Flights from Manila

[wilhulse 0]

Hello All,

I'm planning ahead a little...I'm looking for airfare for my fiance so when she passes the interview I can get her here ASAP...I'm having difficulty finding a carrier here in the states that can help me. United told me that the ticket has to show that it was purchased in the Philippines. Is this correct and if so can someone offer suggestions and airlines that I can have my fiance look into....

Thank you.....

You guys rock....

wil

[butuan 0]

International flights are tricky, and after ready others here, they have said that it is cheapest for her to buy the ticket there in Philippines. i have the same problem here, i want her here asap. My plan is for her to buy the ticket there, but the date is ?? cause of the delivery of the visa you dont know when so i plan on paying the extra $$ who cares as long as she is here, you will get a lower price if you buy in advance. How can you plan when you dont know when the visa will be delivered and so many unknows there, others here have had this problem and have had to rebook the flight here, and i know that costs money. One time i did change my round trip departure date to go there and it cost me $600 just to change the departure date and that was with 2 weeks notice.

i recommend for her to start looking for a agent there now and checking prices and you sending her the money how ever you want her to pay for it.

[dp8255 0]

Hi, My husband booked a flight for me thru a travel agent here in the U.S electronic ticket send to Manila Airport she just have to have the ticket number or Itenerary Information that you will give her. I used Northwest Airline. But with definite date of departure. Goodluck!

Dave&Divina

[goldwing777 0]

Hi William & Andromeda,

I just started reading these threads a few days ago and I think I understand enough to give some input. You really pose a pertinent question and I am glad your asking. Basically, I have traveled six times to Philippines six times in last year. I found China Airlines to be the most reasonable. Iam going to send my fiance money to get the ticket in Manila. China air policy is that you can make a reservation and it needs to be paid for in two weeks. Our plan is to make a reservation that needs to be paid for the day after the interview. As long as we have the pink ticket from the consulate and they take her passport, we are going to pay for the ticket the following day. This means she will be able to fly 13 days after the interview. We felt that to an acceptable amount of time. If there is a problem to get the visa and passport, china airlines charges a 75.00 rebooking fee. But the problem here is that it might take two to three weeks to get a ticket.

The 'season' for air travel in Philippines starts in April so ticket prices go up about three to four hundred dollars on china airlines. I have been paying around 950 dollars to fly from Fresno, California in low season around 1250 dollars in peak season. I have also been told its definitely cheaper to purchase tickets from a travel agent in Manila because the often have promotions.

Cathay Pacif Air is pretty good but costs more. I think this airline is easier to get a quicker ticket because alot of people travel china because its cheaper. Several of my friends who recently married got tickets on this airline, I did not ask how much they paid.

[john_and_marlene 162]

Hi William & Andromeda,

I just started reading these threads a few days ago and I think I understand enough to give some input. You really pose a pertinent question and I am glad your asking. Basically, I have traveled six times to Philippines six times in last year. I found China Airlines to be the most reasonable. Iam going to send my fiance money to get the ticket in Manila. China air policy is that you can make a reservation and it needs to be paid for in two weeks. Our plan is to make a reservation that needs to be paid for the day after the interview. As long as we have the pink ticket from the consulate and they take her passport, we are going to pay for the ticket the following day. This means she will be able to fly 13 days after the interview. We felt that to an acceptable amount of time. If there is a problem to get the visa and passport, china airlines charges a 75.00 rebooking fee. But the problem here is that it might take two to three weeks to get a ticket.

The 'season' for air travel in Philippines starts in April so ticket prices go up about three to four hundred dollars on china airlines. I have been paying around 950 dollars to fly from Fresno, California in low season around 1250 dollars in peak season. I have also been told its definitely cheaper to purchase tickets from a travel agent in Manila because the often have promotions.

Cathay Pacif Air is pretty good but costs more. I think this airline is easier to get a quicker ticket because alot of people travel china because its cheaper. Several of my friends who recently married got tickets on this airline, I did not ask how much they paid.

We booked tickets for about 2 weeks after the interview too. It took almost 3 weeks to get the visa delivered. Several of the people we were in contact with at that time had the same delivery delay. I ended up having to come back before Marlene and we had to rebook her flight.

[goldwing777 0]

Hi William & Andromeda,

I just started reading these threads a few days ago and I think I understand enough to give some input. You really pose a pertinent question and I am glad your asking. Basically, I have traveled six times to Philippines six times in last year. I found China Airlines to be the most reasonable. Iam going to send my fiance money to get the ticket in Manila. China air policy is that you can make a reservation and it needs to be paid for in two weeks. Our plan is to make a reservation that needs to be paid for the day after the interview. As long as we have the pink ticket from the consulate and they take her passport, we are going to pay for the ticket the following day. This means she will be able to fly 13 days after the interview. We felt that to an acceptable amount of time. If there is a problem to get the visa and passport, china airlines charges a 75.00 rebooking fee. But the problem here is that it might take two to three weeks to get a ticket.

The 'season' for air travel in Philippines starts in April so ticket prices go up about three to four hundred dollars on china airlines. I have been paying around 950 dollars to fly from Fresno, California in low season around 1250 dollars in peak season. I have also been told its definitely cheaper to purchase tickets from a travel agent in Manila because the often have promotions.

Cathay Pacif Air is pretty good but costs more. I think this airline is easier to get a quicker ticket because alot of people travel china because its cheaper. Several of my friends who recently married got tickets on this airline, I did not ask how much they paid.

We booked tickets for about 2 weeks after the interview too. It took almost 3 weeks to get the visa delivered. Several of the people we were in contact with at that time had the same delivery delay. I ended up having to come back before Marlene and we had to rebook her flight.

Hi John & Marlene

What airline did you use? How long did it take her to rebook? What month of the year was it? Wow, thats long time to get the visa. What I have been seeing here on VJ in about five cases is that the visa took about five to seven days to arrive. So your right, perhaps 14 days wont even be enough!

[john_and_marlene 162]

Hi William & Andromeda,

I just started reading these threads a few days ago and I think I understand enough to give some input. You really pose a pertinent question and I am glad your asking. Basically, I have traveled six times to Philippines six times in last year. I found China Airlines to be the most reasonable. Iam going to send my fiance money to get the ticket in Manila. China air policy is that you can make a reservation and it needs to be paid for in two weeks. Our plan is to make a reservation that needs to be paid for the day after the interview. As long as we have the pink ticket from the consulate and they take her passport, we are going to pay for the ticket the following day. This means she will be able to fly 13 days after the interview. We felt that to an acceptable amount of time. If there is a problem to get the visa and passport, china airlines charges a 75.00 rebooking fee. But the problem here is that it might take two to three weeks to get a ticket.

The 'season' for air travel in Philippines starts in April so ticket prices go up about three to four hundred dollars on china airlines. I have been paying around 950 dollars to fly from Fresno, California in low season around 1250 dollars in peak season. I have also been told its definitely cheaper to purchase tickets from a travel agent in Manila because the often have promotions.

Cathay Pacif Air is pretty good but costs more. I think this airline is easier to get a quicker ticket because alot of people travel china because its cheaper. Several of my friends who recently married got tickets on this airline, I did not ask how much they paid.

We booked tickets for about 2 weeks after the interview too. It took almost 3 weeks to get the visa delivered. Several of the people we were in contact with at that time had the same delivery delay. I ended up having to come back before Marlene and we had to rebook her flight.

Hi John & Marlene

What airline did you use? How long did it take her to rebook? What month of the year was it? Wow, thats long time to get the visa. What I have been seeing here on VJ in about five cases is that the visa took about five to seven days to arrive. So your right, perhaps 14 days wont even be enough!

We used Northwest. I booked the tickets here, but the rebooking was done at the Northwest ticketing office in Makati. There was a $75 rebooking fee + we had to pay the difference for a higher priced ticket. The original ticket was for Nov 28 ... We rebooked both our tickets for the 30th which was still not enough time. I had to return back to work as I was out of vacation time. She then had to return to the Northwest office and paid a no-show fee for the Nov 30th ticket and rebooked for Dec 7th. It was a chance we took that didn't pay off. I had been watching the delivery times of visas too and they had all been taking about 2 - 3 days for delivery in the Manila area .... right up until that week ... then for some odd reason they slowed way down for a while.

[Jasman0717 8]

You can buy the ticket here it's just that you can same some money by having your fiancee purchase it in the Philippines. Claudeth got hers for about $150 less that my agent could get it and over $200 less than all the cheap web sites I looked at. Good Luck

[jer 0]

Visa delievery is good right now , my fiance and also my friends interviewed on feb 9 and both recieved their visa on feb 15 , then she got her packet { appointment letter } on feb 17 , this was a cebu delievery area for both

[trey 0]

I intend to go through a travel agent and get myself a round-ticket there to meet her and coordinate her ticket to return with me. Might cost a little more, but worth it to let them do the ticket arrangements. I used Northwest when I went to visit her and the return trip flies into Detroit and transfers to a local flight from there.

[john_and_marlene 162]

I do realize that buying the ticket in the Philippines is less expensive. But if one of your major goals is to sit together on the same flight coming to the U.S., then I think it's best to pay the extra and purchase the tickets at the same time. I have often seen couples separated on the flight because they saved a few dollars booking the flight separately. The airlines are consolidating flights to save money and most of these flights are regularly fully or over booked. It is often not possible to arrive at the airport and get seat assignments together. I have traded my assigned seat so that a family could sit together on my last 2 flights home. They had hoped to get seating together at check-in too, but couldn't. If your overriding goal is to save money, then you can probably save a little by buying your ticket there. If your goal is to be together on the same flight, pay a little extra and book the flights together.

[Jasman0717 8]

Visa delievery is good right now , my fiance and also my friends interviewed on feb 9 and both recieved their visa on feb 15 , then she got her packet { appointment letter } on feb 17 , this was a cebu delievery area for both

Congratulations

[goldwing777 0]

I do realize that buying the ticket in the Philippines is less expensive. But if one of your major goals is to sit together on the same flight coming to the U.S., then I think it's best to pay the extra and purchase the tickets at the same time. I have often seen couples separated on the flight because they saved a few dollars booking the flight separately. The airlines are consolidating flights to save money and most of these flights are regularly fully or over booked. It is often not possible to arrive at the airport and get seat assignments together. I have traded my assigned seat so that a family could sit together on my last 2 flights home. They had hoped to get seating together at check-in too, but couldn't. If your overriding goal is to save money, then you can probably save a little by buying your ticket there. If your goal is to be together on the same flight, pay a little extra and book the flights together.

Yes, John and Marlene,

If your goal is to sit together it will cost much more I think. Lorna really wanted me to come to go to interview with her and do that but I just have traveled so much in last year. I took six trips to see her!!!! whew!!!! But really, Iam tempted to go back around the interview time...LOL...

Robert and Lorna

Hey Trey,

Iam excited for you and your Love! Just wanted to tell you I think the processing times at manila are around four months now once your package arrives in manila. Yes, I think a travel agent over there is the best way to go. You can get cheaper deals over there..I think...

Robert and Lorna

Visa delievery is good right now , my fiance and also my friends interviewed on feb 9 and both recieved their visa on feb 15 , then she got her packet { appointment letter } on feb 17 , this was a cebu delievery area for both

Thanks Jer,

I guess there are no guarantees on getting that visa; but Iam going to still make my reservation and go for it. Worse case is that she flies a few days later. Best case is that she is here 14 days after interview!

Robert & Lorna

[borninabarn 0]

Visa delievery is good right now , my fiance and also my friends interviewed on feb 9 and both recieved their visa on feb 15 , then she got her packet { appointment letter } on feb 17 , this was a cebu delievery area for both

Congratulations :dance:I am also taking the chance on the tickets.I bought a round trip for me and a one way back for ester Trough NWA.I told them that i was flying back for her interview and she didnt have her visa yet.All they ask for was her home address and her home telephone # name.My ticket is non-refundable thats fine i miss her so much im going to be with her during the interview.Her ticket NWA put down as refundable?I believe so much that God will let this happen for us so i am just doing it.All paper work is correct (im not rich)but i meet all the guidlines.And i also believe in my heart that this love is so strong for ester and God is on our side it should be ok! Thanks kurt and ester

[Jasman0717 8]

I just re-read my post and obviously I don't proof read what I write. It should read:

You can buy the ticket here it's but you can save some money by having your fiancee purchase it in the Philippines. Claudeth got hers for about $150 less that my agent could get it for and over $200 less than all the cheap web sites I looked at. Good Luck