The best time to travel from the US to the Philippines is in the Month of September, this is not in the peak months and can take as much as $200.00 off of the price of your ticket. I have personally traveled on both Cathy Pacific and Korean Air and found both to be very much alike in their service and number of attendants on the flights. Cathay pacific takes you into Hong Kong where you transfer to a second flight direct to Mactan International Airport. On most of my many flights through Honk Kong, I have often experienced late flights arriving in Hong Kong. They always have attendants waiting near the entrance gates to rush you off to your waiting flight.  As a result I have never missed a flight even flights landing when the connecting flight was supposed to be taking off. They seem to have a good system, if one flight is late it moves the connecting flight accordingly and accommodates the rest of the passengers.  One of my flights had a connecting flight nine hours later, meaning, I had that much time to wait in Hong Kong. I chose to wait at the airport so I did not have to go through Hong Kong customs or security. You can take trips down town but need to watch your timing to make sure you have enough time to make your flight. If you choose to remain as I did at the airport you will find that the airport has a complete mall, you can spend a lot of time shopping and a lot of money doing it. I ended up buying Hong Kong Gold for my wife for around $1,600.00. 

I only flew once on Korean Air and found their service to be as good as Cathay Pacific. We landed in Incheon International Airport Seoul Korea (see photos below) and connected to a flight direct to Manila. We had about a two hour layover in Incheon. This airport also has a mall for shopping.  I then had to take a Philippine Air flight from Manila to Cebu. This is why I always choose Cathay Pacific, as it is a more direct rout to my final destination of Cebu City. From there I take a van to Bogo about two hours north.

Hong Kong International Airport
Cathay Pacific Hub
Service from the United States to Manila and Cebu City
Cathay Pacific Airlines







Incheon International Airport
Seoul Korea
Korean Air Hub
Service from the United States to Manila
Korean Air

Central Seoul Hotels Map, Right Click and save to print a readable version.
 

Air Travel

Effective Tuesday, September 26, TSA Is Adjusting The Ban On Liquids, Aerosols And Gels
There are two major changes:

Travelers may now carry through security checkpoints travel-size toiletries (3 ounces or less) that fit comfortably in ONE, QUART-SIZE, clear plastic, zip-top bag.
After clearing security, travelers can now bring beverages and other items purchased in the secure boarding area on-board aircraft.
At the checkpoint travelers will be asked to remove the zip-top bag of liquids and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the declared items.

Don’t let a prohibited item ruin your trip. You are permitted to travel with most items, but you must put them in your luggage and check them with your airline. Certain items are prohibited from carry-on luggage for the overall security of air travelers. Prohibited items obviously include weapons, explosives, and incendiaries, but also items that are seemingly harmless and may be used as weapons like hammers, bats, or mace. You may not bring these items to security checkpoints.

Also carryon bags can be no larger than 56 x 45 x 25 Centimeters. Laptops are still allowed.

LIST OF ITEMS PROHIBITED IN CARRY-ON BAGGAGE ON BOARD AIRCRAFT

Below is Transport Canada's list of items prohibited from carry-on baggage brought on board aircraft.

Security requirements for liquids, gels and aerosols have changed. Please consult the list of items permitted and not permitted through pre-board security screening before you pack your bags.

Screening authorities retain the right to refuse any additional items they perceive as a possible threat to the security of air travel.

The list includes:

Aerosols considered dangerous goods
Ammunition
Automatic weapons
Axes and hatchets (unless part of aircraft equipment)
Billiard cues
Billy clubs and blackjacks
Bows and arrows
Box cutters
Brass knuckles
Carbon dioxide cartridges and other compressed gases (except those required for medical purposes or to be used for aircraft maintenance or for aerodrome maintenance or construction)
Caustic materials (including acids)
Chemicals or gases that are disabling (such as incapacitating sprays, pepper spray, mace and tear gas)
Corkscrews with attached knives
Dangerous goods within the meaning of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992, and the regulations under it, unless specific approval has been granted by a person authorized by the Minister to carry out an inspection under section 8.7 of the Aeronautics Act (such as wet cell batteries, dry ice, large quantities of matches and radioactive material, except those required for medical purposes or that are part of aircraft equipment)
Darts
Devices for shocking (such as stun guns and cattle prods, except defibrillators that are required for medical purposes or that are part of aircraft equipment)
Explosives (such as blasting caps, detonating cord, dynamite, black and smokeless powder, gun powder, hand grenades, slurries and all products labeled as being explosive) and military explosives (such as C-4, DM12 and sheet explosives)
Fire extinguishers (except those that are part of aircraft equipment or aerodrome safety equipment)
Gas torches
Golf clubs
Guns (such as revolvers, rifles, shot guns, BB guns, pellet guns, compressed air guns, starter pistols, flare pistols and spear guns)
Gun lighters
Hockey sticks
Syringes and hypodermic needles (except for personal medical use, and with the needle’s guard in place, and when accompanied by labeled medication)
Ice axes and ice picks
Ice skates
Insecticides (except those to be used by crew members for disinfection purposes)
Knives or knife-like objects of any length (such as hunting knives, scuba knives, swords, sabres, meat cleavers, straight razors and religious knives)
Lacrosse sticks
Liquids marked as flammable (such as gasoline, kerosene, lighter fluid and turpentine)
Liquids that are unidentifiable in unmarked containers
Martial arts devices (such as throwing stars, kubasaunt, kubatons and nunchucks)
Oxygen tanks (except those required for medical purposes or that are part of aircraft equipment)

Paint
Paint thinner
Parts of guns
Penetrating objects (such as scissors with pointed tips)
Pyrotechnics (such as fireworks, road flares, flare pistol cartridges and starter pistol cartridges)
Razor blades (not in cartridges)
Replica weapons
Restraining devices (except those used by peace officers or crew members or by escort officers escorting prisoners)
Scuba tanks
Ski poles
Sling shots and catapults
Sporting bats (such as baseball bats and cricket bats)
Tools (such as hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, drills, saws, crow bars and heavy tools, except those to be used for aircraft maintenance or for aerodrome maintenance or construction)
Toy weapons including toy transformer robots that form into toy guns.
October 2006
 

Can I Take It?

Effective Tuesday, September 26, TSA Is Adjusting The Ban On Liquids, Aerosols And Gels.

1. Travelers may now carry through security checkpoints travel-size toiletries (3 ounces or less) that fit comfortably in ONE, QUART-SIZE, clear plastic, zip-top bag.
2. After clearing security, travelers can now bring beverages and other items purchased in the secure boarding area on-board aircraft.

At the checkpoint travelers will be asked to remove the zip-top bag of liquids and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the declared items.

In addition, larger amounts of prescription liquid medications, baby formula and diabetic glucose treatments must be declared at the checkpoint for additional screening.

In addition to the above changes, the following guidance is provided to ensure the health and welfare of certain air travelers the following items are permitted.

• if a baby or small child is traveling;
• (liquids, gels, and aerosols) including KY jelly, eye drops, and saline solution for medical purposes;
• Liquids including water, juice, or liquid nutrition or gels for passengers with a disability or medical condition;
• Life-support and life-sustaining liquids such as bone marrow, blood products, and transplant organs;
• Items used to augment the body for medical or cosmetic reasons such as mastectomy products, prosthetic breasts, bras or shells containing gels, saline solution, or other liquids; and,
• Gels or frozen liquids needed to cool disability or medically related items used by persons with disabilities or medical conditions.

You are not limited in the amount or volume of these items you may bring in your carry-on baggage.  BUT if the medically necessary items exceed 3 ounces or are not contained in a one-quart, zip-top plastic bag, you MUST declare to one of our Security Officers at the checkpoint for further inspection.

To effectively communicate important security information, we translated these changes into a variety of languages. Security Information In Other Languages

You are permitted to bring solid cosmetics and personal hygiene items as such lipstick, lip balm and similar solids.

We ask for your cooperation in the screening process by being prepared before you arrive. We also ask that you follow the guidelines above and try not to over-think these guidelines. Please pack liquids, gels, and aerosols in your checked baggage even if you do not normally check a bag.

In addition to liquids, gels, and aerosols numerous other potentially dangerous items are not permitted in carry-on baggage. We strongly encourage travelers to read more about previously prohibited items to avoid complications during screening.

It is unlikely that additional changes in the liquid, aerosol and gel policy will be made in the near future.

This security regimen applies to all domestic and international flights departing U.S. airports. Travelers should, however, check with transportation security authorities in their country-of-origin for flights originating at non-U.S. airports.

Makeup & Personal Items

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Medication & Special Needs Devices

Please make sure your medications are properly labeled with a professionally printed label identifying the medication and manufacturer's name or pharmaceutical label. The prescription medicine must match the name on the passenger's ticket.

All disability-related equipment, aids, and devices continue to be allowed through security checkpoints once cleared through screening.

For more information on what to expect during security screening, you may want to visit our section written forBack To Top

Electronic Devices

Sharp Objects

Sporting Goods

p

Guns & Firearms

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Tools

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Martial Arts & Self Defense Items

Explosive & Flammable Materials, Disabling Chemicals & Other Dangerous Items

Food & Drinks

Other Items

Source: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

 

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL TIPS TO THE PHILIPPINES


• HAVE A VALID PASSPORT TO TRAVEL TO THE PHILIPPINES.

I know it seems stupid to put this in the list, but believe it or not I need to say it. You can obtain a
passport application from your county clerk or your local post office. You need to send the
application along with passport photo, birth certificate and processing fee to the processing center
listed on the application. Processing time is about 6 weeks. You can have it expedited and
returned to you in one week by paying an additional fee.


• NO NEED FOR PHILIPPINE VISA.

You do not need a visa for a stay of less than 21 days. For stays longer than 21 days you must
obtain a visa. You can write or phone the Philippine Embassy for a visa application for a stay of 21
days or more. Embassy of the Philippines Chancery: 1600 Massachusetts Ave. NW. 20036 (202-
467-9300) (FAX 328-7614). Also, If you plan to stay in the Philippines longer than 21 days, you can get an extension on your 21 day visa at Immigrations in most large cities like Cebu City. You can extend up to one year. After a year you must leave the country for a day and return to start this process again. There are other options available like obtaining a three or six months visa from your local Philippine Embassy prior to travel.

http://www.philippineembassy-usa.org


• DISCOUNT TICKETS HAVE RESTRICTIONS.

Be aware of the penalties for cancellation and changes. On some airlines, it is difficult to get a
confirmed seat on an open return with the discount ticket.


• GETTING THE LOWEST FARE?

There are a number of ways to get the lowest possible airfare, if you are flexible with the dates and
times you choose to fly. Airfares are often lower on certain days of the week, particularly Tuesday,
Wednesday and Saturday. Choosing the less popular times to fly, for instance night flights, is
another good way to keep the price o your ticket down.


• JOIN THE AIRLINE'S FREQUENT FLYER CLUB.

It doesn't cost anything to join and some airlines honor other airline's miles. Simply save your
ticket receipt (last portion left after all flights) and ask the airline for an application usually found in
the airline magazine on the plane. Better yet, sign up when you check in. Even if you are not a
frequent flyer, the 6,000 miles each way to the Philippines can give you an upgrade on a domestic
flight on some airlines. In some cases elite members of frequent flier programs may receive more
generous baggage allowances. Check with your airline for current policies.


• PLAN YOUR TRIP AT LEAST 30 DAYS IN ADVANCE.

If you plan on December travel, purchase your ticket 4 to 6 months in advance for best price and
best availability. December is peak season for flights to the Philippines. Planning in advance will
get you the dates and flights that you want. Last minute ticket purchase is very stressful for you
and the travel agent, and seats may not be available. People who plan at least 30 days in advance
can benefit from travel information sent to them from their travel agent and can better understand
the culture, customs, and traditions etc. regarding the country they will visit.


• RECONFIRM YOUR INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS.

Your reservation may be cancelled if you fail to reconfirm before departure even though you have
bought your tickets and have them in your hand. Most hotels in the Philippines will reconfirm your
flights for you either free of charge or for a small fee. Seasoned travelers will even tell you that
they call the airlines the day of travel to see if there is any updated information regarding their
flight. I usually call about 1 month before, then 3 days before.


• WEIGH YOUR BAGS AT HOME.

The bathroom scale is now an important part of packing for success. Too many vacations are
ruined by trying to take too much or prepare for every emergency. Don't try to pack the night before
your trip. Start one week in advance, pack all you think you need, and then carefully weight each
bag. Most airlines allow 2 checked bags up to 70 pounds each (you will pay a fine for excess
weight) and maximum dimensions of 62 inches, height + width + depth. All airlines now only allow
one carry on that doesn't exceed 45 total inches and up to 25 pounds. Purse, camera bag, and
laptops do not count as carry on.


• TAG YOUR BAGS INSIDE AND OUT.

It is surprising to note how many people arrive at the airport with no identification on their luggage.
Wiser travelers will have at least two external tags securely affixed to each piece of luggage, and
one taped inside the cover of each bag for good measure. One person I know put a big red ‘X’ on
the outside of his bags with tape so he could see it right away.


• HURRY UP AND WAIT.

Early arrival at the airport for check-in is now more important than ever. You will avoid many
problems and much distress simply by arriving at the airport check-in counter a generous two
hours or more in advance of your flight departure. I get there 4 hours early since the lines usually
open 3 hours before the flight.


• WHAT NOT TO CARRY-ON

An extensive, and ever-growing, list concerns what may not be contained in your carry-on luggage.
Newest restrictions forbid carrying on any liquid, gel, or lotion products. This includes water,
toothpaste, many make-up products, and even things as seemingly innocuous as lip gloss. As
anything battery-powered invites extra scrutiny, when possible, limit the amount of electronics you
are carrying. As these policies are in a state of flux, you are strongly advised to access this TSA
link for current data.

Transportation Security Administration - Permitted and Prohibited Items


• WHAT TO WEAR FOR A SMOOTHER CHECK IN?

Almost all clothing accessories, including shoes, belts, hats, sweaters, and jackets, etc. must be
removed and sent through the x-ray machine. Simplify matters for yourself by wearing such items
that are relatively easy for you to remove and re-don.



• GIVE EXTRA TIME FOR CONNECTING FLIGHTS.

When planning connecting flights, allow at least three hours for you and your luggage to change
planes. Especially when making an inter-airline connection and/or clearing Immigration and
Customs.


• HOW TO USE YOUR CELL PHONE IN THE PHILIPPINES.

If you planning to bring your cell phone to the Philippines, check with your carrier as to the roaming
charges. In most cases (can’t think of one that isn’t), it will be cheaper to get a Philippine Sim Chip
for your GSM Phone than to use the roaming charges. Make sure you phone will work with the
following frequency.

The Philippines use 2 frequencies.
Sun Cellular GSM 1800
Globe Handyphone GSM 900
IslaCom GSM 900
Smart GSM 900 & 1800
 

LAPTOP INFORMATION
1. In most cases you will not need to purchase a voltage regulator for your laptop's A/C adapter. Most recent laptops purchased in he past two or more years have A/C adapters that can handle any voltage from 100 to 240VAC. Make sure your adapter reads "INPUT: 100-240V".

2. For the Philippines in most cases you will need an adapter to go from the US standard three pronged plugs to the two pronged variety commonly used throughout the Philippines. Most laptop A/C adapters are already two pronged.

3. When flying in most cases they will ask you to hand carry your laptop through security, make sure it is readily available.