trying to be upbeat

[gretchen_darren 67]

So just after making all of my travel plans and bookings, the guy who works with me at the site serves his 2 week notice. (and I leave in 3 weeks for vacation.) Had I waited 24 hours more to book, I could easily have just adjusted things until we find someone. Now, I have spent all of this money. The hotels are at peak season. Hotel cost is about $1500. two rooms in manila for 6 days, 1 room in butuan for 9 days. (and it was hard getting a room at the hotel un butuan.) The airline tickets are non-refundable. Airline tickets alone were $3309 (round trip for me, one way for her, and 4 round trip flights between butuan and manila, of which I used my frequent flier miles to get two free round trip tickets.) So now I am in the hole for $4500 if my job tells me I cannot go plus I gave my word. She is going around saying how she is leaving shortly.

[~happyndinlove~ 540]

Ouch!....You can back out on the hotel? At least ..reschedule the dates....Airline should be able to move you to new flight dates too...probably with a change fee. Best to get investigating your options ASAP. I'm sure you can work it out.

Gave your word...hmmmm...Tsismis is going to happen anyway...yes...some will take this opportunity to spew garbage but ...oh well... sometimes rain falls on picnics...regardless...some might not accept your fiancee is really here until they see some pics of her in the states..

I always like to think 1 door closes so a better 1 can open...but..sometimes...Sh!t happens.

Good luck!

Edited August 14, 2011 by ~happyndinlove~

[A and T 82]

I wouldn't back out of any of your plans, they are set in stone. Whatever it is just needs to deal with that fact

[gretchen_darren 67]

hotels are completely non-refundable. All money is gone. It is peak season. One hotel is completely booked. I had to take a standard room. Could not get a deluxe or a suite. And they can't even use the bookings without me, cause it is all in my name. I even called to ask about that.

the airlines charge a penalty of $200 per booking (or section) for changing dates. If just $200, it is $600. If it is per leg, well it gets quite expensive at 10 legs.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

Those are some RIDICULOUS prices. Rooms should be about 1800php per night, unless you really need deluxe accommodations. Airline changes.... typically $25-50 per ticket, but admittedly, I haven't changed one in a coupla years, so I guess the price could go up. And as for the hotel reservation, poppycock. The worst a hotel will charge you is a one-night fee for cancelling, and typically that is only if you do it right before your reservation. Do it a week or more out, and you might only pay 15% or something like that. Sounds to me like you are getting hosed... If you booked with a credit card, surely you can force a refund for services you are not using?

OTOH, why not just go, and let work worry about the problem?

Sorry this happened, man... seems to be the season for stuff to go not-quite-right!

[~happyndinlove~ 540]

hotels are completely non-refundable. All money is gone. It is peak season. One hotel is completely booked. I had to take a standard room. Could not get a deluxe or a suite. And they can't even use the bookings without me, cause it is all in my name. I even called to ask about that.

the airlines charge a penalty of $200 per booking (or section) for changing dates. If just $200, it is $600. If it is per leg, well it gets quite expensive at 10 legs.

Not the hotel we booked (worst case = 25% cancellation penalty)...sure there are going to be change fees...better than having to pay twice.

Seems like you need to beg beg beg for the time off. I garnered (from your prior posts) that you are considered to be "the man" so, the powers that be will certainly cut you loose to pick up your fiancee. Don't worry until you ask. I think I read (another of your posts)...you believe in the take care of today today and tmrw tmrw philosophy.

(Curious...your timeline indicates interview is September...don't want to be a buzz-kill...but Darren...I flew out expecting my wife would be coming home with me but we got tagged with the sputum test. I flew back alone...again...I always hated the flight back to the states..alone and .very depressing )

[Tahoma 2,291]

A common-sense reminder from the U.S. Embassy Manila:

Do not finalize arrangements for travel to the United States, dispose of properties, or resign from your job until a visa has been issued and delivered to you.

My link.

[gretchen_darren 67]

Yes, I am aware I may fly home alone. Nothing is impossible. However, I hope we have avoided the Spetum test by her having her TB immunization 3 months ago. (I paid for her TB immunization and some other major immunizations as well.) We have done a lot while waiting to get her ready for St. Lukes. when I saw her x-ray, I am glad we got her the TB shot.

I know I am counting on her having the visa on time as well. She has nothing, does not work, owns nothing of major value. (a very very small pump boat) A distant cousin (girl)from her village just interviewed on July 25 and had her visa in hand delivered to the village on July 31. So we are basing on extremely relevant information. (her cousin and us have the same timelines about 6 to 8 weeks apart.) But anything is possible.

From the reservations:

hotel:

hotel 1:

As the booking falls under the 'extreme peak season' period, cancellation and amendment is NOT permitted.

hotel 2:

Notification of cancellation must reach us at least 7 working day(s) (not including non-working days and Public Holiday) before your check-in date, to avoid a penalty charge of 100% of your entire stay.This same penalty charge is also applicable if you do not turn up as reserved or shorten your stay while in hotel.

Apart from the penalty charge, we also levy an administrative fee of US$10.00 for every cancellation or key amendment made after booking is confirmed.

PAL:

ENDORSEMENTS/RESTRICTIONS:FIESTA SAVER - NON-END/NON-RE F/PENALTIES APPL

Y /70LBS CHK-IN BAGGAGE ALLOWED EX USA ONLY

[~happyndinlove~ 540]

when I saw her x-ray, I am glad we got her the TB shot.

Please explain...the x-ray motivated you to get the TB shot?

[Tahoma 2,291]

I hope we have avoided the Spetum test by her having her TB immunization 3 months ago.

when I saw her x-ray, I am glad we got her the TB shot.

Huh?!?

[gretchen_darren 67]

hehe, no, I had her get the TB shot just to be safe. there was a lot of flu in winter and spring months. Also, knowing the philippines is one of the top nations in the world for TB. We decided to get her immunization. Small price to pay at 800php for a piece of mind. She had to go through a check-up and a TB test before getting the shot. the check-up included an X-ray. there is a blemish down by either the stomach or liver. I did make sure to orient the x-ray properly to verify it was just the stomach contents. the lungs are clean. But the blemish on the x-ray bothers me as to how it is interpreted.

[Messybrownhair 251]

I hope that SLMEC will not make a big deal out of that "blemish" since they are famous for trying to look for every possible microscopic dot and making a big deal out of it :/ are you taking PAL?

[Messybrownhair 251]

I will be hopeful for you that things will work out! I think you can get off work- come on, you'll figure out a way the only real hiccup I could possibly foresee MIGHT be the medical, but even that might not happen. I hope things work out as planned. Keep us posted!! Goodluck!!

[MikelanNida 28]

My boss tried to cancel my visit too due to heavy work load, I said sure, but reimburse me for all the cancelation fees and non refundables, needless to say, i got to go! good luck.

[gretchen_darren 67]

yes, I am taking PAL and southwest. Because of this being POE, I was being concious of the time to get through customs. SFO and LAX just have the arrival and departure within an hour of each other. Las Vegas would be good had I taken Us Airways ( might still book with them and keep the southwest for later). Southwest does not offer transfer service so I have to claim the bags. I talked with SLCMEC a couple of times via email. The vaccinations and TB shot should outweigh any concerns they may have. However, the information I have is always subject to the medical staff on duty. Nothing is a given. I just know there is no history of TB in her area.

As for work, I told my manager the amount I am out of, and the fact 99% is non-refundable. He also knows how much I was looking forward to this. then you to the fact this all happened right around my birthday.... i thought last year was bad.... Can we suspend birthdays for awhile????