Turkish : MNL- most US destinations $1,676 RT
#31
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: DTW
Programs: TK E+, WY, Radisson R
Posts: 2,360
If you're based in NA and know exactly when you want to go to Asia, another option is wrapping this (nesting some would call it) with NA - Asia fares. TK just released J fares from YUL to PVG for $2300 USD, supposedly good until Jan 8th (TK may end it sooner), compared to this deal it's still high but that's the lowest I've seen from North America to Asia on TK with at least 30000 miles for TK's MS members.
#32
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: SFO, MNL, SIN, HAM
Programs: UA GS, SQ PPS, IHG Plat Amb, Marriot Gold, Hilton Gold, Club Carlson Gold, Accor Plat
Posts: 488
Thanks a lot for the deal. Just bought 2 MNL-IST-YYZ round trip for Jun/Jul 2018 for USD 3,007.80 total (with a stop-over in IST on one of the legs). Don't understand why Philippine is generating all these ultra low J fares (the MU deal) but I'd gladly take TK over MU on any given day.
And boy.. only after booking the ticket have I realized that MNL is the world's least friendly airport for transit!
I plan to take CX/PR as position flight into/out of MNL (T3) while TK uses T1. I have searched Flyertalk and online and seemed to find conflicting info, Hence would like to try my luck here:
1) there is an interline agreement between CX/TK. Would I be able to check my luugage all the way through (for example HKG-MNL on CX and MNL-IST on TK) and not retrieve them in MNL? Would certainly be a disaster if I have to retrieve luggages for the terminal change and then re-check them thereafter.
2) there seems to be a shuttle bus that circles terminals which drives on the tarmac (to avoid the horrible traffic outside)
a) is the shuttle bus airside?
b) or one can only get on the shuttle bus after clearing immigration/customs
3) how quick is the normal immigration and security process in MNL?
Thanks for your help!
And boy.. only after booking the ticket have I realized that MNL is the world's least friendly airport for transit!
I plan to take CX/PR as position flight into/out of MNL (T3) while TK uses T1. I have searched Flyertalk and online and seemed to find conflicting info, Hence would like to try my luck here:
1) there is an interline agreement between CX/TK. Would I be able to check my luugage all the way through (for example HKG-MNL on CX and MNL-IST on TK) and not retrieve them in MNL? Would certainly be a disaster if I have to retrieve luggages for the terminal change and then re-check them thereafter.
2) there seems to be a shuttle bus that circles terminals which drives on the tarmac (to avoid the horrible traffic outside)
a) is the shuttle bus airside?
b) or one can only get on the shuttle bus after clearing immigration/customs
3) how quick is the normal immigration and security process in MNL?
Thanks for your help!
1) not aware of CX/TK interline. PR used to have codeshare with TK, not sure of current state
PR MNL T2 is closer to TK T1 than CX T3, but not sure the difference would be enough to pick PR over CX
2) There is an airside shuttle, but it is only for PR passengers between T2 and T3, I don't think you'll be able to use it in your situation, regardless of inbound carrier.
You'll have to either use the public inter-terminal shuttle or taxi. You'll have to go through customs/immigration (possibly pick up your luggage), go outside and go to the bus stop. It's clearly marked and pretty easy. If you are in a hurry, you could use a white/yellow/coupon taxi to get to the other terminal. There now is an elevated toll road connecting the terminals, so the ride should be less than 15 minutes in most cases.
3) Immigration/customs is typically quick in all terminals, less than 15 minutes in 80% of my arrivals over the last 4 years. The exceptions are when several widebodies arrive at the same time (scheduled or not)!
While traffic used to be a huge problem for connections at different terminals, now the bigger problem with connections on back-to-back tickets in Manila are the frequent delays at the airport. It's operating way beyond capacity, making it difficult to plan a connection. I'd plan an overnight, so you don't have to worry about questions 1-3 - enjoy a night out and great food Filipino instead. There are plenty of hotels/restaurants/entertainment close to the airport. If you do want to connect, I'd plan on at least 3-4h layover between flights AND I'd look at the on-time record of the flights you are considering via flightstats.
#33
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: HKG, YYZ
Programs: Silly AC E
Posts: 17
Fortunately, MNL has improved a bit over the last 2 years. Here's some help:
1) not aware of CX/TK interline. PR used to have codeshare with TK, not sure of current state
PR MNL T2 is closer to TK T1 than CX T3, but not sure the difference would be enough to pick PR over CX
2) There is an airside shuttle, but it is only for PR passengers between T2 and T3, I don't think you'll be able to use it in your situation, regardless of inbound carrier.
You'll have to either use the public inter-terminal shuttle or taxi. You'll have to go through customs/immigration (possibly pick up your luggage), go outside and go to the bus stop. It's clearly marked and pretty easy. If you are in a hurry, you could use a white/yellow/coupon taxi to get to the other terminal. There now is an elevated toll road connecting the terminals, so the ride should be less than 15 minutes in most cases.
3) Immigration/customs is typically quick in all terminals, less than 15 minutes in 80% of my arrivals over the last 4 years. The exceptions are when several widebodies arrive at the same time (scheduled or not)!
While traffic used to be a huge problem for connections at different terminals, now the bigger problem with connections on back-to-back tickets in Manila are the frequent delays at the airport. It's operating way beyond capacity, making it difficult to plan a connection. I'd plan an overnight, so you don't have to worry about questions 1-3 - enjoy a night out and great food Filipino instead. There are plenty of hotels/restaurants/entertainment close to the airport. If you do want to connect, I'd plan on at least 3-4h layover between flights AND I'd look at the on-time record of the flights you are considering via flightstats.
1) not aware of CX/TK interline. PR used to have codeshare with TK, not sure of current state
PR MNL T2 is closer to TK T1 than CX T3, but not sure the difference would be enough to pick PR over CX
2) There is an airside shuttle, but it is only for PR passengers between T2 and T3, I don't think you'll be able to use it in your situation, regardless of inbound carrier.
You'll have to either use the public inter-terminal shuttle or taxi. You'll have to go through customs/immigration (possibly pick up your luggage), go outside and go to the bus stop. It's clearly marked and pretty easy. If you are in a hurry, you could use a white/yellow/coupon taxi to get to the other terminal. There now is an elevated toll road connecting the terminals, so the ride should be less than 15 minutes in most cases.
3) Immigration/customs is typically quick in all terminals, less than 15 minutes in 80% of my arrivals over the last 4 years. The exceptions are when several widebodies arrive at the same time (scheduled or not)!
While traffic used to be a huge problem for connections at different terminals, now the bigger problem with connections on back-to-back tickets in Manila are the frequent delays at the airport. It's operating way beyond capacity, making it difficult to plan a connection. I'd plan an overnight, so you don't have to worry about questions 1-3 - enjoy a night out and great food Filipino instead. There are plenty of hotels/restaurants/entertainment close to the airport. If you do want to connect, I'd plan on at least 3-4h layover between flights AND I'd look at the on-time record of the flights you are considering via flightstats.
#34
Used to be highman123
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 3,541
Get this - this deal also works to Caracas now $1,550 RT. Not sure if one can (still) do a direct turn in CCS.
https://www.momondo.com/flightsearch...false&NA=false
24k miles flown in TK and 2.k on COPA.
Also these deals are as cheap as the Economy tickets...
If you credit to miles and more that is 39k status miles for $1,500...
https://www.momondo.com/flightsearch...false&NA=false
24k miles flown in TK and 2.k on COPA.
Also these deals are as cheap as the Economy tickets...
If you credit to miles and more that is 39k status miles for $1,500...
#36
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 790
Just curious, where are people crediting these fares?
I am currently *G with United, but I have zero miles flown for re-qualification in 2018 with ANY Star Alliance airline, so I am debating between United, Turkish, or Asiana for *G and redeemable miles. United has piss poor treatment of Turkish fares for United Elite members/PQD obviously. But it's easy and I already have a cache of United miles to add to as well.
Asiana is appealing because you can get *G for 40,000 miles with any Star Alliance airline within a -2 year- period as far as I can tell.
And Turkish is obviously an option because they earn 135% "PQD's" but Asiana is easier to get overall as I am not planning on any other Turkish paid flights this year as of now.
Any thoughts greatly appreciated.
I am currently *G with United, but I have zero miles flown for re-qualification in 2018 with ANY Star Alliance airline, so I am debating between United, Turkish, or Asiana for *G and redeemable miles. United has piss poor treatment of Turkish fares for United Elite members/PQD obviously. But it's easy and I already have a cache of United miles to add to as well.
Asiana is appealing because you can get *G for 40,000 miles with any Star Alliance airline within a -2 year- period as far as I can tell.
And Turkish is obviously an option because they earn 135% "PQD's" but Asiana is easier to get overall as I am not planning on any other Turkish paid flights this year as of now.
Any thoughts greatly appreciated.
#37
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: Star Alliance Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 989
Just curious, where are people crediting these fares?
I am currently *G with United, but I have zero miles flown for re-qualification in 2018 with ANY Star Alliance airline, so I am debating between United, Turkish, or Asiana for *G and redeemable miles. United has piss poor treatment of Turkish fares for United Elite members/PQD obviously. But it's easy and I already have a cache of United miles to add to as well.
Asiana is appealing because you can get *G for 40,000 miles with any Star Alliance airline within a -2 year- period as far as I can tell.
And Turkish is obviously an option because they earn 135% "PQD's" but Asiana is easier to get overall as I am not planning on any other Turkish paid flights this year as of now.
Any thoughts greatly appreciated.
I am currently *G with United, but I have zero miles flown for re-qualification in 2018 with ANY Star Alliance airline, so I am debating between United, Turkish, or Asiana for *G and redeemable miles. United has piss poor treatment of Turkish fares for United Elite members/PQD obviously. But it's easy and I already have a cache of United miles to add to as well.
Asiana is appealing because you can get *G for 40,000 miles with any Star Alliance airline within a -2 year- period as far as I can tell.
And Turkish is obviously an option because they earn 135% "PQD's" but Asiana is easier to get overall as I am not planning on any other Turkish paid flights this year as of now.
Any thoughts greatly appreciated.
#38
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 790
I am going to check out TK's earnings on some airlines I am likely to use for paid MR fares (I go to Asia, not Europe, etc.) and make a decision from that.
#39
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Sunny Singapore
Programs: TG*G, SQ, QF
Posts: 910
OZ are appealing due to their low threshold for *G but their website is awful for non korean speakers and they are very hard to redeem miles with. I found availability on the UA website for a number of possible flight options and then went to their city office here to try and ticket an award, only to be told "not available" for all the flights in Business that where showing as redeemable on UA, not sure if its a deliberate policy but he kept trying to get me to redeem for Y seats instead. As there was only one person in the whole office it was hard to get a supervisor to try and help.! I came from TG prior to OZ and I am planning on moving to TK next....
#40
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Former UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 576
OZ are appealing due to their low threshold for *G but their website is awful for non korean speakers and they are very hard to redeem miles with. I found availability on the UA website for a number of possible flight options and then went to their city office here to try and ticket an award, only to be told "not available" for all the flights in Business that where showing as redeemable on UA, not sure if its a deliberate policy but he kept trying to get me to redeem for Y seats instead. As there was only one person in the whole office it was hard to get a supervisor to try and help.! I came from TG prior to OZ and I am planning on moving to TK next....
#41
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: HKG, YYZ
Programs: Silly AC E
Posts: 17
Just curious, where are people crediting these fares?
I am currently *G with United, but I have zero miles flown for re-qualification in 2018 with ANY Star Alliance airline, so I am debating between United, Turkish, or Asiana for *G and redeemable miles. United has piss poor treatment of Turkish fares for United Elite members/PQD obviously. But it's easy and I already have a cache of United miles to add to as well.
Asiana is appealing because you can get *G for 40,000 miles with any Star Alliance airline within a -2 year- period as far as I can tell.
And Turkish is obviously an option because they earn 135% "PQD's" but Asiana is easier to get overall as I am not planning on any other Turkish paid flights this year as of now.
Any thoughts greatly appreciated.
I am currently *G with United, but I have zero miles flown for re-qualification in 2018 with ANY Star Alliance airline, so I am debating between United, Turkish, or Asiana for *G and redeemable miles. United has piss poor treatment of Turkish fares for United Elite members/PQD obviously. But it's easy and I already have a cache of United miles to add to as well.
Asiana is appealing because you can get *G for 40,000 miles with any Star Alliance airline within a -2 year- period as far as I can tell.
And Turkish is obviously an option because they earn 135% "PQD's" but Asiana is easier to get overall as I am not planning on any other Turkish paid flights this year as of now.
Any thoughts greatly appreciated.
You can check https://www.wheretocredit.com/ for the earning table.
Personally for me I am not associated with *A anymore (0 on UA, AC, A3 now). I am planning to credit the flights to AV (150% miles flown) as AV has pretty decent mileage purchase promotions to top up for future redemptions.
#42
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Sunny Singapore
Programs: TG*G, SQ, QF
Posts: 910
Cant comment on the Asiana availability on their own metal as I have never tried redeeming for that, however I think they have peak and off peak travel periods and charge surcharges for their smartium seats etc so again its not an easy process...
#43
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 790
Are you looking for status, or best earning possible?
You can check https://www.wheretocredit.com/ for the earning table.
Personally for me I am not associated with *A anymore (0 on UA, AC, A3 now). I am planning to credit the flights to AV (150% miles flown) as AV has pretty decent mileage purchase promotions to top up for future redemptions.
You can check https://www.wheretocredit.com/ for the earning table.
Personally for me I am not associated with *A anymore (0 on UA, AC, A3 now). I am planning to credit the flights to AV (150% miles flown) as AV has pretty decent mileage purchase promotions to top up for future redemptions.
I should have matched my United Gold to Turkish Elite as I am flying ATL-BEG on the $1200 deal in Business, but I screwed around and waited too long. I think because there were so many reports of difficulty getting the match process to work properly.
#44
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 790
Status is most important, but I still want to be able to easily use the miles. It looks like Turkish has a good chart (guaranteed/expensive vs. controlled/saver), and despite a somewhat tedious process to redeem, they do have a home office in my town at least. And I like you can do one-way awards.
I should have matched my United Gold to Turkish Elite as I am flying ATL-BEG on the $1200 deal in Business, but I screwed around and waited too long. I think because there were so many reports of difficulty getting the match process to work properly.
I should have matched my United Gold to Turkish Elite as I am flying ATL-BEG on the $1200 deal in Business, but I screwed around and waited too long. I think because there were so many reports of difficulty getting the match process to work properly.
#45
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 790
Are you looking for status, or best earning possible?
You can check https://www.wheretocredit.com/ for the earning table.
Personally for me I am not associated with *A anymore (0 on UA, AC, A3 now). I am planning to credit the flights to AV (150% miles flown) as AV has pretty decent mileage purchase promotions to top up for future redemptions.
You can check https://www.wheretocredit.com/ for the earning table.
Personally for me I am not associated with *A anymore (0 on UA, AC, A3 now). I am planning to credit the flights to AV (150% miles flown) as AV has pretty decent mileage purchase promotions to top up for future redemptions.