How to Book ‘PISO FARE’ Flights with CEBU PACIFIC Successfully
Yesterday on the PhilippineBeaches.org like page on Facebook, I announced Cebu Pacific‘s P15 seat sale. I was expecting a pretty good reaction from the fans for breaking the news. But instead, many got disappointed for everything seemed to be sold out. It was supposed to be the first day of the promo and it was still morning, and many actually thought they had a good chance of grabbing one of these cheap tickets.
People thought it was just a marketing strategy and that no seats were actually on sale. Here are some comments from the like page regarding the sale:
Comment 1: this ad is very deceiving. they posted the sale date (June 29-30), eh before that date, nagsale na pala sila…asan ang Promo Mechanics? binibilog lang ang ulo natin imagine wala pa 12:00 AM, Sold Out na? hindi pa nga nagstart ang sale UBOS NA? how come? cge explain? makacomplain nga…
Comment 2: as usual hirap laging error huhuhu
Comment 3:
i tried every permutation i can think of to book tickets for beijing but no go!!! sold out na daw! kakaasar!
Well, I can say that the promo is true. They really give away really cheap flight tickets as I have availed of it a number of times already. But the Poor Traveler understands where the fans are coming from and so I have compiled some tips on how to successfully book a promo flight with Cebu Pacific. Here we go.
4. Book by small batches.
This is one thing I have proven so many times. When you book for so many people at once, the site displays “SOLD OUT.” But when you book for just one or two people, you can have that same flight (same plane, same day, same time).
For example, two weeks ago, during their PISO FARE promo, my friends and I were booking tickets to Cagayan de Oro. There were 5 of us. Every date we chose, we would get a SOLD OUT display. But when we tried just booking for two people, suddenly some slots became available. So what we did were book two flights and then my friend booked the same flight for three people using a different computer. In March, all 5 of us will fly to Cagayan de Oro.
3. Book the day before the announced sale period.
Perhaps the reason I always grab sale seats is because I book early. One thing I noticed is that the day before the announced sale period, seats are already on sale. IT NEVER FAILED. For instance, if the press release tells you that the sale period is June 28 to 29, go to their website as early as June 27 and for sure, seats are already on sale.
2. Book in the wee hours.
I know it sounds ridiculous but if you really want to grab a seat sale, book in the wee hours before the announced date of sale. Whenever there’s a sale going on, the Cebu Pacific website seems to be dragging its feet — it’s just too slow and you may also be getting error messages. This is what you can avoid when you book while the rest of the world is in slumber.
1. Choose a not so popular destination.
Davao, Cebu, Bohol and Palawan seem to be the most loved destinations — they go “sold out” even before you consider booking. So come up with alternative places to visit that are also worth your time. For example, Dumaguete offers a heritage-rich experience as well as great beaches. Iloilo is your gateway to Guimaras where beaches are as stunning as in many provinces in the country. Laoag opens your doors to Pagudpud and the best of the Ilocos region.
There you go. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to Cebu Pacific’s Twitter or Facebook alerts so you’re the first to know. 
everything that you have mentioned are true.. we’ve been very lucky to book ourselves everytime there’s a promo (though i was late to know of this 15Php thing!)
there will be seat which are reserved at daytime and at 12am sharp, if they are left unpaid, they will be open for reservations..its just that you have to pay first business hour..
the number of people also is a big factor, that’s why we limit our every reservation to 2, and then book another seat if needed..voila! we are reserved!
Hi! CEB usually starts the promo upon posting the advertisement at FACEBOOK OR TWITTER for the benefit of FB and TWITTER FANS!!! That’s what CEB told me when I asked the same question before. Now, if you are not a fan of the company, then sorry if you couldn’t avail the promo. For me, facebook is very useful when they are having a promo, it keeps u updated for you to book, choose and avail the very low fares without web traffic.
My friend and I were thinking that these promos were purchased by travel agencies already and will sell it in a regular rate or use in their packages.
you may also want to add that there is a higher chance of getting the promo fares on weekdays, specifically, tuesday to thursday.
This promotions by Cebu Pacific is very disappointing…. To the tips on how to book the “Piso Fare”, here’s my experience…
Tip #1: Choose a not so popular destination
DVDO-MNL-DVO route. I guess this is the other way from the usual. (fully booked)
Tip #3: Book before the announced sale date
So who get’s to know about the promotion before it’s announced to the public? Maybe
this is an employee and employee friends benefit. What’s the applied mechanics in DTI?
Tip #4: Book by small batches
I tried to book for only 1 person. (fully booked)
In summary, I was booking for 1 person from DVO-MNL-DVO at any date from 01 Oct. – 30 Nov. for any flight of the day – RESPOSE—FULLY BOOKED
nice blog. i love cebu pacific. i enjoyed & availed their promo every time i book..hahaha!
pwede po bang malaman how about po pag just within mindanao at mag by lang lang an then chek-in sa hotel n connected kau? like gensan to davao? what will be the accomodations and also the rate same p rin ba?
everything you mentioned are true! it is also true that most travel agencies have designated number of seats that are on sale since i have a tito who owns a travel agency and they are really given designation whenever a certain airline would a offer such. try to book on a tuesday and wednesday flight and you’ll get better change of getting the flight you want.