Hello all Philippines travelers. I would like to tell you all that in order to leave the Philippines, you must pay a 750-peso terminal fee (per person).
I usually make an effort to spend my remaining currency before I arrive at the airport (save a little for a cup of coffee or beer), but when I went to process immigration at Ninoy Aquino Airport, I was confronted with an unknown fee. I (and several of my friends) was then forced to draw money from the ATM (they have money changers available) just so I could leave the country. I tried to protest saying that I had no more money and airport staff told me that if that was the case I should re-book my flight (like that makes any sense).
This is a blatant exploitation of tourists, and honestly, I wouldn%26#39;t really be upset if I had known ahead of time. So, make sure you set aside 750 pesos for exit from Manila.
IMPORTANT INFO: Manila Airport Terminal Fee
This fee has been in place for as long as I have been going to the Philippines. It is a hassle, but be glad you are not a Filipino national. They have an additional 1650 peso fee as well!
IMPORTANT INFO: Manila Airport Terminal FeeNINOY AQUINO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT INCREASES TERMINAL FEE
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 05:06pm (Mla time) 02/12/2007
Filed Under: Economy, Business %26amp; Finance
The Manila International Airport Authority has added a Security Development Charge (SDC) of PHP200.00 to the current Passenger Service Charge (PSC) of PHP550.00 making the total fee for passengers of international flights equivalent to PHP750.00. The Passenger Service Charge and the Security Development Charge combined shall now be referred to as the Airport Users Charge (AUC).
All departing passengers on international flights shall pay the AUC, unless exempted by law, treaty, executive agreement, or other similar issuances. A non-exempt passenger who refuses to pay the AUC shall not be allowed to board the aircraft. The AUC shall be paid in Philippine Peso or its equivalent in US Dollars based on the prevailing exchange rate. The AUC will be paid at any of the designated booths located at the Departure lobby upon presentation of the Boarding Pass.
The following passengers shall be exempt from payment of the AUC: Infants/Children below two years of age, Transit Passengers, Refugees, Pilgrims, Airline Cabin Crews, Overseas Filipino Workers, Athletes and Sports Officials, Deportees, and others authorized by the law. Various documents shall be presented with the Boarding Pass of the passenger who is qualified for exemption. The increase is effective starting February 01, 2007.
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Ignorance of the law does not exempt one from paying.
They%26#39;ve been doing that forever, it%26#39;s nothing new, they do it all domestic airports too (though its a smaller fee... 350 pp, i think)
The Philippines is not the only country who do that ';departure tax';, and people should look into these things when they plan to travel anywhere.
Most countries actually do charge this tax but have it included into the cost of your airline ticket. Thailand is a recent one that I can remember that used to collect the tax from departing passengers at the airport but has since changed (I think in 2007) to including it in airline tickets.
I think I read somewhere that you%26#39;ll pay a departure tax at airports in New Zealand, except at Auckland.
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