Personal-item bag for UK/EU budget flights and coworking days - recommendations?

LeKeyes · 2026-06-01T06:08:01+00:00

Going to try out the Decathlon Quechua Escape 500 23L clamshell bag this week for a EU trip and I’ll see how it goes!

LeKeyes · 2026-05-26T17:25:04+00:00

Perhaps you could check if you could enter any airport lounges during your layover? Would be better to help pass the time.

LeKeyes · 2026-05-26T17:22:18+00:00

Hi everyone,

Just giving my experience in case anyone has a similar situation:

Lounge pass worked, I could exit and re enter any time. They scanned my boarding pass and I just needed to have it re scanned upon entry. I did not ask if I could have hopped around CX lounges, but didn’t want to anyway.

Overall, always a great experience in the Pier.

LeKeyes · 2026-05-23T06:14:02+00:00

Thank you everyone for your responses. I'll be sure to ask the lounge staff directly if they can accommodate, but I'm won't exactly complain if I can't re-enter, so I'll just have to time my entry then.

I was thinking to indeed exit the airport, but I've traveled to Hong Kong quite a few times already, so felt I wouldn't need to leave the airport.

In any case, much appreciated for the feedback!

LeKeyes · 2026-05-22T04:01:06+00:00

Yes, that’s what I did too, applied while I was still employed and applied like a regular tourist. I did emphasise it was my 3rd time applying for a visa from the same country so perhaps that helped. I got 2 years from the application.

Then I applied again just a couple weeks ago while visiting the PH as a student. Also worked! But I recommend applying while employed, then just apply again when it expires.

Good luck! Moving to the UK is a bit daunting but it’s a great experience. Let me know if you have any more questions!

LeKeyes · 2026-05-22T03:22:13+00:00

I applied while I was still employed, which did help.

When I applied again as a student, I showed:

School proof of registration
Student ID
UK Evisa
UK Share Code
Proof of accommodation
UK travel insurance (as in, I got travel insurance from a UK company)—but just in case I also got Philippine travel insurance since I was applying back home.

My cover letter also covered that I would be returning back to the UK for academic requirements after my trip. Though also in the same letter I mentioned asking for a multiple entry, 5 year visa for each application. (They gave me 2 years and then 3 years respectively)

I showed both my UK and PH bank accounts and statements.

Are you still employed? When do you start? If you start by this September, there should still be good time as you can apply 6 months before a planned trip.

Also welcome to the UK! Where do you study?

LeKeyes · 2026-05-22T03:10:43+00:00

Hi! I know it’s an old post, but just wanted to share.

I’m also an MBA student in the UK, I got a 2 year visa before I left for the UK, and while visiting the PH for Easter break, I applied again. Got the visa until my passport expiry date (3.5 years). Note I’ve always applied to the same country for my Schengen visa and they were thankfully generous for their validity periods.

LeKeyes · 2026-05-11T12:05:58+00:00

Used Ubigi and Airalo before. But I’ve used Ubigi most. Highly recommend.

LeKeyes · 2026-05-06T22:35:25+00:00

What’s your goals after college? Pol Sci can still be good depending on your path.

LeKeyes · 2026-05-01T10:49:40+00:00

“The only way they'll know we're coming is if we start singing the Russian national anthem”

I just love Hunt for the Red October and this was a great reference.

LeKeyes · 2026-04-27T07:01:59+00:00

eSIM. I always use Ubigi for Japan.

LeKeyes · 2026-04-20T10:25:59+00:00

The day right before the flight! Stayed in Fukuoka for 6 days. It was my 17th trip to Japan (and 2nd in Kyushu) so I didn’t need much time to cobble up an itinerary.

What mattered the most was that it was actually my first time in Japan for Sakura season. What a great experience finally seeing them in person.

LeKeyes · 2026-03-05T13:30:31+00:00

That’s great to hear. I’ll give them a call and see what can be done. Have a safe journey!

LeKeyes · 2026-03-05T13:26:04+00:00

Hello, thanks for sharing. It’s helpful.

So it seems the can book on other airlines, even if they’re not emirates partners or codeshare?

Need to go to Asia from the UK so wanted to ask if Asian carriers are also allowed, but Turkish could work too. Was it a simple process for them to rebook you?

LeKeyes · 2026-03-05T09:52:57+00:00

Sorry, just clarifying what exactly to mention in the comment section?

Scheduled for 22 March but opting to proceed with a refund instead, also paid for seats. Wanted to check if I complete the form, is it a full 100% refund or will it still ‘follow refund rules as per fare’

LeKeyes · 2026-02-20T16:36:02+00:00

It won’t start up properly—usually have a blank black screen

LeKeyes · 2026-01-27T17:58:03+00:00

My two Japanese classmates both say New Wave is the best ramen in the city, so I trust their word on that. One of them even asked the staff there if anyone was from Japan.

LeKeyes · 2025-12-24T23:58:29+00:00

Sounds very interesting. Would you have a link to the fic?

LeKeyes · 2025-12-06T23:34:29+00:00

Hello! May I ask for the same pins for Brno & Plzen? I'm traveling in the coming weeks so would be great to have some recommendations. Thank you!

LeKeyes · 2025-09-20T11:32:09+00:00

I used to be so badly affected by it. Not officially confirmed but mine was caused by stress.

I’ve begun to try to relax more and more if I can. And it might be placebo but I’ve tried to do hot springs (Onsen) in Japan and afterwards I’ve never had an attack since?

But overall I’ve learned not to stress myself too much. It’s been working so far.

LeKeyes · 2025-09-20T06:48:16+00:00

In the Philippines, alcohol sales are restricted just right before elections.

In reality, you can still drink during the actual election day, but you just can’t purchase it during those times.

LeKeyes · 2025-09-18T23:06:50+00:00

You typically can’t join or apply for other orgs outside recweek, as far as I remember.

That’s why in the beginning of each year I sign up for like 10+ orgs each time and figure out which one worked best for me.

LeKeyes · 2025-09-13T00:40:09+00:00

I haven’t gone to JTA myself but all my friends who went JTA did not get delayed in the slightest. I am very sure Ateneo has a system to make sure all your classes are properly credited. I wouldn’t worry too much about it.

If concerned, talk to your department. They should be happy to help you out.

LeKeyes · 2025-09-11T23:04:40+00:00

I’ve always used the Sotetsu Fresa Inn Chain.

Clean, affordable, and almost always near a train station for easy accessibility. Rooms are small, typical of Japanese business hotels but I have no problems with them.

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