For many people in the West, the Philippines conjure images of mail-order brides, dictators and women with far too many shoes. However, like many places in the West, this is purely the image that the media portrays. The truth is that this country, made up of around 7000 islands, is one of the most understated destinations on the planet.

Away from Manila and the other popular tourist hotspots, the Philippines offer tranquillity, privacy and a local population that are genuinely pleased to see you. Secluded beaches, daily festivals and a favourable dollar exchange rate – what more could you want?

But, how to get there?

The Philippines has the highest number of expats in the world – approximately 11,000,000 people. The airlines know this and charge almost triple prices for flights to Manila during the Christmas period, as well as their Holy Week (around Easter time). There is also a large Chinese population in Manila who celebrate the Lunar New Year – flights are full, and therefore expensive.

Away from these holidays, prices vary depending on the time of year. The hottest month is May (with the mercury hitting 110 degrees), and the coolest period is January/February, where temperatures are in the 80’s and humidity is quite low. Try and guess which one has the cheapest flights?

The wet season runs from June to November, with the last few weeks vulnerable to tropical storms. However, because the Philippines cover such a large area, the rain falls on some islands and not others. Airfares tend to be lower because it’s the rainy season, but a check of the local climate can result in a cheap ticket and cracking weather.

From North America, just about every airline with a long haul plane flies direct to the Philippines, but almost all will put you into Ninoy Aquino International in Manila. This is often the cheapest option, but not necessarily the best. The airport is renowned for being a tourist trap, and the taxi drivers are almost predatory.

It is cheaper to fly direct from the west coast of the U.S. to Manila than it is to take a stop or two. However, for those with a little extra cash, or time to spare, the best option is to fly to Hong Kong, Singapore, or Kuala Lumpur. Enjoy a few days there, and then take a flight to Cebu – the up-and-coming Philippines airport – where you can enjoy your vacation without the hassle of predatory taxi drivers!

Snowbird? If you usually fly to Hawaii in the winter to escape the cold, you’re probably noticing higher fares in 2010. This may be due to several reasons including the disappearance of ATA and Aloha Airlines, which were prominent over Hawaii’s skies for years.

Due to these higher fares to Hawaii in 2010, it may make more financial sense to visit Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America this year. We’re seeing good deals to Cancun (below), San Juan (Puerto Rico) and San Jose (Costa Rica).

Please use our searchbox to find your next flight deal!

Thinking about flying to Europe this year? Well, here’s the skinny. Uber low fares from the West Coast to Europe are definitely harder to land this year compared to 2009. Last year, you could blindly pin the tail on any European city and subsequently fly there for under $700. However, this year you need more selectivity…and creativity.

For example, I just found a Seattle to London fare on Delta for March travel for $580. Basically, any itinerary for under $600 from the west coast to Europe needs to be snatched up. This flight goes into London’s Gatwick Airport, which is beneficial, because they have a solid list of discount carriers, including Aer Lingus, EastJet and RyanAir, operating there.

Book your inter-Europe flights on one of the aforementioned carriers. If you’re hesitant about booking your trip on separate carriers, read this.

Search for your London fare here!

United Express consists of eight regional carriers operating for United Airlines which feed passengers from smaller airports, including State College, Allentown and Burbank (see below) to larger focus cities and hubs.

These regional carries include SkyWest, Colgan and Mesa Airlines. See all.

United Express is currently have a fare sale for travel that must be completed by March 14 and purchased at least 14 days before the departing flight.

Learn more!

Virgin America has become a preeminent domestic carrier thanks to its innovative comforts including mood lighting, seat power adapters and a state of the art in-flight entertainment system. The only downside is that they fly to a limited amount of cities. Hopefully, they’ll add more airports in the coming years.

Virgin America is a having a sale on many of its west coast and cross-country routes with one-way fares starting at $44, including San Francisco to Las Vegas for $109 r/t (after taxes and fees).

Travel is good between Feb. 2 and Mar. 10. Slightly higher fares are available from Mar. 11 to Jun. 20.

Tickets must be purchased by Jan. 25.

See all sale fares!

Madrid-based Iberia Airlines, which is poised to merge with British Airways in 2010, has fares to a host of Spanish cities for under $600, including New York to Barcelona starting at $480 (after taxes and fees).

This is notable, because transatlantic flights for below $500 have been few and far between when compared to 2008 and 2009.

Since this is an unadvertised fare, we have no idea how long these fares will last.

Follow this link to find your fares from your city to Spain.

Delta Airlines is having a Systemwide Fare Sale throughout U.S. and some international cities.

Prices start at $49 each way (before taxes). Purchase by Jan 21.

Travel Dates:
Jan 14 – Mar 11 (Domestic): Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays
Jan 25 – Mar 18 (Europe and Asia): Monday through Thursday
Jan 25 – Mar 18 (Great Britian): Sunday through Thursday

Standout Fares: (each way before taxes)
$69: Detroit to Fort Lauderdale
$74: Jacksonville to New York
$89: Atlanta to Houston
$94: Minneapolis to Atlanta
$139: New York to Aruba

Click here to book by Jan 21.

JetBlue is having a 1-day “Shake Up the New Year Sale” with travel starting at $29 (each way). This is good for flights between January 11 and March 25. Tickets must be purchased by January 13 at midnight (MT).

Additional travel window restrictions may apply. Click here to locate your specific route then click on that link to learn about additional potential restrictions. For example, some routes have blackout dates or are good only on certain days of the week.

Sale fares include…
• $99: San Francisco to Long Beach
• $139: Seattle to Long Beach
• $151: Fort Lauderdale to Nassau
• $219: Boston to Los Angeles (see below)
• $219: Los Angeles to New York

See all fares!

AirTran just launched their New Year’s Resolution Sale which include the following fares…

• $220: Boston to Las Vegas
• $220: New York to Los Angeles (see below)
• $220: Los Angeles to Washington DC
• $180: Chicago to Sarasota
• $220: Seattle to Fort Lauderdale

Tickets must be booked by January 14 at midnight (EST) for travel through May 26. Additional terms…

• Travel is valid to/from Florida, San Juan, Aruba, Montego Bay, Nassau, and Cancun through March 10, 2010.
• 10-day advance purchase required.
• Lowest sale fares are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
• Blackout dates are as follows: February 12-13, 15, 20-21, and April 2-3, 10-11, 2010.

Click here to search. Or, as always, use our searchbox.

Finding sub-$500 fares to Europe is much more difficult than last year. In early 2009 we frequently saw flights in the $300s and $400s to Europe…even from the West Coast.

When I saw Las Vegas to Barcelona from $219 on June 9th, I knew they couldn’t get any lower. There was just no way. That was the bottom.

And, they definitely have increased since. However, Aer Lingus is currently having a “wee little” sale to remind us of 2009.

Discount rates from Chicago (see below), Boston and New York are available to several European cities, including Dublin, London and Paris for under $500. Travel must be purchased by January 13th for travel between January 18th and February 10th.

Search for your fare on Aer Lingus and remember to check the “Flexible Date” bubble.