TIPS FOR A STRESS-FREE AIRPORT EXPERIENCE AT NAIA (MANILA AIRPORT)

NAIA; Photo from en.wikipedia.org

Going for a holiday? Check out these tips for a hassle free experience at the NAIA (Manila International Airport):

Alarm Clock; Photo taken by Joy Lui

(1) BETTER BE EARLY THAN....missing your flight
It is better to be early in the airport relaxed than having to miss your flight. Imagine the amount of preparation you have taken but sadly missing your flight because you forgot to set the alarm or not anticipating the amount of traffic you are going to face on the road. This is not a threat, this is reality!
So, always follow the allotted time before boarding time. For international flights, arrive 3 hours before boarding. For domestic flights, arrive 2 hours prior. 
Do note that check-in counters for PAL closes 45 minutes prior to boarding whilst boarding gates closes in 30.
Sadly, no online check-in is allowed for PAL or any other domestic flights.

Now, you had arrived safely at the airport and you have enough time...Next

Documents; Airline Ticket; Photo taken by Joy Lui

(2) HAVE ALL DOCUMENTS READY
Before even leaving for the airport, always check if you have all the necessary travel documents. Follow this yet another checklist:
- Valid Passport (if you are traveling internationally) --> make sure this is 6 months valid, check expiry date!
- Visa (when required traveling internationally)
- Copy of your airline ticket
- Identification card (driver's license, SSS, GSIS, school or work ID will do)
- For some airlines, a copy of the credit card used to book the airline (as applicable)
- If you are traveling with a minor (only one parent or non-parent accompanying), you need a letter from DSWD. This ensures that you are not just bringing your child (or not child) anywhere...
More importantly, always have that pen ready! You will be needing to fill in information on travel documents such as immigration cards.

Having passed security and your bags safely went through scanning, proceed to the check-in counter.
Another tip, make sure you don't hand carry liquids. These are no-nos! Some amount of liquids are allowed though. Rule of thumb: 100 ml. or less per item...make sure you put these in a transparent plastic and seal.

If you are traveling with infants, milk is allowed to hand carry.

(3) DOUBLE CHECK YOUR DEPARTURE TIME
You probably notice that military time (24H) is often used at the airport, this is so to avoid confusion. It may sound weird to some but make sure you really check what time is your actual flight. This had happened to us once. On a flight to Manila from Singapore, I didn't realize that our flight was 1230AM which means to say we should have checked-in the evening before...so in the end, we took the same flight but had to pay almost double the same flight...there goes shopping money!
To also avoid the hassle of missing or delayed flights, you can always call or check the airlines' website.

Comfortable shoes or sandals; Photo taken by Joy Lui

(4) COMFORTABLE CLOTHES (and SHOES)
I had been through most Asian airports, believe me when I say that it is only at the NAIA that you have to take off your shoes! This is standard security at the airport so you actually do not have a choice. The easiest solution, make sure you wear comfortable but easy to remove shoes...reserve all those oh-so-difficult buckled shoes to party! 
Before you even pass through the scanning again after immigration, make sure that phones, jewelries or coins are inside your bags.
Airports and even planes can sometimes feel a little cold, so make sure you have your jackets, pashminas or pull-overs to keep you warm.

Again, if you are traveling with your family especially with young kids, it is best to pack "anti-boredom" stuff (like their favorite toys or books, game consoles and snacks). In some NAIA airports, there are some play area provided for children to ease away boredom while waiting for your flights.
Wheel-chairs are also provided free of charge if you are traveling with Senior Citizens.

For related article on "travel kit must have", check this blogpost: 

http://pinaytravelbuddies.blogspot.com/2012/11/my-travel-kit-must-haves.html

(5) CHECK THE WEIGHT OF YOUR LUGGAGE
If you are taking PAL or other commercial airlines, luggage allowable limit is maximum 20kg for economy class or 30kg if you're traveling business. This is plus/minus (+/-), meaning airlines normally allow some leniency. However, the same is allowed for budget airlines as long as you specify and pay depending on the number of kilos you want to carry.
For hand carried luggages, 7kg. is allowable. 

(6) PAY FOR TRAVEL TAX (here's relevant information from the PAL website (www.philippineairlines.com/faq)

Philippine Travel Tax is not included in the total fare quoted online.  For international journeys, Philippine travel tax, if applicable, shall be collected by the Philippine Tourism Authority at Philippine Airports.

Travel tax shall be levied on (a) all citizens of the Philippines; (b) permanent resident aliens; and (c) non-immigrant aliens who have stayed in the Philippines for more than one (1) year, who are leaving the country.

If you are exempted from paying the Philippine Travel Tax or entitled to a reduced travel tax, please secure applicable certificates such as follows, from Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA), Department of Tourism (DOT) before making reservations: 

• Tax Exemption Certificate (TEC) if you are exempted from paying the Philippine Travel Tax
• Reduced Travel Tax Certificate (RTTC) if you are qualified for a reduced Philippine Travel Tax and
• Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) if you are an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) --> you can get these from the Embassy of the country you are working.

Please click PTA Travel Tax Primer for further details. 

Exemptions actually refers only to OFWs. However, if you are Permanent Residents of other countries, you can avail of a reduced travel tax (normally PhP200 per person for economy travelers).
You can get these before or after you have checked-in. Do note, however, that if you chose to get or pay for travel tax before checking in, ground staff or check-in counter staff will not give you your boarding pass until you had shown them receipts or proof of payment. So my personal advice, better do it before checking in.

Finally, you had checked-in, chosen your seat and had all your documents ready. You can now proceed to immigration. But before even doing so, 

(7) PAY (again) FOR THAT TERMINAL FEE
 An amount of PhP500 (effective Feb2012) needs to be paid if you are traveling out of the country. It needs to be collected at the airport prior to departure.

You had convinced the immigration officer that you are that person in the passport (just kidding) and you had braced through it quickly. Time to relax, eat or do last minute shopping at the airport or better yet go straight ahead to your identified boarding gate. Do note that there will be last minute scanning of your bags or laptops (needs to be taken out of the bag) at the airport. 

You are ready to board...enjoy and have a safe flight!