Jackr 38 Posted August 30, 2016 Share Posted August 30, 2016 Wifey and I will be coing to the Phils in January 2017 but I do not want to book a return date because my stay will be undetermined. Can I book round trip and change the dates later? How would I go about this? I dont believe I can book one way tickets. Does anyone have advice on this open ended stay dilemma? Jack Link to post Share on other sites
ex231 3,945 Posted August 30, 2016 Share Posted August 30, 2016 If your wife is Filipina you can come on a one way ticket and get the balikbayan stamp good for a year. If not, then you can both come on a one way ticket and get a cheap "throw away" onward ticket. Usually Clark to HK is cheap. As for ticket changes they are usually costly. I've been quoted up to $450 before. Make sure you know what you're getting into before you buy it. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Lee 17,711 Posted August 30, 2016 Share Posted August 30, 2016 Many airlines will let a Filipino on without a return ticket or onward ticket since they are the actual BB but will not let a kano on without one, even when the law in the Philippines is that BB's do not need one, yet I once emailed the BI and explained that I am married to a former Philippine citizen and they replied that I need a return or onward ticket dated within one year even when traveling with her. We always buy a round trip and then pay the fee to change if necessary, you can book up to one year out on the round trip ticket or I believe that you can buy an open end return ticket on some airlines. I also suggest you bring a copy of the Balikbayan law to show, for those airline employees who will not give you a boarding pass until you prove to them that you do not need a visa, I have to do that just about every year we check in at Delta. BALIKBAYAN PRIVILEGEBelow is a copy of the memorandum saying BB's do not need onward tickets. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Jackr 38 Posted August 30, 2016 Author Share Posted August 30, 2016 Thanks this helps. I have never been there without a certain date to get back but now I'm funally done with work. Beginning the journey of retired living and learning all the tricks of living and travelling overseas. We just got a Delta Sky Miles Card thinking this will help...we'll see. Anyway, I'm not worried so much about the money as I am the flexibility to travel when I want. Next stop...Cebu 2017. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Lee 17,711 Posted August 30, 2016 Share Posted August 30, 2016 We just got a Delta Sky Miles Card thinking this will help It doubt it will, it has never helped me, the desk clerks are afraid they will get a large fine and have to pay for our return ticket should the Philippines rejects us. If you plan on staying over one year, then do as ex231 suggested and just buy a cheap throw away ticket and since you will apparently be flying with Delta, please take my advice and have a copy of both items I provided just in case they do to you what they have done to me too many times for me to count. Have a great trip and I hope life in the Philippines works out great for you both. Link to post Share on other sites
Nangulo 1,093 Posted August 30, 2016 Share Posted August 30, 2016 Check your airline. They may let you change, without penalty, AFTER you've left. That is, you can change the return leg for free after you've used the outbound leg. I did that (twice) on Cathay Pacific; changed return leg after arriving PI. Other carriers do this, as well. Link to post Share on other sites
LechonBuddha 565 Posted August 30, 2016 Share Posted August 30, 2016 Booked with EVA Air for Jan last week and their website explains their policy for changing flight dates pretty well. Changes cost either $50 or $100 and also the difference between your old fair and new one if any. Basically, changing your return rate seems simple enough and if you get a decent fare to begin with the cost of the change should be negligible and well worth the flexibility. I will also note that they break their fares down to (I believe) three levels, 3, 6, and 12 months. Each level is costlier than the next but allows you a longer window to change your return date, obtain flyer miles etc. So, if you think you'll stay longer than three months make sure your fare allows the longer window to change. On thing I'm not clear on is whether you need an additional outgoing ticket prior to the expiration of the standard thirty day visa period, regardless if you'll receive a BKK privilege on arrival and have an outgoing ticket longer than thirty days after arrival Link to post Share on other sites
miles-high 3,917 Posted August 30, 2016 Share Posted August 30, 2016 I'm not worried so much about the money as I am the flexibility to travel when I want. Changes cost either $50 or $100 and also the difference between your old fair and new one if any. Changes cost anywhere between $50 to $150 (UA, DL, JL, NH, etc.) I have done it so many times it is just a phone call away... Link to post Share on other sites
sugbu777 2,687 Posted August 30, 2016 Share Posted August 30, 2016 Changes cost anywhere between $50 to $150 (UA, DL, JL, NH, etc.) I have done it so many times it is just a phone call away... PAL usually costs us $105 to change (includes the intn't'l and domestic leg, (CEB)) but unfortunately with PAL it's not usually a phone call away. Link to post Share on other sites
ex231 3,945 Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 On thing I'm not clear on is whether you need an additional outgoing ticket prior to the expiration of the standard thirty day visa period, Nope, just an onward ticket or a BB .. either one is good Changes cost anywhere between $50 to $150 (UA, DL, JL, NH, etc.) I have done it so many times it is just a phone call away... Maybe if you buy those first class super special platinum member tickets like you do KAL quoted me $450 once. Had a friend that just flew back on PAL and they charged him $340 for the change AFTER he screamed and cried over the $440 they originally wanted. Link to post Share on other sites
Jawny 4,617 Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Wifey and I will be coing to the Phils in January 2017 but I do not want to book a return date because my stay will be undetermined. Can I book round trip and change the dates later? How would I go about this? I dont believe I can book one way tickets. Does anyone have advice on this open ended stay dilemma? Jack Have you considered what sort of visa you will use for the long term stay? The BB method works, with limitations, such as the need to travel together. However, there are visa choices you can make prior to arrival. If you were to decide on a 13a visa (spouse of a filipina) then you can do this prior to arrival. In fact, it is easier to do before arrival then doing it here. With a visa in hand, the ongoing ticket is not a requirement. Link to post Share on other sites
Woolf 8,550 Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 With a visa in hand, the ongoing ticket is not a requirement. Not correct for 13A yes then you are a resident and do not need a return or onward ticket If you have a 7A (tourist) visa you need a return or onward ticket Link to post Share on other sites
Jawny 4,617 Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Not correct for 13A yes then you are a resident and do not need a return or onward ticket If you have a 7A (tourist) visa you need a return or onward ticket Thanks for repeating what I said. Link to post Share on other sites
Woolf 8,550 Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Have you considered what sort of visa you will use for the long term stay? The BB method works, with limitations, such as the need to travel together. However, there are visa choices you can make prior to arrival. If you were to decide on a 13a visa (spouse of a filipina) then you can do this prior to arrival. In fact, it is easier to do before arrival then doing it here. With a visa in hand, the ongoing ticket is not a requirement. Thanks for repeating what I said. Well what you said could easily be misunderstood that is why I wanted to state that with a 7A visa you need a forward or return ticket Link to post Share on other sites
Jawny 4,617 Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Well what you said could easily be misunderstood that is why I wanted to state that with a 7A visa you need a forward or return ticket Nope, not misunderstood. Just trying to help out a member without adding to any confusion. Give it a try. Link to post Share on other sites
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