Where and why?

[hope.andsun 7]

Hi everyone! I'm planning to enter the US by the 2nd week of July. I was just wondering from people who have POE'd, where they bought their tickets and why in that specific airline? The pro's and con's? When I had my interview, there were a lot of travel agencies giving out flyers when we were lining up (So Pinoy) and their rates are really cheap. $300-400 sans tax so maybe around $600 all in all. I just thought it was too good to be true. I'm trying to look for a cheap/reasonable one and will book it within this week.

Thanks in advance for all your input.

[George & Gina 29]

Where to? $600 dollars seems to good to be true. The lowest prices that I've seen are around $850 to various locations on the east coast and some folks here even doubted that I'd found those.

The Airlines websites tend to offer the best fares. You'll also find lower fares if you have flexible travel dates and don't have to leave on a particular day.

I tend to fly Continental myself because I live on Guam. Check out Philippines Airlines and Delta also. BTW, Guam is a great place for someone from Phils. to do their POE. A large number of the immigration/customs folks are of Filipino descent.

George

[PAGE 11 14]

Have you heard of the "first time immigrant" discount? I learned about it on VJ.

I booked a one way ticket to SFO on PAL for $430 + taxes. In total it will be under $700. In contrast the PAL website quotes about $1100 for travel on the same date (2nd week July).

See if you can get the same deal, email Camia Briones.

camiabriones@yahoo.com

MOTIVATION TOURS AND TRAVEL CORP

G-4 CCH Bldg, 136 LP Leviste St.

Salcedo Village Makati City

tel nos : 8126051-54

Good luck.

Btw, the reasons I prefer PAL are:

- They fly direct to LAX or SFO, only 12 hours vs 16 or more with Delta or other airlines (which have stopovers at Seoul or Narita)

- Nice to do my bit for a local airline

Edited June 19, 2011 by PAGE 11

[southcalhog 43]

Have you heard of the "first time immigrant" discount? I learned about it on VJ.

I booked a one way ticket to SFO on PAL for $430 + taxes. In total it will be under $700. In contrast the PAL website quotes about $1100 for travel on the same date (2nd week July).

See if you can get the same deal, email Camia Briones.

camiabriones@yahoo.com

MOTIVATION TOURS AND TRAVEL CORP

G-4 CCH Bldg, 136 LP Leviste St.

Salcedo Village Makati City

tel nos : 8126051-54

Good luck.

Btw, the reasons I prefer PAL are:

- They fly direct to LAX or SFO, only 12 hours vs 16 or more with Delta or other airlines (which have stopovers at Seoul or Narita)

- Nice to do my bit for a local airline

I prefer PAL also! direct Flight from Manila to LAX!

[Impatient Cupcake 10]

Have you heard of the "first time immigrant" discount? I learned about it on VJ.

how does that work?

[PAGE 11 14]

how does that work?

It's basically a promotion, meant I guess to secure an immigrant's future business ::-):

You need to submit a copy of your passport, visa and CFO stamp before they can issue the ticket.

[gretchen_darren 67]

$981 for July 27 from Manila to Los Angeles via talking to a reservation agent at Philippines airlines for an immigrant flight. (Note this is not talking to a ticket office) Not sure of the $300 to $400 rate. Something just sounds fishy to me. Alkways expect a fare around (about the same rate with Cheapoair and expedia as well for nonstop.) Maybe there is cheaper airfare out there. Just always be careful.

w

ish you the best.

[lovelyjoy 13]

HopeandSun-> try St. Raphael Travel or Reliable Travel and Tours. They both offer less than $800 one-way first time immigrants rate. But they require visa/passport/CFO before they can issue a ticket. And the seats run out fast.

http://www.reliablet...h/airfare1.html

www.santraphael.com

Edited June 20, 2011 by lovelyjoy

[hope.andsun 7]

Thanks guys for all the tips! I will look into those travel agencies. I still don't have my passport, and waiting to have it before I get my CFO as well. Planning to leave on July 20th. Hopefully, I will still get seats.

[7teeners 2]

lovelyjoy: Do you know anyone that as personally booked through those 2 travel agencies? I'm cautious about unbelievably low rates, could be a scam.

[jrmejia 31]

Cheaponair and ontravel have it for $689 but with a HUGE drawback. You need to stop in Japan. So far, we are planning: Manila->dubai->new york!

[ivantulier 1]

lovelyjoy: Do you know anyone that as personally booked through those 2 travel agencies? I'm cautious about unbelievably low rates, could be a scam.

You can call Mangotours they gave me a price in September for 750 direct from Manila to L.A.

[Faith & Andz 3]

Where to? $600 dollars seems to good to be true. The lowest prices that I've seen are around $850 to various locations on the east coast and some folks here even doubted that I'd found those.

The Airlines websites tend to offer the best fares. You'll also find lower fares if you have flexible travel dates and don't have to leave on a particular day.

I tend to fly Continental myself because I live on Guam. Check out Philippines Airlines and Delta also. BTW, Guam is a great place for someone from Phils. to do their POE. A large number of the immigration/customs folks are of Filipino descent.

George

I agree with this post. We flew Continental, so we went through Manila, Guam, and Hawaii to get back to the U.S. Her POE was Guam, and the officer was young and very friendly. Our flight was early in the morning, too, so she got out pretty fast. There were only 2 or 3 other K1 visa holders there, and I think she was only in his office for about 5 minutes. I imagine it would be worse going through a big city like L.A. Of course, it's going to cost you more than $1,000 to fly Continental, but we couldn't find anything cheaper, even through the discount places like Orbitz and Priceline. We booked 5 months in advance, and it was about $1400 per person. Next time, I think I'll fly Philippine Airlines since I don't have to worry about meeeting with an immigration officer and since they have a direct flight from LA to Manila, and they have more leg room than Continental. But, I would choose to go through Guam for a first-time entry into the U.S. because of the POE.

[lovelyjoy 13]

7teeners -> I saw someone post here about St. Raphael (more like a review) and Reliable was referred to me by a friend. Let me look for the link about St. Raphael.

[lovelyjoy 13]

lovelyjoy: Do you know anyone that as personally booked through those 2 travel agencies? I'm cautious about unbelievably low rates, could be a scam.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/294404-booking-ticket/

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/252287-mnl-to-lax-one-way-ticket-for-my-parents/

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/149013-first-time-immigrant-discount/page__st__15

Just scroll down para makita mo yung VJ member na nagrecommend or nag-review ng St. Raphael and Reliable.