HOW TO | Booking the Cheapest Flight via the Traveloka App

Thursday, February 09, 2017

Traveloka App

A friend recently recommended Traveloka, a flight and hotel booking app, for my smartphone. I’ve had previous experiences checking for flights using apps, but haven’t really done any bookings through it. I’m on the page that thinks it’s cheaper to book on airline sites itself, but my friend was quite adamant that I use it, they always have online promos that can shave a few hundred of pesos from your final fee, he says. I downloaded it immediately.

Traveloka Promo
TRAVELOKA DISCOUNTS ON THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE

I’m familiar with the Traveloka brand from TV and web ads I’ve seen. I knew they’re an international brand from Indonesia who’s now trying to work their way into the Philippine market—they’re legit and I’m confident that I won’t get scammed or anything. They’re somewhat similar to Agoda crossed with Skyscanner, a useful tool for checking the cheapest hotel rentals and flights for users. And since I wanted to go back to Davao this year, I decided to give it a go.

Traveloka App
CLEAN APP INTERFACE

The landing page for the app is neat and tidy. On top are the promo announcements, and right below are the options for booking either flights or hotels. It also has price alerts and an ongoing promo tab (so you don’t have to wait for all the slides to show at the top). At the bottom are the My Booking and My Account tabs, where you can register and input your details—even your usual trip companion’s—so you won’t have to input it over and over again every time you book.

Traveloka Flights App
BOOKING A ROUNDTRIP FLIGHT USING TWO AIRLINES IS A BREEZE!

So I tapped on flights, set my origins and destination for Manila to Davao, inputted my departure date (which was quite innovative as it shows on the bottom the holidays for the month and are highlighted in red on the calendar itself), how many persons I’m traveling with, and pressed search. A list of airlines flying to Davao soon filled my screen with the lowest-priced set right at the top. I clicked on that one and was immediately sent to the return flight selection. I clicked on the cheapest flight again.

DREAMING OF DAVAO

Hmmm, I actually like the fact that I can book a roundtrip flight from two different airlines in one go without the hassle of going to their separate websites, searching for their lowest-priced flights and going through the motion of removing all the extra fees.

Yes, using the Traveloka app, I don’t have to remove the pesky pre-ordered baggage allowance, the set paid seats arrangements, and the usually unwanted travel insurance. My fare is as bare and as low-cost as most backpackers want it in the first place.

Traveloka Flights App
FILLING IN MY DETAILS

So, on to the next page. I was shown a summary of my flights, then was asked to fill in my details. Since I already set my particulars on registration, it was as easy as clicking the Add to passenger list button and everything was already pre-filled. For my companion, I manually added her deets, which, thank goodness, the Traveloka app automatically saves for future use.

Traveloka Flights App
CEBPAC TO DAVAO, AIRSIA BACK TO MANILA

The next page takes you to a final summary of your flight dates and time, the passenger details, baggage allowance purchased, if any, and the price breakdown. I can see a Convenience Fee, highlighted in green, but this is set to zero. Well, it is convenient but I’ll take it for free too! Lol.

Traveloka Flights App
MINUS PHP500.00! NOT BAD!

The total price is shown on the next page and it was at PHP7,586.38 for two persons roundtrip on two different airlines—Cebu Pacific from Manila to Davao, and AirAsia for Davao back to Manila. On the next page, I tapped on USE COUPON, added the promo code, and instantly, my flight fare was PHP500.00 cheaper. Yehba. That’s 7,086.38 for two, or 3,543.19 round trip. Not bad for a non-promo fare flight.

TRAVELOKA PAYMENT PARTNERS

Traveloka Payment 711
PAYING FOR MY TRAVELOKA BOOKING VIA 7-ELEVEN

Now for the final payment. The Traveloka app allows users to either pay via credit card, which is quite convenient. Unfortunately, my card was maxed out at the time (too much Lego, my friend), so it was good that they have an over the counter payment for 7-Eleven, M. Lhuillier and BDO. Note your payment option expires after a certain period. Mine was set for two hours. With still a lot of time, I sauntered over to the nearest 7-Eleven in our neighborhood, presented the barcode on my phone to the cashier—which he promptly scanned—paid it and walah, I’m done! Hello Davao! I’m coming over soon!

UPDATE


It used to be that you cannot access flight bookings made on Traveloka on the airline sites like Cebu Pacific and AirAsia, but now you can! This is particularly useful if you want to add prepaid baggage, inflight meals, seat assignments, and online check in. To do so, simply use the PNR code on your Traveloka E-Ticket as your booking reference number.

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42 comments

  1. Ano sinabi mo sa counter ng 7/11?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Marione, just show the barcode and they'll know what to do with it :)

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  2. Can i still purchase add ons like baggage allowance after purchase?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Me Ann, yes you can still purchase add-ons after booking by calling Traveloka's hotline: (02) 246 9057

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    2. How can i avail add on bagage..

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    3. Hi, you may avail baggage on Traveloka itself as you book your flight, or you can add later on the airline website where you have your flight. Simply use the PNR number on your Traveloka e-ticket as your booking reference number.

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  3. Yes thats what i want to know too. Coz im actually use of not having a baggage but this time i will have a check in baggage but in the app they dont have the baggage button.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Wendy, Traveloka actually has an add baggage button on the app before you complete your booking :)

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  4. hi, just want to ask if ever di ako nag avail ng baggage allowance sa app , meron pa ren ba itong free na 7kg baggage allowance from the airlines?

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    Replies
    1. If the airlines you booked on has free 7 kilo budget, then you'd have that even if you don't add a baggage with your flight.

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  5. the 500 off is from the coupon right? What if you don't have a code, comparing it from other booking sites, is it still cheaper?

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    Replies
    1. I'd have to say that it is still cheaper since Traveloka doesn't have additional fees (admin fees, processing fees, etc.)

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  6. Pwede pa po ba bumili ng baggage s airport?? Kc po na alarm ako s issue ng cebu Pacific...

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    Replies
    1. Hi Micah, yes you can still buy baggage at the airport for your Traveloka flights. I would suggest, however, that you simply call Cebu Pacific and buy your baggage through their hotline, it would be much more cheaper.

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  7. Hi I want to ask.nkabili na po ako ng ticket through traveloka since it's very easy magaccess ng app nya dto s Indonesia.but the thing is I heard the news about cebu Pacific problem..so s ticket n nbili ko no baggage...pwede pa po ba un lagyan if nasa pinas n ako?

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    Replies
    1. Hi, yes you may contact Cebu Pacific directly to add baggage allowance for your Traveloka flight. :)

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    2. Update! You may now add meals and baggage allowances yourself on the airline websites. Simply use the PNR number on your Traveloka booking as your booking reference number.

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  8. Hi, I'm a fan of traveloka and I've used the hotel booking feature very often and its a great experience but for flight booking, I'm still thinking about it.

    Just a question, what does traveloka do after you booked a flight ticket? They issue you some kind of e-ticket from PAL or cebupac with corresponding reservation code? Also what about if you got flight delays? Do they notify you too via email/cellphone that your flight is delayed? This is important to me.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Dexter, after booking a flight with Traveloka, they do send you an e-ticket with booking number or flight reservation code to your email. You can also retrieve your flight booking on the app itself.

      For the flight delays, yes Traveloka does send a notification via email and texts.

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  9. Hi.can you manage your booking on the airline's site for example cebu pacific for a ticket that was booked in traveloka?thanks

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    Replies
    1. You can't manage your booking from airline sites itself, although you can see your bookings on your app :)

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    2. Update! You can now check manage your flight even if you booked it via Traveloka, use the PNR number as your booking reference number.

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  10. Hi..can we check in online if we booked the flights through Traveloka site?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Jennelyn, no, you can't check in online if you book a flight via Traveloka

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    2. Update! You can now check in online even if you book your flight via Traveloka, use the PNR number as your booking reference number.

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  11. Hi! If we can't manage our booking on airline's site that was booked on Traveloka and if we can't check in online, but got a confirmation number that was sent via email, is that enough and will justify that I have a valid e-ticket? This won't cause any problems right? Also is it possible that if we booked for two adults, can we be seated on the same row?

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    Replies
    1. Hi, that's enough and it won't cause any problems at all. As for the assigned seats, I don't think you can choose those on Traveloka or on the airline website. But if you booked both of your flights in one go, you're usually automatically set by the airline to be seated together, unless there aren't available seats anymore.

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  12. Hi. The e-ticket sent to me by traveloka does not indicate my seat number. Where and How will i know my seat nunber for my flight?thank you

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    Replies
    1. Hi, you'd know your seat number once you check in at the airport. If you want to reserve a particular seat, you can contact the airline itself. :)

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  13. Hi, I booked my October flight to Japan in Cebu Pacific via Traveloka & I found it so pretty easy. But what I want to know is, if I want to add meals for trip, can I add it even if just completed my booking 2 weeks ago. Aside from terminal fee, what else do I have to pay. Please take note that I will not bring check in luggage since it's just a short trip. What I'm gonna bring is a hand carry 7-kg bag which is free of charge.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Sammy, you can access and manage our Traveloka booking on the Cebu Pacific website. Use the PNR code on your Traveloka e-ticket as your Cebpac booking reference number.

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    2. How do I manage my traveloka booking on the Cebu Pac website?

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    3. Same as above, use the PNR code on your Traveloka e-ticket as booking reference number on the Cebu Pacific website.

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  14. Hi! Can i pay the booking flights within 24 hours? In case any changes of dates and time? Thanks

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    Replies
    1. Can you clarify your question? Are you asking if you can book flights that depart within 24 hours? If that's the case, yes, you can book last minute flights in Traveloka

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  15. Is it possible maka avail ng baggage after purchased sa traveloka ng ticket? Kasi nakabili na ko pero hindi pako sure kung may dadalhin yung pinagbilhan ko if ever na meron pupwede kaya mag add ons pa? At papaano? Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Yes, you can avail of baggage after you have already booked flight tickets on Traveloka. You get them on the airline websites (Cebu Pacific, AirAsia). Check the last portion of my article. :)

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  16. Hello po, I'm planning to book in traveloka Clark to Coron, kaso nakita ko na hindi pala kasama sa airfare yung baggage fee? Sa philippine airlines po ba? Free yung 7kgs? Or I need to pay at the airport sa mismong date ng flight namin? Thank you :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, the free baggage allowance depends on the airlines. Low cost airlines like Cebu Pacific or AirAsia doesn't have free baggage allowances. But if you book a Philippine Airlines flight on Traveloka, it does come with a free baggage allowance.

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