Question: AC services at PVG?
Mar 30, 2018, 12:08 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Location: YYJ
Programs: AC-E50K / WS-P / Hyatt-G
Posts: 257
AC services at PVG?
Good morning all!
We are about to fly AC26 PVG-YVR in a couple of days. What should we expect at PVG by way of AC specific services--in particular, does AC have dedicated counters there? If so, what time might they open--I believe the PVG-YVR is the first AC flight of the day, followed by the flights to YUL and YYZ. We are in J, so should be able to access the CA business lounge, IIRC, once we clear security...any other options airside?
Thanks in advance!
We are about to fly AC26 PVG-YVR in a couple of days. What should we expect at PVG by way of AC specific services--in particular, does AC have dedicated counters there? If so, what time might they open--I believe the PVG-YVR is the first AC flight of the day, followed by the flights to YUL and YYZ. We are in J, so should be able to access the CA business lounge, IIRC, once we clear security...any other options airside?
Thanks in advance!
Mar 30, 2018, 7:33 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: I'm From Here
Programs: AC*SE & MM/*Wood Gold/HHonors Diamond/Marriott Silver/AirMiles Gold
Posts: 4,567
I have only done PVG once but there are check in counters and the concierge (younger guy) is usually there.
Seems to be standard on smaller international stations.
Usually, it is 3 hours before your flight is when it opens.
...and yes. Air China lounge is fine. 2 story lounge with OK food. I didn't do a ton of exploring while I was there but there was your usual shops around. I just hung out in the lounge until it was time to fly.
Seems to be standard on smaller international stations.
Usually, it is 3 hours before your flight is when it opens.
...and yes. Air China lounge is fine. 2 story lounge with OK food. I didn't do a ton of exploring while I was there but there was your usual shops around. I just hung out in the lounge until it was time to fly.
Mar 30, 2018, 10:21 am
#3
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Windsor/Detroit
Programs: AC*SE, Wyndham Dimond, Marriott Plat, Amex Plat CND & USA, active military, Yoga teacher.
Posts: 148
the Air China lounge at pvg is the best one I have been at. the check in is ok. they line gets kind of long as the YYZ and YRV people all line up at the same time. so line up in the priority line.
Mar 30, 2018, 11:14 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Shanghai, Las Vegas, Toronto
Programs: AC -SE, SPG-PLT, HH-G, Natl XcElite
Posts: 111
- For PVG always arrive a minimum 2hrs ahead of departure to be safe due to unpredictable lineups at check in and outgoing customs and security.
- Forget AC services, the only thing I ever stop for at for PVG IS starbucks airside or noodle spots airside if desperately hungry.
- I don't like ac biz class food but I dislike pvg terminal food more.
Mar 30, 2018, 12:25 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: YXU/BOS
Programs: AC SEMM
Posts: 939
A couple of thoughts from my recent experience:
AC has dedicated counters but they are staffed by airport contract staff who are not especially helpful.
Concierge can be a bit tough to reach because s/he cycles between counters and gates of incoming and outbound a/c.
AC will not issue bp more than 3 hours ahead of your flight (I know because I arrived on a connecting flight earlier in the day and had to cool my heels until the 3 hour window; concierge said they were unable to help). So you really want to time your arrival to between 2 and 3 hours
AC has dedicated counters but they are staffed by airport contract staff who are not especially helpful.
Concierge can be a bit tough to reach because s/he cycles between counters and gates of incoming and outbound a/c.
AC will not issue bp more than 3 hours ahead of your flight (I know because I arrived on a connecting flight earlier in the day and had to cool my heels until the 3 hour window; concierge said they were unable to help). So you really want to time your arrival to between 2 and 3 hours
Mar 30, 2018, 4:02 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YVR
Programs: AC*SE MM, Marriott Titanium, National Executive
Posts: 1,586
It also should be noted that Air Canada does not have a transfer counter at PVG. If arriving on another flight, you will need to go through immigration and go upstairs to the AC check in area and back through immigration and security.
You cannot check bags through PVG to your final destination either (you can through PEK)
You cannot check bags through PVG to your final destination either (you can through PEK)
Mar 30, 2018, 4:05 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: Only J via Peasant Points, 777HDPeasant or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance and Narcissism.
Posts: 5,953
Mar 30, 2018, 4:06 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: Only J via Peasant Points, 777HDPeasant or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance and Narcissism.
Posts: 5,953
- For PVG always arrive a minimum 2hrs ahead of departure to be safe due to unpredictable lineups at check in and outgoing customs and security.
- Forget AC services, the only thing I ever stop for at for PVG IS starbucks airside or noodle spots airside if desperately hungry.
- I don't like ac biz class food but I dislike pvg terminal food more.
Mar 30, 2018, 5:03 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YVR
Programs: AC*SE MM, Marriott Titanium, National Executive
Posts: 1,586
Mar 31, 2018, 8:49 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AC E35K, NEXUS
Posts: 4,368
I was very careful with everything I ate there until that point and I consulted public health experts and medical experts on my symptoms and the timing. Am I 100% sure, no. I will say it was legit delicious curry, but as we see in MLL, any buffet is easily contaminated by fellow guests.
Mar 31, 2018, 1:04 pm
#12
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: TK *G
Posts: 3,099
There is dedicated check-in counters which should be staffed 3 hours before departure time. There is also dedicate security line for J, can't remember if there's any dedicated immigration line. I once arrived 50 minutes before departure and still spent 20 minutes in the lounge.
The CA lounge there is better than international MLLs (not the SSL). At meal time there are various (around 10) hot dishes and dim sum, sandwiches.
The CA lounge there is better than international MLLs (not the SSL). At meal time there are various (around 10) hot dishes and dim sum, sandwiches.
Mar 31, 2018, 7:59 pm
#13
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,837
There is dedicated check-in counters which should be staffed 3 hours before departure time. There is also dedicate security line for J, can't remember if there's any dedicated immigration line. I once arrived 50 minutes before departure and still spent 20 minutes in the lounge.
The CA lounge there is better than international MLLs (not the SSL). At meal time there are various (around 10) hot dishes and dim sum, sandwiches.
The CA lounge there is better than international MLLs (not the SSL). At meal time there are various (around 10) hot dishes and dim sum, sandwiches.
I am stunned that you could arrive at the airport 50 min before departure and have time for the lounge. It must have been a time of day where there was nobody at immigration, and I have yet to find what that time of day is!!
Mar 31, 2018, 8:04 pm
#14
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: Only J via Peasant Points, 777HDPeasant or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance and Narcissism.
Posts: 5,953
There is no dedicated immigration line for J. And the wait times at immigration are far worse than at security, which is immediately after immigration. So the J-priority at security is nice, but not that big of a deal because it's right after the bottleneck.
I am stunned that you could arrive at the airport 50 min before departure and have time for the lounge. It must have been a time of day where there was nobody at immigration, and I have yet to find what that time of day is!!
I am stunned that you could arrive at the airport 50 min before departure and have time for the lounge. It must have been a time of day where there was nobody at immigration, and I have yet to find what that time of day is!!
Apr 1, 2018, 9:14 am
#15
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: YWG
Programs: SEMM,SPG Plat
Posts: 306
I have been multiple times since 2016 and the longest lines I have seen have been 2017/2018 the lines seem to keep getting longer. I don't know how fast it takes to get through however as I have APEC so I cruise right past, best money I have spent.