ronniefastback

Didn't think about breaking it up that way. Looking now, thx!

ronniefastback

Thanks, these either get me there too late or leave too early. Not sure I could make it to JFK for a 7am flight. Will see if something later is available.

mvoight

I don't quite get the " Checking a bag versus carry on has to be factored in as well." part. It's an international trip, so you aren't talking about a bag fee, right? How does flying AA versus another carrier change whether or not you have a carryon bag or checked bag?

Dave Noble

I think that there is a point where you need to decide what are the prioritties
Is going to watch a game more important than the flight for example

fatlasercat

Perhaps OP is less willing to risk short connections with a checked bag.

ronniefastback

No bag fees to be concerned with.... 40-50 minute connection times make it tough with a checked bag. PHL landing in F terminal with 40-50 minutes is tough to get to A-C for a flight.

ronniefastback

When I have 6 friends going to the game with me, a house rented and tickets in hand that changes things. Over $3,000 for tix and the house and non refundable.... I'm not missing the game. Didn't think I would have to explain all of the details behind my initial request.

Plus, I try not to schedule my work life around personal life if I can avoid it.

Gig103

Just remember to leave plenty of buffer time. I fly out of LAX for cheaper fares compared to PHX, but AA won't check bags on separate PNRs even if they are both with AA, and they don't have to get you to Shanghai if there's a flight disurption. So for me, I usually go the night before; will your employer allow that?

Thunderroad

Not sure this is a crucial consideration, but can you pack light enough to just go carry-on, and does that in turn open up better options?

Also, is it possible that going in the other direction on a OW carrier and connecting in, say, LHR, HEL or DOH, might get you to PVG in time at the right price? Might it even get you more miles?

(Having said that, I'd be loathe to fly BA J myself if the alternatives are CX, JL or even AA. I'd also take those options over AY, though AY would be less of a sacrifice, especially if on one of their newer planes. QR would be fine.)

DA201

It's hard to be this picky when you are flying from an airport with so few flights. Personally, I have chosen to stay up all night because I was out late and had an early departure a few times, most recently during the summer at LAS. It's not too bad if you can sleep on planes.

I see ORD-NRT-PVG on AA/JL leaving at 12:45 pm with the return PVG-DFW-RDU on AA for under $6k. UA has a SCE-ORD nonstop leaving at 7 am, which isn't OW but it's such a short flight it's no big deal. Other people have also posted suitable itineraries.

tphuang

try to fly CX or JL if you can. fly to JFK/LAX/ORD and then take JL/QR/CX.

Dave Noble

Given that these "details" are rather key restrictions - if trying to use FT as a free travel agency service, letting people know before they waste time looking at options is important

Obviously the $428 (nased on 1/7 of cost) for a footvall game is a key issue

travelinmanS

Can you push your trip back by a day or need to be in Shanghai on that Monday evening? You have a lot more options if you can show up on Tuesday morning.

AA is not the best non-stop option from the states to Shanghai (MU is the best these days) and they seem to price higher than anyone else. You've got to be willing to get yourself to LA on Sunday after the game to get the best flights. Then AA has a flight that leaves for HK at 1 something on Monday morning with a connection to Shanghai's Hongqiao airport that puts you into Shanghai at noon on Tuesday. Your return in back to LA through Narita and the ticket costs around $4000. Add on your flights from PSU to LA and LA to RDU and you've got yourself a ticket for well under 7 grand plus a football game to watch!

ronniefastback

Originally I figured I would check a bag, but I've done plenty of week long trips to Europe with a carry-on so would probably go that route to eliminate the checked bag issue.

Someone suggested looking a Qatar or options going east. I checked and there's nothing getting me there in time.

ronniefastback

Yeah, that's the risk if there's a delay or something.... I wish I had a day extra to get there, unfortunately I don't. I'm not leaving until Sunday because of that darned football game I've mentioned....