Six Airline Passenger Rights That You Should Remember

The Air Passenger Bill of Rights which took effect last December 21, 2012, signed by Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and Trade Secretary Gregorio Domingo, sets guidelines on several airline practices, such overbooking, rebooking, ticket refunds, cancelled and delayed flights, lost luggage and misleading advertisements on fares, all of which are top causes of passenger complaints in 2011. 

Here are the things you should take note of before you engage and book that flight: 

Full Disclosure

The first is Airlines are compelled to fully disclose to passengers both in print and verbally what is at stake when they rebook flights, refund tickets, impose conditions on baggage allowances, check-in policies, and their promotional fares. 

These conditions of the fare must be printed when airlines issue passenger tickets or boarding passes and must be delivered electronically when tickets are bought online. It should also be verbally explained to the passenger in English or in Filipino with emphasis on the limitations or restrictions attached to the ticket. 

Promotional fares also should include the number of seats offered on a per sector basis and not just the promotional duration. 

The following are the provisions in the Airline Passenger Bill of rights that outlines the compensation passengers should receive. 

Check-in

If you arrive within the designated check-in area at least one hour before the flight's published time of departure, you will not be considered late and the carrier is obliged to make sure you are checked in within the deadline. (This is where web check-in services come in handy, especially if you feel that you might be a bit late. Plus it allows you to zip through the long check in lines that are usually happening with budget airlines)

Overbooked flights

An airline is allowed to overbook a flight, an industry practice of selling more than the seats the aircraft has, based on for a specific flight, as long as the passengers who are bumped off do so voluntarily.

If you volunteer to choose a different flight, the airline will offer you compensation in the form of amenities or cash incentives.

If the number of volunteers is not enough to resolve the overbooking, the airline is mandated to increase the compensation package by adding more services until the required number of volunteers is met.

Lost Luggage or Off Loaded Luggage

The Airlines covered by this bill includes both local and foreign Airlines. 

For lost luggages, airlines will have to compensate passengers P2,000 for every day that a bag is missing. After 7 days, that bag will be deemed lost and the passenger will be compensated based on "relevant convention." (I wonder if this covers umbrellas that get lost, such as what had happened to me and my friends last week in our flight back from Singapore with Cebu Pacific Airlines, something that I shall be checking on shortly)

Delayed flights

Airlines are required to provide free food, drinks, Internet access, phone use and, in extreme circumstances, hotel lodging until the flight departs. (I feel that there are a lot of free meals that were due to me and my friends, luckily this wasn't in effect back then)

The flight is considered cancelled if it is delayed at least 6 hours after the original departure time. You have the right to be compensated accordingly. 

Flight cancellation

If your flight is cancelled, you have to be notified in advance via public announcement or written notice such as through a text message. (It would be best to subscribe or follow an Airline's twitter account as they normally announce these notices through there)

If an air carrier cancels the flight because of unavoidable circumstances, safety or security reasons the passenger shall have the right to be reimbursed for the full value of the fare.

I personally am happy that there has been a move by our government with regards to the our rights as Airline Passengers. The only thing left is for us to show vigilance that this is being fully implemented and if not make them aware that we know our rights well.

If you have had an experience that are related to this topic, I strongly encourage for you to share it with us here. Simply leave it at the comments area. Your story can eventually help others that are experiencing the same thing, plus it allows us to keep track if this bill is being implemented and upheld properly.

Till Next Time...

-Metz-

The Best Place to Unwind - Boracay, Philippines

Boracay has long been known to be the top beach destination in Asia. Boracay as a tourist destination has been winning so many awards both from local and international committees and just recently it has garnered top recognition from Agoda.com as one of the favorite places to go for a vacation.

When you are at an award winning destination, what better place to stay in than an award winning resort? Discovery Shores Boracay was voted as the world's 5th best hotel by readers of Travel + Leisure magazine. Check out Discovery Shores Boracay at Agoda.com or call them at +63 2 719 6692 to 93 or check out their website at www.discoveryhotels-resorts.com

Boracay has just recently emerged as the number one favorite destination for relaxation in a customer survey that was conducted by Agoda.com, the leading hotel booking website in Asia. I personally love Agoda.com which I strongly recommend for those that haven't tried booking their hotels yet through them to please go check them out as their rates are truly tempting and even quite competitive to other websites like Expedia.com and Bookings.com

Boracay had bested the perennial favorite Bali, Indonesia which had come in a close second. Koh Samul of Thailand came in at third. Boracay also got third place in terms of night life destination. Bangkok, Thailand came in at first and Dubai, UAE was second in this particular category.

Boracay is by far the only Philippine destination that has made it to the top 10 for both relaxation and nightlife categories. Manila surprisingly only came in at 22 in the nightlife category and Cebu landed 19th for the category of relaxation locations.

Agoda.com asked customers to rate destinations in two specific categories - Nightlife and Relaxation - ratings are from 1 - 5 with 1 being poor to 5 being excellent. The poll had over 113,000 respondents me included :)

Going to Boracay used to be considered expensive by locals but with Local Carriers such as Cebu Pacific Air and Air Philippines leading the way and revolutionizing budget flights, it has become easy to go to the island Paradise. Between the two airline carriers, I would go with Cebu Pacific Air if you can catch an early promo but if not like the upcoming holidays, I would go with Air Philippines as they offer rates that fly straight to Caticlan, Boracay for a fee of roughly Php 2,108 to Php 4,000 one way inclusive of surcharges.

There is no doubt that if you ever get the chance to be in the Philippines, Boracay should definitely be part of your agenda. Boracay is definitely a place to relax and to party out, missing out on this opportunity would be like missing out on a chance to experience paradise at its finest.

Till Next Time...

-Metz-

The Month of Love and Celebration: Places to Visit in February

With the many festivals that are occurring world wide in the season of love, there is no better place to go to then places where each country proudly represents love and individuality through music, dance culture and costumes.

Here are the top places of festivities this February:

Chun Jie - The Spring Festival and Chinese Celebration for the New Year
Location: Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore and Hong Kong
Dates: Lunar New Year which is roughly between January 19 and February 20.

Chun jie Festival in Singapore

The Chinese New Year is pretty much celebrated around the world, especially where there is a Chinatown, however there is something special about being in one of these places during this high point in the Chinese Calendar. It is a definitely something you shouldn't miss out on.

Tet Nguyen Dan - The Festival of the First Day
Location - Vietnam
Dates: Lunar New Year which is roughly between January 19 and February 20.

It is in Vietnam that Tet ushers in the New Year and is by far the biggest celebration on Vietnam's national calendar. Tet rites begin a week before the Lunar New Year and the first three days of the Tet Nguyen Dan are considered as their National Holidays.

International Ice and Snow Festival - Snow and Ice World Festival in Harbin China
Location: Zhaolin Park and Sun Island Park, Harbin China
Dates: 5th of January to 29th of Feb

The Northern province of China known as the Heilongjiang province may be riddled with the coldest climate in the whole of Asia, but it is undoubtedly the best place for an Ice Wonderland Celebration right at the heart in Harbin.

Thaipusam
Location: Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - (this is also celebrated in Singapore)

Date: Full Moon Day in the 10th Tamil month of Thai which is somewhere between mid month of January to mid February.

This is the most amazing Hindu festival in Malaysia. It is celebrated in a wild ecstatic celebration of seemingly outrageous body piercings, marking the day when Lord Shiva's son, Murugan, was given a lance to vanquish three demons.

Carnaval de Quebec - Winter Carnival
Location: Old Town, Quebec City, Canada
Dates: Late January to mid-February

The Carnaval de Quebec has made a reputation of being the world's largest winter carnival. The 17 day Carnaval de Quebec was first done in the early 1894 as a means to get over the winter chills, but only became a full blown festival it is now by the 1950s.

Carnevale Venezia - Venice Carnival
Location: Venice, Italy, Piazza San Marcos is the festival's main focus
Dates: Starts around two Fridays before Ash Wed and completes around Fat/Shrove Tuesday.

The most anticipated social event of Venice, Carnevale Venezia is a masked extravaganza reminiscent of the Phantom of the Opera. It is also known as the best baroque dance party and is rivaling even that of  Rio De Janeiro's Carnival in terms of spirit and gusto.

Pasola
Location: Sumba, Indonesia
Dates: During February and March. This is determined by the arrival of a type of sea worm known as nyale

This is celebrated with a tournament of two rivaling teams wielding spears, known as ikat horsemen. The Pasola is most likely Asia's bloodiest and extravagant harvest festival.

St Valentine's Day
Location: Terni, Italy - The feast takes place outside of the Basilica di San Valentino
Dates: This is celebrated all throughout February with February 14 as its highlight

I would most likely believe that this is by far the most romantic place to celebrate the Month of Love with your special one. With Terni's ambiance to match, you shouldn't be surprised to see many getting down on their knees and proposing right there on the streets of the Saint's Umbrian hometown.

Saidai-Ji Eyo - Naked Festival
Location: Kannon-in Temple, Saidi-ji, Japan
Date: Third Saturday of February

Naked Festivals(they actually are not naked because they use loincloths) are quite common throughout Japan in the early start of the Lunar New Year but the most extraordinary is done in the Kannon-in Temple right outside of Okayama

Carnaval De Binche
Location: Binche, Belgium and starts at the town hall
Date: Fat/Shrove Tuesday

Come prepared for a bit of bruising at Belgium's most eccentric carnival celebration. It has been listed by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, the Binche carnival sees local men called Gilles, stomp around while wearing an odd green eyed mask and shaking sticks to ward of evil spirits.

Battaglie delle Arance - Battle of the Oranges
Location: Ivrea, Italy which start right at the town center
Dates: It concludes on Fat/Shrove Tuesday

A part of Ivrea's carnival celebration, Battaglie delle Arance is their version of another town known as Valencia's famous La Tomatina. It is here that for three days nine teams of revolutionaries totaling to about 3000 people or more pound each other with over 400,000kg of oranges. I would recommend to carry an umbrella as a shield if you are caught in the crossfire.

Art Deco Weekend
Location: Several Venues in Napier and Hastings, New Zealand
Dates: Third weekend of February

When the Hawkes Bay town of Napier was decimated by a massive earthquake in the 1930s, Art Deco moved in. It rebuilt the town in Art Deco Style with a bit of Spanish Mission thrown in also influencing the near by town of Hastings. This place has now become the World's Best showcase of Art Deco Designs.

Oruro Carnival
Location: Oruro, Bolivia
Dates: 10 days around Ash Wed

The Oruro Carnival has been listed by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. It is also Bolivia's largest annual celebration that draws a crowd of close to half a million people. The central focus of the event is in La Diabla-da, which translate to Dance of the Devils, is an extraordinary showcase of demonic dancers in the most extravagant costumes.

Jenadriyah National Festival
Location: Al Jenadriyah, Saudi Arabia
Dates: Late Feb to early March

The Jenadriyah National Festival is held at a very special site situated about 45km northeast of central Riyadh. It promotes the country's traditional cultures and crafts. The festival opens with an epic camel race that has about 2000 participants racing across a 19km track.

Rio De Janiero Carnival
Location: Sambodromo, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Dates: It culminates on Shrove/Fat Tuesday but begins on a previous Saturday

In Rio De Janeiro, Indian Costumes and African Beats were incorporated in the celebration in a show of rebellious indigenous identity. Today the anticipation of Carnaval fills the air months before the actual event. The main feature of the celebration are the Brazilian Bandas - street parties guided by drummers and singers through the streets of Rio and tailed by those willing to dance behind them.

I may not have been able to personally get to visit these places but based on the stories from friends that have, it is definitely worth to have these events included in a bucket list of things to experience before we age to a point where we can no longer travel. Writing about them has only but created a taste for adventure.

I am sure that there are many more places to go to for the month of February, I would most definitely love to hear from others of special places to visit that you have discovered. If possible can you post those places you know are worthy of going to in the Season of Love here in the comment section below. I would personally be grateful, as I am constantly on the lookout for more things to add on my bucket list.

Till Next Time...

-Metz-

PS. If you are Filipino and are curious about these places mentioned and want to know if it is a place you can visit without the need for a visa, check out the list of countries where we can go with a Philippine Passport here: Travel w/o a Visa for Filipinos

Cebu Pacific Will Start Flying to Dubai and More

Budget carrier Cebu Pacific is set to fly to Dubai, its first long-haul destination, in October.

The Gokongwei-led airline will start its daily flights to Dubai on October 7, 2013.  No Philippine carriers are currently plying the Middle East routes.  Cebu Pacific will be up against Emirates Airlines, which is the only airline with direct flights from Dubai to Manila. 

Emirates is adding an additional flight from Dubai to Manila in January 2013. It currently flies twice daily non-stop between Manila and Dubai.

Cebu Pacific is planning to lease up to 8 Airbus A330-300 aircraft to serve new markets beyond the range of its current fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft. The A330-300 planes have a range of up to 11 hours, which means the airline can embark on long-haul flights that are within 11 hours of the Philippines

The Airbus A330 has a range of up to 11 hours which means CEB could serve markets such as Australia, Middle East, parts of Europe and the US. The aircraft is one of the most commonly used wide-body aircraft in operation today, given its highly reliable operating statistics.

“The A330-300 will give us the lowest cost per seat, allowing us to drive long-haul fares 35% lower than those currently offered by other airlines, and as much as 80% lower when CEB offers promo fares. This aircraft type is very well suited to the kind of network we want to build and the routes we want to launch,” said Lance Gokongwei, CEB President and CEO.

“We are exploring serving cities where large Filipino communities reside --- Europe, Middle East, Oceania and the USA. Data indicates that more than half of Filipinos deployed in these regions take multiple stops and connecting flights because no home carrier can fly them there non-stop,” added Gokongwei.

Gokongwei cited Saudi Arabia as an example, where only 165,000 passengers flew direct non-stop flights from Manila (Civil Aeronautics Board 2010 data), compared to 293,000 Filipinos deployed to Saudi Arabia in the same year. This means that nearly half of Filipinos who flew to Saudi Arabia in 2010 had to take multiple flights to get to their destination. With CEB’s long haul operations, the budget airline will provide more affordable, direct flight options to Filipinos overseas, a population estimated to be 11 million worldwide.

Since its inception in 1996, CEB has posted a good track record in stimulating short-haul travel of Filipinos working and residing overseas. Passenger traffic to and from Hong Kong, where a lot of Filipinos reside and work, grew by 88% since CEB started operating flights from Manila in 2001.

“We want to do the same for long-haul traffic --- offer the lowest fares possible and drive a significant increase on demand for air travel to regions outside of Asia. This is truly an exciting time for CEB as we continue to be of service to the 11 million strong global Filipinos, wherever they are in the world; and to their families back home,” Gokongwei said.

“As CEB develops long-haul routes and opens new destinations for a Philippine flag carrier, we will be creating an important enabler for increased trade, tourism and foreign investment.” 

I guess the major air carriers of South EastAsia and the Middle East are to expect a major price and choice competition by the time this gets fully launched as currently Cebu Pacific is a tough contender in air fare packages.  

Will you be flying with Cebu Pacific to Dubai, Saudi Arabia and other 11 hour flight destinations? I would believe the OFW would definitely love this offer, as for regular tourists, that's the question that I would like to consider but the offer is going to be tempting. 

Till Next Time...

-Metz-