IheartAsia

12 minutes ago, Hank_ said:

Those entering with an immigrant or K-1 visa are processed at a separate window/counter, do ask for assistance when you enter that area.  Then stay in the say line with your Fiancee to clear immigration.

Travel Tax at NAIA and that is about it ...

 

Safe Travels!!

 

We are heading back stateside Tuesday, just got back from BAI getting the health certificate from my dog.

Thanks, safe travels to you as well!

2 minutes ago, javadown2 said:

Great advice, my wife is watching TFC as I type....and as Greenbaum's advice,  the rice cooker is full! haha. 

 

Glad you 2 are going to be together and everything went well for you. I think there is a 1600 peso fee at the airport for her when she leaves. Other then that you will just need money to enjoy time together! I would recommend following the guides on here for her SSN and get her State ID as soon as you get married. OH...and get your fiancee some warm cloths ASAP (like go shopping when you leave the airport in US directly to the mall)..she will need them, this is my wife's biggest complaint...she is always cold.

Ok, good stuff java! Thanks

11 minutes ago, cyberfx1024 said:

Detroit is a great POE airport to fly into. We did pretty much the exact same route as you except for the last leg we flew to Greensboro NC not STL. I am glad you got everything done and ready to go na and be sure to come back and contribute on here. 

 

The one advice I give to every guy that comes on here asking advice about tips for their future asana. I tell them just like I am telling you na that if you have cable/satellite then get the Filipino package or just TFC to start with because it will help with the homesickness. If you don't have cable then find the TFC box for the tv it books up to the internet. Also find any and all Filipino stores or Asian stores around your area. If it's Asian stores then make sure they have Filipino stuff like Datu Putu.

 

Very nice, I will look into that. Thanks

Ohh your funny... Luckily I do eat a lot of rice already, although it is brown rice. But yes, she always telling me to eat rice

I am happy to say everything went good with the Visa process, it took almost exactly 6 months until the interview. Now my fiancee has her visa and cfo all done away with. I am leaving in a few hours for my flight. I will be over there for about a week and we will be coming back together! We will fly to Japan from Manila and then to Detroit for our international hub before our last flight to st. louis.  Any last minute advice or tips? Is there any more fee's we will have to pay or is it finally done until we file for her green card?

Also, I really want thank everyone that has given me advice and offered wisdom to me: Hank_ , Greenbaum, Chris Duffy,  Je57,  javadown2, cyberfx1024, Nitas_man, John and Rose, Sagot, Geowrian, and many more! I appreciate everyone chiming in and taking the time to answer my questions and many other folk's questions and worries. 

Just now, Chris Duffy said:

I didn't read every thread. 

 

I have had great luck with Delta making seats work,  and if all else fails usually the Flight Attendent can make something work on the flight. This time of year is probably the lowest season for people traveling to and from PI

That is good to know. It did seem a little bit more calm when looking at flights and hotels. 

Who said anything about not having a visa? I got airline tickets thru delta via travelocity. For some reason the tickets were way more expensive on Delta's site. I just did my round trip and her a one way. I still need to call Delta so our seat's will be together. Her ticket was more than mine. 

So nobody know's if the ole x2 round tripper works?

Can I just book 2 adult round-trip tickets for me and my fiancee from the states to Philippines? It seems to be cheaper than booking her a one way flight from manila. of course she has never been to the states so I don't if ordering the tickets online be able to discriminate against that.

6 minutes ago, JE57 said:

It depends a bit on where your final destination is in the USA.    As far as I know only Philippine airlines will fly you direct from Manila to the USA.  (SFO I think).

Basically any major airline you book will be generally acceptable with the exception of anything that has a leg on a Chinese airline or operated by a Chinese airline.  You can get some great deals on flights to the USA connecting thru Shanghai and Beijing but I'd avoid those mostly because a) China airspace is congested so flights can be significantly delayed and connections missed.   b) China civil aviation prevents the use of cellphones on planes of Chinese airlines by which I mean not even in airplane mode so no pictures, games etc on your phone (a major bummer for me) 

Your most direct flights are likely to be connecting thru Narita.  which should be no issue at all although EVA thru Tiepei is an option and the gulf airlines connecting thru the middle east are options as well although be aware of potential laptop carry on bans on those airlines if that is important to you.  

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You can pretty much book on best price and likely be perfectly happy.    One of my favorite airlines has been Cathy Pacific for that you'd connect thru Hong Kong 

Last consideration would be what airline you might have membership status on.   A couple of round trips to Asia might earn you enough for a domestic flight for free in the future.

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Japan airlines is part of one world alliance so taking them again or other one world carriers (Cathay pacific is one world also) might get you closer to a free American airlines flight in the USA for your honeymoon :--)

 

 

Japan airlines is MIA for some reason,  (at least in the price range that is coming up) everyone always say's that cathay is the best. Thank's for your wisdom. 

Any recommendations on airlines to use or stay away from? I used Japan airlines last time and was very happy, but I can't any flights from them at the moment.

Just now, Hank_ said:

When we did this I had to call the airlines directly to get my wife booked with adjoining seats, because her ticket was one way I couldn't do both online.

Ok, thank's Hank

1 minute ago, javadown2 said:

Maybe try to call the airlines ahead of time and ask them if you can book them at the same time, using EVA airlines website I couldn't figure out how to buy her ticket and mine at the same time since they had different origination points. 

Ok thanks

10 minutes ago, javadown2 said:

There is a catch to this because your fiancee's ticket must originate in the Philippines.  I booked tickets for my mom and I to fly round trip from Seattle to Manila and back...then before actually purchasing them I made sure there was room on the plane and then booking my fiancee's flight on the same plane. It was a little hard to get seating together and my mom ended up sitting on a different isle. (since it was my asawa's first flight overseas and wanted to sit next to me). I bought my wife a round trip ticket even though we never used the return flight, it was cheaper for the round-trip, go figure! 

 

But if it's just you and your fiancee just make sure to book early and hopefully there is an open seat. We went EVA airlines through Taipei and it wasn't bad. 

 

Honestly I don't know if this is the best option but it worked for us.  

So, I take it there is no configuration you are familiar with where I could book our flights together simultaneously? I have to book my round trip and then book her separately to my return flight hoping that we will be able to sit together? I plan on going by this Friday or so. I guess that is going to limit my options. 

Ok thanks, for the info guys. I think I will hold off on visiting another country for now and just focus on coming home. Can I get some tips or advice when booking a round trip flight and booking my fiancee's flight back with me? My flight would from US to Manila and back.  I am having a hard time finding threads about this in the search. 

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2 minutes ago, Chris Duffy said:

Back in 2007 I was going to PI. I flew and caught Air China from SFO to Bejeing and onto Manila.  I checked my luggage in USA and told them to send it to my final destination. American Airlines said I had to pick it up in China and recheck it. I said ok I had about 3 hours layover so no biggie.  Got to Beijing and of course 3 out of 4 luggage missing, went an filed missing luggage and proceded to catch next flight to Manila.  No big deal I have luggage get last more than once, it always found it final destination.  I had a little over one hour for the next flight,  They wouldn't let me catch the train to go to the right terminal inside the airport. Said I didn't have enough time.  It was me a US Citizen and my wife who had a GC.  

 

I had just flown from SFO to Bejing, they said I had to leave the country and took my passport and cancelled the entry stamp and put me on a American Airline plane back to Los Angles.  At the time they claimed if no connecting flight within 24 hours you had to go back from your original desination country.    

 

I told them to send me to Japan, Taiwan or anywhere in Asia but no I got put back on a 12 hour flight back the other way.

eek... I didn't plan on going to China this go anyways. It seems like a nasty mess dealing with all that in China

.

What about South Korea, can she enter that country with USA visa?

7 hours ago, JE57 said:

The bad news.... No she would be refused entry to Japan for anything other than a transit without actually entering the country.   In some instances having a US Visa in her passport may allow an exemption but Japan doesn't appear to be one of those countries.  Good New... her getting a Japan visa with you submitting proof of funds to support travel and that you are accompanying her on her travels and the fiancee visa a proof of relationship seems like it is likely possible. But must be done in advance.

Ok bummer, was hoping to do some stuff in Japan. But anyways, we can have a layover there at the airport, correct? Last time I had to stay overnight in the airport to wait for my flight the next day,  but I was able to travel around freely, I am assuming we will be quarantined to an area in the airport pertaining to non-immigrants in "transit" to other countries? 

Good morning everyone, I am going to get my fiancee soon and on the flight back I would like to spend a day or two in Japan with her. I assume there will not be any issues letting her into the country from the airport. Wouldn't she be treated like a U.S. citizen?

1 hour ago, mangkanor said:

sorry for hijacking this thread but, is there another way of sending money from PH to US aside from sending via western union? thanks.

My bad, didn't realize it was ph to us. Interesting scenario, good luck. 

37 minutes ago, mangkanor said:

sorry for hijacking this thread but, is there another way of sending money from PH to US aside from sending via western union? thanks.

You must be lazy, because if you read any of the post's you would realize that Remitly is the premier choice around here. It is the ideal way to go, good luck.  

2 minutes ago, cyberfx1024 said:

2go is the courier that the USEM uses to send the package to the beneficiary once everything is completed. At the interview that is one of the last steps is to verify the shipping address before you leave. 

 

When a say a 2go office think of like a FedEx or UPS neighborhood office here in the USA. So you can go there to pick up, drop off, also where they collect packages for delivery in a area. 

 

But if your in MM then you shouldn't worry because your fiance will get it fast usually within a week. My wife waited almost 2 weeks before she went to office to get it instead of waiting another week. This is because she lives in a remote province in.Mindanao.

 

 

Ok, thank you for making this clear, very helpful, I appreciate it!

2 minutes ago, cyberfx1024 said:

No, especially if it's MM prod usually just have it sent to a 2go office somewhere and pick it up there because it's usually faster that way. I know Hank is in Taguig na so he will chime in later. 

 

I know the address situation in the Philippines is a mess but they figure it pretty well especially if you use a premium service like lbc, FedEx, DHL, or 2go. Never ship anything by Philpost or the the USPS to the Philippines.

Thanks. I am not sure with what you mean by 2go office. 

Metro Manila, Taguig, Palar village. She say she received her birth certificate at her home. So maybe it is not as bad as I thought?