8 INSIDER TIPS TO BOOK ‘PISO FARE’ SUCCESSFULLY

Many people were asking and wondering if piso fare is real. The answer is both, yes and no. Yes, the cost of the plane ticket they are referring to is the base fare when airlines say PISO FARE. They can go as low as 1 peso or even zero at times. And no, there will be other charges to be added to the fare such as web admin fees and government taxes. Nonetheless, these promos will allow you to travel on the cheap and will give you an enormous discount.

Finding cheap fares is not that difficult anymore. The rise of low-cost carriers and stiff competition prompts even bequest airlines to offer budget options. Nevertheless, airlines are bombarded with all sorts of complaints from users when they announce promos on their Facebook pages. There are some complaints that have a point but some users just accuse the airlines of being specious. They say that the sale is misleading marketing strategy or an empty promise or even go as far as saying that the SALE is FAKE. 

Just because you can’t find promo seats doesn’t mean they are not real. Many trips became a reality because of these piso fares. Some promo seats don’t appear when you search and it’s difficult to pin them down when they do appear. It’s really frustrating that it encourages people to complain.

There are many reasons for this:

• Number of seats on sale is limited. Be sure to check airline websites, they publish the number of seats on sale per destination. No, they can’t put all the seats on sale. 

• Their websites suck. Many airlines promote their sale to no end, but they never invested to a higher web hosting that can accommodate traffic surge. Because of this, users or potential customers may potentially experience slowing down and downtimes. 

• Your connection sucks too. If you want to hunt and avail for piso fares, have at least a good internet connection. Using a slow internet connection won’t help you. 

Hunting or availing Piso fares is not easy. It takes skill! Anyone that desires to avail these sales, must be fast and precise.

As a frequent flyer and as an insider, here are some tips on how to successfully book a promo flight. These tips are applicable to local airlines such as AirAsia, Philippine Airlines, and Cebu Pacific Air. The tips are as follows:

1. Following Social Media Accounts of Airlines.

Gone are the days when they would surprise everyone. They now announce the dale days ahead so better stalk them on Twitter and Facebook.

We can’t really predict the exact promo dates but there have been constant elements over the years: They launch special sales on important occasions and during holidays like when they celebrate their anniversaries where they usually launch massive promos as a treat and a marketing stunt. Also, they have promos on Easter, Independence Day, New Year’s Day.

Frequent travelers may turn on the get notifications feature of airlines’ FB pages to receive alerts.

2. Sign Up For An Account Before The Sale.

One of the biggest mistakes of Piso fare hunters is not making an account on airline websites ahead of time. Many airlines put a time limit on each booking session and not registering ahead of time means typing all your details which takes time to complete.

Airlines usually hold sales that are exclusive to members of their Loyalty Programs so make sure to have an account with their Reward Programs too. That’s AirAsia BIG for AirAsia, GetGo for Cebu Pacific Air, and Mabuhay Miles for Philippine Airlines.

Sometimes, AirAsia flights are also made available with more discounts for registered users of their hotel aggregator sites AirAsiaGO and partner Expedia.

3. Be Ready With Your Companions’ Personal Details And Preferences.

Asking and waiting for your friends' response regarding their details and preferences takes forever so better ask your companions’ personal details ahead of time. Asking their details when you’re already in the process of booking is super stressful! Your booking session might expire or someone else might book the seat you’re eyeing while you and your companions are still deliberating. So it is better to decide the following before the sale: DESTINATION, ALTERNATIVE DESTINATIONS (as Plan B, in case you don’t find fares), TRAVEL DATES, PREFERRED TIME. 

Here Are The Personal Details You Need From Your Companions:

• Full name (including middle name and as written on passport)
• Birthdate
• Email address
• Contact number
• Passport Number (some airlines require this)
• Passport Expiry Date (some airlines require this)
• While you’re at it, ask them too if they prefer aisle or window seat and meal choice, if they’re willing to pay for them.  

4. Book in Small Batches.

When you book for so many people at once, the site displays “SOLD OUT.” So it is better to book for 2 to 3 people at once. You may ask your companions to book for another 2 or 3 people on a different computer.

Though, there are risks. Your other companions might end up taking different flights.

5. Be Quick And Early. Book On The First Day Of SALE.

Booking on the 1st day of sale means having a higher chance of grabbing sale seats. The demand is so big and the number of seats in a plane is finite so booking it on a later sale date might mean not grabbing the sale seats at all because they are all sold out.

Some airlines replenish promo seats after a specified period of time so they’re evenly distributed throughout the sale period, but they don’t disclose the exact date and time. The easiest way remains to book at the start of the sale.

Book fast if you found cheap fares and you like the dates, book them fast. You have no idea how many users are eyeing those same seats at that moment and you will lose them soon. Again, make sure to get your companions personal details including passport number ahead of time.

6. Book In Wee Hours

If you really want to grab a cheap seat they are willing to sacrifice your sleep. Book in the wee hours of the announced date of sale. Searching within the first hour means more chances of grabbing a sale seat. The sale usually activates at 12 midnight.

You can avoid slowing down or down times on their system if you book while the rest of the world is in slumber.

7. Consider Other Dates.

Weekends tend to get sold-out faster than other days of the week so you must be flexible when it comes to dates and timing. Pick another date if there are no more seats on your chosen dates.

If you want convenience then you need to pay for it. But if you want it cheap, then be patient. Clicking the Next Day/Precious Day button can get really tiring but then again, you want it cheap so you shouldn’t mind going through all dates if necessary. Not being flexible on your dates might mean not getting the Piso fare that you want. 

8. Choose A Not-So-Popular Destination.

Places like Bohol, Cebu, Davao, and Palawan seem to be the most loved destinations. They can go “sold out” even before you consider booking. 

Coming up with alternative places to visit that are also worth your time is the best way to go. There are many places like Dumaguete that offers a heritage-rich experience as well as great beaches. If you want to fly to Dumaguete but no more Piso seats then try Cebu and just take a ferry to Dumaguete. In doing this, you’ll get the chance to explore Cebu. Be open to other possibilities. 

Airlines actually disclose the number of available promo seats per sale. Just go to their website and check which destinations have a lot of seats on sale.