Another first-timer to China (PEK)
Dec 18, 2012 | 10:19 pm
#46
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: GSO
Programs: AA-PLT/Lifetime
Posts: 1,187
True, but I would keep my passport in the hotel safe, and travel with a photo of it on my phone.
OP: you are over-thinking this. China is not a war zone, but there are occasional hassles here, and that is part of the fun of exploring somewhere new and very different. You will likely get slightly lost, or get into a taxi whose driver doesn't have a clue...but other than being out by $3, and 30 minutes late, no harm will come of it.
Also, please DO NOT import the US-centric tipping culture into China -- it's already worse than it was a couple of years ago, but not having to tip most of the time is really a wonderful pleasure.
tb
PS not sure if you have realised the current AA promo, but your routing will still bring in 20k+ EQMs before year's end, just in case it is relevant.
OP: you are over-thinking this. China is not a war zone, but there are occasional hassles here, and that is part of the fun of exploring somewhere new and very different. You will likely get slightly lost, or get into a taxi whose driver doesn't have a clue...but other than being out by $3, and 30 minutes late, no harm will come of it.
Also, please DO NOT import the US-centric tipping culture into China -- it's already worse than it was a couple of years ago, but not having to tip most of the time is really a wonderful pleasure.
tb
PS not sure if you have realised the current AA promo, but your routing will still bring in 20k+ EQMs before year's end, just in case it is relevant.
I'm all for helping keep Western-style tipping at bay. From what I've read, service charges are already built into the price, as is the custom here in Germany. At best, we just round up to the next whole number.
You're right, tb, I'm sure we're over-thinking this, no doubt something that stayed with us having lived in Germany in the days before the fall of the Berlin Wall. It's past time to relax, go with the flow, and enjoy a new and memorable experience in China!
And I registered both of us for the AA promo as soon as it was announced. Thank you for pointing it out, though. Unfortunately, I couldn't take advantage of Hilton's promo that rdchen mentioned.
Dec 18, 2012 | 10:37 pm
#47
Ambassador: China
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Malibu Inferno Ground Zero
Programs: UA AA CO
Posts: 4,836
Dec 18, 2012 | 10:58 pm
#48
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Bay Area
Programs: BA - Blue
Posts: 4,720
Will any harm come from having a photo of your passport on your phone -- almost zero (obviously, the risk is not zero itself).
tb
Dec 19, 2012 | 1:21 am
#49
Ambassador: China
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Malibu Inferno Ground Zero
Programs: UA AA CO
Posts: 4,836
Does a cellphone photo of your passport id page and visa suffice as a copy or is a hard copy
required?
I suppose one could ask at the local psb.
For banking matters I do believe the physical passport is required and other
things such as air travel...not sure if train ticket agent hsr would accept
Cell phone photo. Of course hotel needs original. Have been checked for
passport when entering by car cities with events...ie Beijing Olympics, Shanghai
Expo. Not sure if cell phone photo would work.
Is the risk of losing your passport while traveling in China worth keeping it in
a hotel safe when available?
In general I would answer, no.
required?
I suppose one could ask at the local psb.
For banking matters I do believe the physical passport is required and other
things such as air travel...not sure if train ticket agent hsr would accept
Cell phone photo. Of course hotel needs original. Have been checked for
passport when entering by car cities with events...ie Beijing Olympics, Shanghai
Expo. Not sure if cell phone photo would work.
Is the risk of losing your passport while traveling in China worth keeping it in
a hotel safe when available?
In general I would answer, no.
Dec 19, 2012 | 1:44 am
#50
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: SIN, and often HND
Programs: SQ TPP
Posts: 3,238
There were private drivers soliciting custom, I think the going rate was 300y to the city, which isn't too bad. My usual driver charges 200y, or 250-300y between midnight and 5am.
Dec 19, 2012 | 1:59 am
#51
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Bay Area
Programs: BA - Blue
Posts: 4,720
Arrived at PEK last Weds night after midnight and waited an hour for a taxi in subzero temperatures. Totally regretted not pre-booking a pick-up. My colleague obviously hadn't suffered these long airport waits because she insisted it'd be a breeze getting a taxi and I needn't worry. When we saw the line and how slow it was moving she sheepishly acknowledged her bad call.
There were private drivers soliciting custom, I think the going rate was 300y to the city, which isn't too bad. My usual driver charges 200y, or 250-300y between midnight and 5am.
There were private drivers soliciting custom, I think the going rate was 300y to the city, which isn't too bad. My usual driver charges 200y, or 250-300y between midnight and 5am.
tb
Dec 19, 2012 | 2:09 am
#52
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: SIN, and often HND
Programs: SQ TPP
Posts: 3,238
But for after midnight and especially in the cold or if the weather forecast projects rain or snow, I'd most certainly prefer a sure thing!
Dec 19, 2012 | 2:17 am
#53
Ambassador: China
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Malibu Inferno Ground Zero
Programs: UA AA CO
Posts: 4,836
Whomever did the studies for the taxi and airport express queues at PEK T3 must have got there temperature data mixed up with PBI. It ridiculous for people to be freezing in those queues.
Dec 19, 2012 | 2:47 am
#54
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Bay Area
Programs: BA - Blue
Posts: 4,720
I don't bother with a car pick-up if I arrive during the day, just because it's easier to roll up the queue and get a taxi and not have to think about flight changes or delays and having to inform the driver etc, as I often have some flexibility on my return travel plans.
But for after midnight and especially in the cold or if the weather forecast projects rain or snow, I'd most certainly prefer a sure thing!
But for after midnight and especially in the cold or if the weather forecast projects rain or snow, I'd most certainly prefer a sure thing!
tb
Dec 19, 2012 | 3:47 am
#55
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: SIN, and often HND
Programs: SQ TPP
Posts: 3,238
Dec 19, 2012 | 4:08 am
#56
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 46,317
I suppose that's a good point; I know midnight can be hit/miss with taxis at the airport, and if it's "miss", you don't have many other options.
Dec 19, 2012 | 4:57 pm
#57
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: HHonor Dia, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond
Posts: 551
So the queue is like outside, that's why some people freezing?
Dec 19, 2012 | 6:04 pm
#58
Ambassador: China
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Malibu Inferno Ground Zero
Programs: UA AA CO
Posts: 4,836
Covered, but no heat. Same for Airport Express..big glass roof but no heat.
http://www.mobypicture.com/user/marc...s/view/5663404
http://www.mobypicture.com/user/marc...s/view/5663404
Dec 19, 2012 | 6:10 pm
#59
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: SIN, and often HND
Programs: SQ TPP
Posts: 3,238
Dec 19, 2012 | 7:25 pm
#60
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: HHonor Dia, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond
Posts: 551
edit: Or if anyone have info about reasonable+reliable airport pickup service?