This info may be outdated as it was about 1.5 years ago, but had a headache from a CA (KUL-PEK) to UA connection in PEK (PEK to SFO). When I checked in at KUL, the ground staff were unable to give me boarding passes all the way through (though they could check my bags through). At this point I need to point out that most foreign airlines contract with MH for ground staff and these staff are for the most part hopeless when it comes to anything out of the ordinary (other than collecting overweight baggage fees).
When I reached PEK, I was not allowed into the transit area as BOARDING PASSES (not tickets, not e-tickets) were needed, so I was directed to clear immigration and check in at the UA counter when it opened. Americans need visas (AFAIK) in this situation. I was just lucky to have a multiple-B visa and they actually stamped me in on that visa. I have no idea what kind of process would have been involved without that visa.
Originally Posted by
dewman9800
I transit visa is not required if you are tranferring in less than 24 hours.
According to the Beijing airport website: "International Transfer passengers must go through immigration transfer desk. No Chinese visa is required for passengers holding a confirmed connecting fight ticket and transit in China within 24 hours.
That may be the case, but if so, why did they stamp me in on the B visa when I was clearly in transit?
This was also an inconvenience as this was very early in the morning and the UA counter did not open for hours (probably not an issue as the OP needs CA boarding passes), leading to a very long wait in the departure hall vs the *G lounge.
If things have not changed, in my opinion, just to avoid a headache, you need boarding passes all the way through and you should throw a fit if they say no at your initial check in.