to get the discount.

Even if you have jumped through all the hoops mentioned, often there is only a certain number of discounted seats available on each flight. Sometimes it's a crazy low number like 5 or so. If you are number 6, then it's bad luck.

G.

[WestCoast1]

Are there lots of legit cheap massage spots in Philippines? Like $6 for an hour foot massage?

You monger in the Phils to have BBFS with mostly average looking English speaking girls. Thats about it.

Usually I agree. But:

You don't go there for food or massage or 7-11.

I have discovered that there is a percentage of fellas that are primarily rub-and-tug fellas. They can go to an asian sexpat destination and spend all of their nawty dollars in massage places. Or alternately they are just massage afficianados who have 1-2-3 massages daily (a full-body each morning, a foot massage every afternoon, a nawty massage caps off the evening). They barfine or find FL girls as a second option only. I find it odd that anyone of such persuasion would go to AC, but I have found them having lunch at Kokomo's.

TD I am not sure of that $6 (p300) price, as Manila prices are often a few bucks higher ($10 maybe) than elsewhere. To twist it a bit more, my province city's prices (which should be lower than Manila) were pre-covid p300, then jumped to p600 for standard 1-hour massage after the post-covid re-opening and remained that way for 2 years, before settling back down to p400. In AC last month p400 was standard, and the place across the street from Scorebirds was p300.

[Expat American]

Is 7-11 in Philippines as good as 7-11 in Thailand? Are they as prevalent everywhere like in Thailand? Wrapped meals ready to be microwaved?

Are there lots of legit cheap massage spots in Philippines? Like $6 for an hour foot massage?

Massage is about 350 to 400 P per hour but the quality is much lower than Thailand. Why 7-11 should be a consideration for any travel planning is beyond me but yes, there are 7-11 in the Philippines and probably carry the same food, but again, why that would matter is really strange.

You monger in the Phils to have BBFS with mostly average looking English speaking girls. Thats about it. You don't go there for food or massage or 7-11.

[WestCoast1]

I've tried to book those piso fares and can never get them, even if the promo is for the destination and date I'm trying to book. Are they actually real?

Yes. You must wait to make the reservation during the stated sale period (in this case, you must make the reservation between Nov 1 and Nov 15), and only for flights within the travel period (in this case, flights between those particular cities between Nov 1 and March 31 2024). They run this type of special 2-3 times per year. I have noted that during the sale period, starting Nov 1 thru Nov 15, the website often slows to a crawl as everyone is attempting to get the discount.

[AussieGaigin]

I've tried to book those piso fares and can never get them, even if the promo is for the destination and date I'm trying to book. Are they actually real?

Usually only a limited number of these cheap seats on each flight. You really have to be quick, they often go within minutes of being announced.

[Aml3740]

CP has announced a round of promo fares, both domestic (as low as p199 before taxes / fees) and international. See pic for a domestic teaser, and link for all such fares.

https://www.cebupacificair.com/en-PH/seat-sale

I've tried to book those piso fares and can never get them, even if the promo is for the destination and date I'm trying to book. Are they actually real?

[Jarango]

Is 7-11 in Philippines as good as 7-11 in Thailand? It is an international franchise so it should be near enough

Are they as prevalent everywhere like in Thailand? I never saw one in Thai jungles or paddy fields but there are plenty where lazy mongers go
and the motorbikes are ubiquitous

Are there lots of legit cheap massage spots in Philippines? Like $6 for an hour foot massage?

The unit of currency in the Philippines is the peso, not the American (56), Australian (36) or Canadian (41). I previously gave the rates blind folk charge in various malls. Do you think you could rtff or would you like me to do that and convert into the currency of your choice?

[TooDirty]

Is 7-11 in Philippines as good as 7-11 in Thailand? Are they as prevalent everywhere like in Thailand? Wrapped meals ready to be microwaved?

Are there lots of legit cheap massage spots in Philippines? Like $6 for an hour foot massage?

[WestCoast1]

CP has announced a round of promo fares, both domestic (as low as p199 before taxes / fees) and international. See pic for a domestic teaser, and link for all such fares.

https://www.cebupacificair.com/en-PH/seat-sale

[AussieGaigin]

Most airlines allow back packs which will fit under the seats (many prefer you to do this so there is room in the lockers for suitcases), subject to carry on weight limits.

[Jarango]

Erroll Flynn looks like he does marathons. USA to Manila via Istanbul. And the prices.

My situation is nearly as bad. I spotted a cheap as chips flight with British Airways + Cathay. Checking Travelup, who run it, lots of negative reviews and bait and switches. I don't need that. I now have my eyes ion a reasanable Peoples Republic of China flight.

I don't know why the Yanks don't just follow the swallows and fly south for the winter. Anyway, not my problem.

I have used a variety of cheap Asian airlines with no problem, bar many years ago with PAL where they were charging everyone excess baggage (I got charged for an extra kilo). Luckily, PAL is no longer an option from Europe.

Speaking of Europe, I bought a special Ryanair bag that fits under the seat, so for most of their flights, I now only pay bare minimum. I am not sure how relevant such bags are to Asian flights.

Given the negative reviews Angeles is getting, I think the best move might be to hit on some rural place and bonk away but it is a long way to go for limited returns. There is a definite opening in the market here but, as I reported from Napoli, other options have their own considerable risks.

[Locamotive]

I am far from a PI expert and I hope those with much more experience will weigh in, but figuring out travel in and to the PI can make a big difference in a trip, so I want to give my recent experience and get thoughts:

International: For my first trip to the PI last spring I chose Philippine Airlines (PAL), mostly because they have a direct flight from LAX, it was $100-$200 more than other options but I thought it worth it.

My experience with PAL was a mid-grade airline. Sort of like a domestic United flight 20 years ago. Check in was awful. You really needed to be there three hours in advance and when I finally got to the front of the line the agent was clueless. Then you go to LAX's horrible new terminal and wait. Boarding was a chaotic mess and we took off 45 minutes late. The staff (being Filipino_ were friendly and polite and the female ones were mostly lookers. I can't judge the dudes. They had the little extras like small blankets and pillows and night kits. The technology on the plane was abysmal. Meals were 1990's domestic level, but we were fed plenty and got a few drinks. Not horrible, but certainly not great.

On the way back they cancelled my flight. They auto rebooked me on a flight at a terrible time, but it wasn't hard to go online and choose a flight I liked. I left a day late which might not work for some of you but it didn't bug me too much.

For my upcoming (November) trip the lowest LAX-MNL RT prices were about $1000 but required a 10 hour lay over in Istanbul. Maybe some day, but not now, The same PAL flight I took before was about $1500, or I could fly a combination of Starluxe and Eva for about $1350-$1400. Those are both highly rated Taiwan based airlines. But meant a signoficant layover in Taiwan on both trips. Not sure it was the right choice, but I decided to roll the dice with PAL again. FWIW the LAX-MNL PAL flight arrives at 5:40 am (actually 6:30 last time) so there is an early check in issue. Central Park AC has some secret provisions for that I may try to share later.

Any thoughts on the best way to get from the US West Coast to the PI?

Domestic:

So far I have booked three flights with Cebu Pacific / Cebugo and two have been cancelled. Full disclosure. Two of those flights were for my PI GF but I booked them and got all the communications. My impression is that Cebu Pacific is running a bait and switch scam. They list all sorts of flights at good prices, but then they cancel half of them and move you to a flight they want to fill up (not the next flight). On the first Cancellation they canned my GF's flight to Butuan and moved it to the next day. Okay if that's rare. But then it happened to me! I had booked a flight for both of us to fly to Boracay on November 17th at 12:55 pm (a gentlemanly hour). They automatically switched me to 8 am on November 19th. But I prepaid for a Boracay hotel starting the 17th! That ain't going to fly. So I looked at their website and they have seats available on a 2:10 Nov 17 flight nonstop to Boracay (MPH). It's just that they're priced higher than what I paid a month ago. On their website they didn't even give me an option of switching to that flight for a fee! They just offered for me to confirm the new flight they had chosen or "request a refund". Obviously they want me to rebook at the new fare, but that's not why I booked early. There is an early morning flight on the 17th from Clark on Air Asia at a good price, or I can travel to MNL and ly on PAL mid afternoon at a fair price. I have written to Cebu asking them to move me to the 2:10 pm flight and will update this if I here back.

Air Asia: I have never booked on this airline, but the internet says it's a Malaysia based low budget airline with some Filipino investors and it soun DS like it's better than Cebu Pacific or Cebu Go. Any information appreciated.

PAL Domestic: thyere aren't a lot of domestic flights on PAL and sometimes (not always) they are much pricier than the other airlines. I didn't think it was a first class airline, but is it better than the oprions?

On my upcoming trip I am doing a bunch of island hopping. Some of it date sensitive. And I appreciate hearing thoughts.

Errol.

There is no customer service in the Philippines when it comes to airlines. If you travel domestic just let it pick a seat and sit down shut up and buckle up. Flights are usually short so whatever. If flying international God forbid you try and change a ticket date. Tried this couple times Korean once and JAL. Its basically just buy another ticket. The change fees are a joke as I just wanted to stay two extra days and fly out same trip two days later. Sir, that's 1500 dollars. WTF! The enitre ticket was only 1800 you are crazy. Sorry darling I'd like to stay but not for $1500. Now I just book for as long as I can stay with no wiggle room so I can't change my mind as no airline there will work with you.