Cebu Pacific Excess Baggage Charges Express Counter and Games No More
Cebu Pacific excess baggage charge for domestic destinations is now pegged at PhP100.00/kilogram over the free baggage allowance of 15 kilos for A319/A320 Airbus airplanes and 10 kilos for ATR turboprop planes like those servicing Caticlan route (free baggage allowance for check-in luggage used to be 20 kilograms. This is now the same thing with Philippine Airlines and Air Philippines). You may have to call Cebu Pacific hotline for information on excess baggage rates for international flights (for sure, it will be expensive).
Tutubi found this out at at Tacloban Airport; imagine the problem of a woman, amidst shrieks, curses and yells on the phone, who let the whole world know that she no longer has money to pay for the excess baggage-- she literally begged the staff at the check-in counter and other passengers with less than 15 kilograms to accommodate her just to avoid paying the extra fees.
Cebu Pacific Express Counter:
Used by Tutubi, available to those with no checked in baggage, is a separate counter for people checking in at the airport sans big luggages. There also is a discount of PhP200 on ticket booking; that's PhP400 off for round-trip ticket fare. You need to pay an additional PhP300 per flight should you book tickets with no baggage yet check-in with something at the counter (Tutubi warned you, so don't even think of booking one knowing fully well that you'll have a check-in luggage later)
The big advantage of no check-in baggage comes not only on waiting longer on the long long queue, but also you can head straight out of the airport after disembarking. Other passengers need to wait for their luggage at the baggage carousel and later harassed by porters at domestic airports. You will be ahead of the pack to flag a metered taxi immediately after exiting NAIA Terminal 3 (there's a taxi line of MGE and EMP at the far right of the exit gates and ordinary, usually kontrata taxis nearby).
Cebu Pacific Hand-Carry Baggage Allowed:
Limited now to just one bag and 7 kilos. Note the prescribed dimensions too but the 7 kilogram limit is not enforced strictly. Tutubi was able to get away with it during his return trip due to the addition of a plastic bag containing the usual pasalubong of delicacies (but that doesn't guarantee you can always get away with it). The one bag per passenger limit does not include bags for laptops and cameras (not sure about tripods here since he's too lazy to lug around one).
Flight Booking using ATM card:
For people without credit cards (like Tutubi...and proud of it) you can also pay for your booking using your BancNet ATM debit cards (e.g. Chinabank, Asia United Bank, Allied Bank et al). This is not yet available on their online booking website, you need to call Cebu Pacific booking office and ask for a reference number. You'll use the reference number to pay for your flight at BancNet Online website. Cebu Pacific also requires bringing the ATM card with you at the check in counter, or a photocopy of the card if it's not yours (similar to credit card payments) but this is not implemented strictly and might be used by miscreants for cheap airline ticket fraud.
Online booking Seat Selection:
Tutubi used online booking facility of 5J, does not recommend booking at their offices for it really takes tooooooo loooooooong just to book one. For seat selection, he booked himself a window-side seat to enjoy the view. The facility will show at the ticket fare cost as an additional PhP224.00 i.e. PhP112 one or PhP100 + VAT (12% value added tax)
To give you an idea of the Cebu Pacific round trip ticket fare to Tacloban City:
Base Fare: PhP4.00
Taxes and Fees:
VAT: 326.04
YQ: 2663.00
WAF: 50.00
NBAG: 400
SEAT: 224.00
TOTAL: PhP2,867.04
Notes:
Base fare is synonymous to the Go Fares or Go Lite Fares offered all year round; Tutubi just happened to book his flight during a promo period. YQ seems to be the main bulk of the fare, not sure of the exact meaning. any information on what's meant by WAF would be appreciated. NBAG is the no baggage discount while SEAT is payment for the use of the seat selection feature.
Ferry or Ro-ro fare to Leyte costs about PhP1,100.00 one way, just about P300.00 less than flying the budget carrier but takes about 12 hours plus an aching butt; still, Tutubi hopes to ride one just for fun and enjoy the view along the way in Bicol, Samar then Leyte via San Juanico Bridge.
Lastly, Tutubi's favorite part of Cebu Pacific flights, the in-flight games where he won on various occasions, are no longer offered. Probably to further cut on costs, reality for a budget carrier. :(
Related Links:
Cebu Pacific Flight Information
Labels: Airlines, Cebu Pacific
posted by GingGoy @ 10:48 PM,
4 Comments:
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At Nov 5, 2008, 2:15:00 PM,
escape said...
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thanks to this. another set of helpful tips. i find this very helpful because the go-lite promo is selling like hotcakes. it's still best to pay for a fare that includes baggages if you're sure that you're flying with extra bags.
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At Nov 5, 2008, 8:44:00 PM,
GingGoy said...
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the dong, 5j really made it so easy to fly, i almost booked a flight to Ormoc via PAL Express but the one way ticket is almost equivalent to 5J's RTT to Tacloban.
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At Nov 13, 2008, 11:18:00 AM,
the spool artist said...
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wow, this simply shows how Cebu Pacific has changed... shame on the 15 kilo baggage allowance! I wont be surprised next time if they charge us for using their toilets onboard!!!
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At Nov 14, 2008, 9:09:00 PM,
GingGoy said...
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the spool artist, did you know that in my countless flights i've never been to the toilets/lavatories of airplanes? they're mostly short/medium range though. the longest was the 6 hour trip from singapore to mumbai india via India Airlines
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