the viewing deck: Different Budget Airlines not allowed for Australia Airport TWOV

18 Days Budget Solo Backpacking in Winter New Zealand Jul. 15 to Aug. 03, 2023

Winter New Zealand Solo Trip Preparation and Itinerary

"A Budget is is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went" - John Mazwell

Hard-hitting Lesson learned:

Transiting passengers (with Philippine passport) on different budget airlines are not allowed for Transit Without Visa (TWOV) privilege in any airports in Australia unless these airlines have code sharing. From Philippines; Air Asia, Cebu Pacific and Jetstar do not accept transits on any Australia airports unless you have valid Australia visa.

I thought my missed flight in India last 2012 was my worst wasted savings on flight ticket of ₱48,000 (960 USD) / most annoying travel experience I had. 11 years later, another despicable stupidity happened.

Australia Transit condition...

If you are from an eligible country (Philippines included) you can transit Australia on your way to a third country. You can do this without an Australian visa, provided you meet all of the following criteria: (1) will arrive in Australia by aircraft, (2) have a confirmed ticket to leave Australia to travel to a third country, by aircraft within 8 hours of arriving, (3) have a valid travel document to enter the country of destination, (4) must not need to clear immigration or leave the airport transit lounge for any reason before boarding your onwards flight. If you need to clear immigration, for example to collect baggage or to board an onwards flight, you will need an Australian visa.

Different Budget Airlines not allowed for Australia Airport TWOV

Purchased roundtrip tickets hours before my flight - I always learned my lesson on the hardest and foolish way. I didn't know that transiting passengers on budget airlines CANNOT avail the Transit Without Visa (TWOV) privilege in any airports in Australia unless these airlines have code sharing.

In my case, I was not allowed to board my Air Asia flight Manila to Sydney (transit) as my last flight to New Zealand is on Jetstar which has no code sharing with Air Asia. Same case on my return flight, Jetstar and Cebu Pacific transit in Sydney. Another unfortunate event was all of these flights have no refund policy as I booked it via 3rd party site on a cheapest way. I wasted a whopping ₱53,500 (990 USD), what a total disaster.

I asked the Air Asia, Jetstar and Cebu Pacific counters in NAIA T3 to confirm and finalize my contingency for my new flight before I purchased new sets. Harsh reality of foolishness, I need to move forward.

As such, I immediately looked for cheapest and practical flight on the spot inside the airport. I found Singapore Airlines from Manila to Queenstown with transits in Singapore and Christchurch for a gigantic amount of 1,785 USD (₱99,500) economy seat. Not just that, my return flight is Air Asia from Auckland to Manila with transit in Kuala Lumpur for a good price of ₱22,000. The heartbreaking total amount of my return flights is ₱124,000 (2,300 USD) paid via credit card, what a hurtful teary-eyed jaw dropping moment.

The total cost of all flights I've purchased in this trip was ₱174,845 which contributed to 75% part of the total expenses of ₱231,236. What a dumb way to kill myself softly.

In addition to above on this mind blowing day, my immigration encounter in NAIA T3 took me longer despite being frequent traveller. Maybe because I was an OFW in UAE, I don't know anyone in New Zealand or I have newly renewed passport. To think that I was still in mental shock when the lady officer keeps interrogating me, I will no longer transit in Australia for my future flights.

What's more for today's awful experience, Manila to Singapore flight by Singapore Airlines was delayed by 1 hour due to delayed aircraft arrival and runway traffic. I have only 2 hour transit in Singapore airport, thus, I challenged again my speed walking skills on to next boarding gate.

If I didn't push my travel on this day, I've wasted more than ₱85,000 (1,575 USD) of confirm accommodation, transportation, FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 tickets, the prepared Itinerary, exciting mindset and New Zealand bucket list check.

I think on my more than 13 years of backpacking, I consider this day as my psychologically and financially painful travel experience I ever had. Take note that I'm still jobless for almost three years now. I often book different airlines on transit without code sharing even in Europe without Schengen Visa. It's just that maybe Australia has a strict policy between these airlines.

My Stupidity at its finest, a dumb way to die. #ayokonasaearth

Scenes in New Zealand's Christchurch Airport Arrival area as Filipino Solo Backpacker (Jul. 2023)

New Zealand's Airport Officers are strict compared to my Australia, US and Europe experience. Of course, nothing beats the Israel Immigration Officers.

1st stage, Immigration Officer - asked usual questions like "do you know someone in New Zealand?", "what are you going to do here?", "what places are you going to visit?". Online declaration form is important to expedite series of queries.

2nd stage, dog sniffing officer - 2 seconds sniffing of your bags with a cute golden retriever

3rd stage, Customs declaration officer - same set of questions with Immigration Officer. They asked also about the online declaration form.

Mas mahigpit pa airport arrival inspection ng New Zealand kesa Australia, US at Europe hehe!