Recent experience at NAIA? Please share

[Kathy and Jesse 16]

I have been hearing a lot of scary and bad experience about NAIA. I am planning to fly in November to Philippines to go get my daughter and fly back to denver before thanksgiving. Is there anybody went to Philippines recently? How is your experience? Did people in the airport ask you for money? Or tax your pasalubong? (Gifts for family)

Vice versa when you go back here in the US, did you have any problem at the Philippine airport at all?

[j&ana 363]

Most of the times when I flew from Denver to Manila I flew united/ANA airlines via Tokyo and arrived at terminal 3 and left from terminal 3

It is a much better terminal then termnal 1 Terminal 1 most of the time is crowded. One time when I did use terminal 1. I was suppose to meet my wife but she was stuck in traffic and my cell phone battery was dead. I could not call.I explain to a lady that work there my situation. The lady was very nice. She call my wife for me and waited outside with me so no one would bother me untill my wife came.

[Thozelle 16]

Usually fly Delta, but tomorrow flying United/ANA. I have never had any issues at the airport, arriving or departing.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

I have been hearing a lot of scary and bad experience about NAIA. I am planning to fly in November to Philippines to go get my daughter and fly back to denver before thanksgiving. Is there anybody went to Philippines recently? How is your experience? Did people in the airport ask you for money? Or tax your pasalubong? (Gifts for family)

Vice versa when you go back here in the US, did you have any problem at the Philippine airport at all?

I think you are making this into something bigger then it is. You have traveled before, so go and just be aware of your personal property, complete your customs form and ignore anyone you feel suspicious about. The few times that I have flown through Manila have never encountered a problem. And have paid ZERO pesos/dollars for any items I took through customs. I normally wait till there is a line so that they are so busy, that they don't stop you but just rush you through.

Either direction, there is always airport personnel that will answer any questions if you're perplexed about something.

[hampguy 9]

I was there in Feb-March. No problem whatsoever. That included arriving at 9pm and having layover to catch flight to Cebu at 5:30 am.

[Hank_ 9,174]

I have been hearing a lot of scary and bad experience about NAIA. I am planning to fly in November to Philippines to go get my daughter and fly back to denver before thanksgiving. Is there anybody went to Philippines recently? How is your experience? Did people in the airport ask you for money? Or tax your pasalubong? (Gifts for family)

Vice versa when you go back here in the US, did you have any problem at the Philippine airport at all?

We experience none of that when arriving in the Phils (just got back a month ago). We arrived with a bunch of gifts. no issue clearing customs at NAIA.

And we returned through Denver as our POE - aside from being a very big airport it was a very smooth process clearing immigrant and customs. Getting to the gate for our final flight was all the fun, riding the train, and still too much walking.

Edited September 20, 2015 by Hank_

[Tahoma 2,292]

Chinook and I went to 'pinas in February. As usual, everything went smoothly at NAIA.

[Kathy and Jesse 16]

Ok thank you guys. Yes Im just bit concerned about customs since i'll be taking quite of gifts as well. Im happy that everything went smooth w you guys. Thanks again.

[Kathy and Jesse 16]

Thanks Hank. Yes DIA is a nice airport. Always nice to hear from you. Thank you!

[Tahoma 2,292]

Ok thank you guys. Yes Im just bit concerned about customs since i'll be taking quite of gifts as well. Im happy that everything went smooth w you guys. Thanks again.

Chinook brought lots of pasalubongs with her to 'pinas. No problem.

[Brassballs 47]

Customs will be the least of your concerns.

I arrived Aug 21 via JAL. There was not even a customs dec to fill out this time in. 'Customs' amounted to 6 Pinays standing at 3 kiosks beyond baggage pickup watching people walk by. I guess if you feel like it you could stop and ask how much they would like for the stuff you are bringing in. Personally I would just keep walking.

Next hurdle will be getting through the taxi gauntlet. Hopefully you can have a family member pick you up.

Flew out on JAL with wife and daughter on Sep 14. Smoothest entry to the terminal I ever had even with 6 bags and a case of Emperidor. I would recommend P1010 for your daughter's travel tax and possibly another P1100 for the terminal fees for both of you if not already included in your ticket. I wrote up a long explanation about this a couple of days ago.

In any event there is no 'corruption' to be concerned with inside NAIA. Outside a different story which I presume you have been exposed to before.

It's a wonderful feeling to have a complete family.

[Thozelle 16]

Customs will be the least of your concerns.

I arrived Aug 21 via JAL. There was not even a customs dec to fill out this time in. 'Customs' amounted to 6 Pinays standing at 3 kiosks beyond baggage pickup watching people walk by. I guess if you feel like it you could stop and ask how much they would like for the stuff you are bringing in. Personally I would just keep walking.

Next hurdle will be getting through the taxi gauntlet. Hopefully you can have a family member pick you up.

Was surprised when I went thru last night and literally NO customs checks. Always nice to have family waiting at the airport.

They also didn't ask to see itinerary or return ticket. Just ask how long I was staying and stamped 30 day visa in passport.

Edited September 22, 2015 by Thozelle

[Kathy and Jesse 16]

Customs will be the least of your concerns.

I arrived Aug 21 via JAL. There was not even a customs dec to fill out this time in. 'Customs' amounted to 6 Pinays standing at 3 kiosks beyond baggage pickup watching people walk by. I guess if you feel like it you could stop and ask how much they would like for the stuff you are bringing in. Personally I would just keep walking.

Next hurdle will be getting through the taxi gauntlet. Hopefully you can have a family member pick you up.

Flew out on JAL with wife and daughter on Sep 14. Smoothest entry to the terminal I ever had even with 6 bags and a case of Emperidor. I would recommend P1010 for your daughter's travel tax and possibly another P1100 for the terminal fees for both of you if not already included in your ticket. I wrote up a long explanation about this a couple of days ago.

In any event there is no 'corruption' to be concerned with inside NAIA. Outside a different story which I presume you have been exposed to before.

It's a wonderful feeling to have a complete family.

Hi! Thank you for sharing your experience. I was gonna ask you what did the consul asked to your daughter as far as documents or paperwork needed at the interview?