For OFWs: How to Get the Airport Terminal Fee Refund @ NAIA3

As an OFW, I have always been exempted from paying the ridiculous airport terminal fee when I fly out of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. But since the airlines have started including the airport terminal fee in the ticket price, I had to get my refund.

Last month, before my Cebu Pacific flight back to Seoul, South Korea, I was able to get my refund, and I'd like to share my experience. 

Kung kasali na sa ticket price mo ang airport terminal fee, ibig sabihin nabayaran mo na ang airport fee. Kaya dapat e-refund sa iyo ang airport fee kasi exempted ka bilang OFW. Other passengers who are exempted include athletes and Muslim pilgrims based on their list (see photo on #7). 

Eto ang mga hakbang para mag-refund sa NAIA3:

1. Before mag-check in, patatakan muna sa POEA desk ang Overseas Employee Certificate (OEC). 

At NAIA3, ang POEA desk ay nasa pinakadulo, sa LEFT SIDE, upon entering the first security x-ray check. 

Tip: Sa pagpasok sa NAIA3, dumaan sa last gate (pinakadulong gate) para mas malapit sa POEA desk.

2. Mag-check-in para sa flight.

3. Doon sa check-in counter, ang airline staff magsasabi sa iyo kung saang counter mo kukunin ang 'certificate'. For CebuPac flights, sinabi sa akin na hihintayin ko sa 'Counter 1' ang 'certificate'. 'Certificate' ang tawag nila sa print-out na naka-lagay ang breakdown ng nabayaran mo noong binili mo ang plane ticket.

Ang 'certificate' ay e-pi-print ng CebuPac na nagpapatunay na nabayaran mo na ang terminal fee noong binili mo yung ticket mo. Ito ay ibibigay mo sa REFUND CLERK inside the 'Terminal Fee REFUND' office (Step 6).

   (The piece of paper behind my boarding pass is the      'certificate' given by CebuPac staff at Counter 1)

4. After check-in at hawak-hawak mo na ang 'certificate', pumunta na sa Immigration. Ipapakita mo lang sa guwardiya ang OEC mo para hindi ka na sisingilin ng terminal fee.

5. After Immigration, dumaan sa final security x-ray check.

6. After final x-ray check, pumasok sa TERMINAL FEE REFUND office na nasa LEFT side mismo ng final x-ray check. (See photo below).

7. Inside the TERMINAL FEE REFUND office, present your OEC, 'certificate' given to you at the check-in counter, and your boarding pass to the clerk.

See list of requirements below (photo taken at the refund counter):  

8. Get your refund of Php 550. 

                         (My P550 refund)

9. Proceed to your boarding gate. 

The refund counter is open 24/7 according to the accommodating and friendly clerk. I forgot to get her name, but she was doing a great job of advising those who are missing a document. 

Have a safe flight!