I'm doing a similar routing in two weeks for an EXP to 1K status match (Returning via NRT). They had great fares ($610 I think I paid). But I'll be spending two days in Manila and a day in Guam on my return.
Its been about bout eight months since I flew through Manila on TG and I know they are trying to make improvements on terminal 1, but I wouldn't wish 12 hours in that terminal on my worst enemy. It's quite awful and everything you read about T1 being the worst airport terminal in Asia are true. You should be able to access all of the lounges in T1 I think with *G and a priority pass card. Since you'll be packing lightly (I assume for that kind of a short turn on a MR) - I'd get out of the airport and go explore the city for 8 hours. Take an Uber to the Intramuros or to Fort Bonaficio. There's lots of historical things to do in the Intramuros - churches, museums, etc. Fort Bonaficio has lots of trendy restaurants, and the largest US Military cemetery outside the US.
Other options would be to Uber the Mall of Asia or see one of the casinos around Mall of Asia. Uber is reasonably priced, no fears about getting hosed or long hauled, and the cars are all nice and have AC.
Sitting in a lounge for 12 hours in MNL would be the worst time you've spent.
Originally Posted by
FlyngSvyr
I am doing my first ever International MR next weekend on United.
IAD-NRT-GUM-MNL-GUM-HNL-IAH-IAD.
I will be arriving/departing in Terminal 1.
I think I've got everything figured out except for MNL. Technically it is my "destination" and I will be there for 12 hours (arriving in the am & departing in the pm). Will I be able to stay airside? or will I have to go landside (thru immigration) and then re-enter. I read somewhere that I could not check in until 3 hours prior to my flight, so I am worried about getting "stuck" outside of security and not being able to access the lounges for 8+ hours
I have *G status & Priority Pass, so it looks like the Miascor Lounge is my best option.
Any advice or pointers?