General Info

[QUOTE=FreebieFan;1191508]The same Philippines government in conspiracy (oops in diplomatic agreement with Taiwanese authorities) are making it a bureaucratic nightmare to bring people in. Ok the two government had a spat earlier this year but now the requirements are mad.[/QUOTE]Are you referring to the 'protocol' following filipinos deporting Taiwanese to China? After all, all are Chinese, right?

It's the same govt who refuse to apologies to HK for the bus drama, heck, even going to on to stay that the gunman should apologies. And the head says "I am not responsible, I didn't shoot."

[QUOTE=Econo Tech; 1191603]Are you referring to the 'protocol' following filipinos deporting Taiwanese to China? After all, all are Chinese, right?

It's the same govt who refuse to apologies to HK for the bus drama, heck, even going to on to stay that the gunman should apologies. And the head says "I am not responsible, I didn't shoot."[/QUOTE]Yes I am. 2 idiots in Philppines Immigration deported the 14 Taiwanese criminals to China in the middle of he night thinking no one would notice. Now we all suffer as a results of new " rules" that the Taiwanese impose in order to let the Philippines knows that its the dog that wags the tail and not vica versa. Under the employment rules of the Civil Service in Philippines, the idiots can't even be sacked. Instead were assigned to other duties.

Just did a booking of a CP flight. Coming to the payment I used my CC from HSBC Philippines, didn't expect any problem. Ooooops, payment declined.

Then tried it again with HSBC card here from Malaysia, no problem at all. Payment done and got itenary.

Now suddenly they prefer foreign CCs after many of you reported refusals?

Cheers!

[QUOTE=Ekspat; 1191918]Just did a booking of a CP flight. Coming to the payment I used my CC from HSBC Philippines, didn't expect any problem. Ooooops, payment declined.

Then tried it again with HSBC card here from Malaysia, no problem at all. Payment done and got itenary.

Now suddenly they prefer foreign CCs after many of you reported refusals?

Cheers![/QUOTE]Card handling / rejection is the prerogative of the payment gateway. Not the airline.

[QUOTE=Ekspat; 1191918]Just did a booking of a CP flight. Coming to the payment I used my CC from HSBC Philippines, didn't expect any problem. Ooooops, payment declined.

Then tried it again with HSBC card here from Malaysia, no problem at all. Payment done and got itenary.

Now suddenly they prefer foreign CCs after many of you reported refusals?

Cheers![/QUOTE]Hi Eks. Your not alone in having cards rejected. I can't get my HSBC HK, my HSBC Manila, my HSBC Taiwan to work in booking CP. Have to use an agent who suprise suprise has a "service fee".

[QUOTE=Ekspat; 1191918]Just did a booking of a CP flight. Coming to the payment I used my CC from HSBC Philippines, didn't expect any problem. Ooooops, payment declined.

Then tried it again with HSBC card here from Malaysia, no problem at all. Payment done and got itenary.

Now suddenly they prefer foreign CCs after many of you reported refusals?

Cheers![/QUOTE]I too just bought a ticket recently on Cebu Pacific using my Visa card issued from an American bank, and I had no problems making the purchase. In the past they wouldn't accept this same card. Perhaps they have improved their God-awful website? I noticed the purchase was "Verified by Visa", which meant I had to imput a password to authorize the transaction, I guess.

Looking at my itinerary now, I must say some of the extra fees they charge on top of the fare price seem kind of silly. Flying from Korea to the Phils, the fuel surcharge is about $36, so I guess that's ok, but there is also a Passenger Service charge of $28, a Web Admin fee of $8, and the most ridiculous, a Seat Selection fee of $12. And I'm traveling "lite", so no checked-in baggage allowed; that would've been extra too. I would say that around 40% of the actual fare I paid is just for taxes and fees. Still a decent price, but don't be fooled by how low their promo deals are.

[QUOTE=Ezinho;1192269]and the most ridiculous, a Seat Selection fee of $12. And I'm traveling "lite", so no checked-in baggage allowed; that would've been extra too. I would say that around 40% of the actual fare I paid is just for taxes and fees. Still a decent price, but don't be fooled by how low their promo deals are.[/QUOTE]Not just 5J (Cebu pac) but, even for 3K (Jetstar) and even Tiger, and almost all LCCs, the seat selection has a little disclaimer: Seat selection is an indication of customer preference, and is not guaranteed, in case of equipment change.

In other words, if the airline switches the plane or merges two flights into one, you loose out your seat selection, and no refund for giving you hope. That goes for the 'premium' Windows seats as well.

[QUOTE=FreebieFan;1192170]I can't get my HSBC HK, my HSBC Manila, my HSBC Taiwan to work in booking CP.[/QUOTE]Hi FF,

But my Malaysian HSBC card worked perfectly well, while the card HSBC Manila was rejected. Somehow I would have expected it vice versa.

Cheers!

I've been trying to book several hotels for February before I book my ticket and I'm glad I've tried. Most places I want, like eurotel, blue rock, hana hotel, and royal amsterdam were already booked for the date and room that I wanted. I know that January and February are the busiest months of the year, but is March just as busy? If I can't book all the rooms I would like then I was thinking of moving my dates to March. Is that any better at all? Or Just as busy in Angeles, Subic and Manila?

I'm finally able to make it back in February but I will wait and see if I can get the rooms I want for my small budget.

Why would you have expected that outcome? I don't have a HSBC card, but don't understand the point / logic.

[QUOTE=Ekspat; 1192615]Hi FF,

But my Malaysian HSBC card worked perfectly well, while the card HSBC Manila was rejected. Somehow I would have expected it vice versa.

Cheers![/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Kycuriosity; 1193086]I've been trying to book several hotels for February before I book my ticket and I'm glad I've tried. Most places I want, like eurotel, blue rock, hana hotel, and royal amsterdam were already booked for the date and room that I wanted. I know that January and February are the busiest months of the year, but is March just as busy? If I can't book all the rooms I would like then I was thinking of moving my dates to March. Is that any better at all? Or Just as busy in Angeles, Subic and Manila?

I'm finally able to make it back in February but I will wait and see if I can get the rooms I want for my small budget.[/QUOTE]I think you maybe too early for their reservation system. I have been trying to book air tickets and alot of the airlines won't let you book until a certain date before departure. Are you on the hotel website or aogda. Asiarooms one of those. It could be saying not available because they haven't opened up those dates yet. For the smaller hotels I would call them.

[QUOTE=Devils 1;1194472]I think you maybe too early for their reservation system. I have been trying to book air tickets and alot of the airlines won't let you book until a certain date before departure. Are you on the hotel website or aogda. Asiarooms one of those. It could be saying not available because they haven't opened up those dates yet. For the smaller hotels I would call them.[/QUOTE]I tried booking the Combo flight / hotel on Expedia first because I wanted the travel insurance they offer. I also tried Agoda on most of the hotels that are online just to see if they were available for my dates. I emailed Hana hotel about features of the delux room and they informed me they fill up fast at that time and to book several months ahead of time. I guess I will give it a few weeks and see what happens. Thank you for the info. In February I planned on 2 days in manila. 3 days in Subic. 3 days in Angeles, One day in Manila and then back to Angeles for 5 days, finally finishing with 2 days in Manila. Yes, a lot of traveling but I will be with different people during different times there. I like switching things up a bit during all my stays. I don't want to stay in one place too long, even if I leave and come back, that is preferable to me.

Does anyone have a preference in Travel Insurance? Do most people get it, or ignore it? I'm coming from the US.

[QUOTE=Kycuriosity;] 1194601Does anyone have a preference in Travel Insurance? Do most people get it, or ignore it?[/QUOTE]Depends entirely on your risk profile. Young, fit, cashed up and not into suicidal sports? Probably you can get away with out insurance. Older gentlemen with health issues may be wise way to avoid a very expensive or very uncomfortable experience. Personally I self insure but as I get older I guess the odds are starting to stack on me that I may need sudden medical help in a strange land some day.

AV

Does anyone have a preference in Travel Insurance? Do most people get it, or ignore it? I'm coming from the US.[/QUOTE]Try the lonely planets guide insurance they give good rates, what I could see

[QUOTE=X Man;1193799]Why would you have expected that outcome? I don't have a HSBC card, but don't understand the point / logic.[/QUOTE]Hi X!

As far as I know, CP is Philippine based, so I expected the card issued in the Philippines would work better than a card issued abroad.

Cheers!