Where to Search for Travel/Airfare Deals from China?
May 5, 2015, 9:08 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 248
Where to Search for Travel/Airfare Deals from China?
Any good english language websites (besides of course flyertalk) listing travel/airfare deals within or from China? Most of the english travel deals websites of course list deals from or within North America/Europe. thanks.
May 5, 2015, 9:44 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: PEK
Programs: CA Gold, EY Silver HHons Diamond
Posts: 373
I think C-trip is the best comparison site around but as far as finding the best deals I think you need to do a bit of leg work and go direct to the airlines. Sign up for the frequent flyer programs and their newsletters for the airlines that fly your routes and you should get all the best deals.
For example Etihad were recently offering return flights to Europe in Business Class for two people from 20,000rmb if you paid using a unionpay card. Only seemed to be advertised on their website though so easy to miss.
For example Etihad were recently offering return flights to Europe in Business Class for two people from 20,000rmb if you paid using a unionpay card. Only seemed to be advertised on their website though so easy to miss.
May 6, 2015, 9:01 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: TK*G
Posts: 267
CTrip is my first choice, but QuNar (去哪儿网) sometimes has better prices on flights. Both sites also list deals or promotions that are currently going on. CTrip has a more full-featured English site, but if you can read Chinese both work well.
May 6, 2015, 9:48 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,031
I've recently started using Wechat to book plane (and train) tickets. I've found the prices to be surprisingly good, and booking is super fast.
May 7, 2015, 8:58 am
#6
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,031
May 7, 2015, 5:42 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886
I guess on need to read and write Chinese. How much do they charge? Not so obvious by looking at it.
May 7, 2015, 7:12 pm
#8
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,031
No service charge, and opting out of the insurance simply entails unchecking a box.
May 8, 2015, 5:35 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886
May 8, 2015, 8:02 pm
#10
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,031
I semi-disagree.
-until Wechat is disrupted by something else, it is a must have for all (including tourists)
-while the wallet feature certainly isn't necessary for most tourists, it solves an array of problems that frequently pop up here (e.g. how to buy train tickets, top up cell phones, pay my translator, 711 purchases)
Compared with setting up an account on 12306, Wechat wallet configuration is a cake walk, and the benefits are far greater.
-until Wechat is disrupted by something else, it is a must have for all (including tourists)
-while the wallet feature certainly isn't necessary for most tourists, it solves an array of problems that frequently pop up here (e.g. how to buy train tickets, top up cell phones, pay my translator, 711 purchases)
Compared with setting up an account on 12306, Wechat wallet configuration is a cake walk, and the benefits are far greater.
May 8, 2015, 10:22 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: TK*G
Posts: 267
Does WeChat Wallet require a Chinese credit card to work? That would be a deal breaker for myself and most others that don't reside in China.
Also, is there any way for to buy train tickets now without a 身份证? As a foreigner, I've only ever been able to buy high speed rail tickets at a manned booth, since the kiosks can't seem to read passports.
Also, is there any way for to buy train tickets now without a 身份证? As a foreigner, I've only ever been able to buy high speed rail tickets at a manned booth, since the kiosks can't seem to read passports.
May 8, 2015, 11:02 pm
#12
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,031
Also, is there any way for to buy train tickets now without a 身份证? As a foreigner, I've only ever been able to buy high speed rail tickets at a manned booth, since the kiosks can't seem to read passports.
May 8, 2015, 11:55 pm
#13
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: TK*G
Posts: 267
May 9, 2015, 3:11 am
#15
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886
99% of tourists to China can't read or write 你好 I have even seen some who can't order from the photo menu at McDonalds. If you are a regular traveler to China for business or whatever, then maybe it is worth it but otherwise it is best to pay $5 to $10 bucks to have someone else do it and avoid the stress and aggravation..
etickets already exist. Chinese citizens taking bullet trains do not need a ticket. They just swipe their id card. Same when leaving the station. The system is built for 99.8% of their clients, the Chinese.
etickets already exist. Chinese citizens taking bullet trains do not need a ticket. They just swipe their id card. Same when leaving the station. The system is built for 99.8% of their clients, the Chinese.