ARCHIVED China TWOV / transit without visa master thread posts
Apr 18, 2012 | 10:46 pm
#46
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Could purchase a fully refundable ticket.
<48 HR departure PVG-(HKG)-(TPE)-(ICN)
allowing boarding BKK-PVG.
Then take the 48.5 hour PVG departure to US.
<48 HR departure PVG-(HKG)-(TPE)-(ICN)
allowing boarding BKK-PVG.
Then take the 48.5 hour PVG departure to US.
Apr 19, 2012 | 2:07 am
#47
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Apr 19, 2012 | 9:35 am
#48
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Just picking up a Chinese visa in BKK might be less hassle. Last I'd heard, BKK was still willing to issue semi-reasonable visas to US citizens (e.g. you'd at least get a double-entry, and possibly a multiple if you have past visas).
Apr 19, 2012 | 1:24 pm
#49
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I decided to change my BKK-PVG flight to the redeye, which will cost me a good night's sleep but still give me "two days" in PVG. Seems like the best solution to my situation. Of course, if there's a schedule change, and it goes under 48 hours, I'll try to change it back. Buying another ticket would be clever, but wouldn't the Thai agents in BKK see my complete reservation and note that my "real" next flight is in 48 1/2 hours?
Apr 19, 2012 | 4:36 pm
#50
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I'd obviously be willing to pay for a multi-year entry, but how would I know?
I decided to change my BKK-PVG flight to the redeye, which will cost me a good night's sleep but still give me "two days" in PVG. Seems like the best solution to my situation. Of course, if there's a schedule change, and it goes under 48 hours, I'll try to change it back. Buying another ticket would be clever, but wouldn't the Thai agents in BKK see my complete reservation and note that my "real" next flight is in 48 1/2 hours?
I decided to change my BKK-PVG flight to the redeye, which will cost me a good night's sleep but still give me "two days" in PVG. Seems like the best solution to my situation. Of course, if there's a schedule change, and it goes under 48 hours, I'll try to change it back. Buying another ticket would be clever, but wouldn't the Thai agents in BKK see my complete reservation and note that my "real" next flight is in 48 1/2 hours?
Apr 19, 2012 | 5:26 pm
#51
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Are there star alliance flights BKK-PVG?
Thought a UA award would normally route BKK-NRT-EWR.
Thought a UA award would normally route BKK-NRT-EWR.
Apr 19, 2012 | 5:33 pm
#52
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So when I got to the counter and they ask where my visa is, they wouldn't check the next rez in my record (and would a UA flight even show up in the Thai system if it was a UA ticket number)? I could just show them a dummy reservation?
Thai Airways is your friend on that route: two daily nonstops BKK-PVG. Good award availability. Actually Thai seems to usually have good availability. If you happen to need more than 4 seats (not sure how many people other than I do!) the trick is to search the UA system for 4, take them, and more seats "pop up."
Thai Airways is your friend on that route: two daily nonstops BKK-PVG. Good award availability. Actually Thai seems to usually have good availability. If you happen to need more than 4 seats (not sure how many people other than I do!) the trick is to search the UA system for 4, take them, and more seats "pop up."
Apr 19, 2012 | 6:09 pm
#53
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If the Thai Airways ticket was purchased as a one segment award flight
from UA...not BKK-PVG stopover-EWR..I would think that the
UA flight PVG -EWR would not be in their system.
from UA...not BKK-PVG stopover-EWR..I would think that the
UA flight PVG -EWR would not be in their system.
Apr 19, 2012 | 8:13 pm
#54
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So when I got to the counter and they ask where my visa is, they wouldn't check the next rez in my record (and would a UA flight even show up in the Thai system if it was a UA ticket number)? I could just show them a dummy reservation?
Thai Airways is your friend on that route: two daily nonstops BKK-PVG. Good award availability. Actually Thai seems to usually have good availability. If you happen to need more than 4 seats (not sure how many people other than I do!) the trick is to search the UA system for 4, take them, and more seats "pop up."
Thai Airways is your friend on that route: two daily nonstops BKK-PVG. Good award availability. Actually Thai seems to usually have good availability. If you happen to need more than 4 seats (not sure how many people other than I do!) the trick is to search the UA system for 4, take them, and more seats "pop up."
Apr 20, 2012 | 9:07 am
#55
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And it also seems like it might not work if I have a single award ticket (which I would) all the way from BKK to EWR with a PVG stopover.
At the end of the day, it seems like too much trouble! Unless there's a schedule change that puts me under 48 hours (or there's some creative way to get a document from the Chinese saying it's OK if I'm back in the secure area within 48 hours), I'll just give up a good night's sleep and take the redeye to avoid the visa hassle.
Apr 20, 2012 | 10:29 am
#56
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Yeah, I know that. I guess "dummy reservation" was the wrong term.
And it also seems like it might not work if I have a single award ticket (which I would) all the way from BKK to EWR with a PVG stopover.
At the end of the day, it seems like too much trouble! Unless there's a schedule change that puts me under 48 hours (or there's some creative way to get a document from the Chinese saying it's OK if I'm back in the secure area within 48 hours), I'll just give up a good night's sleep and take the redeye to avoid the visa hassle.
And it also seems like it might not work if I have a single award ticket (which I would) all the way from BKK to EWR with a PVG stopover.
At the end of the day, it seems like too much trouble! Unless there's a schedule change that puts me under 48 hours (or there's some creative way to get a document from the Chinese saying it's OK if I'm back in the secure area within 48 hours), I'll just give up a good night's sleep and take the redeye to avoid the visa hassle.
Apr 20, 2012 | 11:54 am
#57
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Apr 20, 2012 | 12:39 pm
#58
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No -- although you might be able to obtain one due to the confusion in the rules.
I'm actually booked on a roundtrip int'l award on UA. One stopover and two open jaws are definitely allowed on such an itinerary. But don't get me started on what routings to Asia are allowed -- we've had some discussion of that in the UA forum, where I guess that discussion belongs!
I'm actually booked on a roundtrip int'l award on UA. One stopover and two open jaws are definitely allowed on such an itinerary. But don't get me started on what routings to Asia are allowed -- we've had some discussion of that in the UA forum, where I guess that discussion belongs!
Apr 20, 2012 | 2:43 pm
#59
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No -- although you might be able to obtain one due to the confusion in the rules.
I'm actually booked on a roundtrip int'l award on UA. One stopover and two open jaws are definitely allowed on such an itinerary. But don't get me started on what routings to Asia are allowed -- we've had some discussion of that in the UA forum, where I guess that discussion belongs!
I'm actually booked on a roundtrip int'l award on UA. One stopover and two open jaws are definitely allowed on such an itinerary. But don't get me started on what routings to Asia are allowed -- we've had some discussion of that in the UA forum, where I guess that discussion belongs!
UA as its a stopover not a layover, so in that circumstance you would
probably be held liable for any fines to the carrier in addition to
a cost for return ticket to Thailand. Kinda risky.
May 4, 2012 | 12:41 am
#60
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Is there air-side transit now without having to go through customs and back through immigration again in Shanghai PVG?
I had always stopped in Shanghai itself and never paid attention to transit.
Thinking of doing a SIN-ICN-PVG-ICN-SEA routing with a 1.5 hour transit at PVG.
Do-able?
Visa wouldnt be an issue and I would just have a carry-on rollerboard and no check-in bags.
Thanks!
I had always stopped in Shanghai itself and never paid attention to transit.
Thinking of doing a SIN-ICN-PVG-ICN-SEA routing with a 1.5 hour transit at PVG.
Do-able?
Visa wouldnt be an issue and I would just have a carry-on rollerboard and no check-in bags.
Thanks!