Tips & Advice - Work Trip to Philippines

geekcohen on 25/08/2024 - 13:02
Last edited 26/08/2024 - 11:04 by 1 other user

Travelling to Manila on Tuesday for a brief work trip. Work has been good with arranging a lot of things like hotel transfers etc.

But any tips for flights etc? Flying MEL > SYD > MNL on Qantas Tuesday, then doing the return Thursday Night into Friday.

I've received a few offers from Qantas doing the usual upgrades like Lounge Access, Spare Seat next you, business upgrade.

Flight is 8.5 hours from SYD > MNL.

Any upgrades will be out my pocket but would claim on tax. Business Upgrade seems a bit costly. Spare Seat for the flght is $125 which I am thinking might be worth it.

First time going to Manila and first time international travel by myself.

Any tips and/or advice? Been a while since I have done a longish flight.

Travel Asia Philippines

Comments

  • boomramada on 25/08/2024 - 13:04
    +3

    Don't get out of the Manila airport

  • DirtySteve on 25/08/2024 - 13:17
    +10

    Hello friend

    When you hear that phrase, they are 100% not your friend.

    • djones145 on 25/08/2024 - 18:09
      +1

      Hello friend!

  • altomic on 25/08/2024 - 13:38
    +3

    If you get a taxi then always make sure the meter is running. But better still , get an uber as it's a set fee (as per app pricing).

    • hasher22 on 25/08/2024 - 13:48
      +5

      This

      Download the "grab" app. It's uber eats and uber of asia. It's a really good app

    • geekcohen on 25/08/2024 - 14:05
      +1

      Transport is already arranged by work with hotel transfer.

  • dahax77 on 25/08/2024 - 14:03
    +2

    It's a daytime flight right?

    1. The tip is watch a few movies, eat the food, have a couple of drinks
    2. Go to the toilet and stretch your legs when you need to.
    3. Maybe stare out the window occasionally or close your eyes and have a nap.

    Not sure what tips you're actually looking for?

    • geekcohen on 25/08/2024 - 14:07

      SYD > MNL, yes daytime. 12:30pm out of Sydney. Arrive about 7pm local MNL time.

      MNL > SYD is overnight, so I was going to sleep for that flight for sure.

      Not sure what tips you're actually looking for?

      Whether upgrading and doing the "spare seat buy" is worth it ot not. Plus any other things I might not have thought about.

      • CheapandUsed on 25/08/2024 - 15:14

        If you can get an empty seat next to you on that flight home you might be able to get a decent bit of sleep… Even better if you are on the sides and not in the middle rows and it's a 2 4 2 layout, if it's 3 4 3 layout it's probably going to be uncomfortable regardless.

        • geekcohen on 25/08/2024 - 17:08

          Its a 2 4 2 layout and I've selected a seat within the 2 areas.

      • donga100 on 25/08/2024 - 22:24

        Exit row is far better than a spare seat if you can still get it.

        • Eeples on 26/08/2024 - 00:50

          Will the exit row have the fixed solid side arm rests?

          I hate those.

    • bdl on 25/08/2024 - 21:41

      Just the tip

  • Save 50 Cent on 25/08/2024 - 14:09
    +1

    $125 for a spare sear is a rip off especially that the person on the other side of the empty seat might have paid the same.
    Just select a seat at the back of the plane (select a window where the aisle is booked or vice versa) and chances are the middle seat will be vacant anyway.

  • solidussnake on 25/08/2024 - 14:11

    How much $$ is the upgrade to business

    • geekcohen on 25/08/2024 - 17:07

      About $700 on the way there.

      • bobbified on 25/08/2024 - 18:23

        That is relatively cheap…the business class tix are usually 4-5x the base economy fare.

  • holdenmg on 25/08/2024 - 14:14
    +1

    Get travel insurance.

  • Hugh G Rection on 25/08/2024 - 17:01

    for sure upgrade to business class

  • Sweet3st on 25/08/2024 - 18:02

    Are you just working? Or sightseeing? Keep your wits about you.

  • Tee Rex Arms on 25/08/2024 - 18:16
    +1

    Nothing suss at all about this “work” trip

  • Dogs on 25/08/2024 - 18:59
    +1

    Food is terrible find a vegetarian restaurant or just go to jolly bee

    • Eeples on 26/08/2024 - 01:02

      Ramen Kuroda in Aseana City has good food. (Jolly bee close by).

      (But, don’t go for a walk on the other side of the river/septic flow).

  • Eeples on 26/08/2024 - 00:52

    Be careful (or walk out of) a restaurant whose cutlery includes a knife.

    • mapax on 26/08/2024 - 15:54

      Why? Physical safety or something else?

  • Eeples on 26/08/2024 - 01:48

    Zoom it instead.

  • SydneySwan on 26/08/2024 - 07:58
    +1

    Qantas run a domestic A330 on this route which means business class only has 1 loo. This tends to cause significant queues especially on the return overnight flight as pax change into / out of the Qantas PJs. Return flight is usually only about 7.5 hrs. Qantas use the PAGSS lounge in Manila which is average at best.

    • GOCAT9 on 26/08/2024 - 10:14

      Why not use another Oneworld lounge instead if you are gold or above? Even if you are travelling economy!

      • SydneySwan on 26/08/2024 - 11:25

        There is no One World lounge. You can use the CX lounge if you have Qantas Gold but the OP indicated he hadn't flown much so I doubt he has this.

        • GOCAT9 on 27/08/2024 - 12:50

          CX is a Oneworld lounge! There you go, use that if eligible. Else some/most Oneworld lounges allow paid access, eg MH lounge in KUL.

  • amahon on 26/08/2024 - 08:36

    I've made this trip 4 or 5 times over the past few years. Manila is quite Westernised, so you shouldn't have any trouble getting around outside of the office visits. I'd personally recommend upgrading to business class, it also gives you access to the lounges, which is nice.

  • Darayus on 26/08/2024 - 11:26

    Be careful of Manila Belly drink bottled water and even use bottled water to brush your teeth as you have no immunity to tap water as this will be your first overseas travel. By the way, have you checked your passport and validity for more than 6 months.

    Keep your wedding ring on to keep the bees away as they are always looking for honey pot to get leached upon.

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