Travel Plans

[caradavie 11]

hi! i am just waiting for my visa to be released so my fiance can book for my flight. i would like to ask for your inputs on what's the best route should we get in terms of airport, airlines and POE and if there are any requirements that i need to show them during stop over. my fiance is looking at 2 different routes right now. 1st is Manila - Tokyo - Hawaii - SFO and the other one Manila - Guam - Hawaii- SFO. The 1st one is through Japan Airlines but I am not really sure if it's Tokyo. It's either Tokyo, Nagoya, or Narita. I have read before that some airports in Japan is requiring for a transit Visa, is this true? Because i don't want to be held in Japan because i didn't have a transit visa. The 2nd one is thru Delta Air. Which route is better? And also, if there's a lay over in Hawaii, does it mean that my POE is Hawaii? Any reviews on Hawaii POE? Please help. I am traveling alone and it's my 1st time to travel in the USA. I have traveled within ASIA before but i can't help to feel worried and nervous. Is there any tips and procedure that you can share to me to ensure a smooth travel and POE? i would highly appreciate any inputs that you will share to me. Thank you in advance and God Bless You All!

[Nodozz 15]

Usually the easiest and best route from Philippines into United States is a flight with no lay overs. Philippine airlines would be your best bet. From Manila to SFO. I know it's a little more expensive, but at least you wont get stuck in Narita.

[thinkerlove0212 158]

hi! i am just waiting for my visa to be released so my fiance can book for my flight. i would like to ask for your inputs on what's the best route should we get in terms of airport, airlines and POE and if there are any requirements that i need to show them during stop over. my fiance is looking at 2 different routes right now. 1st is Manila - Tokyo - Hawaii - SFO and the other one Manila - Guam - Hawaii- SFO. The 1st one is through Japan Airlines but I am not really sure if it's Tokyo. It's either Tokyo, Nagoya, or Narita. I have read before that some airports in Japan is requiring for a transit Visa, is this true? Because i don't want to be held in Japan because i didn't have a transit visa. The 2nd one is thru Delta Air. Which route is better? And also, if there's a lay over in Hawaii, does it mean that my POE is Hawaii? Any reviews on Hawaii POE? Please help. I am traveling alone and it's my 1st time to travel in the USA. I have traveled within ASIA before but i can't help to feel worried and nervous. Is there any tips and procedure that you can share to me to ensure a smooth travel and POE? i would highly appreciate any inputs that you will share to me. Thank you in advance and God Bless You All!

We have almost the same plan route, my husband(fiance) was plan to have my route, MANILA - NARITA -CHICAGO. But it is hard for me to take a risk if ever i will stuck to NARITA AIRPORT. So we decided to get the route from MANILA-GUAM-HAWAII-CHICAGO.. My POE was GUAM.. It's pretty quick and easy, i don't have a hard time..

GOOD-LUCK

[thinkerlove0212 158]

Usually the easiest and best route from Philippines into United States is a flight with no lay overs. Philippine airlines would be your best bet. From Manila to SFO. I know it's a little more expensive, but at least you wont get stuck in Narita.

Better that idea.. PAL flew some selected state only, but not in CHICAGO..

[Dirk 30]

I was recently surprised how much a ticket on Hawaii arilines from LAX was. About 600 cheaper thant the rest. with a layover in honolulu

[Hank_ 9,174]

We flew Hawaiian airlines, POE was Honolulu which was very easy and quick when we went through. We flew Manila direct to Honolulu with a little over 3 hour layover which is adequate for getting through Immigration and Customs, then checking your bags back in for the continuing flight.

Immigrations counters are to the far left as you enter, after going clearing customs there is a baggage check to at the left end of the room, at least for those flying Hawaiian.

[Tintin and Mike 127]

I was recently surprised how much a ticket on Hawaii arilines from LAX was. About 600 cheaper thant the rest. with a layover in honolulu

I've check out Cheapoair.com this morning, one-way MNL to LAX, flexible plus or minus 3 days from Nov 19 is $849 non-stop for PAL. The rest of the airlines are $640-770 but with 1 or 2 stops. I'll go for PAL

[ChrisB0707 4]

I was recently surprised how much a ticket on Hawaii arilines from LAX was. About 600 cheaper thant the rest. with a layover in honolulu

I have always used Korean Air but Hawaiian airlines has some great prices and they have one stop in Hawaii.. We will be using them for my wife's parents. Make sure to watch the flights because some have a overnight stay in Hawaii.

I've check out Cheapoair.com this morning, one-way MNL to LAX, flexible plus or minus 3 days from Nov 19 is $849 non-stop for PAL. The rest of the airlines are $640-770 but with 1 or 2 stops. I'll go for PAL

With PAL you still have a stop also.

Edited September 2, 2012 by ChrisB0707

[KyleAndrea 1]

I found this info from the Japanese embassy website:

For passengers (regardless of nationality) who are transiting in Japan for immediate flight connections, and not requiring to go through immigration clearance, a visa is not required.

However, in the case of passengers with over-night flight connections wishing to leave the airport for rest and sight-seeing, a transit visa is still required, The following requirements will apply.

Source: http://www.sg.emb-japan.go.jp/visa_transit.htm

[des1867 6]

You will not need a transit visa to connect to your next flight in japan. You will just go through their security checks and then go to your next gate and await your next flight.

[Tintin and Mike 127]

I have always used Korean Air but Hawaiian airlines has some great prices and they have one stop in Hawaii.. We will be using them for my wife's parents. Make sure to watch the flights because some have a overnight stay in Hawaii.

With PAL you still have a stop also.

If you're final destination is to LAX then there will be no connecting flight. It's straight 12.5 hours flight from MNL to LAX. See my attached screenshot

Edited September 2, 2012 by Tintin and Mike

[James&Edlie 2]

I finally booked my flight, and the worst part is the 12 hour layover in Manila before I can get to Zamboanga City. Those will be the longest 12 hours. So close but the longest wait out the entire trip.

Edited September 2, 2012 by bkdlots

[X Factor 1,112]

Using PAL and stating it is for first time immigrant fiancee visa will get you a discout for close to $200 off. This is what a few people have written in the past. Also if you buy ticket outside of the Philippines you have to remember that when your fiancee travels she will have to pay EXIT fee ( "tax" ) of Php 1620 and of course AIRPORT fee of Php 550

[caradavie 11]

thanks everyone for your response! i really appreciate it.

Using PAL and stating it is for first time immigrant fiancee visa will get you a discout for close to $200 off. This is what a few people have written in the past. Also if you buy ticket outside of the Philippines you have to remember that when your fiancee travels she will have to pay EXIT fee ( "tax" ) of Php 1620 and of course AIRPORT fee of Php 550

can we avail of the first time immigrant discount if we purchase the ticket online? if yes, how?

[X Factor 1,112]

thanks everyone for your response! i really appreciate it.

can we avail of the first time immigrant discount if we purchase the ticket online? if yes, how?

Someone clued me in that PAL has first time immigrant pricing that you can get through local travel agents. She was quoted $690 with a valid k-visa with cash. That would be a flight from Davao to SFO,

Also it would seem like PAL charges more from the website when you are ordering from USA when checking prices from the Philippines it showed it in PHP and the same flight number was a couple hundred dollars cheaper.