General Info

I have been coming to the Phils for work over the last five years (mostly Manila and recently Cebu City) and Cebu is definitely not cheaper than Manila. It seems to get more expensive every time I come. However it's much less chaotic and congested and I really like how I can escape to a beautiful clean beach or in the mountains in a relatively shorter period of time than leaving Manila. As for mongering there are fewer bars and clubs and more freelance action so you have to work a little bit more. And of course if you are relatively good looking, kind, got game, and of course have lots of funds you can do really no matter where you are in the Phils. I do notice more Chinese and Koreans in Cebu than Manila. As for cheaper destinations for those more adventurous I'd agree Davao, and likely Bacolod and other places in The Visayas and Mindanao likely will be much cheaper. Personally I haven't had the opportunity to venture to this places yet.

[QUOTE=WickedRoger;1769126]I don't think it is cheaper in any way, Davao maybe but prices here are comparable to Manila.

And many mongers don't post as we try to keep it fairly secret that Cebu is better LOL but really many post a few FRs as too much same same about many FRs so stick with information not pure titillation at times I suppose.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Mbsl65;1769215]Excellent explanations. I consider myself a geek and I still did not find a way to bypass it without as seating fee. They must be getting a crash course from Ryan Air.[/QUOTE]That was exactly my thinking as I read your earlier post. Ryanair used to charge you for printing your own boarding pass on your own printer with your own paper and ink, FFS! And if you didn't pay to print your own boarding pass, then you paid a much higher cost at the airport for them to print it instead. So basically there was no way of avoiding A cost with the boarding pass, just how much you ended up paying. They know that people just see the headline 1 p /1 c fares and are too committed to the process by the time the drip pricing really kicks in (a fee for using a credit card? Per person? Why not? And O'Leary really wasn't joking when he suggested a 1 Euro fee for using the bathrooms. Yet bizarrely this model works as more and more people fly with them. It really does pay to shop around with the FINAL price rather than the headline "ticket" price, including any mandatory fees, baggage charges, "fuel tax" (Hello, BA), oxygen fees etc.

Given the maximum length of domestic flights with Cebu Pacific, and the nature of this forum meaning you're probably flying alone, personally I'd just take one of the unreserved seats and put up with even a middle seat for an hour, two hours at most.

[QUOTE=Simmer;1769301]Given the maximum length of domestic flights with Cebu Pacific, and the nature of this forum meaning you're probably flying alone, personally I'd just take one of the unreserved seats and put up with even a middle seat for an hour, two hours at most.[/QUOTE]The seats costs between 160-230 pesos. As many have said countless times, many of us spend a lot more getting there so why are we bothered by a $4-5 charge? I am not and prefer a seat that gives me some 'comfort' - the seat in the Cebu Pac A319/320 are not meant for long haul for large guys like me and many of those I see on the plane.

Pot luck is OK as you be sat next to a nun (as I have been) or a cuties (also happened) but also a fat bugger who takes more then his / her share of the seating. Is only an hour or two so I would not fuss but I do like to chose my seat so I will pay.

As for Ryanair Simmer. Am sure if he could charge for how much you dump in the toilet and the paper use while and the toilet, he would LOL.

[QUOTE=WickedRoger;1769395]The seats costs between 160-230 pesos. As many have said countless times, many of us spend a lot more getting there so why are we bothered by a $4-5 charge? I am not and prefer a seat that gives me some 'comfort' - the seat in the Cebu Pac A319/320 are not meant for long haul for large guys like me and many of those I see on the plane.[/QUOTE]True, at that cost. Sorry, I was wrongly thinking what other airlines charge for seats.

As an aside, twice now on Philippine Airlines long haul we've had the seat reservations (which are free) just cancelled for no apparent reason. You think you reserved good seats together months ago, get to check-in, and find that your seats have been given to somebody else. WTF?! Even the check-in ladies try to insist that all the seats have reservations so they cannot change mine, I turn around and look at the 200 people in the line waiting to check-in and ask again, but get the typical smile and "sorry". This happened for a flight TO the Philippines, and a flight FROM the Philippines, and with the latter I got so pissed off that after 10 minutes of arguing with the duty supervisor they relented and gave me the seats I booked. Yet PR are horrendously expensive but give a shit product and are always full. But they are the only direct, non-stop flight from where I am. Sorry, whinge over.

[QUOTE=WickedRoger;1769395]As for Ryanair Simmer. Am sure if he could charge for how much you dump in the toilet and the paper use while and the toilet, he would LOL.[/QUOTE]Chuckle!

[QUOTE=Simmer;1769679]. Yet PR are horrendously expensive but give a shit product and are always full. But they are the only direct, non-stop flight from where I am. Sorry, whinge over.

Chuckle![/QUOTE]Whenever I have flown PAL it as never been a good experience hence I won't fly with them unless forced to (that happened once from another Asian country and the experience lived up to my expectations. Rubbish!

[QUOTE=Cjetset;1769289]Personally I haven't had the opportunity to venture to this places yet.[/QUOTE]Cebu is maybe the most popular destination among Koreans. Especially Mactan Island. They have their own racket going on. Every midnight there are 5 different flights within 30 minutes to Incheon. Hotel prices have been creeping up and even in the popular places Koreans are in the majority. I call it very much of a Korean infestation. Chinese are not too many but they are in mostly Bohol. Especially with the opening of Henann Resort.

[QUOTE=WickedRoger;1769794]Whenever I have flown PAL it as never been a good experience hence I won't fly with them unless forced to (that happened once from another Asian country and the experience lived up to my expectations. Rubbish![/QUOTE]Especially if you buy your ticket thru Expedia or Orbitz, PAL will not give you an opportunity to purchase extra baggage and tag you 1600 p at the airport. It is unfortunate that Chinese Filipino cartel is killing Philippines with lack of competition. Recently they did everything to prevent increased number of flights from UAE with no success. It is my first time seeing a defeat.

I like to thank GE for recommending usage of Uber instead of taxis. I have been using it since I came to Manila and works perfect. I recommend others to do the same. Very good service.

[QUOTE=Mbsl65;1769854]It is unfortunate that Chinese Filipino cartel is killing Philippines with lack of competition. Recently they did everything to prevent increased number of flights from UAE with no success. It is my first time seeing a defeat.[/QUOTE]Well the press here claim a success. Only in that it has opened up more flights for Philippine carries to the UAE and in return the UAE carriers 'promised' to expand services outside Manila, namely Clark (yet again but was an economic disaster for EK) and / or Cebu (within 12 months) - but expansion is likely premised with a view and margins and Clark was not a good earner and cannibalized seats on the Manila flights.

But the local boys don't realise that apart from price there is no comparison. Many Filipinos chose EK / EY as the service is better, a quality product for long haul.

While I fly Cebu Pacific to Asian countries is s for no more than 3 hours and that is plenty.

So the passenger numbers will be the defining comparative and I expect the UAE carriers to win that every year.

[QUOTE=WickedRoger;1769794]Whenever I have flown PAL it as never been a good experience hence I won't fly with them unless forced to (that happened once from another Asian country and the experience lived up to my expectations. Rubbish![/QUOTE]I didn't even mention the IFE, or lack thereof. Of the screens that did actually work, a lot of content didn't work, and the map was disabled "for security reasons" (Both ways.

I suppose I ought to mention their food was actually quite reasonable.

This subject has been the subject of discussion before. Ie low speed and high cost etc.

The links below are very recently and one quotes the APEC meeting in Cebu this month. All complain about how bad it is here. Nothing new but the lack of infrastructure investment and will of the providers to do anything for the user / consumer (unless means super profits for themselves etc am sure) is clearly evident IMHO in the links.

[URL]http://www.manilatimes.net/were-the-only-asian-country-where-foreigners-control-the-telecom-industry/216706/[/URL]

[URL]http://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2015/09/05/1496186/apec-exec-phl-should-improve-internet-service[/URL]

I always fly Cathay Pacific to Cebu. Always solid whether I'm in a Coach, premium, or Biz and they seem to upgrade often if you fly them a lot. PAL is just dreadful. That said for a discount carrier Cebu Pacific is solid. Always have been prompt, the staff nice, and the planes clean. Seats are a bit tight but that's the case with all discount carriers. Just pay a few extra pesos for exit row or more space row.

[QUOTE=Simmer;1770076]I didn't even mention the IFE, or lack thereof. Of the screens that did actually work, a lot of content didn't work, and the map was disabled "for security reasons" (Both ways.

I suppose I ought to mention their food was actually quite reasonable.[/QUOTE]

IMHO, you will never see an infrastructure investment unless Filipino-Chinese cartel can make money from it. Internet speeds, freeways, airports are all clogged due to protect interests of the cartel. Very sad.

[QUOTE=WickedRoger;1770951]This subject has been the subject of discussion before. Ie low speed and high cost etc.

The links below are very recently and one quotes the APEC meeting in Cebu this month. All complain about how bad it is here. Nothing new but the lack of infrastructure investment and will of the providers to do anything for the user / consumer (unless means super profits for themselves etc am sure) is clearly evident IMHO in the links.

[URL]http://www.manilatimes.net/were-the-only-asian-country-where-foreigners-control-the-telecom-industry/216706/[/URL]

[URL]http://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2015/09/05/1496186/apec-exec-phl-should-improve-internet-service[/URL][/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=RedKilt;1771347]I was shocked to compare the cost I paid (at the relevant forex rate as shown on my CC account) with the existing cost in Manila (and this latter Manila store was also offering a promo.

55 cm: Aust cost 6,825 php; Phils cost 11,750 php.

75 cm: Aust cost 17,815 php; Phils cost 35,630 php.

Don't bring an old bag to the Philippines thinking you might exchange it for a new cheaper one. These differences are quite dramatic.[/QUOTE]Good comment RK, I bought my Samsonite in Aussie also and in Cebu the prices are similar. I asked why such a price difference and showed them my receipt. They said is import duty LOL. Then I inquired how many they sold. None was the answer.

Cheap is possible but not the quality I need as I want hard wearing long lasting bags as I fly a lot, the stuff you can buy Metro / SM is horrible quality, OK if you travel once a year.

This might be a weird post on ISG but there was some discussion recently (somewhere here and linked to Skogis) about the cost of new baggage (specifically Samsonite) in Manila compared to elsewhere.

It might help those who figure you will get cheaper stuff in the Philippines instead of at home.

I have recently returned from Australia. I purchased 2 new Samsonite hard-cased bags in Sydney (a 55 cm and a 75 cm) in a shop in Pitt Street.

I was shocked to compare the cost I paid (at the relevant forex rate as shown on my CC account) with the existing cost in Manila (and this latter Manila store was also offering a promo.

55 cm: Aust cost 6,825 php; Phils cost 11,750 php.

75 cm: Aust cost 17,815 php; Phils cost 35,630 php.

Don't bring an old bag to the Philippines thinking you might exchange it for a new cheaper one. These differences are quite dramatic.