Jiatong

One has to look on the CZ web site & then if using C-trip for purchase ask them on the W fare. C-trip will confirm the W fare over the phone.

Just wish i could use my Dulta.dum status for the CZ lounge ....

Chinatrvl

Ctrip sells W (and Z if available) online just like any other fare... No need to call at all.

Jiatong

I call cause i pay cash rmb when C-trip delivers the blue itinerary receipt to my apt. No airport 'blue' receipt issues then & I can verify the W class fare when delivered. I like C-trip for CZ, but twice they have delivered an incorrect fare receipt vs what was quoted, ( maybe a language problem ).

CA takes my Amex plat without any 3% charge, & sometimes has lower CA web site fares than C-trip.

mnredfox

My way of trying:
1. Always use the STE+ lines. I have about a 20% success rate in them just giving me a lounge pass.

2. Goto the lounge and just show your BP with a smile. I have a 33% success rate on this.

As a DM, did you actually get a SC card? I got one as Asia Gold+, but since that's gone my card is gone come May 2012.

Jiatong

yep, still have the SC card, which expires on Feb. 29 2012. On two CZ flights in country, (not BJ or SH) this week. so will try for the CZ lounge pass.
-backup is the Amex Plat... but that has never worked in BJ on Dulta partners..

- I made the mistake of going for DM on Dulta last year, & should of stayed short with rollover. & now will barley make silver this year with all the over the water flights on UA. But after just reaching UA 1k by the end of this year, & the UA/CO speculation rumors on MPlus.... Not sure about 2012 for over the water flights to China... But a revenue based program is sure a game changer for elite status....

mnredfox

Yeah, I'm kind of holding off on the status match for now. Now sure if UA will give me 1K with just plat or will force me to hit diamond first before doing a status match. Either way, I'd be happy with UA over DL...

jiejie

Guys, please! So that this thread doesn't devolve into 50 useless pages of accumulated tangents, let's try to keep it focused on issues of major transportation general interest within China.

On the flip side, I think the conversation from about post #59-60 onward warrants being split off into a new thread with new title rather than buried here. There are a subset of FT'ers who pose related questions from time to time (not always on this forum), and would be up for enlightenment and ongoing discussion on the various Alliance Lounge Access policies within China, W fares, discounted F fares, etc. We don't really have a good recent thread on this sort of topic. Do a thread and I'll link to it from the Intercity Travel - Air base post. My personal experience doesn't qualify me as expert on this particular aspect of China travel, which is why I don't want to originate the thread myself.

Status matches on US-based airlines really belong somewhere else.

Jiatong

Ok, maybee a new fall thread is timely, as the legacy airlines are "updating" the skypesos & milesMINUS programs this fall. Some china travelers do plan their match/challenge travel plans prior to the start of the calendar year.

IMO, on the in-china airline flights, leg room & lounge access are important.

jiejie

(my bolding): Very true.

I'm not sure if only one or two different threads would be best, something which covers topics like:
"Premium Fares on Chinese Domestic Flights" (F, J, W...incl comments on increased bennies vs increased cost)
"Optimizing Chinese Domestic and Intl Flights for Your FFP/Alliance"

There's information out there on these topics on existing threads, but it's scattered about and much of it needs updating. I'll volunteer you, mnredfox, or moondog to start something. The natural discussion can build it organically, and I'll link to the Master Transportation Thread.

moondog

Lest you all forget, I am a man of the rails these days.

anacapamalibu

Not gonna find that here. Closest US came was a 4 mile strip
of train travel in Las Vegas that failed miserably.

jiejie

What about when you have to get to Chengdu? Kunming? Urumqi? Bullets (trains) can't solve all your worries.

moondog

At the present moment, I do Beijing-Shanghai and the reverse almost every week, to the extent that I'm tight with many of the train attendants (we exchange text messages on a regular basis). That having been said, my sites are indeed set upon Kunming and I'm ready to make the move.

susiesan

This question pertains to transportation in China. I have 3 Air China flights coming up in October as part of my vacation trip. They are award seats. I have a CA confirmation number for the CA segments. The tickets were issued by ANA as etickets.

Is there any way to get seat assignments in advance? Do I call them at the LAX office here in the US? I can't seem to find a way to do it on their web site.
Does CA do advance seat assignments or do I have to wait until getting to the airport for the flight?

moondog

I always snag the pillow seat, Susie, in spite of the fact that my *G status presumably entitles me to reserve others. The pillow seat is simply impossible to top (for solo travelers).