Philippines flights - cheap international flight tickets and hacker fares to Manila, Cebu, Clark, Davao
Flights to Manila. Book plane tickets to Manila Airport (MNL) online.

The Philippines is open to international travel

The Philippines are open to all foreign nationals. Fully vaccinated foreign visitors are allowed to enter the Philippines quarantine-free, while unvaccinated visitors have to quarantine for 14 days. A pre-departure PCR/RAT test is only required for unvaccinated arrivals.

Transit through Philippine airports is allowed, although some restrictions may still be in place.

Arriving in Philippines

  • If you are flying to Philippines from abroad, you will most likely land at one of its biggest international airportsits main international airportManila MNL, Cebu CEB, Davao DVO, and Clark CRK.

    These are also the best (and the cheapest) airports to fly into Philippines. As they are used by many airlines serving the same routes, the competition for passengers is fierce – with decreased airfare as a result.
  • Once in Philippines, take advantage of frequent intercity flights operated by domestic airlines such as Philippine Airlines,Cebu Pacific, Philippines AirAsia, Cebgo, PAL Express, Pan Pacific Airlines, and Sunlight Air. Those in-country carriers typically offer lower fares, operate from smaller airports located closer to city centers (you save on ground transportation), and provide flexible schedules – with a wide range of departure times.
  • Planning to explore the region? Popular destinations near Philippines can be easily reached with regional low-cost carriers (LCCs) by the likes of AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Cebu Pacific, Jetstar Airways, Lion Air, Scoot, and Tigerair Taiwan. If you have a layover in Philippines and plan to fly only a short distance to one of its neighboring countries, these budget airlines are an excellent way to save money. However, the “no-frills” carrier may not provide free checked baggage allowance, complimentary food, in-flight entertainment systems, and fast customer support. You may not even get to choose your seats, unless you pay extra.

Airports of Philippines

Best airports to fly into Philippines: Manila (MNL),  Cebu (CEB), Cagayan de Oro (CGY), Boracay (MPH), Davao (DVO), Tacloban (TAC), Iloilo (ILO), Butuan (BXU), Zamboanga (ZAM), Angeles City (CRK), General Santos (GES), Puerto Princesa (PPS)
Philippines has over 70 airports handling international, domestic, and charter flights – among the largest airports are: Manila MNL, Cebu CEB, Cagayan de Oro CGY, Boracay MPH, Davao DVO, Tacloban TAC, Iloilo ILO, Butuan BXU, Zamboanga ZAM, Angeles City CRK, General Santos GES, and Puerto Princesa PPS.
Things to know before flying to Philippines
Airlines flying to PhilippinesAirAsia, Air China, Air Hong Kong, Air New Zealand, AirSWIFT, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Bangkok Airways, CebGo, Cebu Pacific, China Airlines, China Central Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, El Al Israel Airlines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Gulf Air, Hong Kong Airlines, Japan Airlines, Jetstar Airways, KLM, Korean Air, Kuwait Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Oman Air, Pan Pacific Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Air, Royal Brunei Airlines, Saudia, Scoot, SF Airlines, Singapore Airlines, SWISS, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines, Aerolíneas Vietnamitas
Airlines of PhilippinesPhilippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Philippines AirAsia, Cebgo, PAL Express, Pan Pacific Airlines, Sunlight Air, SkyJet Airlines, AirSWIFT, Sky Pasada, Royal Air Philippines

Main airports in PhilippinesNinoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) — Manila
Mactan–Cebu International Airport (CEB) — Cebu
Laguindingan Airport (CGY) — Cagayan de Oro
Godofredo P. Ramos Airport (MPH) — Boracay
Francisco Bangoy International Airport (DVO) — Davao
Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport (TAC) — Tacloban
Iloilo International Airport (ILO) — Iloilo
Bancasi Airport (BXU) — Butuan
Zamboanga International Airport (ZAM) — Zamboanga
Clark International Airport (CRK) — Angeles City
General Santos International Airport (GES) — General Santos
Puerto Princesa International Airport (PPS) — Puerto Princesa


Regular price (roundtrip)✈ €800 – €1200 (from Europe)
✈ $700 – $1100 (from USA)
Flight hacks 40% — 80% off regular fare
Official websitesPhilippines Travel (official travel website)
Visa Information For Foreigners (Office Of Consular Affairs)
Philippines Travel Advice (UK citizens)
Philipines Travel Advisory (US citizens)
Philipines Travel Advisory (Australian citizens)
Philippine Airlines (national airline of the Philippines)
Airline promotionsSee ticket sales & promos available for flights departing from June to August

Book cheap flights in the region

The cheapest time to fly to Philippines

The Philippines’ weather makes it a year-round travel destination. However, the best time to find the cheapest airfares to the Philippines is during the low season – June through October. It is when the country experiences the wet season, so the weather can be less favorable, with a higher chance of typhoons. The country sees fewer tourists from June to October, which results in lower airfares and accommodation prices.

Duty-free rules

The Philippines is serious about the duty-free concession. There is a limit for bringing in certain items. Alcoholic drinks such as wine, spirits or beer cannot exceed one liter per person, and you can carry 2 cartons of cigarettes (or 2 tins of pipe tobacco). In addition to personal items, you may also carry items in reasonable quantity up to a value of $1,000.

Anything above those limits must be declared – at the airport, head to the Red Lane to declare your goods.

Use local airlines instead of ferries

The Philippines is an archipelago so you may spend long hours (or days) moving between provinces by land and sea. Also, the Philippine inter-island ferry and passenger boat network is infamous for its poor safety record. Therefore, it’s wise to consider domestic air travel to avoid overcrowded boats and long journeys.

Cebu Pacific and AirAsia run sales and promotions frequently. Stalk these airlines on social media or use Promo Radar to find and secure some fantastic deals.

Philippine Airlines: bid for a cabin upgrade

When booking Economy Class tickets, Philippine Airlines allows you to upgrade to a higher class seat – Premium Economy or Business – through a bidding procedure on their website. If you’re not willing to pay the full fare for a premium/business ticket, it may be a good way to upgrade at a discount. You can only make an offer within a pre-determined price range, and the bidding ends 36 hours before flight departure.

Once you’re successful, you can enjoy the airline perks like more comfortable seats, better meal options, priority check-in and boarding, airport lounge use, etc. It’s worth to try!

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Flights to Philippines from United States and Canada

  • There are no direct flights from the US or Canada to Philippines. However, most major hubs in Asia have non-stop flights to Philippines, as do some larger airports in the Middle East – your journey will have at least one stop. Currently, only Philippine Airlines offers year-round direct flights from the US/Canada to Philippines. It flies out from the biggest cities in North America: Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, and Vancouver. All scheduled flights arrive in Manila at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Expect to spend between 11 and 17 hours on a plane.
  • Philippines is well-served via one-stop flights from North America. Flights to Philippines with one layover depart from most major North American airports, including Atlanta ATL, Dallas DFW, Denver DEN, Chicago ORD, Los Angeles LAX, Las Vegas DFW, Miami MIA, Seattle SEA, Houston IAH, New York JFK, and San Francisco SFO in the United States and Toronto YYZ, Vancouver YVR, Calgary LAS, and Montreal YUL in Canada.
  • The best airlines to fly to Philippines from the US and Canada are: Air Canada, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad Airways, EVA Air, Korean Air, Philippine Airlines, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, and Turkish Airlines. They are top full-service carriers, offering exceptional customer service, in-flight comfort, a generous checked baggage allowance, and reliable customer support channels – all included in the ticket price.
  • For long-haul flights, the type of aircraft you choose can make a huge difference to your overall comfort on board – especially if you’re flying economy. The best aircraft have comfier seats with more legroom, WiFi, superior entertainment systems, and a better passenger experience in every cabin in general. When booking a flight to Philippines, look for the airlines that use wide-body planes designed for long-haul flights, such as Airbus A350 (best choice), A380, A320neo, or Boeing 767, 777, and 787 Dreamliner.

Philippines from US & Canada
plane ticket prices in 2023/24

Real-time economy class airfares to Philippines from the US and Canada. See the top deals for flights departing from June to February:

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Long waiting times when calling the helpline?

Social media is usually a faster way to reach the airline when a problem arises. Use Twitter or Facebook Messenger to contact the airline customer service and get a response and solution within minutes (see detailed guides for Turkish Airlines, Etihad AirwaysSingapore Airlines, and others).

When it comes to Twitter, there’s one more trick to get in touch with the airline faster: mention the airline in a tweet about your issue (add “@airline_handle”, for example: “@flyPAL” for Philippine Airlines). The social media team will often notice it immediately, ask you for a direct message, and respond privately.

Use Grab to get around town

Uber is no longer available in the Philippines – it ceased business in March 2018 and has been replaced by its Asia alternative – Grab. It’s a good way for a cross-city journey: the cars are safe, secure and usually air-conditioned. Similarly to Uber, it has fixed distance-based fees, so drivers can’t overcharge you for journeys. If you don’t have Grab Taxi yet, download it for your Philippine vacation and set up your account, payment options, etc, before arriving.

In case you’re having a hard time booking a ride with Grab, there are other ride-sharing apps that you can use in the Philippines; among the most popular are ePickMeUp, GoLag, Hirna, Hype, and MiCab.

Set the currency to the currency of the airline’s country

Prices quoted on airline websites often vary depending on where you book from. So here’s the simple trick: if you’re booking a flight with Philippine Airlines (for example), try setting the country to Philippines and the currency to Philippine peso (PHP).

If the airline website detects your actual location by checking the IP address (and automatically applies the adequate currency), you can overcome this by using a VPN to spoof your location.

Avoid currency exchange kiosks at airports

Airports are infamous for making an exuberant amount of money from their currency exchanges due to the extremely high margins, and Philippine airports are no exception. Airport kiosks usually charge higher fees which are sometimes hidden within the poorer exchange rates they offer – their business is based on charging extra for being a convenient, last-minute option.

Plan ahead and exchange some money for the Philippine peso at home.

Next tips

Flights to Philippines with stopover

Direct flights to Philippines are, of course, much less hassle than flights that require one or more connections. However, they tend to be more expensive. In a trade-off between convenience and cost, the best option is often to opt for a flight with one layover.

So if you’re looking at a long-haul trip with at least one connection, rather than simply transiting an airport, why not take this opportunity to plan a longer stopover? A stopover is a prolonged layover — more than 24 hours — and it won’t only break up your long journey but will also become a legitimate part of your vacation. If you’re prone to severe jet lag, a one or two-day stopover would help minimize its adverse effects.

When booking flights, many airlines allow you to include a free stopover en route to your final destination in Philippines. Those flights are usually cheaper than non-stop (direct) flights, and you can often choose your stopover at no additional cost — just by looking for multi-city flights with longer layovers.

Big cities in Asia and Pacific are known for their rich culture and history — making them a great idea for a stopover during a longer journey. Here are a few suggestions for a stopover while en route to Philippines.

Some airlines openly advertise stopovers and offer significant discounts and travel perks for passengers to break up their trips: free luxury hotel stays, complimentary domestic flights, or exclusive rates for activities. Start checking for stopover deals to Philippines with government-owned airlines (as they are looking to attract tourists to give the country economic benefits) — such as Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Malaysia Airlines. Almost every airline’s website has multi-city search functionality, often hidden inside the one-way/return/multi-city switch.

A well-chosen stopover will not only turn one vacation into many but also save you several hundred dollars in airfare. The available stopovers to Philippines will depend on your initial destination (Europe, North America, Asia, etc) and the airline you are flying with. For most airlines, the best free stopover offer will be at their main hub.

Flights to Philippines from UK, Germany, France, Netherlands and other countries in Europe

  • There are no direct flights from Europe to Philippines — you’ll need to get a connecting flight from elsewhere in the Middle East or in Asia. There's a limited choice when it comes to direct flights from Europe to Philippines. Currently, only KLM offers a non-stop connection from Schiphol Airport AMS in Amsterdam to Ninoy Aquino Airport MNL in Manila. The flight time is 15 hours and 35 minutes, and the ticket prices average around 700-900 euros (one way).
  • Airlines that frequently fly from the UK, Germany, France, and other European countries to Philippines include Air France, ANA, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Japan Airlines, KLM, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, SWISS, and Thai Airways.
  • Consider departure airports in neighboring countries to increase your chance of spotting the best deal. Especially look for large airports that serve as hubs for multiple airlines. For example, if you live in Western Europe, check air tickets to Philippines from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Paris, and Rome. Use European low-cost airlines such as RyanAir, EasyJet, and Eurowings to fly to the hub, then save hundreds of euros by taking a cheaper long-haul flight to your final destination.

    We recommend checking prices for flights to Philippines from these European airport hubs: London LHR and Manchester MAN in the United Kingdom, Frankfurt FRA and Munich MUC in Germany, Paris CDG and Nice NCE in France, Amsterdam AMS in the Netherlands, Madrid MAD and Barcelona BCN in Spain, Rome FCO and Milano MXP in Italy, Brussels BRU in Belgium, Copenhagen OSL in Denmark, Oslo OSL in Norway, Stockholm ARN in Sweden, Zurich ZRH in Switzerland, Lisbon LIS in Portugal, Vienna VIE in Austria, Warsaw WAW in Poland, Prague PRG in Czech Republic, and Dublin DUB in Ireland.

European airports with the cheapest flights to Philippines

Find the lowest prices for flights to Manila and Cebu in Philippines from the major airports in Europe — London, Dublin, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Lyon, Barcelona, Athens, Istanbul, Stockholm, Geneva, Helsinki, Zurich, and others.

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Can't finda good deal?

Europe to Philippines, up to 80% off.

40% – 80% off

How to book SuperDeals?

At the Air Traveler Club, our go-to solution for finding cheap airfares to Philippines is Google Flights. Every time we send SuperDeals to our 110,000 members (see some examples), we include links to Google Flights so that each deal can be booked immediately.

Google Flights then showcases various options for booking the deal: you can almost always book directly with the airline (by cutting out the middleman) or – alternatively – with an OTA that offers the same flight at a similar price. Once you have chosen your booking option, you will be redirected to the external website where you can finalize your ticket purchase.

One of Google Flights’ standout features is a color-coded bar that appears underneath the booking options. It provides a visual representation of the price in comparison to the typical fare (for the same route, class, and airline) – indicating whether it is lower, average, or higher.

Booking deals with Google Flights: price history
A visual representation of the flight price. In this example, the SuperDeal saves more than 50% compared to the regular fare.

If the marker falls within the green zone (“price is low”) don’t hesitate to secure this deal as it is significantly – 40% to 80% – cheaper than average and unlikely to drop further.

If you are not Air Traveler Club subscriber yet, you’re missing out on SuperDeals (we often send deals to Philippines). Sign up now to start saving 40–80% on flights. It’s free!

For more details on how to book deals on Google Flights, check out this video:

YouTube video

Check different departure airports

Consider neighboring cities when choosing the departure airport – especially look for larger cities with airports that serve as hubs for multiple airlines.

For example, if you live in West Europe, check prices for flights departing from Paris, London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Rome, or Vienna. In 9 out of 10 cases, the cheapest flight to Philippines will depart from one of these hubs, and it may be €500 less or more than your first choice. Yes, you may have to fly a few hundred kilometers to this hub, but low-cost airlines like EasyJet, RyanAir, or WizzAir will happily take you there for €50 – €100.

Use a similar tactic if you depart from the US or another region. It’s one of the best ways to save hundreds on trips.

Book flights from many departure airports
By entering more than one departure city in the flight search engine (at the top of this page), you can quickly find the airport with the cheapest flights to your destination

Last-minute flights to Philippines. The real cost of convenience.

Last-minute flights are often touted as a great way to save money, but the reality is far from it. Booking last-minute flights to Philippines almost always never works out.

Based on years of research, the airlines know what people are willing to pay for specific flights and dates. To make the most money, they will sell their cheapest fares first and then increase the prices right before the flight to take advantage of these travelers who are willing to pay the premium price for late booking.

Occasionally, airlines can offer last-minute deals to fill the remaining seats, but these are for unusual times and unpopular places. Popular destinations and dates tend to sell out quickly.

Planning ahead is key to securing a good deal on your flight. Last-minute flight deals are hard to come by, so as soon as you have a tentative travel timeline, book your flight. The earlier you book, the more likely you are to save money. If you are looking for a good deal, the best time to book your flight to Philippines is 2-8 months before the takeoff.

Next tips

Airlines of Philippines

Airlines in the Philippines range from high-end carriers to no-frills budget airlines:

Philippine Airlines is the Philippines’ flag carrier, certified by Skytrax as a 4-star full-service airline. With its fleet – nearly 80 aircraft – it connects the Philippines to the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and North America (it is the only airline that offers direct flights between US/Canada and the Philippines). Its regional subsidiary PAL Express provides domestic flights between the various islands of the Philippine Archipelago, connecting smaller airports with major destinations such as Manila and Cebu.

Cebu Pacific and Cebgo are low-cost carriers headquartered in Manila, and The Cebu Pacific Group operates both. They offer more affordable fares compared to Philippine Airlines, however, you need to pay extra for your check-in luggage. They also have the widest domestic network, covering more than 30 destinations in the Philippines.

Philippines AirAsia is a Filipino wing of AirAsia – Asia’s biggest budget carrier. The flights are one of the cheapest, however, there are several trade-offs and minor inconveniences that you will have to endure. Frequent travelers give the airline a low rating of 3/10 – pointing at the fact that the onboard facilities and customer service are minimal.

When traveling domestically in the Philippines, you may also be flying with other, smaller local airlines, such as Pan Pacific Airlines, Sunlight Air, SkyJet Airlines, AirSWIFT, and Sky Pasada. They usually don’t have any free baggage allowance and serve only free snacks and drinks instead of full meals onboard.

Flights to Philippines from Australia and New Zealand

  • Australia and New Zealand are well-connected with popular Asian destinations, including Philippines. In addition to domestic airlines – Qantas, Jetstar Airways, Virgin Australia, and Air New Zealand – routes from Australia/New Zealand to Asia are operated by large regional carriers such as ANA, Emirates, Etihad, Fiji Airways, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines.

    Direct flights and flights with one layover to Philippines are available from all major airports in Australia – Sydney SYD, Brisbane BNE, Melbourne MEL, Perth PER, Adelaide ADL, Cairns CNS, Gold Coast OOL, Canberra CBR, and in New Zealand – Auckland AKL, Wellington WLG, Christchurch CHC, Queenstown ZQN, Dunedin DUD.
  • In terms of cost-savings, we recommend flying from Australia and New Zealand to a major Asian hub and then booking a flight to your final destination in Philippines with a regional budget airline. Among the low-cost airlines that fly into Philippines are AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Cebu Pacific, Jetstar Airways, Lion Air, Scoot, and Tigerair Taiwan.

    Currently, there are no direct flights from Australia or New Zealand to Philippines. You’ll need a layover in one of the major hubs in Asia.

Prices of flights to Philippines from Australia and New Zealand

Real-time economy class fares to Philippines from major airports in Australasia — from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide in Australia, and from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch in New Zealand.

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“Hot seats” on long-haul flights

Those days seat selection is considered an optional, extra paid service – seats with extra legroom (front and exit rows) are usually priced higher. However, if you’re about to take a long-haul flight to Philippines, those “hot seats” are worth considering – expect to pay $50-$100, which is much less than upgrading to Premium Economy.

If you want to choose your seats, do this early (ideally during the booking) for a more extensive selection of available options.

Booking hot seats (preffered seats with extra legroom) on plane
Choosing a hot seat during the flight booking process is usually worth it. For a reasonable price, you will get more room to stretch your legs, as well as a wider seat pitch.

How much is Premium Economy to Philippines?

Heading for a long-haul or overnight flight to Philippines? The premium economy could be a worthwhile investment, ensuring you arrive rejuvenated.

Positioned between economy and business class, premium economy provides enhanced comfort (5–7 inches of extra legroom, wider seats with 2–3 extra inches recline, adjustable headrests and leg rests, larger personal TV screens) and extra perks (superior meals, larger baggage allowances, priority boarding, access to airport lounges). It’s a favored option for those seeking comfort without the cost of a full-fledged business-class ticket.

The majority of Asia Pacific carriers now feature premium economy class. According to Skytrax’s World’s Best Premium Economy Class Airlines Awards, the best premium economy is offered by Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Emirates, ANA, Air New Zealand, Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, China Airlines, and Vietnam Airlines.

However, the Best Premium Economy Class Airline Seats Award recognized Emirates as the top contender. Their premium economy class, currently available on A380 aircraft, exudes a business-class ambiance and occupies the front of the main deck of the superjumbo.

Premium Economy class cabin on Emirates
Emirates Premium Economy Class on A380. Seats in a 2-4-2 layout come with 40 inches (102cm) of legroom with cushioned leg rests, 19.5 inches (49.5 cm) of width, and 8 inches (20cm) of recline. Enhancements include a wider range of dishes and beverages on the menu, a 13.3-inch HD TV with Bluetooth headphone compatibility.

Premium economy class fares typically range from 25% to 100% more than standard economy tickets on the same flight. For instance, a round-trip economy ticket from the US to Philippines might be priced around $700, whereas a premium economy ticket on the same route could be $1,000 to $1,500. In contrast, business class tickets for an identical itinerary may run between $3,000 and $5,000 or higher.

When booking closer to the departure date, premium economy is generally only 10–30% more expensive than standard economy fare. If premium seats aren’t filled, airlines might offer discounted upgrades at check-in.

To find the current prices of premium economy tickets to Philippines, use our search form (choose “Premium Economy” in the cabin class drop-down menu).

Is the premium economy to Philippines worth the extra cost? This decision hinges on individual priorities. For long-haul and overnight flights, the enhanced comfort can significantly improve the travel experience. If your journey consists of two or more connecting flights, opting for a premium seat on just one leg can still provide a superior journey compared to the standard economy throughout.

However, if the price gap for premium economy appears too steep, consider another viable alternative: hot seats.

Best way to upgrade to Business Class for cheap

A growing number of airlines are auctioning upgrades to their business class seats. Once you book your economy ticket to Philippines, you can offer to pay a bit more in an attempt to get a premium seat. 2-3 days before your flight, an airline will send you an email with a link to their website where you can place a “blind” bid. Alternatively, you can go to the website directly and check if your seat qualifies for an upgrade by providing the Booking Reference number.

There’s usually a minimum bid amount. If you win the auction, you’ll be informed via email, and your seat will be upgraded.

Cheaper business class flight online bidding for upgrades
Virgin Australia auctions off upgrades to Business Class as a way to sell otherwise unused seats at the front of the plane

How to choose the right bid amount? Just check the airline website for the regular cost of a business class seat to Philippines, then subtract what you paid for the economy fare. Place your bid for around 10% to 30% of that price. The alternative strategy is to bid slightly above the competition. If, for example, the minimum bid is $500, try to bid $550-$600, as most people will offer the baseline amount required.

The more available business class seats the airline has on your flight, the lower bid can be successfully used. Check the airline’s daily schedule for flights to Philippines – if there is more than one flight on your chosen route (more available seats), you can safely bid close to the minimum required amount.

Among the airlines that allow bidding for seat upgrades are: Air Canada (AC Bid), Air New Zealand (OneUp), Cathay Pacific (Upgrade Bid), Etihad Airways (Bid To Upgrade), Fiji Airways (Bula Bid), Garuda Indonesia (BidUpgrade), Hawaiian Airlines (Bid Up), LATAM (Cabin Upgrade), Lufthansa (Bid Upgrade), Royal Jordanian (Go Crown), Qantas (Bid Now), SAS (SAS Upgrade), Singapore Airlines (mySQupgrade), SriLankan Airlines, and Virgin Australia (UpgradeMe).

Hidden-city ticketing hack

Hidden-city ticketing is a less-known money-saving tactic where you buy a plane ticket with a layover, with the intention to get off at the layover rather than the final destination. For example, a flight from New York to Tokyo might be $600, but a similar flight from New York to Singapore with a layover in Tokyo might be only $350. Choosing the latter and ending the trip in Tokyo would save you $250.

It seems counterintuitive that a fare from A to C via B could possibly be cheaper than a simple fare on a shorter route from A to B. However, airlines use dynamic, computer-driven price models calculated with little human intervention, and such deals happen quite often.

How to find hidden-city tickets? The easiest way is to use the Skiplagged website, which was designed for unearthing hidden-city deals — give them a try for your flight to Philippines.

Next tips

Flights to Philippines from Bali, Bangkok, Delhi, Dubai, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, and other major hubs in Asia

  • Asia is probably the best continent for short-haul and mid-haul flying. The sheer scale of this most populous region on Earth is reflected in the type of aircraft operating many shorter routes: intra-Asia flyers benefit from comfortable, wide-bodied aircraft by the likes of Boeing 777, 787 or Airbus A350, A330, and A380. When booking your flight to Philippines look for these bigger planes as they will almost always give you the best experience in every cabin, including better seat pitches, higher ceilings, and larger overhead bin space.
  • Asia is also home to most of the world’s best airlines. There are only ten airlines that received the prestigious 5-star mark of quality from Skytrax, and all of them are from Asia: ANA, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, EVA Air, Garuda Indonesia, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines. Choosing one of these airlines for your trip to Philippines will guarantee a pleasant journey – delicious meals served during the flight, great in-flight entertainment, and above-average airline customer service.
  • Asia is extremely well served by low-cost regional airlines. If you are visiting Philippines and want to see several other countries on a tight budget, they often have great sales with rock-bottom prices, while still offering a relatively comfortable flight experience. Among the best Asian budget airlines you can book without hesitation are AirAsiaCebu Pacific, Citilink, FlyDubai, Indigo, Jetstar Airways, Scoot, SpiceJet, and VietJet Air. The cons? Being no-frills airlines they may not provide free baggage allowance, inflight meals, or onboard entertainment. The departure times may also be quite inconvenient as they try to save money by flying at off-peak hours.

Flights from major Asian airports to Philippines

Most major Asian airports have convenient and frequent flights to Philippines — including Changi (Singapore), Dubai (UAE), Hong Kong (China), Incheon (Seoul, South Korea), KLIA (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Narita (Tokyo, Japan), Denpasar (Bali, Indonesia), Soekarno–Hatta (Jakarta, Indonesia), Ninoy Aquino (Manila, Philippines), Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok, Thailand), Taoyuan (Taipei, Taiwan), and others.

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Lost luggage prevention: Essential tips

Every year, airlines handle millions of bags and a small percentage never make it to their final destinations. Avoid lost luggage nightmares on your trip to Philippines by removing old tags from previous flights on your suitcases – they can confuse baggage handlers and conveyor belt scanners. It’s also a good idea to label your luggage with your name, address, and phone number (both inside and outside the case) and attach a GPS-tracker device like Apple AirTag or Samsung SmartTag.

For peace of mind, consider purchasing travel insurance to cover the full value of your luggage, as airline liability usually doesn’t reflect the actual value of the baggage content.

Booking group flights to Philippines

Flights are cheaper when purchased in bulk rather than as individual tickets. Booking group flights to Philippines can be a cost-effective option for a school trip, family reunion, or corporate group traveling to a conference.

To qualify for the special group rate, the group must usually have at least 10 passengers. Discounts depend on the airline, group size, and travel dates, and typically range from 5% to 20% off the regular airfare.

Airlines and flight search websites typically limit automatic group bookings to 10 passengers. This limit reflects the complexity of managing larger groups, which require personalized service and more time to coordinate. To get the price quote for your group, you’ll need to contact the airline or a travel agent directly.

Most airlines have a group booking form or phone number (see examples at Emirates and Qantas). Fill out the form, and the airline will come back to you with the proposed group rate. If your group is large and a scheduled flight cannot accommodate everyone, the airline may offer you a charter flight.

Additionally, there are various perks that your group may be eligible for:

  • free seats (complimentary tickets for every 10 or 20 passengers that book together)
  • free checked baggage allowance
  • dedicated group check-in counter at the airport
  • cabin crew who speak your group’s language
  • flexible booking terms (that allow changes without fees)

Booking group flights to Philippines is similar to booking individual flights. The main difference is that you’ll need to provide personal information for all passengers, and the airline may request additional details, such as meal preferences or accommodations for disabled travelers. A deposit – typically 10-50% of the total cost – may be required to secure the booking. However, some airlines offer deferred payment options where you can secure a reservation with a booking fee and pay the balance later.

If you’re open to different airlines or want more personalized service, a travel agent may be a better choice. Travel agents may have access to discounted group rates to Philippines and can help with logistics and scheduling.

“Book Flights Now, Pay Later” — is it worth it?

Booking a flight and paying for it later has recently become a popular trend in the travel industry, with many airlines offering delayed payment plans. They will allow you to make flight reservation to Philippines now and then pay the bill in installments. But should you take advantage?

Book Now Pay Later (BNPL) plans are essentially short-term personal loans. By partnering with financial companies such as Affirm, Afterpay, PayPal Credit, Fly Now Pay Later, and Uplift, airlines can offer their loan services on the checkout page. When you book the flight with the BNPL option, the company pays the airline, and you repay the loan in installments over a set period (usually up to 24 months), with a set interest rate.

BNPL providers have varying terms and fees. Some may offer interest-free loans but have fees for late payments and require forced autoplay on your bank account, while others may have high annual percentage rates (up to 30-40% APR). There may also be transaction fees, down payment requirements, and many companies even run a credit check on the traveler.

Fly now pay later - delayed payments for flight reservations
Fly Now Pay Later works with numerous popular travel brands to provide delayed payment options

Among the airlines that offer a “fly now, pay later” option are American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Qantas, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, KLM, Lufthansa, Southwest, and Virgin Atlantic.

Is BNPL financing worth it? If paid off on time, interest-free delayed payment on your flight ticket to Philippines can be a great way to free up your cash flow. However, there may be safer alternatives available – such as taking advantage of an introductory 0% interest offer on a credit card or using flight price “freezing” services like Hopper.

Proof of onward travel – a simple hack

Travelers who go on long trips often don’t have a set itinerary and fly on one-way tickets. The problem? For many APAC countries, proof of onward travel is a legal requirement. If you arrive at the airport without an onward ticket (from Philippines to another country), you’ll either be forced to buy one online or forbidden from boarding the plane altogether.

The cheapest solution? Renting an onward ticket! Use the websites such as OneWayFly or OnwardTicket to get a flight reservation for a limited amount of time (usually 2 to 14 days). They work by actually booking you on a real flight out of Philippines and giving you a confirmable flight reservation with a PNR (Passenger Name Record) under your name. After the time limit, your spot on the flight is automatically canceled. Such “temporary tickets” tend to cost anywhere from $10 to $20.

Confirmed flight ticket reservation
Proof of onward travel: confirmed flight ticket reservation (source: OnwardTicket)