shanghai to BJ
Jun 7, 2010 | 11:21 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: United Gold ;Hertz Gold; Marriott lifetime Gold; Priority Club: Alaska MVP; Hilton Gold:
Posts: 483
shanghai to BJ
I am planning my first trip to China in the fall. I want to go to the Shanghai expo and then fly to BJ. In my initial planning I noticed that some of the flights had several connections. What would be the best airline for this route? Is there a star alliance partner that does this route directly?
Jun 8, 2010 | 1:50 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: YYZ > PEK > YYZ
Posts: 330
I believe this is one of the most heavily travelled routes in China (possibly rivaling some city-pairs in the eastern US) and *A partners CA and FM operate this direct "shuttle" route frequently with wide-bodies, even for a 2hr-ish flight.
I've noticed that there are quite a few delays on this route though.
I've noticed that there are quite a few delays on this route though.
Jun 8, 2010 | 9:11 am
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 46,306
I am planning my first trip to China in the fall. I want to go to the Shanghai expo and then fly to BJ. In my initial planning I noticed that some of the flights had several connections. What would be the best airline for this route? Is there a star alliance partner that does this route directly?
Jun 8, 2010 | 3:09 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Plat & 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 8,687
There is no reason not to take a non-stop flight on this route--it's about 2 hours, but with potential for delays. Either airport in Shanghai is fine. There are flights every 2 hours or so from both airports.
Air China is *A, and there are probably others as well.
Air China is *A, and there are probably others as well.
Jun 8, 2010 | 4:09 pm
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 46,306
"Every 2 hours" is more or less correct from PVG (9 daily flights), but, between 7a and 10p, there are 40 flights from SHA (tmk, all nonstop except for KN's single flight). This, added to the fact that SHA is much closer to town, means that SHA is usually the best bet.
Jun 8, 2010 | 4:14 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 971
Make sure you get your miles recorded when you fly, not later (I forgot my Mileage Plus info and was assured I could get them later). I'm having a terrible time getting United to give me miles from Air China (even though I had everything but the boarding pass).
Jun 8, 2010 | 7:36 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: China
Posts: 818
Even if they input your FF data into the system at check-in, always keep your boarding passes. More than once has it happened to me that miles didn't post even when providing FF data at check-in. Better safe than sorry.
Jun 9, 2010 | 8:48 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 971
Excellent point; wish I had! (But agreed to switch seats 3 times to let others sit together, as many seemed to be doing, and just lost track of the seats). I think that, having paid for the ticket with a cc in my name, that matches the passport, and having boarded and taken the flights, I would not have gotten so much c*** from United. They make it very difficult to get the miles credited, and I'm about ready to throw in the towel (which is exactly what they want and expect and hope for, I'm sure)...
Jun 9, 2010 | 12:00 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Plat & 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 8,687
My mind must have subconsciously excluded the mind-boggling array of non-stop choices from SHA when I booked a few months ago. There you go--even more choice! And, yes, SHA is the one to fly out of absent a compelling reason for PVG, as it is closer to most of Shanghai.
Jun 9, 2010 | 12:02 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Plat & 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 8,687
Odd--I had no problem with the flight info plus ticket number. Credit within a few days. Sorry your experience is different. On the bright side, it's only 500 miles.
Jun 10, 2010 | 11:42 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 971
That WOULD be the bright side; but evidently they think I'm still there, as the return to LAX is also being denied (with BP for this leg!).
I'm sure I will eventually get credited (because I will fight tooth and nail), but a savvy traveler should remember to carry pertinent numbers around!
I'm sure I will eventually get credited (because I will fight tooth and nail), but a savvy traveler should remember to carry pertinent numbers around!
Jun 10, 2010 | 12:03 pm
#12
Ambassador: China
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Malibu Inferno Ground Zero
Programs: UA AA CO
Posts: 4,836
Jun 10, 2010 | 12:07 pm
#13
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 46,306
A while back, I abandoned all airline loyalty wrt intra China flights. Among other benefits, this alleviated any stress related to keeping track of receipts and boarding passes.
But, I would be sad if I missed out on crediting a transpac journey to an FFP. Sylvia: if nothing else, you might want to send in your BP to BMI; those guys aren't nearly as stingy as UA.
But, I would be sad if I missed out on crediting a transpac journey to an FFP. Sylvia: if nothing else, you might want to send in your BP to BMI; those guys aren't nearly as stingy as UA.
Jun 10, 2010 | 8:48 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: China
Posts: 818
+1 for BD.
I credit most of my flights to BMI Diamond Club (I only fly *A when i can, FM, while still *A, because i prefer them over CA) and 9/10 times they post without issue. I retain *G purely from domestic flights, so definitely worth it for me. And i always keep my BPs until posted. Its Skyteam that gives me the most problems with intra-China travel.
I credit most of my flights to BMI Diamond Club (I only fly *A when i can, FM, while still *A, because i prefer them over CA) and 9/10 times they post without issue. I retain *G purely from domestic flights, so definitely worth it for me. And i always keep my BPs until posted. Its Skyteam that gives me the most problems with intra-China travel.
Jun 19, 2010 | 7:40 pm
#15
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA 1P, AA, DL, BA, LH
Posts: 293
Excellent point; wish I had! (But agreed to switch seats 3 times to let others sit together, as many seemed to be doing, and just lost track of the seats). I think that, having paid for the ticket with a cc in my name, that matches the passport, and having boarded and taken the flights, I would not have gotten so much c*** from United. They make it very difficult to get the miles credited, and I'm about ready to throw in the towel (which is exactly what they want and expect and hope for, I'm sure)...
Not all fare classes on CA domestic are eligible for credit, do you know what fare class you were booked in?
Sorry to hear about the TPAC credit difficulty.