✅ Submitted application June 29
✅ Received card July 4
Really generous eye-popping credit limit, higher than my 20-year old Citi/UB card.
Not to mention it's a gorgeous looking card.
It's hard to do simple comparison so I'm not really sure how Mabuhay Miles stacks along other Oneworld members' mileage programs. Do we expect PAL to devalue their MM earnings and redemption levels before fully integrating with Oneworld? Or is pretty much at par with, say, CX's Asia Miles?
Been traveling back and forth to Japan in the past 2 decades including a couple of multi-year work assignments but it's the first time I had the courage to rent a car and actually drive.
First things first, why drive when Japan has one of the best public transportation systems in the world? Driving will unlock new places you would otherwise have difficulty getting to. The first bus to Kawaguchiko leaves Shinjuku at 6:45am, the first Limited Express departs at 7:00am, arriving in Kawaguchiko past 9am at the same time the tour groups arrive. You'll then have to queue for the local buses which also costs 1,500-2,000 yen for an unlimited ride pass. For a group of 4, the costs quickly add up not to mention the time lost in queuing and finding the correct stop.
Second, driving will let you take a breather from the hordes of overtourism in the usual spots. Sakura viewing with two other cars in an empty parking lot along the Hakone turnpike. A filling chirashidon meal in an unpretentious seafood restaurant in Odawara. Zero waiting time. Priceless!
Reserving the car was straightforward at Toyota Rent a Car website. I chose the date and time of pickup and return, chose the car I wanted, and selected add-ons. ETC card rental is a must if you'll be driving on expressways. I also chose the highest insurance option that also covers the cost of deductible and non operation cost. Better safe than sorry!
Was driving on the left side of the road difficult? I'd say it was only difficult for first hour or so. Once you get your bearings, it becomes second nature already. The best tip I got was, right after getting out of the shop, drive around the block a couple of times to be familiar with the controls and the "new" sensation of left hand driving. Be aware that turn signals and wiper controls will be interchanged too!
Expressway driving was such a joy. The overtaking lane (rightmost lane) was actually being used as an overtaking lane, 99% of the time. Exits and lane assignments are properly signposted in English and Japanese, of course it would help if one has reviewed his route beforehand.
Parking wasn't a problem as well, at least outside major cities. Malls and commercial areas offer free parking for a fixed time if your purchase exceeds a certain threshold.
TLDR: had a blast driving in Japan. Will certainly do it again.
Been traveling back and forth to Japan in the past 2 decades including a couple of multi-year work assignments but it's the first time I had the courage to rent a car and actually drive.
First things first, why drive when Japan has one of the best public transportation systems in the world? Driving will unlock new places you would otherwise have difficulty getting to. The first bus to Kawaguchiko leaves Shinjuku at 6:45am, the first Limited Express departs at 7:00am, arriving in Kawaguchiko past 9am at the same time the tour groups arrive. You'll then have to queue for the local buses which also costs 1,500-2,000 yen for an unlimited ride pass. For a group of 4, the costs quickly add up not to mention the time lost in queuing and finding the correct stop.
Second, driving will let you take a breather from the hordes of overtourism in the usual spots. Sakura viewing with two other cars in an empty parking lot along the Hakone turnpike. A filling chirashidon meal in an unpretentious seafood restaurant in Odawara. Zero waiting time. Priceless!
Reserving the car was straightforward at Toyota Rent a Car website. I chose the date and time of pickup and return, chose the car I wanted, and selected add-ons. ETC card rental is a must if you'll be driving on expressways. I also chose the highest insurance option that also covers the cost of deductible and non operation cost. Better safe than sorry!
Was driving on the left side of the road difficult? I'd say it was only difficult for first hour or so. Once you get your bearings, it becomes second nature already. The best tip I got was, right after getting out of the shop, drive around the block a couple of times to be familiar with the controls and the "new" sensation of left hand driving. Be aware that turn signals and wiper controls will be interchanged too!
Expressway driving was such a joy. The overtaking lane (rightmost lane) was actually being used as an overtaking lane, 99% of the time. Exits and lane assignments are properly signposted in English and Japanese, of course it would help if one has reviewed his route beforehand.
Parking wasn't a problem as well, at least outside major cities. Malls and commercial areas offer free parking for a fixed time if your purchase exceeds a certain threshold.
TLDR: had a blast driving in Japan. Will certainly do it again.
P.S. for Filipinos an International Driving Permit is necessary, this can be obtained through AAP.
Does Astoria Waterpark include beach access?
Would it be better to stay in PPC and do this on a day trip, rather than base ourselves in Astoria.
Pansin nyo ba na napapadalas ang phantom traffic jams lately. Alam ko mahal ang gas pero kung cruising lang naman, baka pwedeng keep the left lane clear for overtaking.
Unahan ko na yung mga magsasabi na malubak sa SLEX kaya nagbababad sila sa overtaking lane: Bakit sa NLEX and CALAX di naman malubak yung left lane pero nakababad pa rin doon?
After almost a month, finally active na yung page ng BPI Visa Summer Shop Anywhere promo.
This time pinagcombine pala nila yung Supermarket and Fuels/Drugstore category into one "Essentials & Utilities" category. Oh well, bawi na lang sa ibang category.