Urgent advice needed-booking flight tickets

[klsl_forever]

I always wanted to be in Phils for Xmas but was resigned to the fact it was too expensive and travelling in January would be cheaper. Now it appears not!

I couldn't book anything before now because the money I was waiting many months for has now only just been received and cleared in my bank. With that knowledge I decided to look for a flight in January but there doesnt seem to be anything under the 6-700 price mark like there was about a week ago (Qatar Airlines for about £400). The only thing available and affordable for me seems to be for the 8th December otherwise it seems I have to wait until February or March and even that is more expensive than I 1st thought it would be. Is it possible I can receive flight ticket in time? I dont have my own debit/credit card so am relying on friend but chances are even he cant get here til Tuesday which is almost certainly too late. Can I get pesos and american express cheques sorted out in time?

The agent I intend booking with is [URL="http://www.flydeals.co.uk[/URL] Has anybody used these before? Are they reliable? Maybe I can collect flight ticket in London?

Sorry if I'm sounding a bit thick but I've never booked a flight ticket before and it all seems a bit daunting the 1st time. Having to put in return dates etc seems pointless as I dont even know when I'm returning. I just want open date return but putting in random dates for the sake of it always seems to alter cheapest price grrrr. Can anyone give me any search tips for future reference please? I have tried the search features on this and other forums for advice info but it always seems to be taken for granted I know how to search and book a flight lol. I even went into the local Thomson travel agents last week and was quoted £4000+ to travel in January, apparently this doesnt even get lower later in the year with them, jeez.

Sorry it's long winded but I'm desperate for any advice. Thanks.

[baboyako]

i recommend that you go to PIC (in holborn) http://www.pic-uk.com/

if you dont have a credit card, you'll need to go there in person (its not really a good idea to use someones card who isn't flying with you).

PIC are the same prices as online pretty much. AND they will know the best time to go, open ended tickets etc etc.

they will print the e-ticket, or real card ticket there & then.. no faffing about

as to pesos & travel cheques.... not worth it IMO.

[klsl_forever]

i recommend that you go to PIC (in holborn) http://www.pic-uk.com/

if you dont have a credit card, you'll need to go there in person (its not really a good idea to use someones card who isn't flying with you).

PIC are the same prices as online pretty much. AND they will know the best time to go, open ended tickets etc etc.

they will print the e-ticket, or real card ticket there & then.. no faffing about

as to pesos & travel cheques.... not worth it IMO.

Cheers for the quick response , I'll call them when I wake up.

Interesting you say pesos and travellers cheques not worth it. Travellers cheques I can almost agree about but I wanted a few hundred just as emergency if things went horribly wrong. As far as I know at the moment my only option is to carry a wad of money with me. Any other options available (my ATM Card is a basic Abbey Card)?

[A_flyer]

Travellers checks are not easy to exchange in the Philippines, better to avoid. For me I always brings 50€ notes as it's easy to exchange in exchange offices and when they are finished I use my card in ATMs. I pay most of the things by cash there as you can have often discounts. I don't know if it's as easy with £ notes (sorry, I seldom use these!).

[mrs j english]

Travellers checks are not easy to exchange in the Philippines, better to avoid. For me I always brings 50€ notes as it's easy to exchange in exchange offices and when they are finished I use my card in ATMs. I pay most of the things by cash there as you can have often discounts. I don't know if it's as easy with £ notes (sorry, I seldom use these!).

Money changers transact £ but banks don't.

IMO, you get a better deal using pounds than converting pounds to dollars. You lose some with the exchange comparing pounds to pesos. Because you get converted twice and you get screwed twice, too!

Just keep a few dollars handy, just in case and don't bother with traveller's check.

[KeithD]

It is extremely difficult to get a flight for this time of year, as Filipino's around the world book them months in advance for Xmas/New Year, so the vast majority are taken months before. As the seats decline, the price goes up, simple commercialism, number available X market value.

[Tish]

Try this one http://www.celestialtravel.co.uk/

[andypaul]

Cheers for the quick response , I'll call them when I wake up.

Interesting you say pesos and travellers cheques not worth it. Travellers cheques I can almost agree about but I wanted a few hundred just as emergency if things went horribly wrong. As far as I know at the moment my only option is to carry a wad of money with me. Any other options available (my ATM Card is a basic Abbey Card)?

Your abbey card is it a cirrus or mastero card?

If it is your sorted although do remeber your get charged commision on any withdrawels.

[jonnijon]

You need to look at flights very carefully or you can spend two days getting there.I fly Singapore Air on a Thursday from Heathrow,change at Singapore,only on the ground for one and a half hours,then on to Davao,total time about 17 hours give or take.Booked my ticket at Flight Center,told them I found a flight on Singapore Air for £610 so they have to beat that price,they did by £1 lol.But I have booked well in advance,not going again untill 31st May 07.Use an ATM Cirrus card at bank of the philippines where you can get 10,000 peso at a time,other banks have a lot smaller limits on what you can withdraw all costing you about £2-50 each withdrawal.Hope this is some help.