Use the miles now. I’ve had some friends get burned when an airline changed the miles policy. They do that sometimes, you know.

Besides, using the miles now when you have no money is the best time, because… well, you have no money, but you can still go!

I just looked up photos of Palawan on-line. You HAVE to go, so you can report back, in true travel-blogger style, whether it’s really as spectacularly beautiful as it looks, how much does it actually cost to visit the area… and… there’s an underground river? That is so cool!

dyanie: Korek ka dyan, sister! I don’t think I have this virtue though

Anna: Good point. I actually have a couple of invitations for trips out of the country later this year. But we shall see how long I can hold out lol

yam: Yay, a new commenter! Thank you so much for the info. Di pala basta basta makaka-redeem, I need to plan ahead din pala. I’m actually starting to lean towards using the miles for international travel OR (providing I would get enough miles) Mabuhay class upgrade.

Christina: True, true! But with the cheap fares, I might as well buy my tickets for Palawan (via PAL) and earn more miles. But yes, I MUST go to Palawan this year!

I cannot vote on your poll for some reason. But go to Palawan! Go!! Go!!!!

Because Palawan may not always be the beautiful laidback destination it is now. So go see it before the tourist hordes ruin its charm.

Then, start saving up for Hong Kong afterwards. Hey you need something to look forward to this year, not in 2010, right? ;-)

Cheers, Christina (in Brooklyn)

From experience, you can just call the PAL Reservations hotline to book a ticket using your Mabuhay Miles. However, they have a limited number of slots per flight for those using their miles. The earlier you book, the better. The last time I used miles for a HK trip (good for two people) I only had to pay for taxes.

Hm. I can be impatient, so I was planning to choose “Yes! This may be your only chance to finally buy a ticket to Puerto Princessa” but you can always avail promo fares from local airlines, like the recent P1 fare promo from Cebu Pac. Save it nalang for an international destination, kung kaya outside Asia, why not? Mas mahal ang fares sa non-Asian destinations e. :p

Just my 0.02. ^^

Sure, you want to focus on the Philippines this year.

…But do you still want to focus on the Philippines in the next couple of years?

Dadadunnnnn..

But still! Up to you!