MANILA, Philippines – Like rival Cebu Pacific, Lucio Tan-led Philippine Airlines (PAL) upgraded its system to allow senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) to get discounts for online bookings.
In a statement released on Tuesday, September 26, PAL announced that "for domestic flights booked online, Philippine Airlines is now offering a 20% senior citizen and PWD discount" on top of the 12% value-added tax (VAT) exemption."
The discount for senior citizens and PWDs was already previously available, but only for ticket office transactions.
PAL noted that the discount and exemption "apply to resident Filipino citizens purchasing regular fare tickets and is not applicable to other taxes, fees, and charges and ancillary service like extra baggage and to tickets issued as a reward or prize."
To obtain the discount after booking online, a senior citizen must bring to the airport check-in counter his or her senior citizen's ID in combination with a Philippine passport or any government-issued ID indicating his or her birthdate, such as a driver's license, voter's ID, SSS/GSIS ID, PRC card, or postal ID.
A PWD, on the other hand, must present a PWD ID in combination with a Philippine passport or any government-issued ID.
PAL cautioned that "per Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) Resolution No. 41, failure to present the required IDs will result in either the collection at the airport of the amount of 20% discount and 12% VAT based on the current applicable fare at the time of check-in in accordance with the fare restrictions applicable to the ticket, plus a fine of P1,500.00 or forfeiture of ticket."
Cebu Pacific last week announced the upgrade of its online booking system to implement the same 20% discount for senior citizens and PWDs buying tickets for domestic flights. – Rappler.com