happy steps

These days, airline passengers are encouraged to travel light and not just as an incentive to get lower fare but for environmental concerns as well. Less baggage weight means less fuel consumed which means lower carbon emissions that contribute to global warming. Traveling light is also one of the many ways to offset carbon emissions brought about by travel.

More airlines are now giving incentives for passengers traveling light. For instance, there’s Cebu Pacific’s Go Lite promo which offers Php200 less for passengers with no check-in baggage. According to Cebu Pacific, it’s their way of “…returning the favor. Travelling light burns less fuel and less fuel means more savings for the airline, which we pass on to you as a fare discount.”

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has also its EconoLight Class dubbed as their “No-Frills budget flight” where they offer lower airfare along with some travel conditions (no meals, no mileage accrual, limited seats, etc.) among them the limited free baggage allowance which is down to 15 kgs per passenger instead of the usual 20 kgs. PAL Mabuhay Miles Million Miler/Premier Elite/Elite and SportsPlus members who are on EconoLight Class will have no additional free baggage allowance.

Thus, we’ll be seeing the future of air travel with lightweight hand-carried items and fewer check-in baggages. Travelers will now be considering other ways and options to have lighter baggage such as bringing only essential items for the trip. Traveling light also means taking with you less clothing and prioritizing lighter items than the bulky and heavier ones. Buying gifts and pasalubongs can also be done at Duty Free shops upon arrival instead of including them in your baggage which considerably adds up to the total baggage weight.

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Read more about PAL EconoLight Class here.
Read more about Cebu Pacific’s Go Lite fares here.

Most of the airline companies are now catching up with global awareness and incorporating some environmental safety measures and practices in their systems. Some companies even encourage their clients to “go green” and provide educational articles to enlighten them including options for clients to purchase green products to offset their carbon emissions brought about by travel.
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For travel bugs and tourists who plan to travel to some destinations (Honolulu, Guam, Bangkok, Los Angeles or Sydney) to and from Manila, check out some promo packages from Philippine Airlines (PAL). Here are some low fare flights available at their online booking facility which features their calendar pricing, showing the fares within a seven-day range for the travelers to choose from based on 3 days before and after their inputted travel date.

Bangkok to Manila

For only THB4660 plus taxes and applicable surcharges for 2 days minimum stay up to 8 days maximum stay, travel period until December 14, 2008, no mileage accrual and ticket is non-refundable. For THB 5000 plus taxes and applicable surcharges, the same condition applies plus rebooking is allowed at a charge of THB1,000.

Hong Kong to Manila

For only HKD1,000 plus taxes and applicable surcharges for 2 days minimum stay up to 8 days maximum stay, travel period until December 14, 2008, no mileage accrual, non-refundable ticket, no ticket validity extension and rebooking fee allowed at USD50.

Manila to Honolulu

For only USD318 plus taxes and applicable surcharges for 3 days minimum stay up to 3 months maximum stay, travel period until December 15, no ticket validity extension, no mileage accrual. Other restrictions can be read here.

Manila to Guam

For only USD365 plus taxes and applicable surcharges for 4 days minimum stay up to 45 days maximum stay with no ticket validity extension.

Manila to Hong Kong

For only USD138 plus taxes and applicable surcharges 2 days minimum stay up to 8 days maximum stay, travel period until December 14, 2008, no mileage accrual, and ticket is non-refundable.

Special web fares

More special web fares from PAL such as Manila to Honolulu, Manila to Los Angeles or San Francisco, Manila to Singapore, Jakarta to Manila, Los Angeles or San Francisco to Manila and more are available here.

Note that promo packages have a lot of restrictions (non-refundable ticket, travel period, etc.) so be informed of all the details and plan it out well before doing your purchase. You might also want to check out Cebu Pacific and compare ongoing promo packages for both airlines.

Photo credits: Julius Silver (www.foto-julius.at)

To recognize a customer’s loyalty and show appreciation for the business, this is what rewards programs are all about. For travel bugs, this means frequent flyer programs which usually includes free airline tickets, discounts on hotels, car rentals, shopping and more.

Travel rewards credit cards not only give points for the usual purchases but more reward points are given when purchases are travel related. It’s important to compare the amount of travel rewards points or miles earned for every credit card purchase and if there’s a limit as to how many points you can earn annually. Other things to consider are the bonus points offered and their expiry, blackout dates for hotels and flights, and the interest rate. These details can be read in every credit card’s terms and conditions, so it’s best to check them out.

A list of highly rated travel rewards credit card programs on CreditCreator.com ranks Blue Sky from American Express® as the best travel rewards credit card – it offers 1 point per dollar of purchase on any airline, hotel, and other travel related purchases with no blackout dates. Introductory rate is 0% APR (annual percentage rate) for 12 months, free set-up fee, no annual fee and low balance transfer rate. Runners-up include the Chase TravelPlus Visa® Card, Capital One® Orbitz® Visa® Signature, and Miles by Discover® Card. More details about these travel rewards programs can be browsed from the site.

Here’s a quick announcement which I’d like to share for those who plan to go to Europe from the Philippines via business class. KLM Philippines offers a double treat for online round trip business class bookings until October 15, 2008 – a discounted fare plus a wellness treat at The Farm at San Benito in Batangas.

Isn’t it nice to come home from a trip and be treated to a relaxing overnight stay for free in this wellness resort?

More details about this offer can be read here.

Photo credits: KLM Philippines / The Farm

I’d say it really depends. While Philippine Airlines (PAL) airfares usually cost more than Cebu Pacific (CEB), this is not always the case. One of my trips to Manila was via PAL’s special evening flight which was a good deal compared to Cebu Pacific’s daytime flights.

Regarding airport terminals, both airlines now compete with serving their clients better – PAL at the Centennial Terminal 2 and Cebu Pacific at the new NAIA Terminal 3.

With respect to allowable baggage, Cebu Pacific has now reduced it to 15 kg, while it’s still 20 kg limit for PAL. Thus, for passengers coming from international flights with other airlines and traveling via Cebu Pacific from Manila to other provinces, please be aware of their new reduced baggage limit. If you have 20 kg, you might as well consider flying with PAL or avail of Cebu Pacific’s prepaid excess baggage discount of 20% per 5kg additional weight. Note that excess baggage fee is Php100 per 1kg. The prepaid excess baggage discount can be availed when buying the ticket, not during check-in.

To get the most savings in purchasing your air tickets, do a comparison of the total cost of flight expenses (air fare plus excess baggage cost) for both airlines. For instance, if you have 20 kg baggage, you don’t need to pay for excess if you fly with PAL and you might get a discounted fare if you buy weeks ahead of your flight schedule. On the other hand, if you’re traveling light, Cebu Pacific could be your best option.

Here are some tips about purchasing air tickets:
1. Always plan your trip in advance.
2. Tickets bought online are cheaper than via travel agents or at the airline office (you also save on time and gas).
3. Buy your ticket at least a month in advance to get the cheapest price.

Here’s to more happy travels ahead!