Best way to book flights

[southcalhog 43]

My wife booked directly with Cathay Pacific & also got the 1st time immigrant fare.

What did she do? call or go online to book for first time Immigrant fare??

[thekfc 26]

What did she do? call or go online to book for first time Immigrant fare??

1st time immigrant booking was done in person - she had to prove that she was a 1st time immigrant to get the fare otherwise anyone can book online & claim that they are a 1st time immigrant.

My wife said that you will need to show the passport & visa at the office to prove that you are a 1st time immigrant.

She first call to get a quoted price and made the comparison with the other travel agencies who offer 1st time immigrant fares and Cathay was cheaper by a few pesos. She then went to the Cathay's office in Makati and did the booking. She was then given a much lower fare in person than what was quoted via telephone - so it is much better to do it in person. The travel tax of 1650 pesos was included in the price of the ticket thus she didn't have to worry about paying that when she left - only the 750.

Her travel was from Manila to JFK (via HKG). The change of planes was very easy - there were Cathay ground staffs there to assist and give directions/escort to correct transiting area.

These are their offices in the Philippines:

http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_PH/contactus/localcontacts

I am not sure if K-1 travelers are eligible for the 1st time immigrants rates but it doesn't hurt to try. Even if they are not eligible the airline (s) will still give you a better fare than what you will find on a search engine as they do not publish & make their lowest class fares available to the public.

[payxibka 10,045]

Hi,

What is the best way to book my fiancee's flight to the states? I am planning to go to Manila and get them. The travel agent I talked to says they can not book flight for non-us passport holders.

absolute bs... i did exactly that with a us travel agent

[Impatient Cupcake 10]

I am not sure if K-1 travelers are eligible for the 1st time immigrants rates but it doesn't hurt to try. Even if they are not eligible the airline (s) will still give you a better fare than what you will find on a search engine as they do not publish & make their lowest class fares available to the public.

can someone pretty please confirm?

[thekfc 26]

absolute bs... i did exactly that with a us travel agent

SOME (not all) airlines will NOT allow you to book a flight online & some (not all) TA will NOT book a flight for travel originating from the Philippines for Philippines Passport holders. For example if you try to book on Korean Air site you will get this message:

According to Philippines law, tickets for flights departing from the Philippines cannot be purchased from any region other than the Philippines. In accordance with the law, such flight tickets are not available in Korean Air's homepage. If you wish to purchase tickets for flights departing from the Philippines, please contact Korean Air office or service center in your region.

There are some airlines & travel agents that are able to book tickets from outside the Philippines because they have an agreement to do so with the Philippines government.

Edited July 24, 2011 by thekfc

[thekfc 26]

can someone pretty please confirm?

A K-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa so it may not be eligible for the immigrant travel discount....but it never hurt to try.

[southcalhog 43]

1st time immigrant booking was done in person - she had to prove that she was a 1st time immigrant to get the fare otherwise anyone can book online & claim that they are a 1st time immigrant.

My wife said that you will need to show the passport & visa at the office to prove that you are a 1st time immigrant.

She first call to get a quoted price and made the comparison with the other travel agencies who offer 1st time immigrant fares and Cathay was cheaper by a few pesos. She then went to the Cathay's office in Makati and did the booking. She was then given a much lower fare in person than what was quoted via telephone - so it is much better to do it in person. The travel tax of 1650 pesos was included in the price of the ticket thus she didn't have to worry about paying that when she left - only the 750.

Her travel was from Manila to JFK (via HKG). The change of planes was very easy - there were Cathay ground staffs there to assist and give directions/escort to correct transiting area.

These are their offices in the Philippines:

http://www.cathaypac...s/localcontacts

I am not sure if K-1 travelers are eligible for the 1st time immigrants rates but it doesn't hurt to try. Even if they are not eligible the airline (s) will still give you a better fare than what you will find on a search engine as they do not publish & make their lowest class fares available to the public.

Thanks The KFC!!!

[payxibka 10,045]

SOME (not all) airlines will NOT allow you to book a flight online & some (not all) TA will NOT book a flight for travel originating from the Philippines for Philippines Passport holders. For example if you try to book on Korean Air site you will get this message:

According to Philippines law, tickets for flights departing from the Philippines cannot be purchased from any region other than the Philippines. In accordance with the law, such flight tickets are not available in Korean Air's homepage. If you wish to purchase tickets for flights departing from the Philippines, please contact Korean Air office or service center in your region.

There are some airlines & travel agents that are able to book tickets from outside the Philippines because they have an agreement to do so with the Philippines government.

re-read what the op said originally... he did not say the PI... he said the TA said NON US PASSPORTS.. which is BS

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

re-read what the op said originally... he did not say the PI... he said the TA said NON US PASSPORTS.. which is BS

It's okay to admit you're wrong, when the topic is posted in the Philippines Forum regarding flights originating in the Philippines.

[payxibka 10,045]

It's okay to admit you're wrong, when the topic is posted in the Philippines Forum regarding flights originating in the Philippines.

ah yes... the arrogance..

[Dan and Judy 614]

I told Judy she is going to have to work her way over on a tramp steamer.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

ah yes... the arrogance..

It's not arrogance... when I first saw you trying to correct the post, the first thing I thought was, "Now, why is someone who is not even from the PI trying to tell someone how flights or rules in the PI work?"

That would be like me trying to tell you or your wife the rules in the Ukraine (of which I know nothing).

[payxibka 10,045]

It's not arrogance... when I first saw you trying to correct the post, the first thing I thought was, "Now, why is someone who is not even from the PI trying to tell someone how flights or rules in the PI work?"

That would be like me trying to tell you or your wife the rules in the Ukraine (of which I know nothing).

you don't need to tell me... I know what they are... you trying to tell me anything would simply be silly...

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

you don't need to tell me... I know what they are... you trying to tell me anything would simply be silly...

Yes, kind of like someone who knows very little of the Philippines making broad statements about there, huh?

"re-read what the op said originally... he did not say the PI... he said the TA said NON US PASSPORTS.. which is BS"... but it was posted in the PI forum, correct? Perhaps you have some knowledge to add to the discussion about the rules in the Philippines?

[payxibka 10,045]

Yes, kind of like someone who knows very little of the Philippines making broad statements about there, huh?

"re-read what the op said originally... he did not say the PI... he said the TA said NON US PASSPORTS.. which is BS"... but it was posted in the PI forum, correct? Perhaps you have some knowledge to add to the discussion about the rules in the Philippines?

You are certain I have never been to the PI?

You do realize that my current wife is my SECOND I-129F?

Edited July 25, 2011 by payxibka