The travel web sites may be complimentary to search but they charge to book, and if you have to change itinerary then it can be frustrating and costly. On good side service fees are not usually outrageous – around $5 per ticket. But I’ve seen some creeping up to around $20 and there’s no need to pay that price.

Now transfer fees are another kettle of fish, and it can cost you $100 or more to change after you’ve booked a flight. And if you want a refund… be prepared to spend hours on phone to get to somebody who can authorize it.

The travel search engines make money from paid advertising and a referral fee from airlines or hotels, so usually you don’t pay a fee when using them to book. But this is changing so check for fee disclosure before booking.

5. THE HIDDEN LINK THAT CAN SAVE YOU MONEY

Many of travel web sites have a link on their page that allows you to become part of their affiliate program for no cost. The problem is it’s usually “hidden” at bottom of page in type point 7 invisible. By becoming an affiliate you can earn a small commission for everybody you refer to them that buys a ticket or room.

But before you rush out and quit your day job and set yourself up as a home-based travel agent, understand you’ll have to send them hundreds and hundreds of people hot to buy to make any money. But here are better reasons to become an affiliate…

These same sites allow you as an affiliate to purchase your own tickets and still get paid commission. It’s effectively a discount. For sake of spending a few minutes completing form why not do it?

Now be sure to check small print on agreement just so you’re familiar with restrictions if any, and how they’ll pay you.

Armed with these tips and secrets you’ll be better prepared to navigate through a travel web site. I use them all time and continue to find new twists and gotchas. And there’s still that travel agent in mall if you just can’t be bothered with whole online game.

Pristine reef diving. Exhilarating drift diving. Big pelagic fish action. World War II wrecks to be discovered. Fantastic wall diving. Muck diving for those who like macro photography. Deep diving. Coral Gardens. Night Diving. Swim throughs and caves. Technical diving. Soft coral spectaculars.

The majority of dives are conducted by boat, usually a very short trip from your resort. If you are not diving from a boat you can generally find fantastic reefs right in front of your resort, nice and easy shore diving. For ultimate experience, live aboard dive vessels can also take you to areas seldom if ever visited by scuba divers, this is ultimate experience.

Diving Philippines – What will I see Underwater?

The list is too big to try and let you know what you will see underwater, but I will tell you about marine life you will definitely see underwater. The marine life is exceptionally abundant, from rare nudibrachs to a high density of 27 species of clownfish or Amphiprion Sp., not to mention gregarious colours of soft corals and vibrancy of hard corals. If big fish are an attraction, then schooling barracudas, sweetlips, Thresher and Hammerhead Sharks will not disappoint you. The biggest fish in world also frequents Philippine waters, mighty Whale Shark. Even mammals are widely seen, both dolphins and dugongs.

Diving Philippines gives you so many options that every dive will be different and mind blowing, even if it is at same dive site!

Note: The Philippines has had it’s fair share of dynamite fishing and cyanide poisoning. This is slowly being pushed out, as more Filipinos recognize a better future in tourism dollars. Cyanide poisoning is used for capturing fish for marine aquarium enthusiasts. This practice is being addressed by Marine Aquarium Council in conjunction with Philippine Authorities, who are training local fisherman in use of ecological net catching of small fish. They are also teaching good husbandry techniques for sustainability of this industry.

Diving Philippines is everything and more you want it to be. Your expectations will be met and driven further than you thought possible, possibilities are endless.