North Korea Travel, Experiences and Discussion
Sep 23, 2012, 6:46 pm
#46
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: AA Platinum for Life (2MM), BR Gold, AS MVP Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 976
I can only add to the Chorus of props for Koryo Tours. I went in October 2005; it was said to be the largest group of Americans in DPRK since the Korean War (~100 of us).
Sep 2, 2014, 12:20 pm
#48
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA 1M
Posts: 31,474
All the tour groups seem to include transport into and out of NK. Do any of them price packages without flights? I'm thinking of redeeming 20K AC for a PEK-FNJ flight on CA. If so how much lower would the cost be?
Sep 2, 2014, 12:50 pm
#49
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: USA
Programs: UA 1K, Starwood Platinum, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 982
The real issue is whether you can actually redeem miles on this route. Travel to FNJ isn't mainstream and tickets to/from FNJ are typically processed manually and often paid cash.
Not so long ago, they were paper tickets although as of now even Air Koryo has e-tickets. CA is extremely unlikely to issue a ticket unless they can verify that you have a visa, and you won't be able to provide any proof because you won't get the visa until the day of departure, unless you apply yourself at one of the few DPRK embassies.
I know UA doesn't support redemptions to FNJ. If AC does, then triple check that your ticket is valid, and be sure to provide all the details to your tour operator so that they can double check on their end and also let KITC (the main DPRK travel agency) know of the details.
This is not a policy issue - it's not like Air Canada cares whether you want to travel to Pyongyang - but more of a basic red tape issue with regards to how those specific tickets are handled.
It would be great if you could follow-up and let us know how things turned out for you.
Sep 2, 2014, 12:52 pm
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA 1M
Posts: 31,474
Ask your tour operator. They can definitely deduct the cost of the plane ticket. Prices are typically high, especially on Air China, since this is a niche market. A ticket is around 600 euros but prices vary throughput the year.
The real issue is whether you can actually redeem miles on this route. Travel to FNJ isn't mainstream and tickets to/from FNJ are typically processed manually and often paid cash.
Not so long ago, they were paper tickets although as of now even Air Koryo has e-tickets. CA is extremely unlikely to issue a ticket unless they can verify that you have a visa, and you won't be able to provide any proof because you won't get the visa until the day of departure, unless you apply yourself at one of the few DPRK embassies.
I know UA doesn't support redemptions to FNJ. If AC does, then triple check that your ticket is valid, and be sure to provide all the details to your tour operator so that they can double check on their end and also let KITC (the main DPRK travel agency) know of the details.
This is not a policy issue - it's not like Air Canada cares whether you want to travel to Pyongyang - but more of a basic red tape issue with regards to how those specific tickets are handled.
It would be great if you could follow-up and let us know how things turned out for you.
The real issue is whether you can actually redeem miles on this route. Travel to FNJ isn't mainstream and tickets to/from FNJ are typically processed manually and often paid cash.
Not so long ago, they were paper tickets although as of now even Air Koryo has e-tickets. CA is extremely unlikely to issue a ticket unless they can verify that you have a visa, and you won't be able to provide any proof because you won't get the visa until the day of departure, unless you apply yourself at one of the few DPRK embassies.
I know UA doesn't support redemptions to FNJ. If AC does, then triple check that your ticket is valid, and be sure to provide all the details to your tour operator so that they can double check on their end and also let KITC (the main DPRK travel agency) know of the details.
This is not a policy issue - it's not like Air Canada cares whether you want to travel to Pyongyang - but more of a basic red tape issue with regards to how those specific tickets are handled.
It would be great if you could follow-up and let us know how things turned out for you.
Thanks. I checked aeroplan.com and it priced it out at 20K and $30 in taxes.
Sep 2, 2014, 4:44 pm
#51
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: USA
Programs: UA 1K, Starwood Platinum, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 982