Travel ban for Philippines?

[Sagot 1,548]

I have flown United a few times and have no complaints.

 

 

[jg121783 3,915]

I just called AA to book the flight directly with them. Not only did they quote me a higher price then I found on a different website but the rep was very rude. If the flight attendants are that rude I don't want my wife and step son on that flight. The United flight is almost the same price after taxes so I think we will go with that one.

[jg121783 3,915]

I called United and they were very friendly and helpful. Even though I have to book through Cathay Pacific the United rep answered a bunch of my questions and was not rude about it. It was so much of a difference I think I have made my decision. 

[Sagot 1,548]

I had to cancel a flight with United, they were great, and refunded the full amount.

 

I have had great service from Delta also, and their service got tested to the extreme as one of our bags was tagged with someone else's (ticket agent pooched this one), Delta had it on a direct flight to the Philippines the next day.

[jg121783 3,915]

I ended up booking the Cathay Pacific/United flight for $1558 for my wife and step son. It is essentially the same flight I took for both of my trips to the Philippines. Same times. Same layover airport. Only difference is the second flight is United versus Cathay Pacific. I feel comfortable putting them on this flight as I know the Hong Kong airport is easy to navigate even though it is big. The flight is relatively short. The only thing I don't know is the quality of United flights but I read good things about them and their customer service was helpful when I booked the flight. 

 

They will arrive in Chicago on Monday. Anything I need to know about customs or us it pretty straight forward? I know there is a tax that will have to be paid before they leave the Philippines. How much is this and where does my wife pay it? 

[Sagot 1,548]

Exit/travel tax for your wife and child can be paid at the counter in the front of the Airport after you enter.

 

 

 

 

TRAVEL TAX        

Before exiting the Philippines (after having the visa and CFO sticker in your passport) there is Travel Tax to be paid.  This can be paid at the counter at the front of the terminal before check-in.     P1,620 each adult, lower cost for a child.

 

http://tieza.gov.ph/travel-tax/

 

 

 

Edited February 8, 2017 by Sagot

[SennaBrigante 92]

On 2/4/2017 at 11:45 PM, jg121783 said:

Can you elaborate on what issues you had with AA? That would help me make my decision. How is the in flight entertainment and the food? My wife is traveling with my 9 year old step son and he will need something to keep him occupied. The good thing versus Cathay Pacific is the longer flight is only 11 hours versus 17 hours.

 In-flight entertainment was a joke. You could barely see what was on the screen, selection was awful and there weren't any kids movies. I put plenty of movies and videos on daughter's tablet so that kept her somewhat occupied but when we were on the JAL leg, we were able to watch Kung Fu Panda 3 (relatively new at that time). My daughter barely touched her food. Good thing I packed lots of snacks and she just ate the dinner rolls, fruits and whatever snack they handed out. JAL also offered kids meals though you'll have to request it in advance. They also handed out a travel spoon and fork set with a cute case. 

 

I also just remembered, I was pretty exhausted after a hellish flight with AA so on our homestretch from NRT to MNL I was out of it. A zombie would've been prettier than me. JAL's flight attendants would ask me if I was ok and if I needed anything - water, soda, a wet towel, etc. On our flight going to DFW (with AA), I was needing water for my daughter so I pressed the flight attendant button overhead. 30 minutes go by and nobody came. This wasn't even before, during or immediately after meal service. Finally I see a flight attendant walking down the aisle, I said "excuse me" to get his attention when he was about 2 rows in front of me, he made eye contact and he walked right past me like I was invisible. 

 

I would do the 17 hours with Cathay any day. 

[SennaBrigante 92]

13 hours ago, jg121783 said:

I ended up booking the Cathay Pacific/United flight for $1558 for my wife and step son. It is essentially the same flight I took for both of my trips to the Philippines. Same times. Same layover airport. Only difference is the second flight is United versus Cathay Pacific. I feel comfortable putting them on this flight as I know the Hong Kong airport is easy to navigate even though it is big. The flight is relatively short. The only thing I don't know is the quality of United flights but I read good things about them and their customer service was helpful when I booked the flight. 

 

They will arrive in Chicago on Monday. Anything I need to know about customs or us it pretty straight forward? I know there is a tax that will have to be paid before they leave the Philippines. How much is this and where does my wife pay it? 

United is better than AA, imo. You made the right choice. 

[jg121783 3,915]

1 hour ago, SennaBrigante said:

 In-flight entertainment was a joke. You could barely see what was on the screen, selection was awful and there weren't any kids movies. I put plenty of movies and videos on daughter's tablet so that kept her somewhat occupied but when we were on the JAL leg, we were able to watch Kung Fu Panda 3 (relatively new at that time). My daughter barely touched her food. Good thing I packed lots of snacks and she just ate the dinner rolls, fruits and whatever snack they handed out. JAL also offered kids meals though you'll have to request it in advance. They also handed out a travel spoon and fork set with a cute case. 

 

I also just remembered, I was pretty exhausted after a hellish flight with AA so on our homestretch from NRT to MNL I was out of it. A zombie would've been prettier than me. JAL's flight attendants would ask me if I was ok and if I needed anything - water, soda, a wet towel, etc. On our flight going to DFW (with AA), I was needing water for my daughter so I pressed the flight attendant button overhead. 30 minutes go by and nobody came. This wasn't even before, during or immediately after meal service. Finally I see a flight attendant walking down the aisle, I said "excuse me" to get his attention when he was about 2 rows in front of me, he made eye contact and he walked right past me like I was invisible. 

 

I would do the 17 hours with Cathay any day. 

I guess the customer service rep at AA that I spoke to is a good example of how their flight attendants treat people from what you are saying. She was extremely rude and I got the feeling she wanted to get me of the phone as soon as possible. United customer service was the exact opposite. I know what Cathay Pacific is like from flying with them twice. The flight attendants are friendly. They are always going down the aisles asking people if they need anything. They were so good at their job I never once had to push the button to call them over. If the United leg of the flight is decent I might have to consider this flight combination in the future for trips to the Philippines. The price is right.

[SennaBrigante 92]

3 hours ago, jg121783 said:

I guess the customer service rep at AA that I spoke to is a good example of how their flight attendants treat people from what you are saying. She was extremely rude and I got the feeling she wanted to get me of the phone as soon as possible. United customer service was the exact opposite. I know what Cathay Pacific is like from flying with them twice. The flight attendants are friendly. They are always going down the aisles asking people if they need anything. They were so good at their job I never once had to push the button to call them over. If the United leg of the flight is decent I might have to consider this flight combination in the future for trips to the Philippines. The price is right.

Tell your wife and stepson to take advantage of the free cup noodles at Cathay 

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

I have always used Korean Air and been very satisfied. Sometimes its cheaper to buy a round trip ticket.  As for the travel ban I doubt it highly.