The Backpacking Freelancer - Part IV

Milo is ready to go backpacking. Are you? Then you need a plane ticket -- fast!

The previous blog post busted the common misconception that you need a credit card to pay for your online flight booking.

photo credit: pluckytree

A favorite option of many freelancers is the over-the-counter payment method.

Receiving payment centers and banks do not charge any extra fees that travel agencies impose.

You only need to fill out the deposit slip and remit the final funds (airline taxes and fees + advertised fare) before the due date. Over-the-counter payments are due within the banking hours of the same day that you made the flight reservation.

BDO Payment Form for Cebu Pacific Flights

For those of you who detest filling out forms, keep in mind that you will have to fill out at least one at the bank: the deposit slip

How to Fill Out the Form:

1. Indicate "Cebu Pacific" as the company name.
   
   
2. Write the current date.
   
   
3. Crash out the codes portion or leave them blank.
   
   
4. Refer to the confirmation code that you were assigned by Cebu Pacific after you made the flight reservation. This code is your own or your traveling party's subscriber account number.
   
   
5. The subscriber's name should match that of the passengers' indicated in your booking page. Last names only or first names only will not be accepted by the teller.
   
   
6. The payment breakdown should reflect the number of bills and their corresponding amount that you will hand over to the teller.
   
   
7. The total payment should reflect the exact amount you owe the airline.
   
   
8. If the payment is done by someone else who is not a member of your traveling party, have the person indicate his/her name and mobile number instead. 
   

The 24-Hour Grace Period

If you were able to reserve a flight at 2:00 p.m., then you must be able to turn over the cash payment on or before 5:00 p.m. of the same day to confirm the booking. Otherwise, the reservation will expire and you will have to repeat the online booking procedure the following day. 

Do not be confused with the fine print that says you have until 11:59 p.m. of the same day to pay. This privilege is enjoyed by credit card holders and people who can transfer the funds electronically from their computers or from ATM machines.

Traditional banking offices close at 3:00 p.m. Branches located in malls observe longer banking hours. BDO in SM Cebu, for instance, is open until 7:00 p.m.*