After dealing with the pandemic, we have the urged on feeding our wanderlust. Pandemic thought us that life is short, live life, and be happy. Airlines have frequent promos to fly but it still depends on you on where you want to go. Just recently, I purchased a travel arrangement within Luzon through app and it made my traveling solo comfortable. Below are my go-to apps whenever I feel the need to relax, enjoy, and be somewhere else.
Cebu Pacific Airlines: I had the most affordable and easiest booking I have experienced with. Most of my international travels are with Cebu Pacific. I found their user interface easy to manage. Just the downside, limited destinations are available. But, their promos are sulit and cheap.
Air Asia Airlines: What I like about Air Asia, it is appealing. Unlike on the first one mentioned, if you have already decided on a destination, it will show all the airports available to them. You can also see other airlines shared on the same airport. Not just for show, you can actually book on that airline through their app. I have booked a roundtrip flight with Philippine Airlines through Air Asia Move app. Just what I do not like, there is a hidden charge on your booking with their airline. At my time of booking, I was charged Php700 per person. Recently, I booked my domestic travels with them. To add, you can also book hotels through their app and they have a flight+hotel bundle.
Philippine Airlines: I found their app hard to use. Unlike the two mentioned above, it does not show cheapest flight available on the dates. I have not use their app often because I still prefer to check flights on the website itself. I found it more useful. Philippine Airlines have flights with almost all destinations around the world. Just set your destination and dates, then you are all set. Since this is Philippine Airlines, expect that their prices are higher but you can still score a good deal at the time of their promos.
Klook: Whenever I plan my activities, I always check this app. It has a wide selections of pre-plan activities for your needs from cheap to expensive ones. For international travels, I always prefer to avail my activities ahead and Klook pre-arrange it for me. It is very convenient. I just need to appear on the pick up point on the date I chose. So why I have included this on the list? Here in the Philippines, they recently added transport from city to city, from Manila to some areas in Luzon. Just this year, I availed their pre-arrange transportation from Manila to Puerto Galera, Mindoro. Bus and Ferry have been arranged. Less hassle for me since it was my first time traveling and it was my first time going to Puerto Galera. Their staffs are accommodating and I did not have a problem through-out the roundtrip journey.
On the other hand, here are my tips on scoring affordable flights, and good deals from airlines mentioned above.
Tip #1: I believe you already know the destination you want to go to; that is why you are here. I suggest to research the destination first to know its whereabouts and what activities you are interested in because some countries have different seasons and best months to visit.
Tip #2: Follow the Airlines social media accounts because most of the time they will announce their promos beforehand. Now that tourism is booming, more promos are made and more people are encouraging to fly. Double digit sales (like 1.1, 2.2, and so on) are frequent so stay tuned. I also suggest to check their apps for unannounced promos. I have scored a good deal in Philippine Airlines just checking the prices.
Tip #3: I expect that you have checked the activities you want to do. So it is now best to know when you would like to go. Is the country tropical or have four seasons? Is the activity available on summer or on rainy season? Do you prefer spring or winter? Decide on it and set dates.
Tip #4: At this time now that promo is happening, check them out. On Cebu Pacific app, base prices are shown when choosing the date while on Air Asia app, you can see the actual prices. Cheapest prices on both app are shown in Green color. This is a first come first serve basis. Meaning, the slots are limited. If the cheapest flight run out, the next cheap price will be available on the date. That is why, it is best to know your destination and dates beforehand.
Tip #5: When booking an international flight with Cebu Pacific and Air Asia, you can put the passport details before flying and leave it blank during booking. The main reason is to pay the chosen flight immediately. I just recently discovered that it is easier to pay through Paypal than directly using your debit or credit card.
Additional tip, know if your destination needs visa or not. There are countries that are visa free to Philippine passport holders and there are others that needed one. If ever you need a visa, know all the requirements and the processing time. So you can manage your time well.
Here you go. I am not a frequent travel but these tips help me well on my adventures. These are some but I hope they all help. For more travels to come!
