Originally Posted by
NewbieRunner
I've found this
visa FAQ in the China forum and a couple of threads linked from the post very useful.
I'm wondering if I should go ahead and book an award ticket while it's available.

Thanks Newbie. I missed that thread and it's very useful, along with a few others in that forum. FTer Tom111 is been in Shanghai with the Olympic swim team and his photos and trip report are very positive and informative. Can't find a link right now, but it's in the FT and MP trip report forum.
I'll probably know in early September if I can do this trip.