Philippine Airlines Flight Status

Not knowing the status of your flight is sometimes a big hassle. One time, when I traveled back to Manila from Davao, I didn’t know that the time of departure of for my flight was delayed by two hours because of bad weather. I rushed to Davao International Airport with the thought that I am late for my flight. Rushing to the airport just to avoid being left behind by the plane doesn't feel good. In the end, all of my rush went to naught because my flight was delayed.

I was not informed of the delay. I should have traveled to the airport without the rush and anxiety. I should have checked the status of my flight.

All airlines must have a system of informing their passengers of the status of their flights. There should have easy way for passengers to check if their flight is delayed or cancelled. Good thing that Philippine Airlines has a system to help inform their clients of delayed or cancelled flight. This system is the Philippine Airlines Flight Status that is found in the Philippine Airlines website.

To check the Philippine Airlines flight status, please go to their website. You will see the Philippine Airlines Online Booking form. Just click on the “Flight Status” tab as shown in the image below.

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Just fill out the details of your flight on the Philippine Airlines Flight Status form. You can know the status of your flight by searching by flight number or by origin or destination. You will see the Philippine Airlines flight status after you click the “Go” button.

If you’re flying via Philippine Airlines, I recommend that you check the Philippine Airlines Flight Status before you go to the airport. This will help reduce inconveniences caused by delayed or cancelled flights.

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Philippine Airlines Online Booking: The Step by Step Process

In the previous post, I introduced you to Philippine Airlines online booking. I mentioned that Philippine Airlines online booking is the most convenient way of booking Philippine Airlines flight. Visit that post of mine to know the benefits of using the Philippine Airlines online booking.

If you are already convinced of the advantages of using the Philippine Airlines online booking, then what you need to know next is the step-by-step process in of using it.

Using the Philippine Airlines online booking is very easy. The Philippine Airlines website is user friendly and easy to navigate. Here's the step-by-step process of using the Philippine Airlines online booking:

1. Philippine Airlines Online Booking Form - Go to the Philippine Airlines website. Fill up the Philippine Airlines online booking form found that website.

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Philippine Airlines online booking form.

You can see that my origin is Manila and my destination is Zamboanga. I filled up both the departure and return dates because the flight that I am booking is roundtrip. The promotion code near the bottom of the form is only for people who availed some promos from Philippine Airlines (PAL). Click the “Search” button.

2. Flight Selection Page - Clicking the search button on the Philippine Airlines online booking form will take you to the Flight Selection page. That page allows you to choose the time of flight that you want at the fare that will fit your budget.

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The flight selection page.

There are five kinds of fares that you can choose from. The one with the cheapest fare is the Fiesta Deal, followed by Fiesta Saver, Fiesta Plus, Mabuhay Classic and Mabuhay Premium. Each of the fares available has their own benefits, which you can check at the Philippines Airlines website.

Click on the “Next” once you chose the flight schedule and fare that you want.

3. Summary of Flight Itinerary - The next page will show the summary of your flight itinerary. This step allows you to review the details of your flight. Check carefully if your flight is correct to avoid the hassle of correcting after paying for your booking. You can also see the total cost of your booking.

This step also allows you to decide if you want to avail the Travel Insurance offered by Chartis Philippines. Click the “Next” button after you agreed to the terms and conditions written on the page.

4. Personal Details and Payment Options -  The next step is filling up your personal details. The website will ask you to provide your name and contact information. You will also provide your preferred payment mode. The payment options for Philippine Airlines online booking are through credit card or BancNet ATM Card.

After filling up your personal details and your preferred payment option, you can either choose to choose your seat (by clicking on the “Choose Your Seat” button) or go directly to payment (by clicking the “Proceed to Payment” option).

5. Payment - The final step is payment and that step is quite easy because you just have to use your credit card or ATM card.

So, that’s the step by step process in Philippine Airlines online booking. Hope that this helped and may you have a blessed flight.

You may also read my other article on how to avail PAL promo fares.

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Philippine Airlines Online Booking

Still booking Philippine Airlines flights the old way, that is you go to a Philippine Airlines ticketing office or a travel agent to obtain your travel itinerary? If your answer is “yes” then that means that technology left you behind. There is an easier way of booking a flight at Philippine Airlines. That way is the Philippine Airlines Online Booking.

Philippine Airlines online booking allows you book flights at the comfort of your home. It also keeps you away from the hassle of long lines that are usually found at travel agencies.

To avail of the Philippine Airlines online booking, all you have to do is to visit the Philippine Airlines website. Available at the website is the form that you can use to book your flight on Philippine Airlines.
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Philippine Airlines online booking form.

Just fill up the fields on the Philippine Airlines online booking form to start the online booking process. Philippine Airlines online booking allows you to choose between a roundtrip flight or a one-way flight. The form also lets you choose your destination and the dates of your flight/s.

Philippine Airlines online booking is a big help to travelers, especially the suki (patrons) of Philippine Airlines. I, for one, always prefer to book my flights online rather than going to travel agents or the accredited ticketing offices.

So, if you are traveling via Philippine Airlines, I highly recommend that you use the Philippine Airlines online booking. It will bring convenience to your travels.

Read the step by step process of the Philippine Airlines online booking. Also read my post on how to avail PAL promo fares.

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Another Cebu Pacific Promo Fares

There is no let-up for Cebu Pacific as it announced another seat sale for the month of September.

588 pesos Cebu Pacific promo fares are available for flights from Manila to Bacolod, Calbayog, Catarman, Cebu, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Tacloban or Roxas. This promo for is for flight period starting from November 1 to December 31, 2011.

888 pesos Cebu Pacific promo fares for flights from Manila to Caticlan, Coron, Kalibo, Tagbilaran or Puerto Princesa. 888 pesos seat sale is also available for flights from Cebu to Siargao. Travel period is from October 1 to December 31, 2011.

Available promo for international flights are:

*988 pesos from Clark to Bangkok (travel period: November 1 to December 31, 2011).

*1,088 pesos from Manila to Ho Chi Minh (travel period: November 1 to December 31, 2011).

*1,988 pesos from Manila to Bangkok or Jakarta (travel period: November 1 to December 31, 2011).

*1,888 pesos from Manila or Cebu to Busan or Incheon (travel period: January 1 to March 31, 2012).

*50% discount for flights from Manila to Osaka (travel period: January 1 to March 31, 2012).

Sale period for these Cebu Pacific promo fares are until September 12, 2011 or until available seats last.

For these promo fares, please remember that fares are non-refundable. Fares are exclusive of government taxes and fees. Flight changes must be made more than 24 hours before the scheduled time of departure.

Go to visit Cebu Pacific website to book your desired flights. For some tips, please read How to Avail Cebu Pacific Promo Fares.

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50% Off Cebu Pacific Promo Fares

Every Juan is a winner because Cebu Pacific just announced 50% off for selected destination. This is the biggest Cebu Pacific promo fare that I have encountered so far. The airline is allotting 500,000 seats to be included in this seat sale. This is for international and domestic flights from September 1 to December 14, 2011. Avail of this Cebu Pacific promo fare this day (July 31) until tomorrow (August 1) or until seats last.

Sixteen international destinations are included in this seat sale. These international destinations are Bangkok, Beijing, Brunei, Busan, Guangzhou, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Incheon, Jakarta, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Osaka, Singapore, Shanghai and Taipei.

Thirty-four domestic destinations included in the seat sale. The domestic destinations include Boracay, Cebu, Laoag, Clark, Puerto Princesa, Coron, Siargao, Surigao, Dumaguete, Cagayan de Oro and Davao.

So, what are you waiting for? Visit Cebu Pacific website and book a flight now before the discounted seats are gone.

Read about some tips on how to avail Cebu Pacific promo fares.

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Cebu Pacific Promo Fares to Tawi-Tawi

Last Wednesday (June 22), I received an e-mail from Cebu Pacific. The message goes like this “Fly to our newest destination Tawi-Tawi for only P488!”

I said, “Wow!” because I am thinking that I can reach Tawi-Tawi from my Manila on a single flight because of Cebu Pacific promo fares to Tawi-Tawi.

Reading the e-mail made me realize that I am celebrating too early. The 488 pesos Cebu Pacific promo fares are for flights between Zamboanga City and Tawi-Tawi and not between Manila and Tawi-Tawi. So, this means that I need to go to Zamboanga City first before I can avail those Cebu Pacific promo fares.

The seat sale price  for the Zamboanga to Tawi-Tawi route is 25% less than the lowest year-round fare for this route. Tawi-Tawi is the 50th destination and the 77th route of Cebu Pacific Airline. The Zamboanga – Tawi-Tawi route will operate daily starting October 14 this year.

Another new route is the Cagayan de Oro – Iloilo route, which also start operating on October 14 and have scheduled flights every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.


Also announced in the e-mail is the Cebu Pacific promo fares of 688 pesos for travel from Zamboanga City to Davao and Cebu, Manila to Cagayan de Oro, and Cagayan de Oro to Iloilo.

Manila to Zamboanga and Davao flights are also on seat sale for 888 pesos for travels on August 1 to September 30 for the year 2011.

So, are traveling to Tawi-Tawi, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga? What are you waiting for? Avail of the Cebu Pacific promo fares by visiting the Cebu Pacific website.

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Here are my tips on availing Cebu Pacific promo fares.

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Coron Resorts

Coron is a municipality in Palawan Province and is composed of many islands. The main part of the town of Coron is on the southeastern half of Busuanga Island. Being a town that is composed of many islands makes it a good place for beaches and good resorts. Coron is popular for its clear seas, pristine beaches and untouched environment. I am hoping to reach Coron in the future just to see the beautiful things that it offers.

As for now, I will content myself in giving a list of three Coron Resorts.

1. KokosNuss Garden Resort

This is a Coron Resort that has a weird sounding name. But when you consider the fact that it KokosNuss Garden Resort is owned by two Germans, then you will see why the reason for the name. This Coron Resort is located on a hill about a kilometer away from the poblacion or center of Coron town. As the name implies, visitors of this Coron Resort will experience the relaxing ambiance of being in the middle of garden.

This Coron Resort have nipa huts as amenities for its visitors. This Coron resort has a garden restaurant where visitors can enjoy local, Asian and European cuisine.

2. El Rio y Mar Resort

Another Coron resort is El Rio y Mar Resort. This Coron resort is located about 30 minutes from the Busuanga Airport. The resort has an outdoor pool, billiard tables and massage areas. Visitors to this Coron can enjoy fishing and sailing. The rooms in this resort can only accommodate maximum of two persons. This Coron resort offers an airport shuttle for its visitors.

3. Club Paradise Resort Palawan

This Coron resort has 52 rooms available for its guests. Club Paradise Resort Palawan offers ballroom dancing, beach volleyball and billiard tables. This Coron resorts also has conference rooms that is suitable for out-of-town forums or seminars.

Aside from the normal amenities, this Coron resort also offers tours to Coron Island and Caluit Island. The resort is also good for diving enthusiasts because it offers diving facilities for its guests.

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Information regarding KokosNuss Garden Resort obtained from Tours Palawan. Information on El Rio y Mar Resort obtained from Google Maps.

Feel Cool with Tagaytay Zipline

In the first post of this series, I talked about Majayjay Falls. Now, let us go to another good place to cool down this Summer. This place is none other than Tagaytay City. Once you are in this city, I assure you that you will feel cool because of its cool climate. There are times that fogs form in Tagaytay City even if it is afternoon.

One thing that is getting popular in Tagaytay City is the Tagaytay Zipline, which can be found in Picnic Grove. Tagaytay Zipline is an exciting activity inside Picnic Grove and many visitors are trying it.

Tagaytay Zipline is exciting because its cables cross the chasm between the two high places in Picnic Grove. Once you try the Tagaytay Zipline, you will feel the cold air rushing in your face. Also, you will see the the world-famous Taal Volcano while you are rushing down to the other side.
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Somebody is enjoying the Tagaytay Zipline.

Tagaytay Zipline is available everyday. One-way trip across Tagaytay Zipline costs 200 pesos during weekdays and 300 pesos during weekends and holidays. Two way trip costs 300 pesos during weekdays and 400 pesos during weekend and holidays.

If you don't have the guts to try the Tagaytay Zipline like the person on the above photo, then you can still try Tagaytay Zipline by riding the cable car, which looks like a big bird cage. One-way trip along Tagaytay Zipline costs 200 pesos during weekdays and 300 pesos during weekends and holidays. Two-way trip along Tagaytay Zipine costs 300 pesos during weekdays and 400 pesos during weekends and holidays.

Expect long lines to Tagaytay Zipline during holidays and weekends because too many visitors want to try Tagaytay Zipline.

Tagaytay Zipline in Picnic Grove is one of the best ways to cool yourself down this summer.

Read my other post about Picnic Grove.

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Majayjay Falls

Summer is here again and because of this, many people are looking for good places to cool down. To give you some idea to what place to visit so that you can cool down and relax this Summer, I will give you a series of blog posts that are about good places that will guarantee that you will cool down this Summer. First in this series is Majayjay Falls.

I got a chance to visit Majayjay Falls after the Pahiyas Festival in 2010.

Majayjay Falls is located at foot of the mystical Banahaw Mountain and it is not easy to go reach it. The reason for this is that there is no regular jeepney that travel from Lucban to Majayjay Falls. The jeepney driver only agree to bring passengers to Majayjay Falls if majority of passengers are going to Majayjay Falls. Usually, visitors to Majayjay Falls had to disembark at this place:
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If you are coming from Lucban, then you must ride the jeepney at Lucban Market. Just ask the terminal barker on what route you should ride to reach Majayjay Falls. Ride a tricycle to Majayjay Falls once you reach the place shown on the above photo. Never attempt to walk to Majayjay Falls because it is very far and the trek is uphill.

There is an entrance fee for Majayjay Falls but the fee will not exceed 100 hundred pesos per person. Last May 2010, the entrance fee is 20 pesos per person and 35 pesos per person who will do an overnight camping inside the Majayjay Park.

After the long trek and the trail, you will reach this:
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Majayjay Falls

The water at Majayjay Falls is so cold that people place their beverages and softdrinks in its water to cool them down. I assure you that you will shiver once you dip in the cold water of Majayjay.

Majayjay Falls is crowded during weekends and holidays so be prepared for the crowd. It is recommended that you dip or swim at near Majayjay Falls because the water is relatively cleaner there than downstream.

For more information, read my previous article about Majayjay Falls.

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Riding Zest Airways

In an old blog post, I said that I will review Zest Airways after I got the chance to ride one of their flights. Yes, I already got that chance. So, what is my review of my Zest Airways experience? Here it is:

My first ride of a Zest Airways flight is fine. I did not experienced any abnormal event during the whole duration of my flight, this is as compared with the flights of other airlines that rode before. I just experienced some bumpy ride during my flight in Zest Airways but that is normal because we are experiencing bad weather and some air turbulence during the flight.

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The hassle that we experienced on the Zest Airways flight is the almost one hour delay of our flight. We came to the airport two hours before our scheduled flight just to discover that our Zest Airways flight was delayed. It is a big hassle waiting inside the airport doing nothing but wait. Our flight is during the night so instead of resting early when we reach Manila, the delay caused us to reduce our resting time. It is a big hassle and the Zest Airways personnel didn't explain the cause of the delay.

I think that Zest Airways is OK, just like Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines. My only suggestion is that they avoid delays of their flights because it is a great hassle to people like me.

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Know about how to avail Zest Air Promo Fares in my old blog post.

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What to Do in Picnic Grove, Tagaytay City

Summer is here!

Summer means sweaty body, hot temperature and intense sunshine. Thus, it is good to escape the heat of the sun and go to cold places like Baguio City and Tagaytay City. If you are living in Metro Manila and is looking for a nearby cool place, I suggest that you visit Tagaytay City. If you chose to visit Tagaytay City, I also suggest that you stop by the popular Picnic Grove.

Picnic Grove is a park and popular tourist spot in the area. Picnic Grove boasts of the perfect view of Taal Volcano. Also, there are other activities that you can enjoy once you are inside Picnic Grove. Here are some of them:

1. View Taal Volcano

Like what I said, Picnic Grove boasts of a great view of the Taal Volcano. It is good to pose for some pictures in side Picnic Grove with the Taal Volcano and the Taal Lake as the background.
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Taal Volcano.

2. Have a Picnic

Picnic Grove is the best place for, of course, picnics. Picnic Grove has a wide grassy area that is perfect for laying down your picnic mats. Aside from grass, Picnic Grove also has trees that provide shade for picnickers if the sun become too hot. If you don't want to sit on grass or the ground, then you can rent a covered table. The price for each covered table ranges from 15 to 20 pesos. You can sit on these benches for free. Park personnel will charge you if they saw you place packed/picnic foods on the covered table.
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Covered table for rent in Picnic Grove.

3. Ride a Horse 'Round Picnic Grove

Once you enter Picnic Grove, lots of people will crowd around you offering horseback riding, pasalubong, or rooms that you could rent for the night. Horseback riding is a popular activity inside Picnic Grove. Horses can be rented for 200 pesos per hour. I suggest that you haggle with the horse owners so that you can lower the price down to 150 or 100 pesos. Europeans, who want to ride the horses inside the Picnic Grove, are reminded that those horses are smaller compared to horses found in Europe. We had a German visitor who rode a horse inside Picnic Grove. She told us that she is afraid of falling down because the horse is too small as compared to the horses in her hometown.

4. Experience Zipline or Ride the Cable Car

The most exciting facility in Picnic Grove is the zipline. Experience the Picnic Grove zipline and feel the cold wind as you slide down the zipline. You will be crossing a chasm between two mountains when you fly the zipline. Picnic Grove zipline is not for the faint hearted.
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Picnic Grove zipline.

If you are too afraid of the zipline, then I suggest that you try their cable car. The cable car is like a giant bird cage that allows you too see the Taal Volcano and the green land below as you move along the cable. On ordinary days, the zipline and the cable car costs for 100 pesos for one-way trip and 200 pesos for two-way trip. During holidays and weekends, one-way trips costs 200 pesos and two-way trip costs 300 pesos.

5. Buy Your Pasalubong

Picnic Grove is also a good place to buy your pasalubongs. Their shops inside Picnic Grove that sell handicrafts, sweets and other pasalubongs.

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So, those are some of the things that you can do inside Picnic Grove. Some people do other things, like kite flying, inside the Picnic Grove. If you are looking for a cool place, then go to Tagaytay City and don't fail to take a peek of Picnic Grove.

For more information, I recommend my article about Picnic Grove in my personal-travel blog.

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How to Avail Zest Air Promo Fares

Previously, I made a negative review of Zest Air. I said that Zest Air is quite dangerous and have a high rate of mishaps. Now, I am thinking twice about that. I believe that Zest Air responded to such criticisms and they fixed their image.

Of all the local airlines that I canvassed on, I believe that Zest Air offers the cheapest fares. Their regular fares are slightly lower that the ones offered by Cebu Pacific, and that is if the taxes and other fees are already included. Aside from that, Zest Air also offers promo fares. 

Most of the tips that I listed for in availing Cebu Pacific promo fares are also applicable for availing Zest Air promo fares. Here are some of the tips to get Zest Air promo fairs:

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1. Get timely updates from Zest Air

Just like in getting Cebu Pacific promo fares, the competition in getting Zest Air promo fares is stiff. Thus, it is advantageous for you if you will get information on Zest Air promo fares the moment they are posted on Zest Air website. To get timely updates on Zest Air promo fares, you must follow Zest Air on Twitter and Facebook.

2. Decide quickly in booking Zest Air promo fares

When I am booking for my Davao trip, I noticed that the fare price of the flight that I plan to book increases as days pass by. Therefore, I suggest that you book your flight the moment that you see the promo fare. Decide quickly in buying Zest Air promo fares so that you can book cheaply.

3. Pay using your credit card.

When you book online for Zest Air promo fares, you can only pay using credit cards. Even if you just book online for none promo fare, the only available payment option is through credit card. So, you must prepare your credit card when availing Zest Air promo fares. According to Zest Air website, if you don't have your own credit card, you can use other person's credit card. However, you need to bring the photocopy of the credit card that you used because it will be checked before you board the plane.

4. Call the ticketing office to reserve a flight.

I am not sure if this is true, but I asked a clerk in the Cubao ticketing office of Zest Air on how I can reserve a flight for Zest Air. She said that I can call their ticketing office so that they can reserve the flight that I want. I have to try this in the future though before I can be sure if what the clerk is saying is true.

I will fly Zest Air this month and that flight will be the best opportunity to experience flying with them. Zest Air has very low fares. I hope that the quality of their service is not as low.

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Read related posts which are about how to avail PAL promo fares and Cebu Pacific promo fares.

Image from Airplane-Pictures.net.

How to Avail PAL Promo Fares

In the previous article, I listed some tips to help you avail Cebu Pacific promo fares. Now, let us talk about how can you corner PAL promo fares. Philippine Airlines or PAL is the Philippine's flag carrier and I believe that it is the popular airline for foreigners going to the Philippines. Ticket prices for PAL is expensive as compared to other local airlines that is why I don't normally buy tickets from PAL because I am such a cheapskate. I experienced riding one of their flight and I can say that I liked it. The airplane of PAL is bigger and have more legroom.

Expensive as it is, Philippine Airlines also offer promo fares and just like in Cebu Pacific. Getting PAL promo fares is hard because of the competition. So to help you, here are some tips to avail PAL promo fares:

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1. Book as early as possible

Unlike Cebu Pacific, PAL don't give regular promos. However, they offer cheap flights like the Fiesta Deal and the Fiesta Saver. Fiesta Deal is the cheapest of the fare deals being offered by PAL but it is non-refundable. Prices vary on each flight schedule and destinations but it offers 15 kilograms of baggage for each passenger. The Fiesta Saver offers 20 kilograms of free baggage for each passengers. Fiesta Deals can be lower than 2,000 Pesos (taxes and other fees not yet included), depending on the flight schedule and destination.

The slots for Fiesta Deal are easily filled that is why if you are planning to travel and you want to travel by PAL, I suggest that you book your flight as early as possible. 

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PAL Flight Selection

2. Get timely updates from PAL

PAL promo fares may be offered from time to time so it is good if you are updated of the offers the moment PAL upload it on its website. I suggest that you follow Philippine Airlines on Twitter and Facebook.

3. Book online and use PAL's different payment options.

It would be easy for you if you chose to book your flight online. According to PAL website, you can pay your online booking using your credit card, SmartMoney Debit Card and BancNet ATM Card.

PAL does not require that the credit card holder be part of the traveling party. This means that you can book a flight at PAL for your family and friends even if you will not travel with them. However, PAL may demand a photocopy of the credit card before it allow the traveling party to board the plane.

BancNet ATM cards can only be used to book domestic flights only. 

Those are the few tips that I can share if you want to avail of PAL promo fares. Just like what I said, PAL don't offer much promo fares like Cebu Pacific. However, the Fiesta Deal can be treated as PAL promo fares and good enough for anyone who want to fly Philippine Airlines.

Want to know how to book the PAL promo fares that you like? Read about Philippine Airlines online booking.

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Read related article on how to avail Cebu Pacific promo fares and Zest Air promo fares.

Visit Before the Eastern Sunset and read about Bataan Death March.

Image of PAL airplane came from Wikimedia Commons.

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How to Avail Cebu Pacific Promo Fares

I like to travel cheap and because of this, I always try to avail the promo fares available from the local airlines in the Philippines. Whenever I plan my travels, I always scour the websites of Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Air Philippines and Zest Air for promo fares.

Getting a promo fare depends on chance and availability. Here are some tips so you can get that elusive Cebu Pacific promo fares:

1. Get timely updates from Cebu Pacific

Time is very essential in availing Cebu Pacific promo fares because the competition is stiff. This is why you must make yourself informed of Cebu Pacific promo fares at the very moment that it is announced on Cebu Pacific website.

To get timely updates on Cebu Pacific promo fares, I suggest that you subscribe to their Seat Sale Alert, which allows you to receive timely updates through e-mail. You can also follow Cebu Pacific on Twitter and Facebook.
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2. Decide quickly

As I had said, the competition for Cebu Pacific promo fares is stiff that's why you must grab the promo fare that you want the moment that you see it. Slots for Cebu Pacific promo fares are limited and slots may be gone in a matter of minutes.

3. Create an account at Cebu Pacific website

If you are a frequent flyer, then it is good if you create an account in Cebu Pacific website. This will remove the hassle of filling out the forms for personal information whenever you book for Cebu Pacific promo fares.

4. Keep your credit card ready.

Availing Cebu Pacific promo fares is better if you book your flight online rather than going to Cebu Pacific's ticketing offices. Since it is online booking, then having a credit card is useful. If you don't have a credit card, then you can ask your friends or relatives that have credit card to book you for your Cebu Pacific promo fares.

Some people are asking if is necessary to bring the photocopy of the credit card and the ID of the credit card holder to be shown to Cebu Pacific personnel before boarding the plane. Some clients of Cebu Pacific said that there is no such need while others say that hassle may be prevented by bringing those photocopies. I believe you better call the Cebu Pacific customer representative about this.

5. Other payment options.

If you don't have any access to credit card, then you must use other payment options offered by Cebu Pacific. You can pay your Cebu Pacific promo fares using your ATM card. However, banks that are affiliated with Bancnet are the ones only allowed to use this payment option.

You can also book online and pay over-the-counter at Banco de Oro (BDO). This is what I did on one of my trips. You can also pay over-the-counter at MetroBank, Robinsons Savings Bank, LBC, Bayad Center and Pacific Ace Bank.

Booking Cebu Pacific promo fares is easy. What is hard is to get the Cebu Pacific promo fares before the slots are all taken. All you need is to be updated at all times so you can beat the competition in the fight for the Cebu Pacific promo fares.

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Read related article on how to avail PAL promo fares and Zest Air promo fares.

Visit Before the Eastern Sunset and read about Bataan Death March.

Image came from Fakhri Travel and Tourism Center. 

How to Prevent Earblock

Earblock, known medically as Barotrauma, is a phenomenon experienced by a person when the airplane descends from a high altitude to lower altitudes. It usually occurs when the plane is landing to the airport. As it lands, the pressure inside the plane increases until the eardrums can’t bear the difference of pressure inside and outside the ears.

People having earblock experience deafness and pain inside the ears, specifically at the eardrums. Earblock is usually felt in small pressurized airplanes. It may also be felt in large commercial planes, albeit milder than in smaller planes.

There is no medicine to remove the pain accompanied by earblock. The only solution is to equalize the pressure in the inner ear with the pressure outside so as to ease the tension experienced by the eardrums. Here are some of the ways to combat earblock while the plane lands:

1) Yaaaaawn

Yes, yawning is not just being done when you are sleepy. It has other purposes and its main purpose is to equalize the pressure inside the ears with that of the environment. When you yawn, sometimes you may hear a popping sound inside your ears. That sound is caused by the air rushing to your ears from the Eustachian tube, otherwise known as the auditory tube. This tube connects the inner ear with the pharynx.

2) Pinch Your Nose then Blow

If yawning can’t ease the earblock, the next thing you can do is to force air to your inner ear. To do this, you have to pinch your nose and blow hard through it. The air will have no place to go but to pass through the auditory tube and enter the inner ear. You may feel uneasy doing this but it is the best way of easing the pressure for your eardrums.

3) Chew Gum

As the plane lands, it is suggested that you chew bubble gum to prevent earblock. Chewing makes the muscle around the auditory tube to move so as to allow the opening of the tube. The air will easily enter the inner ear and normalize the pressure.

Reminders

Be careful when doing the above techniques to ease earblocks, especially the second suggestion. Do not blow too hard or you may break your eardrums. You will know that you blew enough air if your ears feel much better and your hearing returned to normal.

It is also suggest that you refrain from chewing gum while the plane is ascending to higher altitudes. The reason for this is that the pressure in the inner ear will decrease, as the pressure inside the plane decreases. When this happens, it is more likely that you will experience earblock when the plane descends.

See a doctor if pain and deafness persist after following the suggestions mentioned above.

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Picture of Ear taken from Wikimedia Commons.