United MileagePlus (Consolidated) - Stuck in Manila with one-way award

So, a few weeks back I got a one-way award to Manila (ex MSY). I didn't know when my return would be so I figured that I could get the one-way return later. Well, I just found out that one can not purchase a ticket or an award ex-Philippines without presenting themselves to an agent at a ticketing office in Manila. So, I am a bit stuck unless I redeposit the miles and get a roundtrip award. I guess I am pretty much stuck paying the $150 fee to redeposit the miles?

So, a few weeks back I got a one-way award to Manila (ex MSY). I didn't know when my return would be so I figured that I could get the one-way return later. Well, I just found out that one can not purchase a ticket or an award ex-Philippines without presenting themselves to an agent at a ticketing office in Manila. So, I am a bit stuck unless I redeposit the miles and get a roundtrip award. I guess I am pretty much stuck paying the $150 fee to redeposit the miles?Probably.. you could try and plead your case with the phone agent but I don't have a lot of confidence that you'd be successful. Good thing you checked on this now! I wonder why you have to visit a ticket office?

Are you sure that you need to be present at the Ticket Office in Manila?

That's what I thought too...but I was able to ticket a Star Alliance Award MNL-NRT-SEA r/t for my Dad and didn't have to be at the ticket office in MNL. I was here in Seattle.

Double check on that. I think the rules changed since UA merged with CO.

If you try to book a dummy one-way flight (any airline) ex-Manila you should get a message informing you that the ticket must be paid for and picked up in the Philippines. However, I do not get this message on CO.com or any of the travel web sites. A call to CO confirmed that the ticket must be paid for in person in Manila. CO will not waive the $150 fee to redeposit the miles :(

Here is a thread on the issue:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-aadvantage/1191389-special-ticketing-procedure-award-tickets-originating-philippines.html

ok, instead of paying $150 and most likely losing the award space, why not pick up a cheap ticket to TPE/MPM/KUL/BKK/SIN or whatever on Cebu or Tiger. Unlikely this will cost more than $80

Since you are not 1k, you must pay the re-ticket fee if cancel award ticket.
But another way is book second 1-way ticket from MNL back to usa with approx. date on UA and then change travel date to later (UA allows free travel day change, as long as itin stays same, up to one year from day of rsv.)

Book it over the phone...that's what I had to do . Granted you have to pay $25 ticketing fee....but so worth it for the convenience..I booked it with United Res and not CO

SFnFlaGuy, they wont let me book it over the phone. I was able to book it on CO then I got an email to call the airline. Same story: "you must go to the ticket office in Manila to present your passport and credit card."

I think that booking a cheap flight to HKG or SIN might work... as long as they let me do that. The agent said that the rule applied to purchased fares and award tickets. So, then the rule would apply if I bought a ticket on Tiger? This is frustrating. From searching the internet it seems as if there are plenty of people that have been able to get out of MNL with one-way tickets with no problem.... maybe this is a recent crackdown?

expedia allows you to book tickets ex-MNL. just did one last week.

This is frustrating. From searching the internet it seems as if there are plenty of people that have been able to get out of MNL with one-way tickets with no problem.... maybe this is a recent crackdown?

I purchased a one-way SQ C ticket from MNL back in February and flew it last week; I did not encounter any problems whatsoever at check-in nor did I have to visit a ticketing office. I believe the referenced policy is old and that you received misinformation from the CO agent — although I do not have personal experience booking one-way award tickets out of MNL.

But if you are going to be in Manila can't you go to the office when you get there and take care of it? Or is this for some date way in the future that you even go there on the one way award and it needs to be taken care of now?

Baze, they will not ticket until I show up at the office and pay. So, it is something that has to be done now.

It seems as if the rule is only enforced in regards to award tickets booked ex-Philippines. I will try to call the office in Manila to see if they will accept a fax. Thanks for all of the responses.

Please remember that you need to have a ticket out of the Phils in order to enter the Philippines.

I never had to present this at the Immigration, but got asked by airline c/i staff when I travelled on tickets broken in MNL.

I once made the way to the Makati office just to be told, that this was not neccesary. UA had issued a paper award for me via their Poland located callcenter - but insisted I validate at MNL office...

This is an annoying rule, I agree.

I was asked at check-in on SQ to furnish proof of my onward ticket out of MNL before they would check me in. Frustratingly, I had an AA reservation from MNL-HKG-USA with the first segment on CX, but I wasn't able to actually get the ticket until I arrived in MNL and went to the AA office. Thankfully, the CX agent in Singapore vouched for me since they could see the pending reservation and SQ agreed to check me in. The immigration officers in PH will not ask for your onward ticket, however, so if the airline lets you board you are set.

The CO site lets me book a one-way award MNL-SEA. What am I missing?

If you're able to book a one way or RT ex-MNL online or by calling, I would just do it. You won't be stopped in MNL I don't think. I believe the purpose of the rule that it has to be ticketed in MNL is not to generate revenue for the govt. since there is no additional cost when you go to the authorized AA, DL or UA ticket offices in MNL. I'm not sure what the purpose of the rule is but am guessing it has to do with helping Philippine ticket agents or maybe reducing ticket scams?

This rule has been around for awhile (before e-ticketing) but is hard to enforce and most agents don't know about it. It is even hard to find the language of the rule though I remember reading it years ago. It is different than any rules requiring an outbound when arriving in the Philippines, cc security rules bc of the high incidence of credit card fraud in the Philippines, and the exit fee that Philippine nationals have to pay (separate from the airport departure tax).

Now that CO is on board, you can do this... no cost

1. If you don't have a CO One-pass account, create it (5 minutes online)
2. Link your UA MP and the CO OP accounts (may take 2-3 days).
3. Transfer miles from UA to CO (free and quick, essentially instant)
4. Use the CO website to book the one-way.

Having said that, please note that when you board to go to the Philippines, the airline will require you to have an onward or return ticket. The suggestion of buying a one-way back, that you can change, may be the better solution...