Air Fares keep going up for summer travel

[thekfc]

I have been keeping a steady eye on the airfares for summer travel to Asia. They are either being kept steady or going up. I was was checking both economy & business/first class (for comparison). I notice that some first/business class fares have almost doubled in price from late April/early May travel to June/July travel.  

I have checked the fares on every single airline that travels to Manila (from NYC) & the best that I can get is $1405 via Cathay, Even Delta, China Airlines & AA are higher.

Cathay Pacific had the deal of the month for the past two months (Feb & March) for travel to Manila or Cebu for travel in April & May for below $900. Now there is no deal of the month fare for Manila but there is one to Cebu which starts at $1439 - I then did a search for the same travel date (late June/early July) for both Manila & Cebu   = $1405 to Manila & $1882 to Cebu.   . . That deal of the month to Cebu for $1439 is only for a certain time period & not for the whole period.

I have now decided to give it one more week of searching & then I will book my air fare next week Sunday or Monday.

I also check fares for the upcoming winter season & are getting sub $1000 fares. I will also keep an eye on that too.

[Woody]

Living in Colorado/Tennessee, we have crappy overseas airfares in general. 

My previous trip to MDE from COS was $806 taxes and all(4March-2April). This time, from BNA/MEM to BOG/MDE, I am looking at $800-$1100 for a 1July-20Aug trip. Pretty much the same if I flew from COS again.

This is for economy, BTW.

[robert angel]

Sounds really weird, but try checking airfares around 1:00-2:00 AM your time. I know a guy who books Bangkok, Thailand every from  the east coast USA every June and he swears by it.

It major sucks the moose that Manila, and the RP in general--with 90 million plus people and quite a few airlines servicing it,  is typically more expensive than any other major city in Asia, including a lot that are actually farther distance away--I have yet to figure that one out...

I am not sure if it's just east coast USA time that works, if it's because maybe a limited amount of cheap seats 'flip over' in the first hours of the new day or what, but what do you have to lose but a little sleep? Try the major websites, along with bootsnall and kayak, and a consolidator if you know of any--you never know...

[Ray]

kfc,

For as long as I can remember, airfares to the Philippines have been seasonally adjusted, with the highest fares between June to early September and in December.

The fares usually drop considerably from September through early November. Fares are also lower after Christmas, from early to mid-January through February and early March.

Some of the lowest fares I have noticed in the past were offered for flights to Manila arriving on Dec 26-29. I guess not many folks travel on those dates.

You may want to check around for travel agents specializing in Philippine travel. They can sometimes get some low consolidator fares if you book well in advance. Ask some Filipinos in your area where they buy their tickets to the PI.

Also, don’t forget to check flights into Clark (Angeles City).

Note: I once flew from Hawaii to the Philippines for a total of 55 cents... 

Ray

[Dave H]

Hey thekfc,

Check with Gina Wong at U.S.A. Gateway Travel (1-800-960-2088). We have been using her for over 10 years (over 100 flights including family and friends). They are one of the largest ticket consolidators. We have found that they have some of the cheapest fares and you can choose the airlines you prefer.

Dave

[crashfirepm53]

http://www.philippineairlines.com/special_offers/usa__fare/usa_fare.jsp

One day left!!! LAX to Cebu for $826.70

I'm flying from Kansas and will buy my ticket in the next few days to Cebu.

[crashfirepm53]

I forgot PAL excludes taxes.$1150.00. Maybe $1350 round trip. I was excited for a bit.

[robert angel]

That's a great deal and PAL is the way to go. There are no terminal change or luggage hassles in going on to Cebu and the service on PAL make US carriers look like donkey carts--I wouldn't mind spending an extra hundred or so for PAL over a domestic carrier for that long a flight.

[thekfc]

I forgot PAL excludes taxes.$1150.00. Maybe $1350 round trip. I was excited for a bit.

I too was excited when I say $996 from Vegas/SF/LA to Manila - I was about to jump on it & just get a domestic flight to the west coast & continuing my trip - then I say the taxes bringing the total fares is $1,323.

[Capstone]

Don't give up and keep looking. The same thing happened to me last year when I was looking for a June flight to Hong Kong - all the published fares were running around $1300 for several weeks but then I was able to find a $950 fare after a little persistence. I just kept checking the fares several times a day every day before I was able to find a lower fare. 

[jm21-2]

I did a ton of searches and kept my eyes on the fares for a few weeks...was hoping to fly to Taiwan in June so she could have an extra day off due to the dragon boat festival. Eventually decided to go with a late May flight that saved me about $400 compared to mid-June. Kind of glad I got the earlier flight now though because I've been missing her a lot more than I thought I would and sounds like she will be able to get a whole week off.

[robert angel]

That's great news, Jm--I recall that getting time off is really difficult for her and a week is a nice chunk. Sounds like it could be a decisive trip.

[jm21-2]

She's talking about waiting 2-3 years before marriage...I will probably make up my mind this trip (probably have already made up my mind). She wants to visit here either around X-mas or Chinese New Years (depending on whether she's working in Taiwan or Australia) which will probably be the decisive time.

[thekfc]

Don't give up and keep looking. The same thing happened to me last year when I was looking for a June flight to Hong Kong - all the published fares were running around $1300 for several weeks but then I was able to find a $950 fare after a little persistence. I just kept checking the fares several times a day every day before I was able to find a lower fare. 

I am not giving up searching. I do a search at least 3 times a day - Morning, Midday & evening. I do see a change in price depending on the time of day - early morning tend to be a bit cheaper. I do both the individual airlines website & the different search engines.
I also called Gina Wong at U.S.A. Gateway Travel but the quote she gave me is about the same that Cathay Pacific gave me.
The only thing that I haven't done yet is to check the various ticket consolidators & to check airfares around 1:00-2:00 am my time.

Also tonight or tomorrow I will book my Honeymoon flight.
We were deciding between Cebu, Bohol & HK. We decided to do a combo Cebu & Bohol as both of us wanted to go both of these places - we will fly into Cebu & spend a few days there then off to Bohol. The total fare for 2 people round trip via Cebu Pacific Air is about $88 - a bit cheaper than PAL.
We will wait on booking the hotels.

[piglett]

sorry i have been away so long guys, been working long hours so i could see me sweetie.
i am looking to book my flight at the end of the month.
here is the question ......is this a scam ? & is it legal?
http://nh.craigslist.org/tix/1635167822.html


thanks for your input in advance

piglett

[jm21-2]

sorry i have been away so long guys, been working long hours so i could see me sweetie.
i am looking to book my flight at the end of the month.
here is the question ......is this a scam ? & is it legal?
http://nh.craigslist.org/tix/1635167822.html


thanks for your input in advance

piglett

I don't see why he couldn't buy you a ticket but it would probably be a scout's honor sort of thing for the most part on one side...my uncle uses his miles to buy his wife tickets pretty frequently (he gets a lot from traveling for business).

[robert angel]

Hey Piglett,

I just don't know. The words honor and trust are not words I frequently see linked to craigslist. You know what mama said about if it sounds too good to be true....

I heard that transfer of tickets from one name to another is a no no since 9/11, but I have no idea if there are restrictions on travel points awarded as well. If it's a good deal, I wonder why the guy can't unload them on family and friends?

Jm mentions a husband and wife who do it--but they have the same last name and credit cards, probably.

I saw some great deals on cars on craigslist, but they were very far away cars and I had to pay a 'commitment fee' to have the car shipped to my locale--turned out to be a common craigslist scam at the time--people would pay and never see the car--or get their money back.

Looks like we have more questions than answers on this one so far.

I'd google it--I'll try to do so later if we have a little time, but right now, I wouldn't send any moolah until more sure....

[robert angel]

Kfc,

I don't know if you're thinking of flying from Cebu City to Bohol, but a lot of people take the jet boat or super ferry. I hear the jet boat ride is about 90 minutes. Air fares might be comparatively cheap compared to boat--I don't know for sure--just that they're loads cheaper than USA boat or plane prices for sure.

In Cebu City, a nice hotel that won't break the budget is the Midtown Hotel. It's probably mid to upper two thirds in the price heap--a lot less than the Marriot, with western amenities, but pretty close in by taxi to most of the good stuff--the church with Magellan's cross, the Lapu Lapu park with the great statue of Lapu Lapu, the beaches on Mactan, etc. It's connected to the Robinson Mall, with a nice grocery and other shopping real close in.

A very nice romantic dinner is to be had at Mr. A's--up on the mountain side--lovely view at night with the city lights twinkling below. Glad you guys are getting out of Manila for a change!

[crashfirepm53]

I'm gonna stay on the search and would like to buy in the next few days.

I don't think you can fly from Cebu to Bohol, not from the airlines I searched. You can fly Manilla to Tag City though.
The fast boat is 2 hours almost from Cebu to Tag City/Bohol then a 2 hour drive to the Alona Beach area. I think it was $10-$12 for an outside seat. Thats what we plan on doing. I have 10 days to visit. Fly into Cebu City early A.M. and spend the day. Take the 630 A.M. fast boat to Bohol/Tag City and drive to San Miguel for the day and next afternoon to meet parents and cookout(drink rum too with uncles apparently). Then drive down to Alona Beach(about 4 hours) for the next 7 days or so.

Apparently there is nothing in San Miguel. I think my girl thought that the conditions at her parents house would be beneath me. No A/C and baths at a well. To be honest, it is.lol No A/C is gonna suck in May and give me major Florida summer flashbacks. But, I'm a trooper and will suck it up like a good soldier.

I told her no A/C, and no sex for a day then the rum,beer and food better be damn good!!! She laughs.

[thekfc]

I don't know if you're thinking of flying from Cebu City to Bohol, but a lot of people take the jet boat or super ferry.

We will be taking the ferry from Cebu City to Bohol.

In Cebu City, a nice hotel that won't break the budget is the Midtown Hotel. It's probably mid to upper two thirds in the price heap--a lot less than the Marriot, with western amenities, but pretty close in by taxi to most of the good stuff--the church with Magellan's cross, the Lapu Lapu park with the great statue of Lapu Lapu, the beaches on Mactan, etc. It's connected to the Robinson Mall, with a nice grocery and other shopping real close in.

We haven't on a hotel yet, her sister will help us with that as she have visited Cebu a few times before.
We will also be visiting one of the beaches - we haven't decided which one yet.

A very nice romantic dinner is to be had at Mr. A's--up on the mountain side--lovely view at night with the city lights twinkling below. Glad you guys are getting out of Manila for a change!

We both wanted to get out of Manila.  Is Mr. A's in Cebu City?

I booked our flight from Manila to Cebu last night. They had some kind of promotion that started & the cheaper fares were all being book - for both PAL & Cebu Pacific. There were a few seat left at the time we wanted - so I booked it. I checked today & all the seats for that time slot are gone. The higher fare still remain.

[robert angel]

Kfc,

Yes--Mr A's is up on the mountain, a steep 10-15 minute cab ride from most places--at least from the Midtown Hotel in Cebu City. They had some great prawns (shrimp) that were bigger than my hand--and I can pick up a basketball with one hand! Nice mixed, local focused menu.

It's been a few years since I was in Cebu and I have heard that they've done a lot of improvements--that in some ways it's changed, but the places I mentioned are either still the same, or in the case of the park, improved. They had an international expo a while back and as Cebu City pretty much swung the election for President Arroyo, it's kind of her 'pet' city--with its priviliges.

Cebu City still a metropolitan area, some say it's on the way to becoming a 'mini Manila' and while I'm sure you'll enjoy it, I bet you guys will enjoy Bohol even more, as Bohol/Tagbilaran has enough of a city to entertain, with malls, movies and interesting shopping and will keep you busy when you want that--but with lovely beaches near by to just chill out on.

I must admit I'm sort of talking thru my hat about Bohol. My wife's family orginally came from there and my wife and I even have land just outside of Tagbilaran, but I haven't been there yet, but I'd much rather go there than Boracay. Besides, Boracay is very windy this time of year and in season, choke full of westerners. Bohol is at the top of my list of 'next place to go', and I also want to see Palawan, which is said to have perhaps the nicest beaches in the world, but is 'off the beaten path' even by Filipino standards.

When I was in C.C., the beaches I went to on Mactan (closest beaches to C.C.) didn't impress me (I am kind of a 'beach snob', hehe) and although we still had to pay to enter, I heard that the nicer ones are owned by Europeans, who bought the beach front through their Filipina wives and those 'resorts' cost a good bit more to enter. They tend to cordon off the beach and water swimming areas, paying some Pinoy a dollar a day or so to remove the trash that floats inYou guys might want to buy well made flip flops for walking in the watere there on Mactan --there was junk in the water when we were there that could cut my feet, besides the coral. I hear about an hour to hour and a  half outside of CC, there are lovely, pristine beaches, but we did not want to taxi so far out of town.

I prefer local flavor to going to a fancy, western owned resort and hanging with mostly old westerners who are with with skinny young Filipina 'working girls' who are wearing sunglases bigger than their bikinis...

[thekfc]

We are debating if we want a hotel in the heart of the city or on the beach/seaside - we are leaning towards the city.
We will very likely book when I am there or she will book the hotel under her name. I see a big difference in prices between me booking online & actually booking while in The Philippines.
Bohol is on the top of our list - we both wanted to go there, she also want to see the Chocolates Hills & the Tarsiers. We also want to visit Palawan if time permits.
We will be going to one of the beaches - just do not know which one yet.

[robert angel]

Sounds good--you can always catch a ride out tro the beach and the rates are better in town. A lot of times, we never really unpack as we tend to find nicer hotels at better prices as we go. And yeppers--with just about anything there, if she negotiates the price w/o them knowing about you--it'll be a better deal...

[Ray]

You don’t have to be Filipino to get a good deal on a hotel room.

From my experience, booking on line is the most expensive way to go. You can usually negotiate a much better price as a walk in, or even through a local travel agent.

Unless you are going to a popular tourist area during a holiday period, I wouldn’t book more than one night in advance. If you like the hotel, you can extend your stay and possibly at a better price, or you can find a better hotel if it sucks.

Ray

[crashfirepm53]

good advice

You don’t have to be Filipino to get a good deal on a hotel room.

From my experience, booking on line is the most expensive way to go. You can usually negotiate a much better price as a walk in, or even through a local travel agent.

Unless you are going to a popular tourist area during a holiday period, I wouldn’t book more than one night in advance. If you like the hotel, you can extend your stay and possibly at a better price, or you can find a better hotel if it sucks.

Ray