Question about ‘transit’ in Manila for Truk

[Bantam]

I’ve eventually booked (for me) the dive trip I’ve had at the top of my bucket list - Truk Lagoon, in January 2024 (a couple of weeks before my 50th Birthday)

I have a question some of you may be able to answer about transit in Manila.

So I’ve 2 sets of flights booked, separately. Mainly because United aren’t on Amadeus and thus there’s no simple single set of flights you can take without it costing £8K or more.

So I am flying Manchester to Doha and Doha to Manila on Qatar.
Then I have about 6 hours layover / transit before my flight from Manila to Guam and then Guam to Chuuk on United.

On the way back I’m taking the same route but the transit in Manila is 2 1/2 hours.

So my question is - as it’s two seperate airlines, when I get to Manila, I assume I’ll have to collect my bag and then re-deposit it? As it’s not booked straight through, how does that work?

Any help / clues or experience that can help me here?

[John63]

I’ve eventually booked (for me) the dive trip I’ve had at the top of my bucket list - Truk Lagoon, in January 2024 (a couple of weeks before my 50th Birthday)

I have a question some of you may be able to answer about transit in Manila.

So I’ve 2 sets of flights booked, separately. Mainly because United aren’t on Amadeus and thus there’s no simple single set of flights you can take without it costing £8K or more.

So I am flying Manchester to Doha and Doha to Manila on Qatar.
Then I have about 6 hours layover / transit before my flight from Manila to Guam and then Guam to Chuuk on United.

On the way back I’m taking the same route but the transit in Manila is 2 1/2 hours.

So my question is - as it’s two seperate airlines, when I get to Manila, I assume I’ll have to collect my bag and then re-deposit it? As it’s not booked straight through, how does that work?

Any help / clues or experience that can help me here?

You can ask at check in each way but due to liabilities for baggage transfer / lost bags I think you will have to collect bags between flights.

I think that you will have to clear immigration in Manilla (but no visa required) collect bags and then proceed to check in as for any flight.

You may need to change terminals. Check the different airline arrival / departures.

6 hrs should be fine on the way out

2 1/2 hrs on the way back is very very tight. Ok for a through ticket but I think you may have problems with separately issued tickets.

[graham_hk]

I’ve eventually booked (for me) the dive trip I’ve had at the top of my bucket list - Truk Lagoon, in January 2024 (a couple of weeks before my 50th Birthday)

I have a question some of you may be able to answer about transit in Manila.

So I’ve 2 sets of flights booked, separately. Mainly because United aren’t on Amadeus and thus there’s no simple single set of flights you can take without it costing £8K or more.

So I am flying Manchester to Doha and Doha to Manila on Qatar.
Then I have about 6 hours layover / transit before my flight from Manila to Guam and then Guam to Chuuk on United.

On the way back I’m taking the same route but the transit in Manila is 2 1/2 hours.

So my question is - as it’s two seperate airlines, when I get to Manila, I assume I’ll have to collect my bag and then re-deposit it? As it’s not booked straight through, how does that work?

Any help / clues or experience that can help me here?

Even 6h might be tight - Manila can be horrible with no buses or transfer between terminals … check carefully airlines

[Timw]

We've just been though Manila and it took about 90 mins from landing to clearing customs. I think Qatar and United use terminal 3 so you won't have the 20 - 60 minute bus ride round the airport to a different terminal (traffic is terrible). 6 hours will be plenty (barring delays) but I think you're pushing your luck with 2 1/2 hours if you've got to check in again.
When I flew to Kwajelein via Seoul and Guam I booked Korean and United separately and we were able to book hold bags straight through so I suggest you give both airlines a call and ask...

[F.P.]

I went to Chuuk in '19. Flew via Singapore/Manila/Guam/Chuuk. Changed Airline in Manila so yes you will have to collect and recheck your baggage in Manila. I had 3 hours between flights and didn't have to rush.

Expect your bag(s) to be opened and inspected in front of you before UAWP check-in at Manila; also expect your bags to be opened and inspected again by TSA agents once your bags go airside as you flying into a USA territory (Guam). If your bags are not secured with a TSA approved Lock(i.e. TSA have the master key) the securing lock or whatever will be cut off and the bag left unsecured, not even a 'Tie-Wrap'; you do get a letter inside the bag informing you the bag has been opened and inspected by TSA. My bag was not properly closed - didn't loose anything but concerning.

UAWP is a 'Bus Route' (Manila to Guam change planes at Guam to Chuuk). It has to be the worst airline I've ever flown with – makes Ryan Air look to be luxery... I flew with UA several times when in the USA which was a completely difference experience. You shouldn't have to collect bags at Guam. I had a 4 hour stop over. If you are in a party it is unlikely that you will be seated as a group. There was (is) limited overhead locker space if you board late.
I was warned to fly a day early as tourists on this route do get bumped and therefore could 'miss the boat' (I was booked on a live-a-board). Had a night in the Truk stop hotel.

[Woz]

Just booked a Swissair flight. Heathrow to Guam on one ticket. Via Zurich/Tokyo though. Then the UA flight from Guam to Truk.

[Allan Carr]

United is one of the worst airlines I have ever travelled with. When we did our RTW trip which included Socorre, Truk, Palau and the Maldives, a lot of the flights were with them because nobody else flies the routes to Guam/Truk. We were in Business Class and even at LA, the only snacks in the Business lounge were peanuts and pretzels. On a 3 hour flight, the business class meal was a bag of pretzels. Our flight from Guam to Chu'uk was delayed for 5 hours unitl midnight. Everything at Guam shut down at 7pm when the flight was due to leave as it was the last flight of the day. That included the business class lounge. No provision for any food or drink.

[Tim Digger]

Manilla is a sh** *ole don't even think of leaving the airport the traffic is appalling. I too think 2.5 hours with changing airlines to close for comfort. Finally Have you dived Sudan Red Sea if so you can't use an ESTA through Guam and you do have to imigrate through the USA to get to Chuuk even if you don't want to.

[Timw]

You'll also need to fill out the online e-travel form before you get to Manila. That slowed immigration down in April - people in the queue who hadn't done it arguing with the immigration staff and eventually being sent off to do the form...

[DarrenA]

2.5hrs might be a problem. I flew through Manilla to Guam (on a single ticket from Heathrow) and the bags still got opened and swiped, despite being told they wouldn't. You are then at the mercy of the security, who aren't in a hurry and the room they did it in was in the bowels of the terminal. Wasn't a pleasant experience. Took 90 minutes.

If you miss this flight and have to stay in Manilla, make sure you get the hotel to come get you in their transport. Get in a taxi at your own risk...

Make sure your ESTA is in date for the Guam bit. Make sure you haven't been to Cuba or anywhere for a jolly (Guam will just turn you around). Make sure you have dollars to pay for the excess baggage for the UA flights to/from Truk as they don't allow pre book (well the app does but it wasn't working when I went) and can't always take credit cards at the check in (they certainly couldn't in Truk, where you pay the leaving tax in dollars but couldn't in Guam both times I left there).

That said, the diving is world class and the journey is part of the story, so just roll with it. Have a great trip and just be as alert as you would be going anywhere else.