Aug 30, 2018, 3:43 am

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

Last edit by: Palal

Top tips for the "Dim Sum / Chicken adobo" fare:

At more than 5 weeks after most of us booked this fare it looks increasingly likely that the fare will stick. However prudence is still advisable and we should all avoid contacting the booking agent and if essential to contact try to deal with the airline direct.
Check that your original itenary is intact and ticketed as PAL revised their LHR flight schedule in early September and there appear to now only be 5 flights a week now rather than daily. Use TripCase to do this - see post #114 on how to do this (thanks to @MyFlights App). If you have incurred an involuntary change you can contact PAL and they will permit one change to amend your itenary. They appear to be flexible to shift flights to adjacent days, but if you try to push to be rerouted on another carrier to maintain the original itenary times you might find your flights are cancelled and you end up with a refund.
Online seat assignments are not possible on PAL when booked through a 3rd party, you have to call up, it is best to call PAL on 0808 164 9888 rather than the booking agent.
Whilst it looks like the fare is going to stick be aware that making other travel arrangements around this booking are at your own risk so consider making bookings that are refundable or covered by insurance if needed.

In hopes that this will go ahead, here's a wiki to see who's going and when.
Updated to post #253

November '18
Outbound
LHR-HKG : 09/11/18 : Carnaby
Inbound
HKG-LHR : 22/11/18 : Carnaby

December '18
Outbound
LHR-HKG : 29/12/18 : Wildwater
Inbound
None

January '19
Outbound
LHR-HKG : 10/01/19 : dsf
LHR-HKG : 12/01/19 : SFO1967
LHR-HKG : 12/01/19 : TravelQuinten
LHR-HKG : 17/01/19 : Kauppias
Inbound
HKG-LHR : 01/01/19 : Wildwater
HKG-LHR : 13/01/19 : dsf
HKG-LHR : 19/01/19 : SFO1967
HKG-LHR : 20/01/19 : Kauppias

February '19
Outbound
LHR-HKG : 05/02/19 : HKGEDI
LHR-HKG : 09/02/19 : MoonMan85
LHR-HKG : 14/02/19 : Fleric
LHR-HKG : 22/02/19 : skycruiserNL
Inbound
HKG-LHR : 02/02/19 : TravelQuinten
HKG-LHR : 12/02/19 : HKGEDI
HKG-LHR : 22/02/19 : MoonMan85
HKG-LHR : 26/02/19 : Fleric
HKG-LHR : 28/02/19 : skycruiserNL

March '19
Outbound
LHR-MNL : 01/03/19 : danfl44
LHR-HKG : 10/03/19 : flight345 +1
LHR-HKG : 14/03/19 : plunet +1
LHR-HKG : 14/03/19 : kevinflyaway
LHR-HKG : 18/03/19 : cowcow75
LHR-HKG : 21/03/19 : ams2174
LHR-HKG : 22/03/19 : jonase
LHR-MNL : 22/03/19 : Funky Spike
MNL-HKG :24/03/19 : Funky Spike
LHR-HKG : 24/03/19 : Poolek
LHR-HKG : 30/03/19 : Wilem
Inbound
MNL-LHR : 07/03/19 : danfl44
HKG-LHR : 18/03/19 : kevinflyaway
HKG-LHR : 24/03/19 : plunet +1
HKG-LHR : 24/03/19 : flight345 +1
HKG-LHR : 27/03/19 : ams2174
HKG-MNL : 27/03/19 : Funky Spike
MNL-LHR : 28/03/19 : Funky Spike
HKG-LHR : 28/03/19 : Poolek
HKG-LHR : 31/03/19 : jonase

April '19
Outbound
LHR-HKG : 10/04/19 : honzeek_cz
LHR-HKG : 10/04/19 : kjbrant +1
LHR-HKG : 11/04/19 : a_man_usia
LHR-HKG : 12/04/19 : usmark24
LHR-HKG : 12/04/19 : bittihuduga+1
LHR-HKG : 16/04/19 : stringymacca
LHR-HKG : 17/04/19 : estrangeiro8
LHR-HKG : 18/04/19 : Vgravity
LHR-HKG : 19/04/19 : strayersong
LHR-HKG : 20/04/19 : justatourist
LHR-HKG : 21/04/19 : gpetro1
LHR-HKG : 28/04/19 : coolblue21
Inbound
HKG-LHR : 02/04/19 : cowcow75
HKG-LHR : 14/04/19 : honzeek_cz
HKG-LHR : 14/04/19 : a_man_usia
HKG-LHR : 17/04/19 : kjbrant +1
HKG-LHR : 21/04/19 : usmark24
HKG-LHR : 22/04/19 : bittihuduga
HKG-LHR : 23/04/19 : stringymacca
HKG-LHR : 23/04/19 : Vgravity
HKG-LHR : 27/04/19 : justatourist
HKG-LHR : 27/04/19 : strayersong
HKG-LHR : 27/04/19 : estrangeiro8

May '19
Outbound
LHR-HKG : 02/05/19 : ackbrady +2
LHR-HKG : 04/05/19 : shamrock104
LHR-HKG : 14/05/19 : usmark24
LHR-HKG : 15/05/19 : afirm
LHR-HKG : 15/05/19 : p78
Return
HKG-LHR : 01/05/19 : gpetro1
HKG-LHR : 03/05/19 : coolblue21
HKG-LHR : 08/05/19 : shamrock104
HKG-LHR : 09/05/19 : ackbrady +2
HKG-LHR : 18/05/19 : afirm
HKG-LHR : 19/05/19 : p78
HKG-LHR : 23/05/19 : usmark24

June '18
Return
HKG-LHR : 29/06/19 : Wilem

[PREM FARE GONE] Philippine Airlines, LHR-HKG, £500 J return

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Feb 27, 2019, 4:32 am

#376

flightlevels

Join Date: Dec 2016

Programs: BA, United, Virgin Atlantic, ITA.

Posts: 9

We overnighted for 12 hours in MNL and stayed at Jorivim Apartelle which is low budget at £38 but within 400 yards of Terminal 2 and easily walkable. The owner got up at 4.30 am to cook us ham and eggs and insisted on providing transport to the terminal to catch our 7.50am flight to HKG. The hotel is basic but adequate and bookable on hotels.com etc.

The check-in desk at LHR insisted that our bag was checked through to HKG although we wanted to collect it in MNL for our overnight stay. We were told that this would require a ticket change which we understandably declined. Strangely, on our return journey we were offered the option of collecting bags at MNL despite our transfer time being only 2h 30min!

On arrival at MNL even if you are overnighting follow the transit passenger route rather than immigration as there are a couple of immigration channels next to the passenger transit desk which appeared to be much quieter than the ones you are otherwise directed to.

Like others we were tempted to stay at the baggage carousel in case our bag emerged but, in the end, couldn’t be bothered waiting and the bag turned up in HKG fine. The system does appear to be that bags for transit are intercepted or collected if left on the carousel which I’ve experienced elsewhere. This may cause problems if you actually intercept it as a new baggage tag needs to be issued on departure from MNL to HKG.

plunet likes this.

Feb 27, 2019, 4:18 pm

#377

scbearer

Join Date: Jul 2012

Posts: 10

Just a DP: I chose to credit to NH and my miles finally posted after 32 days.

plunet likes this.

Feb 28, 2019, 2:10 pm

#378

Poolek

Join Date: Oct 2012

Posts: 52

Has anyone claimed a successful mileage accrual to Etihad Guest? I’m flying those flights in 4 weeks and considering crediting it to Etihad, but wanted to make sure that it actually works, as someone reported it was already taking several weeks to credit...

Mar 1, 2019, 4:58 pm

#379

Wildwater

Join Date: Sep 2015

Posts: 11

Yes, my Ethiad Miles were posted 6 Weeks after my flights.

Poolek likes this.

Mar 2, 2019, 4:07 am

#380

plunet

Join Date: Jan 2016

Location: LON

Programs: BAEC

Posts: 3,918

Oh here we go... And airline IT is always so simple that any change always works first time *not*

What could possibly go wrong?

https://www.philippineairlines.com/A...toamadeusaltea

Quote:

[As part of Philippine Airlines’ 5-Star plan, the company is investing in the most modern technologies, including upgrading our Passenger Service System to Amadeus Altea for an enhanced 360 passenger experience.

The system upgrade will result in faster and more convenient transactions at all points of contact, including reservations, ticketing, check-in, and boarding.

Passengers can expect the following benefits powered by Amadeus Altea technology:

Easier booking and automated recognition of customer preferences
Enhanced online check-in experience and faster airport check-in process
Seamless service for transfer connections to partner-airline flights
Real-time, personalized alerts for flight changes
Cash plus Miles redemption for Mabuhay Miles members at online channels, any PAL Ticket Office, or PAL Hotline.
Year-round redemption of Mabuhay Miles for any seat and any fare
Convenient purchase of tickets along with ancillary services in one transaction

More announcements will be made on the turnover to the new system scheduled for late March 2019. Please stay tuned for more information on this new development, as your 4-Star flag carrier carries out improvements to serve you better.
Thank you.

Mar 3, 2019, 5:08 am

#381

doctoravios

Join Date: Dec 2016

Programs: BA Gold

Posts: 487

I've just started this trip. So far so good - some observations:

- Club Aspire Lounge at LHR T3 is pretty dreadful (in my opinion worse than the Mabuhay Lounge in Manila!) I would try not to spend too much time at Heathrow prior to the outbound flight to Manila (and be aware that there may be a long walk to get to the gate).
- After reading all the bad reviews I have to say NAIA Terminal 2 isn't that bad. The transfer was straightforward - make sure you don't follow all the passengers going to baggage reclaim and instead follow the transfer sign (which is an infographic of an arrow between two planes) and then when you arrive you need to first get your boarding pass stamped at the transfer desk before following signs to the "sterile area" for security, after which you can take the lift to departures and get to the Mabuhay Lounge. The whole process took me around 10 minutes but I noticed other passengers arriving after about 20-30 minutes (I think some went the wrong way towards baggage reclaim).
- If you are exiting Manila Airport you may find it quicker to follow signs to international/domestic transfer and use the immigration there - there was no queue.
- When putting the seat in to bed mode you can lower the armrest by pulling the toggle at the end (it is manual).
- The headphones were not noise cancelling (at least not on my flight) so you may wish to bring your own and an adapter to plug it into the headphone socket.
- Crew are excellent and very responsive but the service takes some time and the dine on demand doesn't work all that well. I decided to skip the starter for one meal and ended up having to wait for everyone else to be served their starters after my bread had been served so you may wish to factor this in if you are keen to sleep.
- The food was excellent, champagne is also pretty good but wines aren't great.

Overall a really good experience on the PAL A350, almost as good as the likes of Qatar/Cathay/JAL. Will post more updates and photos when I get a chance (or follow https://twitter.com/DoctorAvios for updates).

railways1, Poolek, deco105 and 1 others like this.

Mar 6, 2019, 8:03 am

#382

headforflights

Suspended

Join Date: Jan 2019

Posts: 103

Quote:

Originally Posted by Funky Spike

I see a few are overnighting in MNL, anyone care to share where they are staying? Tips for first timers to MNL?

I'm staying at the Savoy Hotel Manila overnight both ways.

Spike

I will stay at Hilton it's free shuttle bus which conect MNL airport with Hotels in New casino area, I stayed this hotel before at opening night 25 October...got upgrade to 3 rooms size suite due Diamond Status, they have amaizing breakfast even Yogurt icream machine...just then I stayed I had only 15 minutes to eat breakfast erarly morning, but now I will have plenty of time

railways1 likes this.

Mar 8, 2019, 4:07 am

#383

headforflights

Suspended

Join Date: Jan 2019

Posts: 103

Conrad Manila have very good SPA and cheap

some guide....https://www.moesatlas.com/best-spa-treatment-in-manila/

Mar 13, 2019, 5:22 pm

#384

plunet

Join Date: Jan 2016

Location: LON

Programs: BAEC

Posts: 3,918

Confirmed, it probably is going to go wrong with my return flight...

Quote:

Philippine Airlines will be upgrading its systems on March 23 to 24, 2019.

The system upgrade is a critical enabler to achieve PAL’s 5-Star Ambition and to enhance our passengers’ end-to-end experience. With the system upgrade, passengers can expect:

Easier booking, automated customer preference recognition
Faster check-in process
Better online check-in experience
Seamless service from interline partners
Real-time, personalized alerts for flight changes, etc.
Cash-Plus-Miles redemption (online, PAL Ticket Office, or Hotline)
Year-round Miles redemption for any seat / any fare

During the upgrade on March 23 to 24, PAL will continue to operate the scheduled flights but the following services will be temporarily unavailable:

Purchase of new flight and tour bookings
Rebooking, rerouting, and refunds
Online check-in through PAL website, mobile application, and kiosk on March 22-25*
Check-through of connecting flights on March 22 to March 24*
Purchase of PAL Travel Extras, like additional baggage allowance and choice seats
Redemption of Mabuhay Miles and Upgrade Travel Certificates
myPAL Upgrade bidding on March 23-24
Special requests like special meals, bassinets, and stretchers

Those with travel plans on the weekend of March 23 are advised to purchase their tickets before March 23.

Passengers whose flights fall on March 21 to 25 are strongly encouraged to:

Arrive early for check in at the airport,
Bring a printed or digital copy of their ticket or receipt together with their government-issued ID or passport
Purchase travel extras like choice seats and excess baggage before March 23, and
Make special requests (special meals, bassinets, and stretchers) at least 48 hours before their flight but not later than March 22 (note: at least 24 hours prior for special meals; at least 72 hours prior for stretchers)

The said services will resume after the completion of PAL’s system upgrade targeted on March 24, noon time.

We ask for everyone’s patience and understanding while we transform to serve passengers better in the future.

For any concerns, passengers may call PAL's Reservations hotline (+632 855 8888). Passengers may check the hotline number for their location through www.philippineairlines.com/Reservations.

Mar 15, 2019, 7:47 am

#385

jinkssick

Join Date: Dec 2008

Posts: 63

For the wiki

04 April-22 April

Thank you guys for all the info. I have a Manila 13 hour stopover on return leg but its my first Biz

so beyond happy. Staying one night in HK, One in Macau then doing a mini tour of Thailand then back to HK for return flight with wife and child. Cannot wait.

Mar 19, 2019, 8:40 am

#386

ralfp

Join Date: May 2005

Location: various cities in the USofA: NYC, BWI, IAH, ORD, CVG, NYC

Programs: Former UA 1K, National Exec. Elite

Posts: 5,485

Quote:

Originally Posted by ralfp

So it turns out the problem is that the LHR-MNL PR721 flight that I'm on is sold out in business class (probably because the previous day's LHR-MNL was cancelled). Anytime Lastminute tried to rebook to wide open connecting MNL-HKG flights they came back as sold out.

My waitlisted change to PR721 came through today from lastminute (my LHR departure is in two days).

Outbound: March 21
Return April 4 (throwing this away)

Mar 19, 2019, 8:41 am

#387

ChocolateFactory

Join Date: Aug 2015

Location: DXB

Programs: Marriott Titanium Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, BA Silver, A3 Gold, Sixt Diamond

Posts: 2,812

Were you waitlisted due to a schedule change or was this a flex ticket?

Mar 19, 2019, 8:52 am

#388

ralfp

Join Date: May 2005

Location: various cities in the USofA: NYC, BWI, IAH, ORD, CVG, NYC

Programs: Former UA 1K, National Exec. Elite

Posts: 5,485

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChocolateFactory

Were you waitlisted due to a schedule change or was this a flex ticket?

Schedule change. After repeatedly trying to get Lastminute to fix it, I got PR to change the reservation. Lastminute then said I was waitlisted. I was still ticketed for the 20 minute connection in MNL and had decided to give up on fixing it. The email this morning came as a surprise. I guess space on PR721 opened up (I'm pretty sure that was what was preventing the ticket from being reissued).

ChocolateFactory likes this.

Mar 20, 2019, 4:03 am

#389

Palty

Join Date: Mar 2018

Posts: 375

Couple of questions here
where to credit the miles?
so I was thinking of crediting the miles to ANA so I can then redeem it on united is this a good way of doing so?
also I might wanna change the outbound with a day earlier how do I get about on doing so? Can I even do it ?
for the wiki
outbound 19th April
inbound 28th April

Mar 21, 2019, 1:16 pm

#390

ralfp

Join Date: May 2005

Location: various cities in the USofA: NYC, BWI, IAH, ORD, CVG, NYC

Programs: Former UA 1K, National Exec. Elite

Posts: 5,485

They're working with the new Amadeus system at LHR. No on line checkin. I was not able to add my Etihad Guest number; they told me to send the boarding pass to Etihad for credit. They weren't able to give me MNL-HKG boarding passes either.

Currently sitting in the Number 1 lounge (priority pass) with Mrs. ralfp and our little one. Showers are £10. Moderately crowded but not bad.