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Yes

I’ve had good service using Grab. I can’t imagine what went wrong, but I suspect the service desk at NAIA had a part in it.

Regarding feedback, I’m surprised they don’t have a way to provide feedback.

Suggest logging in to the app prior to departure next time to ensure you’ve got the newest version.

Mugtech said . . . I was not familiar with the roads so I trusted Grab. I was brought to Pasig instead of Sampaloc. The driver showed me the order and I showed him my Grab slip. Total disaster.

Back in the states I belonged to American Automobile Association. Recommended for all Seniors. They provide roadside assistance.

I'm was living in Las Vegas NV and had a flat tire, 110F/43C. I called AAA and they sent someone out to change my tire. They called me back and said the driver couldn't find me. Well he went to some place in California, 600 miles away.

Several years before moving to Vegas I lived in metro Pittsburgh PA. and I was going on vacation to Vegas. I went to the bank to get Traveler Checks. The bank teller said it would be $90 (3% on $3,000). She suggested I go down the street and join AAA which I did. Membership was $45 and the Traveler Checks were free.

Well on my vacation I accidentally locked my keys in my rental car. I called AAA and they opened the door. So AAA more than paid for itself, actually many times over the years.

Mugtech said . . . I was not familiar with the roads so I trusted Grab. I was brought to Pasig instead of Sampaloc. The driver showed me the order and I showed him my Grab slip. Total disaster.

I have never said that

I’ve had good service using Grab. I can’t imagine what went wrong, but I suspect the service desk at NAIA had a part in it.Regarding feedback, I’m surprised they don’t have a way to provide feedback.Suggest logging in to the app prior to departure next time to ensure you’ve got the newest version. - @Skip Scott

Grab works very well evertime I use the app. It only failed the very first time I used the service kiosk last Friday. The local taxis are still no match to Grab in quality and safety, not counting this glitch I went through. With taxis, I am dissatisfied with smelly cars, faulty a/c and overcharging almost everytime i use them. I feel bad about the taxis hawking their service with few takers while Grab has arriving passengers heading to their cars.  They have 20-ish spots at the covered parking at T3 to pick up passengers, and there is constant flow of Grab cars coming & going.

Whatever problems you're experiencing with Grab, expect them from local taxis 10x. I dread even getting in a taxi after so many bad experiences from blatant overcharging to lack of recognition of big name hotels and key landmarks, inability to navigate even using apps etc. I know most taxi drivers are probably honest and knowledgeable, I'm just unlucky. But Grab almost always gets me where I want to go with minimum fuss

@mugtech

Sorry about my error mugtech . . . . It was actually Jackson4 I wanted to quote.

@mugtech
Sorry about my error mugtech . . . . It was actually Jackson4 I wanted to quote. - @Enzyte Bob

Apology accepted

@Jackson4

Should I risk using regular taxi instead?

At least from NAIA I agree with Mugtech. I've always used the yellow airport metered taxis that will be found outside the terminals. You go to a ticket booth and the girl asks for your destination and writes down the price and hotel on a ticket which she (its always a she ) gives to the driver. You get a copy. Never in 20 years have I encountered a problem. Moreover there was never a queue outside T1 and rarely at T3. A little pricier than the white taxis but all are in good condition.

I use the Grab app in Jakarta (only in rush hour when the Bluebird taxis which NEVER overcharge and are staffed by charming drivers) are in demand. However had difficulty getting the app to accept my credit card details last time I was in Manila. Generally I find metro manila taxis ok. I had one driver openly apologise to me once about his beat up jallopy. Lovely guy. Doubled the tip.

I was ripped off big time by one of the Taxis at NAIA just over a year ago on arrival and even with my filipina with me. nearly 2K to get to the City Garden Hotel in Makati. After that my g/f used GRAB since she already had the App on her phone. Unlike Lotus Eater I did one year find myself in a big line waiting for the metered yellow taxis when all I wanted was to get to my hotel quickly for a refreshing shower.

There is actually a notice board showing destinations and taxi fares to lots of destinations outside the airport if you cross the first lane where the yellow taxis depart from. Off course Toll Fees are added to the listed price if travelling further.

Last time I was mainly in Cebu and Bohol and had no big problems there but did once jump in and unmetered taxi which actually turned out to be about 100 pesos cheaper than a metered taxi I had used to go to the same destination a few days earlier.

The flight from Sydney into Manila arrives around peak hour and after a few nightmare experiences with traffic conditions I always stay overnight near the terminal now. There's some reasonably priced hotels and AirBNB within easy walking distance, and transport options that are much less stressful the next morning after a good night's sleep and breakfast

I always stay overnight near the terminal now

Presumably you fly into T3. Have you heard of ‘Runway Manila’?

@Lotus Eater

Yes I walk over the walking bridge and there are reasonably priced apartments just on the other side opposite the church and just a bit further down the road the Savoy Hotel has everything and if you book in advance is reasonably priced. I used to stay at Belmont Hotel which is the closest hotel over the walking bridge but they've increased their prices by 30% (and more) recently so I don't any more

@Brojeslov

Very few people are aware of it.

Coincidentally the Belmont is my hotel of choice when overnighting at the airport.

Oc course going into T3 via RM you avoid  the terminal queues outside

I’ve had good service using Grab. I can’t imagine what went wrong, but I suspect the service desk at NAIA had a part in it.
Regarding feedback, I’m surprised they don’t have a way to provide feedback.

Suggest logging in to the app prior to departure next time to ensure you’ve got the newest version. - @Skip Scott

The service desk in NAIA helped me in April.  No problems at all, although they helped me on my phone so the driver knew i was able to track.  Grab has always been excellent for me.... unfortunately no Grab in Dumaguete.

Donald

I got my Grab app updated once I got to my apartelle in the city. I am now able to book my rides. About 6:30-ish yesterday evening I walked about 1.5 km to SM Hypermart and Watsons. After I got what I needed the sun was already gone. I decided to take Grab using my app to get back. It arrived fast and the trip went very well. I need to learn the ways over here so I don't give myself grief. My experience at the Grab service desk reminded me of a very good lesson: measure twice..........

@Lotus Eater

Belmont went from $A90 to $A120 plus over the last year or so. Savoy is a nicer hotel IMHO but a longer walk and can be had for around $A90 if you book in advance. The apartments next to the church (which is next to Belmont) are dated but clean and everything works, for $A65. (All Agoda prices.) All good options for an overnight stay to avoid Manila peak hour traffic chaos.

@Brojeslov

Thank for the heads up regarding the Savoy. Tempted. I checked my travel bible Trip Advisor and both hotels (Savoy & Belmont) have similar ratings 4.5 & 4.4 respectively. You are right Belmont prices have gone up even allowing for the stronger £. I note that the Savoy has an indoor swimming pool which is more favourable during hot weather during the day but the Belmont roof deck pool and bar win hands down on a cooler evening. The Belmont overlooks the airport directly and watching the aircraft land and take off on a balmy evening with a refreshing iced cold San Miguel in hand takes some beating. RM access is directly behind the hotel. You just wheel your suitcase out the front door and around the back.

The breakfast like most airport hotels is a bun fight so I would take mine (even though its included in the price) at the conveniently located Starbucks next door.

NB: Captains log supplementary. If you ever need an airport hotel in Jakarta check out the FM Resort hotel. It is stunning. The best airport hotel I have ever stayed in. They have 30 Javanese masseuses to prepare you for your flight on 24 hour rotation

@AlbertaDonuts

unfortunately no Grab in Dumaguete.

Beggars can't be choosers. I'd settle for a dilapidated Manila metered taxi in Dumaguete rather than a trike anytime!

@BrojeslovThank for the heads up regarding the Savoy. Tempted. I checked my travel bible Trip Advisor and both hotels (Savoy & Belmont) have similar ratings 4.5 & 4.4 respectively. You are right Belmont prices have gone up even allowing for the stronger £. I note that the Savoy has an indoor swimming pool which is more favourable during hot weather during the day but the Belmont roof deck pool and bar win hands down on a cooler evening. The Belmont overlooks the airport directly and watching the aircraft land and take off on a balmy evening with a refreshing iced cold San Miguel in hand takes some beating. RM access is directly behind the hotel. You just wheel your suitcase out the front door and around the back. The breakfast like most airport hotels is a bun fight so I would take mine (even though its included in the price) at the conveniently located Starbucks next door. NB: Captains log supplementary. If you ever need an airport hotel in Jakarta check out the FM Resort hotel. It is stunning. The best airport hotel I have ever stayed in. They have 30 Javanese masseuses to prepare you for your flight on 24 hour rotation - @Lotus Eater

Slightly off topic but regarding travel prices going up - When I visit the Philippines I fly from Manchester (UK) and used to book a combined one night hotel and parking package so I can stay near the airport the night before my flight and then simply get the shuttle bus to the airport the morning of the flight and again when I return about 4 weeks later. Parking for the 4 weeks is included in the package either at the hotel or at a secure off site car park. The prices obviously vary greatly depending on which hotel and package you decide on but I booked one in 2024 for about £220. This year when I checked I found the cheapest option was about £400. A friend of mine who usually books a hotel and parking package before his flight noticed the extortionate increase in prices also. One bit of possible good news for me is that I have read that my local airport (Leeds/Bradford) are hoping to start new flight routes to some of the Middle Eastern destinations like Saudi Arabia and Dubai in 3 to five years time so since Leeds/ Bradford airport is only about 6 miles from where I live, I may not need to fly from Manchester anymore.

Do any other British members on this forum do this when travelling and if so have you noticed the dramatic price increase? I abandoned this method on my recent trip and booked train tickets and a one night hotel stay the day before my flight to save the money.

@Cherryann01

Do any other British members on this forum do this when travelling and if so have you noticed the dramatic price increase? I abandoned this method on my recent trip and booked train tickets and a one night hotel stay the day before my flight to save the money.

Just checked my last years parking charge for 1 month at London Heathrow official long term car park at T4. £281 but I get to keep my car keys. The car park is opposite T4 and the drop off bus comes every 10 minutes. 3 minute ride to the terminal. Just checked current prices and its now about £290 (out of school holiday time). Unless you have an early morning flight I don't see the point in staying overnight. Presumably CA for the package you paid for in 2024 necessitated you trusting your car keys to a third party? Not a good idea.

Your drive from Bradford to Manchester airport is about 1hour 20 minutes I figured. Mine from Bath to Heathrow is about 1 hour 45 motorway all the way. Have you considered a coach connection? Incredibly cheap but of course it takes longer. I hate hanging around at the airport for a return coach trip after a long haul flight.

@Lotus Eater

I actually kept my car keys in 2024 because the parking was in the hotel car park and not off site and that made it much easier on my return, just having to wait about 20 minutes for the hotel shuttle bus on return and then straight to the car with my luggage and off I drove.

I like to stay overnight in a hotel near to the airport because my flights have always departed late morning or early afternoon and I don't like to get up too early and drive to the airport when I know I have a long days travel ahead and I like a nice full English breakfast at the hotel. Years ago when I was married I drove my wife and daughter to Manchester Airport for their flight to Kyiv from Bradford. I insisted on departing about 45 minutes earlier than my wife wanted just to make sure they got there in plenty of time. On my way home there had been an accident on the M62 and if we had set off when she wanted, chances are we would have been stuck in a large tail back and they would have missed the flight.

For my 2025 trip I used the train and stayed at the Holiday Inn IHG, Manchester Airport which is about 400 yards from T2 departures and an easy and quick walk. I did however have to hang around for a couple of hours on my return because I had left a window of time just in case the flight was late arriving in Manchester. It was actually early.

When I lived in Pittsburgh PA, I used offsite parking (private enterprise) much cheaper. They provide a shuttle to and from the airport at all hours. A telephone call to them and your shuttle is on the way, even for one person.

A nice feature is they brushed all the snow off my car and warmed it up.

@Lotus Eater

I've experienced the FM Resort Hotel many times and it's certainly the greatest airport hotel for me. Great rooms, magnificent gym, hot cold and medium pools, ice cold beer, great food, full salon for the ladies, snooker tables, karaoke, perfect aircon ... what's not to love?

The rooftop bar at the Savoy is special, with extravagant beer prices to match haha. But it's hard to beat for a quiet night after a day of travel.