Now before anyone says"oh you can't compare a budget airline with a full service airline" you most certainly can especially when both airlines and their respective loyalty programs are the biggest in the Philippines. To keep it fair we'll leave out the actual in-flight product of the two airlines.
In the comparison we'll include Pal Express and Cebgo as part of their parent airline. The focus will mostly be on the airlines' loyalty program and not on the actual flight product, again so keep it fair. We'll break it down into categories relevant to choosing the better loyalty program. Each category will have a winner and a score based on a percentage on how much we value each category.
Fleet (5%)
Not as important when comparing loyalty programs but if you're the kind of person who prefers a certain type of aircraft it might be something to consider when choosing which program to give your loyalty too.
PAL clearly has a larger fleet with more variety in terms of aircraft type, which is somewhat expected since they've been the older airline. Both airlines however were expecting deliveries of new aircrafts but seems to be on hold now because of the pandemic.
Philippine Airlines
10 Boeing 777
6 Airbus A350
22 Airbus A330
8 Airbus A321neo
36 Airbus A321ceo
19 Airbus A320
6 Airbus A321ceo
5 De Havilland Canada Dash-8
Total 112 aircrafts
Cebu Pacific
1 Airbus A321neo
7 Airbus A321ceo
36 Airbus A320
8 Airbus A330
20 ATR 72
Total 72 aircrafts
Winner: Philippine Airlines and Mabuhay Miles
Scores: PAL MM 3 | CebPac GG 2
Although nothing compared to Asian counterparts Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines, PAL just has more types of aircrafts compared to CebPac including one of the most popular planes in the aviation market today in the Airbus A350. Plus a fleet of Boeing 777 ain't too bad either.
Destinations (25%)
One of the biggest factors to consider when choosing the right loyalty program is the destinations that the airline flies to. What's the point of having miles or points if they can't get you to the places you want to go?
Philippine Airlines flies to 31 domestic destinations and 44 international destinations in 23 countries as of August 2020.
Cebu Pacific flies to 26 domestic destinations and 25 international destinations in 15 countries as of August 2020.
If your travel plans are mostly in Asia then Cebu Pacific wouldn't be a bad choice as it cheaper (most of the time) if you don't mind flying in economy for medium haul flights. If you've got North America or the Middle East PAL would be the better option. Although PAL does lack flights to Europe with only one, which is London.
Winner: Philippine Airlines and Mabuhay Miles
Scores: PAL MM 20 | CebPac GG 15
PAL is the clear winner here since more destinations and routes means more choices. Plus most destinations that Cebu Pacific flies to is also served by PAL. Cebu Pacific does not have any flights to Europe or North America bringing its score down.
Ease of Earning Miles (15%)
Ease of earning miles is important because the easier you earn points the faster you can redeem for a flight award. Mabuhay Miles and GetGo have two very different models when it comes to earning miles and points.
Mabuhay Miles awards you a percentage of miles flown depending on the booking class no matter how cheap or how expensive you bough the ticket for. See chart below
GetGo on the other hand doesn't use miles, but bases your points earning on the monetary value you spend for the flight (base fare only, excluding taxes and fees). Your earn rate will also depend heavily on what kind of co-branded card you have with its bank partner UnionBank if any. See chart below
It was a lot easier to earn GetGo points before the pandemic as it was a simple 1 point for every ₱5 spent on Cebu Pacific flights. Unfortunately they had a program change in the middle of this pandemic, which I think is a way to cut costs moving forward. For more info on GetGo's program change click here.
Winner: This one is a bit tricky since it really depends on what tier you are in GetGo so we'll call this one a DRAW.
Scores: PAL MM 12 | CebPac GG 12
Co-Branded Cards (15%)
Now we're actually at the topic, both PAL and CebPac have their own set of co-branded cards. Co-branded cards are great ways for earning miles while on the ground and not flying especially during this pandemic. We'll go a bit more in depth in this category since its one of the main ways we earn points and miles.
Philippine Airlines has 2 co-branded debit cards and 3 co-branded credit cards. Cebu Pacific has 2 co-branded prepaid cards and 2 co-branded credit cards.
Philippine Airlines
PNB-PAL Mabuhay Miles Now Mastercard
₱65 spend = 1 Mabuhay Mile
5% discount on select PAL international flights
Welcome gift of 1,000 Mabuhay Miles
₱1M travel insurance
Purchase protection insurance up to ₱250k
PNB-PAL Mabuhay Miles Platinum Mastercard
₱60 spend = 1 Mabuhay Mile
5% discount on select PAL international flights
Welcome gift of 2,000 Mabuhay Miles
Sign up bonus of 10,000 Mabuhay Miles
₱3M travel insurance
Purchase protection insurance up to ₱250k
PNB-PAL Mabuhay Miles World Mastercard
Total Relationship Balance
₱100M above - ₱30 = 1 Mabuhay Mile
₱50M to ₱99M - ₱40 = 1 Mabuhay Mile
₱10M to ₱49M - ₱50 = 1 Mabuhay Mile
less than ₱10M or none - ₱55 = 1 Mabuhay Mile
₱10M travel insurance
Priority check in at PAL business class counters
5% discount on select PAL international flights
Welcome gift of 2,000 Mabuhay Miles
Sign up bonus of 10,000 Mabuhay Miles
Purchase protection insurance up to ₱250k
PNB-PAL Mabuhay Miles Debit Mastercard
PAL Transaction: ₱150: 1 rewards point: 1 Mabuhay Mile
Non-PAL Transactions*: ₱250: 1 rewards point: 1 Mabuhay Mile
Welcome gift of 500 Mabuhay Miles
PNB-PAL Mabuhay Miles Priority Debit Mastercard
PAL Transaction: ₱100: 1 rewards point: 1 Mabuhay Mile
Non-PAL Transactions*: ₱200: 1 rewards point: 1 Mabuhay Mile*
Welcome gift 1,000 Mabuhay Miles
*Transactions from the following are EXCLUDED from earning reward points: Supermarket/grocery stores, gasoline/petrol stations, drugstore/heath care, casino, domestic and international cash withdrawal, and transactions lower than PHP1,500.
Cebu Pacific
UnionBank Cebu Pacific Gold Visa
₱30 spend = 1 GetGo point
Exclusive seat sales
Early seat sale alerts
UnionBank Cebu Pacific Platinum Visa
₱30 spend = 1 GetGo point
Free extra 5kg baggage allowance
₱10M travel insurance
Airport lounge access in NAIA Terminal 3
Exclusive seat sales
Early seat sale alerts
UnionBank CEB GetGo Prepaid Virtual Visa
10% discount on points when booking flights with GetGo.
Early seat sale alerts
₱100 spend online = 1 GetGo point
Exclusive seat sales
UnionBank CEB GetGo Prepaid Visa
₱100 spend = 1 GetGo point
Early seat sale alerts
Exclusive seat sales
Just skimming through the rewards for these card we can tell some obvious differences. For cards we usually focus on the spend to point/mile ratio, which is a good place to start. But ultimately taking account the other benefits when deciding which cards to apply for.
Winner: Cebu Pacific and GetGo
Scores: PAL MM 5 | CebPac GG 14
Cebu Pacific takes this one as having one of their co-branded credit cards gives more value faster and is more achievable. To get any great value in the Mabuhay Miles credit card you'd need millions of pesos in relationship balance with PNB to have a decent spend to mile ratio, which the average Filipino won't have.
Also don't limit yourself to these cards as other banks have cards that transfers to Mabuhay Miles and GetGo.
Faster Redemption (20%)
Redeeming flights can vary since a lot of times you can get special redemption deals when promos come out especially on GetGo where they come out more often than Mabuhay Miles as well as fluctuating award rates for GetGo depending on availability. To compare we'll get an average sample of 3 popular domestic and international destinations from both airlines.
-Figures in miles and points-
Domestic
Manila to Cebu
PAL - Economy 4,500 | Business 8,500
CebPac - Economy 1,680
Manila to Davao
PAL - Economy 7,000 | Business 13,000
CebPac - Economy 2,050
Manila to Iloilo
PAL - Economy 4,500 | Business 8,500
CebPac - Economy 1,680
International
Manila to Singapore
PAL - Economy 12,000 | Business 22,000
CebPac - Economy 5,460
Manila to Seoul
PAL - Economy 14,500 | Business 26,500
Cebpac - Economy 8,800
Manila to Taipei
PAL - Economy 9,500 | Business17,500
Cebpac - Economy 4,140
Winner: Cebu Pacific and GetGo
Scores: PAL MM 14| CebPac GG 18
Unless you want to fly in business class, its much faster for you to redeem for free economy flights on GetGo compared to Mabuhay Miles. Its not even close as some routes are almost twice the amount.
Airline Partners (5%)
Flexibility might come in handy depending on where you're flying. Although neither airline is part of the top 3 airline alliances in Star Alliance, OneWorld, and SkyTeam. Cebu Pacific is part of a small budget airline alliance called Value Alliance.
Value Alliance members comprise of Cebu Pacific, CebGo, Nok Air, Jeju Air, and Scoot. Scoot would be the most valuable airline partner as it offers flights to Europe. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic we've seen them cancel all their routes to Europe and several others. Hopefully they return in the next year or so when the pandemic is long over.
Philippine Airlines isn't part of an airline alliance but does have a number of codeshare partners being Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Gulf Air, Air Canada, WestJet, Royal Brunei Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Xiamen Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Bangkok Airways.
Winner: Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Miles
Scores: PAL MM 3 | CebPac GG 2
What would have been a close decision, ultimately has to go to PAL because Scoot no longer offers their long haul flights to Europe and Value Alliance having limited airline members.
Shopping Portals and Brand Partners (5%)
Shopping portals and brand partners are other ways to earn point and miles through merchants that you might already been patronizing or buying something from the airline's shopping portal instead of somewhere else. These range from lifestyle brands, to travel brands, and shopping brands.
Not including bank transfer partners, GetGo has a total of 22 brand partners and does not have shopping portal. Mabuhay Miles has a total of 57 brand partners and a shopping portal called Boutique, but only has limited items.
Winner: Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Miles
Scores: PAL MM 3 | CebPac GG 1
Mabuhay Miles tops GetGo in this category as they not only have more brand partners but more variety as well especially in the travel sector with partners in cruise lines, car rentals, and hotels.
Ease of Redemption (10%)
Once you have enough points or miles to book that vacation you wanted, how easy is it to actually book and get ticketed?
Philippine Airlines being a 4 Star Airline you'd think that you could easily book an award redemption online through Mabuhay Miles. But nope, the only way you can redeem a flight award is by calling PAL reservations or directly visiting a Philippine Airlines ticketing office.
GetGo on the other hand offers redemption of award bookings online and is as simple as booking a normal flight. No need to be put on hold or struggle repeating information because the agent didn't hear the details properly.
Winner: Cebu Pacific and GetGo
Scores: PAL MM 6 | CebPac GG 9
Other Things to Note
In-Flight Product
We didn't include this in the comparison because it would give an unfair advantage to PAL being a full service airline and CebPac only being a budget airline. Obviously the in-flight product of PAL is better especially in premium cabins such as business class or even premium economy. This means better food & beverage, entertainment system, more legroom etc.
Elite Status
Also something to consider is that Mabuhay Miles has elite status privileges if you can earn them. Privileges such as priority check in counters and access to the Mabuhay lounges at the airport to name a few. Again we didn't include this in the comparison because GetGo does does not have any elite status system.
Summary
Fleet (5%)
Winner: Philippine Airlines and Mabuhay Miles
Scores: PAL MM 3 | CebPac GG 2
Destinations (25%)
Winner: Philippine Airlines and Mabuhay Miles
Scores: PAL MM 20 | CebPac GG 15
Ease of Earning Miles (15%)
Winner: Draw
Scores: PAL MM 12 | CebPac GG 12
Co-Branded Cards (15%)
Winner: Cebu Pacific and GetGo
Scores: PAL MM 5 | CebPac GG 14
Faster Redemption (20%)
Winner: Cebu Pacific and GetGo
Scores: PAL MM 14 | CebPac GG 18
Airline Partners (5%)
Winner: Philippine Airlines and Mabuhay Miles
Scores: PAL MM 3 | CebPac GG 2
Shopping Portals and Brand Partners (5%)
Winner: Philippine Airlines and Mabuhay Miles
Scores: PAL MM 3 | CebPac GG 1
Ease of Redemption (10%)
Winner: Philippine Airlines and Mabuhay Miles
Scores: PAL MM 6 | CebPac GG 9
Total Scores
Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Miles: 66/100
Cebu Pacific GetGo: 73/100
So Which is Better?
Overall Cebu Pacific's GetGo is the winner as it banks on its co-branded cards and low redemption rates to help Filipinos travel for free faster while also making it easier to redeem. If you're travel plans are mostly within the Asia Pacific then its a no brainer to be loyal to GetGo.
Philippine Airlines' Mabuhay Miles falls short on several categories which it could improve on such as ease of redemption and the value of their co-branded cards. PAL does offer more destinations and a better airplane product with a choice of premium economy and business class as compared to Cebu Pacific's all economy configured fleet.
Its faster to redeem flight awards on GetGo but the in-flight product of Philippine Airlines is just better being a full service airline.
In the end it also depends on what category you value more. Your valuations could be different from ours and thats totally perfect. Go ahead and make your own score sheet and show us!
What other loyalty program comparisons should we make?