General Info

[QUOTE=FreebieFan;1657122]Sick leave for Philippines is a bit of joke. All staff are entitled by law to something like 21-28 days sick leave depending on what the union negotiate. Not hard for staff to find a doctor on December 10th who will happily sign you a medical chit till year end. Happens every December in many countries. Just another employee headache to manage and one more reason its more fun in the phil etc.[/QUOTE]Was speaking with my cute waitress (who unfortunately (for some) heads off to the Arab world soon to work. Well better pay and conditions etc so can't blame her. But makes my Middle East trips more interesting LOL). She said most people are allowed 15 days sick and 15 days vacation (but am sure this depends on employer. In her case her hotel (employer) allows 3 days sick and 3 days vacation. Now that is disgraceful.

Is another reason she is going overseas as she gets 1 month holiday every year and tickets paid home plus medical etc (it may not be the greatest of packages for a western expat but for a 24 year old pinay it means she is rich).

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;1657013]
One man's mistake, is another man's mission (mine).[/QUOTE]This is good copy right here.

[QUOTE=Poopbunny;1657217]


Sow your seed often enough, someday, on your return trip, one of these street urchins begging for money from you, might just have your eyes.

[/QUOTE]Thanks Poopbunny.

[QUOTE=Ikksman;1657109]You don't really need to have wads of cash to open an HSBC Premier Account. Ask if they have specials for new customers. Most branches do, and they typically offer 12 months before the minimum funding level needs to be achieved and maintained. If no specials are available, then say that your funds do not become available (from other investments) for say 3 or 6 months. They will always accept you as a Premier customer.

You can then open Premier accounts in other countries. You just need to give the details of your original HSBC account, and they will instantly open a new account for you. They will even give you your security device at the same time that you open your account (of course you need to be in-country to do this). You don't even need to wait for your plastic card as you can do all your banking via the internet.

If you do not achieve the minimum level of deposits in your original account by the due date, the bank will start charging a monthly fee (varies from country to country). Therefore you need to close your original account before this date. Your other accounts remain fully functional without the need to maintain any minimum level of deposits. I have even opened a new Premier account in a country after my original account was closed, simply by giving the details of my other accounts.

BTW I have found HSBC Premier staff in PI extremely well-trained and helpful (did you know the staff get unlimited sick leave on full pay?

Ikks.[/QUOTE]I'm no longer a customer so I was speaking in retrospect. Thanks for confirming things have improved. Those gymnastics you describe may depend on the good will / gullibility of the staff on the day. Unlimited sick leave? That's unheard of in the Phils! Seriously?

AV.

After lurking here long enough, and trying to decide on a vacation somewhere, I was trying to find reasonable flights to various places for various kinds of vacations.

I was curious about a $1300 flight to Manila. When Orbitz suddenly told me it found a better deal and gave me a flight from the Midwest to Manila for $740. Impulse purchase.

Of course, I'll be spending some time in AC, but I also will be doing research about back country adventuring. Hiking, backpacking, even some camping.

If anyone on these boards is going to be in AC on Jan 13th-14th (when I arrive) and doesn't mind saying 'Hi' to a newb, that would be awesome. I haven't completely done my homework, but if anyone has suggestions for non-sexy-time activities, I'm keen on hearing them as well!

Cathay Pacific -JFK New York to Manila $987 with a 3 day stop over in HK on the way back. Cathay by far is best on this route. Rate was booked on their website.

0:50 JFK departure arrive HK 05:00. Take shower in HK Terminal. 07:30 flight to Manila arrive Manila 09:00. Van, Driver and 2 Girls from Arizona Subic pick us up in Manila. 12:30 sitting on Floating Bar having a blast.

[QUOTE=RandMcNasty;1657508]After lurking here long enough, and trying to decide on a vacation somewhere, I was trying to find reasonable flights to various places for various kinds of vacations.

I was curious about a $1300 flight to Manila. When Orbitz suddenly told me it found a better deal and gave me a flight from the Midwest to Manila for $740. Impulse purchase.

Of course, I'll be spending some time in AC, but I also will be doing research about back country adventuring. Hiking, backpacking, even some camping.

If anyone on these boards is going to be in AC on Jan 13th-14th (when I arrive) and doesn't mind saying 'Hi' to a newb, that would be awesome. I haven't completely done my homework, but if anyone has suggestions for non-sexy-time activities, I'm keen on hearing them as well![/QUOTE]Wow that is a great price RM. What is the duration of the flight and what airlines? As for non-sexy activities in AC I suppose the mall is an option. I saw a golf course not too far away. Bagio and Subic are probably over-nighters. Lots of cutie DIA girls in AC apart from the bar scene.

[QUOTE=Mongerer69;1657561]Cathay Pacific -JFK New York to Manila $987 with a 3 day stop over in HK on the way back. Cathay by far is best on this route. Rate was booked on their website.

0:50 JFK departure arrive HK 05:00. Take shower in HK Terminal. 07:30 flight to Manila arrive Manila 09:00. Van, Driver and 2 Girls from Arizona Subic pick us up in Manila. 12:30 sitting on Floating Bar having a blast.[/QUOTE]To Mongerer69.

Yes fare is dropping fast United and Korean air already have fare from SFO to Manila for around 820 usd w stop in HK and Incheon with fuel price keep falling, I don't think you will see 600 usd fare like back in 1995 anymore.

Fast eddie 48.

If you guys are flying via HKG, consider Tiger or DragonAir from HKG to Clark. Lands you directly into the action, many AC hotels have free pickup, and you also avoid MNL airport and the extra 2-3 drive.

(Caution: If your airline tix is booked to MNL then you need to use those sectors to meet your fare rules. )

[QUOTE=BrainDrain;1657743]If you guys are flying via HKG, consider Tiger or DragonAir from HKG to Clark. Lands you directly into the action, many AC hotels have free pickup, and you also avoid MNL airport and the extra 2-3 drive.

(Caution: If your airline tix is booked to MNL then you need to use those sectors to meet your fare rules. )[/QUOTE]To BrainDrain.

The fare is too high now tiger have cheap fare before only 55 usd from HK to Clark one way arrive after Midnight fare is a lot higher now, you can also go to Macau and fly Cebu Pacific to Clark cheap if you are flying Cathay Pacific from the US you can connected with Dragon air in HKG on a 7 am flight to clark only one flight a day but cathay have 6 flight a day to Manila.

Fast eddie 48.

[QUOTE=RandMcNasty;1657508]After lurking here long enough, and trying to decide on a vacation somewhere, I was trying to find reasonable flights to various places for various kinds of vacations.

I was curious about a $1300 flight to Manila. When Orbitz suddenly told me it found a better deal and gave me a flight from the Midwest to Manila for $740. Impulse purchase.

Of course, I'll be spending some time in AC, but I also will be doing research about back country adventuring. Hiking, backpacking, even some camping.

If anyone on these boards is going to be in AC on Jan 13th-14th (when I arrive) and doesn't mind saying 'Hi' to a newb, that would be awesome. I haven't completely done my homework, but if anyone has suggestions for non-sexy-time activities, I'm keen on hearing them as well![/QUOTE]Welcome and great deal on your flight. You didn't mention how long you're here for or where else you plan or would like to travel to, but the below link should give a rough idea of some non-mongering activities in the AC area;.

[URL]http://www.margaritastation.com/whats_on.html[/URL]

[QUOTE=Amavida;1657347]I'm no longer a customer so I was speaking in retrospect. Thanks for confirming things have improved. Those gymnastics you describe may depend on the good will / gullibility of the staff on the day. Unlimited sick leave? That's unheard of in the Phils! Seriously?

AV.[/QUOTE]All steps are in accordance with bank's policies, procedures and SOPs. No luck or brown nosing required! I would not describe the simple process of opening a few bank accounts as gymnastics. The only extra step is closing one account, which can be done online if one has a printer and scanner.

Actually I believe the sick leave policy is world-wide. Anyway, brother of ex-wife worked for HSBC in PI for 16 years. He injured his back cycling and spent 10 months off work on full pay. So, seriously? [B]Yes![/B] And BTW, I did not use him to assist opening my HSBC Premier accounts.

Ikksman
[SUP][i]"No need to expose fools. They expose themselves!"[/i][/SUP]

[QUOTE=DCups;1657587]Wow that is a great price RM. What is the duration of the flight and what airlines? As for non-sexy activities in AC I suppose the mall is an option. I saw a golf course not too far away. Bagio and Subic are probably over-nighters. Lots of cutie DIA girls in AC apart from the bar scene.[/QUOTE]Flying United and Cathay both ways. The duration isn't on my email confirmation, but the layovers in Newark and Hong Kong on the way out, and Hong Kong and San Fran on the way back, are minimal. Total travel time is around or under 24 hours.

I'm almost certainly going to check out Subic. I also will be heading to Pinatubo, as well as the Bataan Nature park. I have almost 2 weeks to burn!

So far, at least for my first stay in AC, I'm going to check out the new CP Tower since it sounds like the price is right. I'm sure I'll be booking at least one night in ABC though.

I need to research how to do the DIA thing.

[QUOTE=PipJaeger;1657751]Welcome and great deal on your flight. You didn't mention how long you're here for or where else you plan or would like to travel to, but the below link should give a rough idea of some non-mongering activities in the AC area;.

[URL]http://www.margaritastation.com/whats_on.html[/URL][/QUOTE]Spending almost 2 weeks, which should be plenty of time! Thanks for the link! I was already planning on Pinatubo, as well as Bataan. Looks like I'll be doing Arayat as well as the hot springs!

I may try to get a DIA girl because some company on these trips may be fun, though I'm quite used to doing stuff on my own, and sometimes that is best.

[QUOTE=Ikksman;1657770]All steps are in accordance with bank's policies, procedures and SOPs. No luck or brown nosing required! I would not describe the simple process of opening a few bank accounts as gymnastics. The only extra step is closing one account, which can be done online if one has a printer and scanner.

Actually I believe the sick leave policy is world-wide. Anyway, brother of ex-wife worked for HSBC in PI for 16 years. He injured his back cycling and spent 10 months off work on full pay. So, seriously? [B]Yes![/B] And BTW, I did not use him to assist opening my HSBC Premier accounts.

Ikksman
[SUP][i]"No need to expose fools. They expose themselves!"[/i][/SUP][/QUOTE]Its not experience of Makati branch of HSBC but glad to hear things have improved. What's with the sig?

AV.

[QUOTE=Ikksman;1657770]All steps are in accordance with bank's policies, procedures and SOPs. No luck or brown nosing required! I would not describe the simple process of opening a few bank accounts as gymnastics. The only extra step is closing one account, which can be done online if one has a printer and scanner.

Actually I believe the sick leave policy is world-wide. Anyway, brother of ex-wife worked for HSBC in PI for 16 years. He injured his back cycling and spent 10 months off work on full pay. So, seriously? [B]Yes![/B] And BTW, I did not use him to assist opening my HSBC Premier accounts.
[/QUOTE]Note that HSBC branches, though connected to the mother group in London and HK, are actually country-based franchises.

The Philippines HSBC is subject to Philippines banking laws, so you are only protected by the maximum insurable limit for depositors (currently 500,000 php) through the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC).

I first ran into this potential problem of variable expectations of services when I was in Hanoi and discovered that the specific services from HSBC that I enjoyed in Manila were not replicated in Vietnam because it is a different franchise.

Just be careful in assuming that the status quo in one country transfers to others, even if HSBC markets itself as a global brand. Read the fine print.