PAL And Cebu Pacific Ready To Return The Terminal Fee In All Unused Air ticket

Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific (Cebu Pac)  said that they are ready to return terminal fees for unused tickets of passengers who failed to make their flights.
Terminal fees is integrated in all air ticket purchases. However, the OFWs may refund their terminal fees at the designated booth at NAIA.

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Two airline giants Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific Air (Cebu Pac) said that they are ready to return terminal fees for unused tickets of passengers who failed to make their flights.

Cebu Pacific CEO Alexander Lao said though they are ready to return terminal fees, locating those who purchased unused tickets will be a bigger challenge.
Lao also explained that the different means of buying tickets would make it harder to locate profiles of unused ticket holders.

Meanwhile in a statement, PAL said  that returning the money is  more efficient than keeping it since it would make them more accountable.

Terminal fees have been integrated in the cost of an airline ticket by a regulation from CAAP.

Meanwhile, OWWA through its social media page warned the public not to entertain a status posted by a certain Yang Yong which says OFWs and their families could claim P5,000 from OWWA.

OWWA said that the malicious post dated April 26, 2017 is fake.

Read More:

Beware Of  Fake Online Registration System Which Collects $10 From OFWs— POEA
Is It True, Duterte Might Expand Overseas Workers Deployment Ban To Countries With Many Cases of Abuse?

Do You Agree With The Proposed Filipino Deployment Ban To Abusive Host Countries?

©2018 THOUGHTSKOTO

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Rights of Air Passengers

At some point, almost everyone of us  encountered these problems on our flight:  delayed departure, lost baggage, and many other not so pleasant experiences as we travel.
Are you supposed to receive accommodation if your flight was canceled?
How do you get compensated for lost or damaged baggage?

For those traveling in Philippines, here is the guide released by DTI regarding your rights as airline passenger.

About a week ago, a friend posted in Facebook how devastating her experience was. She arrived  at around 10:20 a.m in NAIA and by the time she was about to check-in she was told she was late. On the picture below the personnel wrote "10:28 late" on her document. . Her departure time was 12:15 p.m.

She stayed and asked several staffs but was referred to different people. She was told she should have been at the airport 2 hours before departure, and the check-in counter for her flight was closed already. 

According to DTI she should not be denied check-in since she arrived one and a half hour before departure time. 

Does she have the right to be processed for check-in? Yes, she has more than 1 hour before ETD and therefore should not have been denied.

What happened to her? Well, she missed her flight and a re-booking fee was paid. 

During that time there should also be separate dedicated counter for flights nearing check-in deadline since there is still more than 1 hour time before ETD.

 Another usual experience of passengers is delayed flight.
For delayed flights, if the cancellation happened at least one day or  24 hours before the ETD, passengers have the right for reimbursement or rebook.

If cancellation of flight happened less than 24 hours, passengers are entitled to amenities like food and hotel accomodation. They can also ask for full refund or, to rebook without additional fees, or be endorsed to another carrier/ airline without paying additional fee.

I would like to share an experience that happened on our flight from Middle East. Few years ago, our family was booked at Qatar Airways. As I recall it was December and our flight was canceled, and because of that we missed our connecting flights. The flight that was supposed to last 14 hours, lasted 23 hours. Our flight was re-routed to HongKong and from there we were endorsed to another carrier /Philippine Airlines so we could get to Philippines. There was also a time when I was travelling alone, and a free hotel accommodation at a hotel in Qatar was given since the I have to wait more than 8 hours for the connecting flight. We didn't pay anything, while meals and accommodation were provided.

For delayed flights, refreshments are usually served at the airport if delay is at least 2 hours, and according to DTI, free phone calls, text or e-mails should also be provided. Passengers are also entitled to rebook or refund their tickets or be endorsed to another carrier.

For lost or damaged baggage: Passengers are supposed to get their baggage within 24 hours from arrival. A passenger also has the right to claim Php 2,000 compensation for every 24 hour of delay.

Unfortunately,  lost baggage cannot be reimbursed in full amount. For domestic flights that maximum amount that could be claimed is 50% of the value. While international flights also have different rules, and usually airline companies have list of items which they will not reimburse. You may also check your insurance if in case they will cover this.

Things the Airlines usually Refuse to be Liable For 

Different airlines may have slightly different lists, but in general, they will usually refuse liability for the loss, delay, or damage to the following :

• Antiques

• Computer Equipment and related items

• Documents (personal or business, negotiable papers)

• Electronic Equipment

• Film

• Fragile Items

• Irreplaceable Items

• Jewelry

• Keys

• Manuscripts

• Medication

• Money

• Paintings or one of a kind works of art

• Perishable Items

• Pets/Animals

• Photographs

• Photographic Equipment

• Samples

• Securities

• Silverware

• Watches

For your Airline Baggage Allowance Read Here

For concerns or inquiries regarding your rights as passenger please contact the following:

Suggested Article: Bringing LED/LCD TV On Your Baggage
                              Allowed and Not Allowed Items On Board

©2016 THOUGHTSKOTO

Ten Reasons We Are Oppose to the P550 Terminal Fee

TOP 10 REASONS WHY WE ARE STILL OPPOSE TO THE INTEGRATION OF TERMINAL FEE

1.   Against Republic Act 10022

The  R.A. 10022 as amended read as follows: SEC. 35.  Exemption from Travel Tax, Documentary Stamp and Airport Fee. - All laws to the contrary notwithstanding, the migrant workers shall be exempt from the payment of travel tax and airport-fee upon proper showing of proof entitlement by the POEA.

Sabi ni Raymund L. ng Jeddah Saudi Arabia: “Basic logic lang eh example nagnakaw siya tapos nahuli kaya ibinalik niya, does it acquit him of his crime? Same thing sa batas na di dapat maningil o pagbayarin ng terminal fee ang mga OFWs tapos ngayon sisingilin at isasauli.. Eh kung ganyang logic nila parang sinabi mo na pwedeng magnakaw ng bilyon-bilyon  sa gobyerno at pag nahuli ka isasauli mo at wala ng kaso kasi isinauli mo naman.”

2.   Not all Employer will Pay OFWs Air Ticket

a)    Not all. In countries like United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Singapore and many others, as commenters expressed that they are the one paying for their air tickets. The sponsors only cover the payment once you are on exit or your contract ends.

b)    Family Case, where the family stays abroad with the OFW. The OFW shoulder the cost not related to planeticket and sometimes even more depending on what the OFW and the employer agreed to.

c)    Some employers give the money to employee and employee will purchase the ticket, now with terminal, they haveto pay extra for the P550

d)    During Emergency Leave or Vacation, employees usually pay for their air tickets.

Sabi ni Clarita, a caregiver based in Israel: “Hindi po employer ang bumibili ng ticket naming,sa halos 9 years ko na dito sa Israel, kada bakasyon ko, ako ang bumibili ngticket. Sasagutin lang ng employer ko ang airplane ticket cost kung finishcontract na ako.”

Sabi ni Mel from Dammam, Saudi Arabia:”Fix na rate ang binibigay sa amin ngemployer, kung pick season, mas lalong mag-aabono na kami ng pambayad niyan saair tickets kasi may terminal fee pa.”

3.   Money (P550) TerminalFee is already a one day hard earned salary to many OFWs.

Sabi ni Josie ng Doha Qatar: “Samin po na mga kasambahay, isang araw nanaming pinagpaguran yang P550 na yan, halos 18-20 hours na kaming pagod niyanpara lamang ibayad sa terminal fee tapos hindi mo na ipaparefund”

4.   Forms? So many forms.

Sabi ni Saysonic, an OFW based in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia: “The forms and many requirements is not in line with PNoy's tuwid na daan wherein he wants all government services to shorten the processes so they can serve more people...however, yung forms na ipapafill-up sa atin in refunding the Terminal Fee is a waste of time plus the fact na nagdagdag ka pang papaswelduhang empleyado sa counter ng refunds.”

5.   Long Lines? Which line has a longer Queue, Terminal Fee or OEC verification?

If you want to eliminate longer lines by including the terminal fee in air tickets and then ask OFWs to refund, you should observe at the NAIA counter. Mas mahaba ang linya, ang verification sa OEC, prior to immigration counter kaysa sa linya ng nagbabayad ng Terminal Fee. Now,imagine those OFWs lining up for refund? The long lines at the OEC verification is quick, because it requires only stamping, what more yung may mga papers and documents to fill and present and to be checked?

Sabi ni Beverly from Dubai, UAE: Can they please confirm their figures na 25% lng ang OFWs na gumagamit ng airport. The highest concentration is here in the Middle East na at least every one or two years umuuwi? Halos lahat OFW. Compared sa mga hindi OFW na US or Canada based na kung ilang taon bago umuuwi. I really think if they have a truthful numberkung ilan ang OFW airport users (international flights ratio lang) that alone will show na hindi efficient solution yun to trim down the cues.

6.   Refund? Why pay? Why not make a SOLUTION at the point of purchase?

MIAA will pay the airline carriers P150M annually for collecting the terminal fee. Why not at the point of purchase na kung saan bibili ka pa lang ng ticket ay malalaman na nasa abroad ka at OFW ka? There are many measures na pwedeng magagawan ng paraan. IP address when purchase online. Country location when purchasing the air tickets abroad. Proof of being an OFW, can be passport, company ID, old OEC, or simply ask if OFW or not.

7.   Computation: Refund and No Refund

If there are 4,000 OFWs leaving the countrydaily: 4,000 x 550 = P2,200.000 How many counters do they have to set-up afterimmigration booth? 2, 4, 6, 10 counters? How many counters ang naka set up saOEC verification, 2 counters. 2 counters sa nagbabayad ng terminal fee and theysaid na makakasave sila ng P50M because of this. How much expenses will theyincur sa REFUND counters?

If there are 1,000 OFWs that will notrefund daily, assuming yan na lang kaliit ang ayaw mahassle, 1,000 x P550 =P550,000. Half Million Pesos daily, in 30 days, P16.5M!!!

8.   Airport Scenario OnDeparture: Maiiwan ng Eroplano o Nagmamadali, Madaming Bata.

Dalawa among 3 requirements sa pagrefund sa Departure Area.(section VII item29.i.1and 3).. COPY OF PASSENGER TICKET... at yung PRESENTATION OF BOARDING PASS... magkaibang words ang ginamit.. yung una COPY at yung pangalawa PRESENTATION. Mangangailangang ixerox pa sa loob ng departure area ang Passenger Ticket ang sabi - COPY. We all know na pag nasa loob na ng Departure area di ka na pwede lumabas pagkalampas ng Immigration Counter.. or even if eh lalabas ka pa ba para magpaxerox lang.. kung meron man sa loob

Sabi ni Kathy G. based in Kuwait: “Sa aking experience wala pang PILA ng Terminal Fee refund madami ng naiiwanan ng eroplano. Madaming pila ang dadaanan mo bago ka makapunta ng Boarding Area. Kung after Immigration ang refund, at konti nlng ang oras mo bago ang Depature time hindi mo na gugustuhin na magrefund lalo na kung may kasama kang mga bata na pipila.”

9.   If the OFW will not Refund, Where will it go?

How will the government accountfor the unclaimed refunds? Where will it go?

Sabi ni Fidel C. an OFW based in Riyadh Saudi Arabia: “The many 'irregularities' that trapped so many people in the government to become corrupt, it is not hard to understand that funds collected and may not all be refunded accordingly will find its way to fund other corrupt practices. The circular that integrates the terminal fees into the purchase of tickets and then to be refunded is JUST one way to make money for a hidden agenda, like funds for the upcoming elections, extra expenses to win peoples' votes etc. since The 1987 constitution has been changed, it also opened vast opportunities for making laws that have loopholes in their processes. More people came to politics and the budget bloomed sky high for their salaries and wages. All from people's taxes and yet those in power can simply manipulate these laws...and are they themselves the first to be corrupt....SO. Where else will these funds go??? Projects ?? You can't blame the whole world to think that this circular is intended for other reasons and the terminal fees and it's circular of integration is one covert conspiracy under the guise of a Legalized tool of corruption. Just look who is watching..he may be the brains of this all and if it fails, only those below will be blamed.”

10. No Consultation to OFWs.

OFWs are one of the sectors that will be greatly affected by this policy measure,but there was no dialogue or consultation that was conducted before this circular was signed. Nagmuro-muro sila, sila-sila lang hindi man lang tayo sinabihan pero tayo ang magbabayad! Ganyan ba ang demokrasya? Ganyan pa sa Aquino government? Palagay namin hindi. So why allow this to be implemented?

©2015 THOUGHTSKOTO

Question and Answer for Refund: MIAA Memo Circular No. 08 Series of 2014

Here are the Q and A regarding refund of Terminal Fees for those exempted. 

The MIAA shall be responsible for the processing of refund to passengers who are exempted from the payment of International Passenger Service Charge (IPSC) as provided and defined under Section III, item 6 (k). Exempted Passengers who paid IPSC on tickets issued / reissued on or after October 1, 2014 will have to ask for refund to;

WHERE TO REFUND THE P550 TERMINAL FEE?

A. Refund counters located after immigration counters on DEPARTURE DATE

B. At the MIAA ADMINISTRATION BUILDING

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR CLAIMING REFUND?

A. For those OFWs or exempted passengers on DEPARTURE DATE

1) Submit copy of Passenger Ticket/

 Itinerary Receipt/ Official Receipt/

 Invoice clearly showing PAYMENT for TERMINAL FEE with the code "LI International"

2) Surrender Original Copy of Exemption Certificate or for OFWs, the OEC

3) Present Boarding Pass

B. At the MIAA Administrative Building (by exempted passenger or Authorized Representative AFTER DEPARTURE DATE

1. In all cases, refund must have the following:

    a) IPSC Refund Declaration See Annex H below

     b) Submit copy of Passenger Ticket/Itinerary Receipt/ Official Receipt/ Invoice clearly               showing PAYMENT for TERMINAL FEE with the code "LI International" 

    c) Surrender Original Copy of Exemption Certificate or for OFWs, the OEC

    d) Presentation of original copy of Boarding Pass and submission of the photocopy. If               original copy of boarding pass it not available, any of the following:

                (i) Presentation of PASSPORT showing the passenger's identity and date of                             departure or 

                (ii) Certificate from the Air Carrier of the departure date of the passenger/s

What are the REQUIREMENTS IF REFUND is thru REPRESENTATIVE?

a) Submit copy of Passenger Ticket/

 Itinerary Receipt/ Official Receipt/

 Invoice clearly showing PAYMENT for TERMINAL FEE with the code "LI International"

b) Surrender Original Copy of Exemption Certificate or for OFWs, the OEC

c) Present Boarding Pass

d) Valid government ID with photograph of the authorized representative

What are the requirements for REFUND if AUTHORIZED BY A GROUP OF PASSENGER CLAIMANTS thru a representative?

a) Submit copy of Passenger Ticket/

 Itinerary Receipt/ Official Receipt/

 Invoice clearly showing PAYMENT for TERMINAL FEE with the code "LI International"

b) Surrender Original Copy of Exemption Certificate or for OFWs, the OEC

c) Present Boarding Pass

d) Valid government ID with photograph of the authorized representative

©2014 THOUGHTSKOTO