Originally Posted by
theOtherHolmes
Ok answering my own question- called Hainan’s China Contact #. Jumped through a couple hoops, talked to a live agent and finally got my eticket number using Partner Confirmation PNR and was able to do seat selection. Yeah!
Had to use my broken Mandarin though. They kept wanting to transfer me to Hainans mileage club center and I had to make it clear that I used Alaska Mileage for the ticket.
Bonus: was told I’d get a free hotel overnight since it’s a forced overnight connection to domestic leg to Shanghai!
I didn’t bother calling their US line since it’s currently closed.
I wonder if something changed when they started allowing purchase of exit row and up front seats for sale. Hainan hadn't allowed tickets booked through third party to be accessed since longer than the AS partnership has existed.
Most Chinese carriers include hotel on forced stopover Though please note if in economy sharing room is required unless you want to pay up.
Hainan returns emails for seat assignment requests within 24-48 hours so no need to call