Cebu First time Cebu Pacific "guest"

I needed a return flight from MNL to DGT, and Cebu Pacific had lower fares then the competition, PAL, so I decided to use Cebu Pacific. I had read many reviews of Cebu Pacific, most of which were negative.

To begin, I planned to travel with no checked bags, only hand carry. I went on their website to book my flight. Later, when looking at my invoice, I saw a fee for using their web check in. No where on their web site could I find a disclosure about this fee.

I made an error on the web check in, a big error. Some how I checked off that I was traveling with excess baggage, for a fee of P1000. When I tried later to explain to their call center that I made an honest error, and would like a refund for the P1000, it all fell on deaf ears. Cebu Pacific call their passengers “guests”, but I wasn’t treated like a guest, more like an intruder when I asked for the refund. It took a long time on the phone before they would allow me to speak to a supervisor. After talking to the supervisor I got the company litany that basically states, “buyer beware” when using the web site. Any mistakes by the “guest” will not be revoked and Cebu Pacific will keep your money. In other words, you will be charged for a service even if you did not receive the service.

Another word about their website. After the “guest” books a flight, by default, seats are automatically assigned – for a fee. If the customer doesn’t want the seat assignment one must go thru a couple of computer transactions to cancel the seats. I believe this default billing without the customers consent is called negative billing. Most consumer friendly vendors do not use this method of wringing extra money out of the customer, Cebu Pacific does. If the “guest” does not like the seats assigned, there is of course a fee to change the seats. All these fees, and bear in mind, it is the customer doing all the work to book the flight. You act as your own travel agent and get fleeced every which way.

At MNL and DGT airports we inquired if the flight was on time. We were told it probably was, as far as they knew. Well, at both airports the flight was over 90 minutes late, and never an announcement at the gate. I went to the agent at the desk at MNL and asked about the estimated time of departure. The answer didn’t matter, it was much later. Most people sat there, never asked or approached the desk, I guess they were seasoned Cebu Pacific flyers. Our departures were delayed 90 minutes.

Onboard they charge for everything except the air you breath, and then they have the nerve to ask the “guests” to fold the seat belts and place them nicely on your seat, as you exit the aircraft. Every little thing helps to save costs – for them.

At DGT, Pal had a flight departing almost the same time as the scheduled Cebu Pacific. Pal check in counter was only half as busy as Cebu, I guess others were like me, wanted to save a buck in spite of the service. PAL arrived and departed DGT on time, while us discounters sat and waited for Cebu Pacific.

 

The moment you click to make a booking on your computer, you see exactly how much it will cost, and that is exactly what will apear on the invoice.
You also have the choise to pay in Pesos or a currency of your choise (the computer will choose a currency based on the adress of your credit card.
It is certainly an adventure to book a flight from Cebu Pacific on the net but if you don't understand the full procedure, you better opt for a travelagency that will do the work for you.
It is also possible to do the whole drill of a booking (practising) if you like, as long you don't click on the button BUY it will not cost you anything.
PS/ I'm not a fan of Cebu Pathetic for many reasons, but if you can fly from Dumaguete to Manila for less than 1,000 pesos (they call it a 1 peso ticket) i also use their service.

 

Yep, AFAIK it's the same in America & Europe on the "discount" airlines -- ya get what ya pay for -- tho maybe a bit more consumer protection enforced by governments up there.

 

We can`t complain about Cebu Pacific. They have been on time, friendly and the prices have been more than cheap. Yesterday we booked a flight from MNL to DGT for 1971,- Peso, 2 passengers, 25 Kg checked-in luggage each. That means 18,50 Euro per person with all the luggage we`ll bring from germany. No problem to book it on the net but you have to be concentrated on what you are doing.
For this price I can`t expect a first class service with food and drinks. Btw. the drinks are really affordable but I don`t need a drink on an one hour flight.

 

CP is the ONLY airline, I've flown and know of, that offers seats with extra leg room for a paltry sum! No need for business or 1st class!

 

Knowdafish, maybe you have not flown lately, but almost all airlines now offer PREMIUM economy class for a small fee.

 

Cebu Pacific is actually nice having their own terminal catering to both domestic and international. But boy! their website is really unfriendly!! I tried to use it to book from HK to DGT to Singapore this past May but can't do it online if you have a credit card issued from the States.... really absurd... not very condusive to global business. So I ended up calling and, fortunately, the lady from the call center was very helpful and booked all of our flight itineraries in a jiffy much to my surprise. So then travel time came, the flights took off on time and arrived on time, the rides were very pleasant as well. But then there was one time when I had to make flight reservations for my family in the Philippines doing all the transactions from the States. Same thing I called after checking ongoing air fare rates on line. But this time I got some call center people who did not know what they're doing. They passed me around while my international call went tik-tok on me I ended up screaming. So from now on I will have someone purchase us a ticket from their own ticket counter... it's easier that way b/c once u get the confirmation u cud actually go online and retrieve it yourself. We've flown with Cebu Pacific many times prior to this past May and we've never encountered any delays... guess we've been lucky so far.

 

You can also choose to NOT assign a seat, and no fee will be charged.

Granted, their website is rigged to get as much out of you as they can, they count on you not having enough patience to figure out how to cancel out all their default settings. However, the amount showing when you click the button is the amount they deduct, if you were docked P1000 for extra luggage obviously you were not paying attention.

CP is a budget airline, and as such one must not expect first class service.

I am still waiting for a refund from AirPhil Express. Over a year ago they billed me twice for the same flight. I would much rather have paid P1000 for extra luggage than P5000 for seats that were not used. Evidently they think I was on the same flight twice.

Larry

 

I've never had a problem booking a flight with a U.S. based credit card or debit card, while in the U.S. or in the Philippines, except once about 3 years ago. Their system has "improved" since then if one can believe it. Wow, you have been fortunate in not having any delays. When I've flown from Manila to Dumaguete on CP's afternoon flight there has ALWAYS been a delay.

 

You might as well check prices on PAL before going to the Cebu Pac website. If you buy the ticket early enough, PAL can actually have cheaper rates, and their website shows ALL IN prices now so you know you won't get duped. Of course, PAL has their own problems, but not only do you get 15kg free baggage, you also get your biscuits and peanuts. :D