On the way back my flight was actually CANCELLED

Transit was only 36 hours, and UA cut it down to little over 24 thanks to being re-routed via KIX with a 6 hour layover

They only did this after looking and telling me that despite the email from United and both .bomb and unitedcargo.com (normally the authority on UA aircraft) the flight was NOT cancelled. Oh, and it took three phone calls

EmailKid

Hypothetically speaking, if Emailkid had arrived in Shanghai, found that UA had cancelled the original flight, and the resolution was a replacement flight that went over the 48 hours TWOV limit, I'm pretty confident that the Chinese would have allowed dispensation for the overtime without kicking up a fuss. Note that this is a different condition than having an original scheduled connection that is over the 48 hours. Back to hypothesis, with so many *A flights out of Shanghai TPAC, it's unlikely that UA couldn't have found an alternative that didn't bust the TWOV max. Except in peak travel seasons, when the flights might be there but available seats not.

Good morning, all - I am a USA passport holder who recently booked an itinerary with China Eastern (MU):

NRT-PVG-DEL on the outbound, approximately 5 hours in between flights
return DEL-PVG-NRT, approximately 45 hours in between flights.

Based on everything I've seen, I should be fine to get a Transit Without Visa (TWOV) stamp at PVG on my return trip since I will be there less than 48 hours (although will be spending two nights in Shanghai).

I am quite nervous about dealing with airline staff at the MU check-in counter in Delhi... do you think the China Eastern staff there will be familiar with this transit exception?

If not, is there anything I can do besides bring my itinerary, e-ticket invoice, hotel reservation, and printouts about the policy from Timatic and China's Embassy website? My flight from Delhi leaves around 3 AM so I will likely show up at the airport well in advance of the flight...

Also, will I be getting the same stamp on my outbound or does China Eastern now have a way of remaining airside during a connection at PVG?

One final question - would I be able to buy a high-speed rail ticket to say, Hangzhou, to go sightseeing for the day or will I have to stick around central Shanghai?

Your expertise is much appreciated! Thank you!

I don't think you have much to worry about. And, you can go wherever your heart desires during your layovers in Shanghai.

You're OK in both directions. On the return from DEL, no guarantees it will be hassle-free, especially if MU outsources the check-in staff. All you can do is bring your itinerary, TIMATIC printout might help (use the interface on Delta's website as it's easier), and get to check-in early so there's time to argue the point if necessary). Don't get into arguments on the "leaving the airport" part. If they insist that they'll let you board but you'll have to stay inside the airport for 45 hours, just smile, do a "Yes massa" thing, and fly.

Of course, we (and now you) know better, and when you get to Shanghai and immigration, you'll get your transit stamp at Immigration and your 48 hour maximum stay.

You will be free to go to Hangzhou for a daytrip. You will need your passport to buy a train ticket, but they only look at the front photo page for the passport number to enter into the computer and print out the ticket. It may be a bit trickier to book a hotel in Hangzhou for the night rather than Shanghai, as check-in process requires the hotel staff to examine and copy your visa (or transit stamp) and send it off to the Public Security Bureau (PSB). Note that the PSB has been known to do some spot checks of foreigners on 48-hour TWOV allowances via their hotels....to see if they are actually staying at the hotel put down on the Immigration arrival card.

My friend will be in from SYD on QF at 1830 making an overnight then out to LHR w VS the next morning at 1040. She lives in OZ but has an Irish passport. The way I read things this would be a non preferred passport giving her the opportunity to leave the airport (to hotel) for less than 24 hours? Both tickets are confirmed w miles but separate reservations. Any chance of hassle with QF before leaving SYD? Wondering if a $30 visa would be the way to go? Plenty of time to handle that as travel isn't until Dec.

Even with Irish passport, she gets TWOV for 24 hours (just not the 48 hours) and can leave the airport during that time period. Must show QF the separate reservation/ticket showing the onward travel meeting the conforming 24 hour limit. Also show Chinese immigration on landing in PVG.

Thanks for the reply. That would be great as I checked and the visa fees as shown on the AU visa china site seem to add up to $90 in total.

I checked the QF visa info tool and the first page seems to differ from the subsequent details page about leaving the airport. It also says something about bags being checked through. Experiences here suggest you are ok if you get there. I'm hoping QF won't have an issue w the separate ticket or bags on leaving SYD. Another friend was denied boarding his return easy jet flight from MAD to LGW where he was to catch a VS flight to the USA w transit time of 2.5 hrs. He was eligible for a TWOV in the books and was in fact given one (inc. leaving airport for 8 hrs.) at LGW before catching easy jet down to Madrid.

Hoping the Aussies are a bit more understanding.

Expect QF to not check bags any farther than PVG as their ticket ends there, but she can always try. It's not a tragedy if she has to pick up bags, though with the length of her layover, the check-in for her onward flight likely won't be possible (though again, she can try). The solution is to do a pickup at Baggage Claim, head through Customs (not normally any issues for foreigners) and park those suckers at Left Luggage for a small fee before heading to town. Or take them all to hotel with her. On the return, she should get back at the airport at least 1.5-2 hours ahead of departure to pick up the bags, get checked in and boarding pass, and then get to boarding gate.

None of this has any bearing on TWOV and leaving the airport. Note: If QF agrees to board her but warns her that she can't leave the airport at PVG during her transit, the proper response from her should be to smile and say yes, she knows. Don't get into an argument in SYD. What actually happens upon landing in PVG is a different story which Chinese immigration + us here on FT China forum all know how it turns out--she receives her TWOV stamp and then leaves the airport.

Having two separate itineraries (AA ORD-PVG-ORD) and (TG PVG-BKK-PVG), connecting on the same day (within a few hours). Does one need a visa?

NO.

Be sure to have your second itin printed when boarding in Chicago or AA won't let you on the plane.

EmailKid

Thanks!

Hi experts and thanks for any help you can provide.
I am in BKK currently and would like to go to PVG this week and wish to use the 48 hr TWOV conditions.
Here is my question:
Is a ticket (one ticket and one PNR) BKK-PVG-HKG-BKK acceptable for this?
Will the presumably outsourced checkin staff at BKK for an MU ticket with a Shanghai Airlines flight accept this?
Thanks for any and all help and comments- it will be this week and as the consulate is closed I don't have a lot of other options- if the option one above does not work I will book one ticket: BKK-PVG (MU/Shanghai airlines) and then a separate ticket and PNR PVG-ZRH. In any case I will make sure I am under the 48 hour limits and also the hotel I am planning to stay at is actually in Shanghai anyway.
Lastly- where would I point the checkin agent to in Timatic or elsewhere at BKK?
All help and comments much appreciated,
The first option is the best if it works.

Travelsig

I just sent you a PM, but your single ticket is in complete compliance with the rules --> no worries.

Thanks!