It looks as though I'll begin making monthly domestic trips in the Philippines between MNL and CGY. I have a lot of experience in the Philippines, but up to now not much domestic travel. All my flights into/out of the Philippines have been and will continue to be on *A. I've flown PR and 5J numerous times on my own dime for side trips while I've been in the Philippines, and do prefer PR over 5J, but either is acceptable. But with making regular domestic trips, I will need to decide on a strategy for those flights, with the prospect of getting status on PR being the most significant factor.

Making 25 or 30 flights domestic PR flights a year won't amount to that many miles, and I really don't care about the miles themselves. I have enough difficulties burning my *A miles before they expire, so I expect my PR miles very likely go completely unused. Without any partners to spend them on, it's simply not worth the hassle for me to try to get an award ticket I'm not really that interested in to begin with. So it's strictly the perks that I'm interested in and where most of my questions are.

Earning Elite Status
In looking at older threads here, there were comments that the cheapest booking classes won't earn any miles. Is this still the case? Because when I look at the PR website, it seems they're saying all paid tickets earn miles except for some special promotions. The cheapest tickets seem to still earn 25%, is this correct? And if shooting for the 15 business class flights, or 30 economy class flights qualification, do all flights still count, including domestic flights? Meaning, if in one calendar year, I make 30 domestic trips booked as a Fiesta Deal rate, I'll reach Elite, correct?

Lounges
What are the domestic lounges like? My initial plan is to fly domestic MNL-CGY, but I might have the option of also doing CEB-CGY. What are the domestic lounges like in these two airports? I'll be interested in using the lounges for the first flight of the morning, after likely not getting any sleep the night before. So as long as there are some comfortable chairs to relax in and some basic snacks and drinks, I'll probably be happy. But if they're really complete crap, then I might not consider lounges as being an incentive for shooting for status. I presume there's no lounge in CGY?

Luggage Allowance
Elite gets you 10 kg extra, and Premier Elite gets you 30 kg extra, for all domestic flights, correct? So for a Fiesta Deal rate I'll have 15 + 10 = 25kg with Elite and 15 + 30 = 45kg with Premier Elite? And for Mabuhay Classic, 30 + 10 = 40kg with Elite and 30 + 30 = 60kg with Premier Elite? I may need to transport a considerable amount of cargo to CGY divided up on each of my trips, so the additional luggage allowance may be quite important. The cargo can alternately be sent by boat, but if I can take it with me on the plane, the extra cost of a business class ticket and shooting for Premier Elite to get 60kg might be a better option, and much less hassles for me.

Partners
Do PR Codeshare flights on Air Philippines metal count for miles and status? If I fly CEB-CGY, that's the only option. But if they don't count, then I'd be better of sticking with MNL-CGY. (Most of my international flights into/out of the Philippines will be on OZ and I can choose either MNL or CEB). Can I use the PR lounge if on this codeshare flight? What about baggage allowances, do the same rules apply as on regular PR flights?

Online Ticketing
I've heard lots of complete horror stories about booking online with either PR or 5J. Anyone know what is the current situation? I'll need to book my tickets online, paying with a credit card issued abroad, but in my name, and my being the only passenger. Will this present any problems?

What is your general opinion about shooting for Elite or Premier Elite? Do you think it's worth it for my case where my primary concern is lounges and additional luggage allowance? Or would I be better off to not consider shooting for any status and just pick either a PR or 5J flight, depending on which is more convenient?

Thanks.