How Much You Really Save on Promo Fares: A Look at Prices for Regular Flights

Let us get this out of the way: this is isn't a "how to score cheap flights" article. We regular folks pretty much know how that happens. You either have to book a year ahead to score the best deals or stay up until dawn just to get that promo fare.

What we wanted to find out, however, was how much where we saving exactly when we book that promo flight at 2:00 a.m. Was it really worth getting only four hours of sleep or pushing and shoving at travel fairs?

So, using a budget airline, Cebu Pacific Air, we checked out the online prices of some of the most popular destinations in the Philippines and in Asia. We did these bookings on a regular day and hours (we started at 10 a.m). We tried to book for flights this month, three months later from today, and next year. Here were the results and see below what we learned (for one, the site loaded without any problems!).

Note: All prices are for Friday departure and Monday arrival (roundtrip airfare) per pax, inclusive of baggage, taxes, and fees. We chose prices based on the lowest option from Manila, including those with connecting flights. And, of course, these prices are subject to change.

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Cebu

Dates: August 24 to 27, 2018
Starts at: Php6,537.24 (per pax, inclusive of baggage, taxes, and fees)

Dates: October 26 to 29, 2018
Starts at: Php4,956.92

Dates April 5 to 8, 2019
Starts at: Php4,744.12

Dates: August 9 to 12, 2019
Starts at Php4,049.72

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Bohol

Dates: August 24 to 27, 2018
Starts at: Php6,604.92

Dates: October 26 to 29, 2018
Starts at: Php5,596.92

Dates: April 5 to 8, 2019
Starts at: Php5,932.92

Dates: August 9 to 12, 2019
Starts at: Php4,297.72

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Siargao

Dates: August 24 to 27, 2018
Starts at: Php13,418.44

Dates: October 26 to 29, 2018
Starts at: Php9,664.20

Dates: April 5 to 8, 2019
Starts at: Php8,303.24

Dates: Period: August 9 to 12, 2019
Starts at: Php7,608.84

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Hong Kong

Dates: August 24 to 27, 2018
Starts at: Php12,963.38

Dates: October 26 to 29, 2018
Starts at: Php9,962.38

Dates: April 5 to 8, 2019
Starts at: Php10,963.38

Dates: Period: August 9 to 12, 2019
Starts at: Php8,162.38

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Taiwan

Dates: August 24 to 27, 2018
Starts at: Php13,315.10

Dates: October 26 to 29, 2018
Starts at: Php25,815.10

Dates: April 5 to 8, 2019
Starts at: Php7,615.10

Dates: Period: August 9 to 12, 2019
Starts at: Php5,293.10

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Singapore

Dates: August 24 to 27, 2018
Starts at: Php13, 363.68

Dates: October 26 to 29, 2018
Starts at: Php11,363.68

Dates: April 5 to 8, 2019
Starts at: Php9,560.81

Dates: August 9 to 12, 2019
Starts at: PhpPhp8,760.81

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South Korea (via Incheon)

Dates: August 24 to 27, 2018
Starts at: Php18,767.64

Dates: October 26 to 29, 2018
Starts at: Php19,303.64

Dates: April 5 to 8, 2019
Starts at: Php12,804.64

Dates: August 9 to 12, 2019
Starts at: Php10,145.64

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Japan (via Tokyo)

Dates: August 24 to 27, 2018
Starts at: Php20,410.38

Dates: October 26 to 29, 2018
Starts at: Php18,299.38

Dates: April 5 to 8, 2019
Starts at: Php15,188.38

Dates: August 9 to 12, 2019
Starts at: Php13,688.38

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What we learned about booking a flight today

• You’ll be able to save a couple of thousands if you book a local flight for next year. Since Siargao is a tourist hotspot, booking a year ahead really made a difference in terms of prices.


• It’s worth booking a trip a year ahead when you head to an international destination. Just make sure to avoid peak seasons. Prices for October went up exponentially because it’s the autumn season (usually September to November).


• The common knowledge is the cheapest fares are up for grabs on flights departing on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. But, while we were booking, we had noticed that some flights for Fridays cost the same as when booking on weekdays. That’s great news if you have limited vacation leaves!

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If you’re looking for the cheapest option, there’s no doubt that promo fares are worth it (we’ve heard stories of people booking roundtrip tickets to Japan for Php3,000 and even less!). Promo airfares start to drop by midnight, with a lot of people fighting tooth and nail to book, so you’re not even sure if you’ll be able to get tickets on the dates that you want. Also worth noting is that promo fares are non-transferable, non-reroutable, and non-refundable (but can be rebooked with additional fees that often is almost double the price of your promo fare).

So, if you’re saving for that dream vacation with the family, make sure to look at all available options. For more tips on scoring cheaper flights, click here.

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