Asiana Club - PEK-ICN Check-in and Lounge options

I'm going to be coming back to the USA from PEK a few days before the Olympics and OZ via ICN is currently the top option. Probably in paid Y, unless better business award options open up.

Can anyone comment on the checkin process at PEK?

There are several threads about the two contract lounges available to *G, but I would appreciate comments on these from an OZ standpoint, as well.

Since this will be August 2008, will a new terminal change everything?

You are right, I don't know what the new terminal will mean. I am sure it will be different, but better??

Right now, you fill out a form and go through customs and then check in. Then you fill out a second form and go through immigration and then security. The whole process can take a bit of time, so I leave myself a good hour. I also try to get the customs form ahead of the airport (I have a bunch in my desk). The desks where they are kept is in the middle of a major zoo and not being a pushing type, I always feel uncomfortable shoving my way to the desk. The line into the customs area can be quite crowded and does require some elbows to get through!

I've only flown C out of PEK but the AC lounge is not real good. Whenever I have gone there, it is very crowded and dark. The "independent" lounge is much nicer. I am not sure about the ability to get in either with a *Gold card.

Good luck!

Checking in in PEK for an OZ flight through ICN to LAX end of August, I'm however going on to an UA flight from LAX to ORD (on a separately miles-purchased itinery). Is there any chance the desk in PEK will check my bag all the way to ORD?

Checking in in PEK for an OZ flight through ICN to LAX end of August, I'm however going on to an UA flight from LAX to ORD (on a separately miles-purchased itinery). Is there any chance the desk in PEK will check my bag all the way to ORD?

The good news is: Yes, your bags should be tagged through to ORD if you have enough documentation about this flight.

The bad news is: You will still need to pick up your bag in LAX, go through customs and check it back in at the transfer desk after customs. This has nothing to do with airlines but with US customs regulations.

That's good to hear, thanks!! Any idea how long the whole transfer@custom process takes@noon on a Sunday? I have a 2 hour window between OZ landing and my UA flight departure for now, if it's not big enough, I'll try to move my UAL flight back to a later flight.

That's good to hear, thanks!! Any idea how long the whole transfer@custom process takes@noon on a Sunday? I have a 2 hour window between OZ landing and my UA flight departure for now, if it's not big enough, I'll try to move my UAL flight back to a later flight.
From my experience with checked bags, even with the fairly short distance pick up/drop off routine, I'd definitely move your UA flight back by an hour.

From my experience with checked bags, even with the fairly short distance pick up/drop off routine, I'd definitely move your UA flight back by an hour.

I can second that. It might just work if you have a US passport but even then chances of missing your connection are there. Fenger, just make sure that when you check-in in ICN you have the Etix receipt for your UA flight. Ideally a TA will link the PNRs.

Glad to report that I was able to make my 2hour layover with ease coming out of the OZ flight in Intl. terminal, getting my luggage, walking them out onto the transfer area (turn right, then left, then left again after walking out of the luggage area will take you to the transfer area where a skycab look-alike person took my luggages). The process took all but 45 minutes from my getting off the OZ flight to my walking over to the UA gate (including getting my boarding pass printed at the UA counter and re-enter the domestic security line), did not take the terminal shuttle and walking from intl. terminal to terminal 7 (where UA is) took about 10 minutes.

Thanks for all the advises though!

Glad to report that I was able to make my 2hour layover with ease coming out of the OZ flight in Intl.
Glad to hear it worked out. ^