Hello travel bugs! Merry Christmas!!! Since this is the holiday season, I believe that there’s a lot of you traveling and basically for some this might be your first time. As I want my blog to be more informative, I felt there’s a need for me to share these important things to do before an international flight because these are the few steps you need to follow before stepping onto your dream destination. Sorry if it took a while since the last blog, as some of you know I run thepinkshoppe and online shopping is always at its peak during this season. With numerous trips abroad, I never had the chance to do such blog and this was the only trip wherein I was able to fully document every steps along the way and I hope this entry helps you dear readers.

Before any trip be it local or international, I make sure to have a checklist with me, usually 2-3 weeks before my trip or at least a day or two if my schedule wont permit me to do such. I usually jot down the things I need or have it listed with my Evernote, that is synced with my MacPro and iPhone which is very handy at all times. Nowadays its very basic since iPhones and other smartphones have variety of travel application that you can download for free. Make use of it since those apps are very useful when planning and during the actual traveling (I will have another blog on the usual apps that I’m using for your reference). Aside from that, I advised you to be at the airport early enough to avoid cramming and if you forgot something, you have an ample time to retrieve those forgotten “important” things before your flight.

Do not leave without these;

• Passport –  The most important one! For international trip this is a must! For local trip, a ticket and national ID will do. But for out of the country, this will serve as your Primary National ID. Make sure that your passport is valid and only those with 6 months valid passports are allowed. If you’re a frequent traveler be sure you have that extra pages for arrival and departure stamps. Make a duplicate or triplicate photocopy of that and have all your bags with that copy just to make sure that if ever you lost your passport in anyway you can have a copy to show.

• Visa –  if the country required then a tourist or visitors visa is as important as your passport. Also same with your passport make sure to have it photocopied as well and attach this to the photocopied passport that will serve as back-ups.

• Printed Copy of your Airline Ticket / Softcopy for web check-in  – Aside from passport, it is a must for you to bring along a printed copy of your airline ticket as you need to show this at check-in and immigration point. Another tip is to save a copy of this on your phone. This will save you a lot of headache especially if you accidentally loss your printed ticket. One copy is enough for a family if you buy at ticket at once and might as well have a copy of this in your check-in luggage.

• Valid IDs – I usually have extra valid IDs with me all the time as this may be important if the immigration staff will ask you to show proof of your identity  if in case they do a random check, at least you have something to prove that you’re indeed the passport holder.

• DSWD Clearance – if you’re bringing with you your nieces and nephews without their parents onboard, a DSWD clearance is a must!

• Money – of course this is essential just like your passport and take note that to have enough for your trip. I never experience this but according to some  airport to airport  (A to A) incidence happens, simply because of this reason. Why they’re being denied to an entry is the luck of financial capacity to show that they can support themselves during the course of their stay. Please bear in mind that you cannot bring out more than Php10,000 of Philippine Peso in Cash with you and be sure to declare if you’re bringing more than 10,000 USD or equivalent to that money.

• Itinerary – if your traveling in groups or as family some immigration officers automatically thinks that you’re in a holiday but just in case you’re traveling alone and have a random check on you this may be hard to prove. A copy of your itinerary of the things that you will do will save you from long interrogation and you can convince them that you are indeed on a sight-seeing tour and not for any matters.

• Hotel Vouchers / Confirmations – this is also an important thing to bring because you need to write the place where you will stay in your chosen destination in the embarkation, arrival and departure card. This hotel voucher or confirmation will help you convince the officers that you’re indeed in a tour and not for other reasons.

• Pen / Notebooks – Whenever I travel, I make sure that I have a pen and a pad or journal wherein I can doodle everything. Pen goes a long way and save you a lot of time. You need to remember that you will need to fill in few forms and cards.

• Travel Insurance – To make your trip more enjoyable, for instance you lost your baggage or you get sick during this trip then at least you can have extra moolah to cover up those unexpected and unwanted expenses.

Additional Items 

• Credit Cards – along with your money this means a lot and mind you that when you booked online some hotel and airlines are asking for the actual card used in booking so having the card with you is very handy. In the case that you borrowed the card from your relatives or friends then make sure to have it photocopied and a signature by the credit card holder is necessary. Also, It is more convenient to carry a small plastic credit/debit card than bulky cash.

• Guide Books/E-books – We usually travel DIY so its a must for us to bring such so if you do not dwell to much on tailored trips like us and want it their own unique way this might be an essential.

• Extra ziplocks – I find this useful for my liquids and for some receipts that needed to be kept.

• Miles Card – to ensure that your points will be credited be sure to show your mileage card upon check-in but this is not necessary to some budget carriers since they do not have mileage system like most prominent airlines, however these cards may redeem some points for some partner’s hotels, restaurants and shops in your destination.

Do not bring any of the following

• Resume – Don’t you ever dare to bring resume. If they do a random check on you and end up with your resume then they might think that you’re going there simply because you’re applying for a job or to work and not for that dream vacation of  yours.

• Any pointed objects – I remember I have to surrender my favorite small pair of scissors. Just because I forgot to emptied the pocket of my bag before my flight to singapore. Any sharp objects are not allowed so make sure that those are in your checked-in luggage.

• Gun or explosive looking items like toys or pistol lighters – if you want hassle free trip then leave these things at home PERIOD.

• Gum – if you’re flying to singapore don’t bring any gums since these are prohibited

• Porn and Pirated DVDs

THE STEPS 

Once you knew that you have all the necessary things that you need then its easier to breath and follow the remaining steps.  These steps may not be applicable to other airports but basically have similarity and or at least this is a standard for almost all terminals here in the Philippines.

1. PAY YOUR TRAVEL TAX

This is applicable to Philippine Passport Holders only, Permanent Resident Aliens, and to aliens with 1 year stay in the Philippines. If you have paid your travel tax to your agencies or to the actual booking in the airline office you may skip this step. TIP : You can apply for a tax reduction for kids aged 2-12 years old but you have to apply for it. OFW are exempted.

Here’s a copy of the rates for your convenience

2. CHECK-IN

For faster check-in you can do web-check in 4 hours before your flight. But if you cant, then you may have to queue especially if you arrive less than an hour before your flight. You need to show your itinerary receipt along with your passport. This is also the time wherein they will weigh your luggage and have it checked-in. After, you can have your seat number and gate number. TIP: If you do not reserve any sit and you’re traveling in groups be sure to check-in early so you can assure that your assigned seats will be next to each other.

2. TERMINAL FEE OR AIRPORT FEE

Before you get to the immigration or custom’s point you have to pay terminal fee. I’m glad that they’re now charging P550 since before it was P750. I just hope that they will reduce this fee for group travelers or for family who usually travel together because I remember, my family and I have to pay almos $300USD alone for the airport fee which I think is way too much especially for the kind of airport service and facilities that we have, not to mention we have just stayed a couple of minutes at their waiting lounge.

the passenger service charge receipts

3. FILL OUT THE EMBARKATION CARD

So the humble pen becomes important now as you need to fill out the embarkation card. Makes sure to fill it out legibly and properly. Note down the reason of your travel and the place where you will stay abroad to avoid unnecessary questioning.

Phil’s Embarkation Card

4. CLEAR IMMIGRATION

Just hand them the embarkation card and your passport. If they ask for additional details show them politely your return ticket and or the hotel/hostel/inn where you will stay. As you can see the photo below it says that NAIA is a NO WANG WANG Zone. This simply implies that you need to line properly and avoid cutting of lines or queue barging.

5. FINAL SCREENING

After clearing the immigration, you will go to another screening and that is for security purposes. You need to remove all metals on your body, coins, watch, phone, belt and shoes some airports required a very rigid screening so just proceed with the rules and go with the flow and you will be okay. Do not bring any liquids beyond 100ML and is packed with ziplock and be sure that all your essentials are within TSA approved.

6. Look for your gate

After passing through the security point, look for your gate. If you have ample time then you can roam around the airport and have some coffee or eat something. But if not then better be at the gate at least 30 minutes before your departure time to ensure that you wont miss your flight.

After its boarding Time and Happy Flying!!!

Ooops, there’s one more during the flight the airline crew will give you the arrival and departure card that you need to accomplish. Make sure that you write legibly and properly again noting the purpose of your travel. You need to show this card along with your passport to clear immigration to be able to reach you dream destination. 🙂 I hope that my dear readers at least picks up a thing or two about this entry and if you want to add up or have any question feel free to comment below. Happy Flying!!!