So I booked a couple of flights and now when I try and manage the booking the Airline engines China southern and Hainan don't accept or recognise the bookings...

The money is paid and showing on my cc statement - should I be worried?

I usually can't manage my bookings if I did not buy on the airline's website. I assume that China is the same.

This is often the case for online bookings unless you have the PNR/booking references for the operating airlines. Bookings using travel agencies are usually better, but not always.

Why not call Ctrip and ask them for your ticket numbers (which are probably already displayed in your confirmation email)?

In addition to Manage My Booking, there's another page rather well hidden away on the China Southern site for ticket verification.

http://b2c.csair.com/B2C40/modules/b...er.jsp?lang=en

Again, whether it verifies only tickets bought on that site isn't clear, but there's a number listed you can call, with a special number for foreign travellers.

Had something similar occur last November when I purchased two one ways from Beijing to Shanghai and back. Ultimately, I had to make sure I used the exact wording of the name on my ticket booking to bring it up. As I recall, they added MR to my booking which I did not include when trying to bring it up. I believe there was also a phone number you could call for assistance. Hold times can be aggravating, but worth the peace of mind.

Safe travels.

Hold times? Ctrip?

Ctrip has pretty good customer service, most of the time. There is no reason to bother with the airline.

It depends on what you're buying. For a single domestic flight in a few days, that's probably true.

But if, say, you're buying an international ticket, the sort where you might have to change the return date, then I'd suggest buying direct from the airline. When buying through an online agent, then sometimes any changes have to go through the agent, usually making the process more expensive and more cumbersome. Ditto a flight where you might not use the ticket and want a refund.

I'd still book with Ctrip in this case. They charge an extra 100 RMB in fees but their service and English level will be much better than any of the airlines. They really can get things fixed.

They said bookings are fine and that I can't pre book seats. I'm sure all is well.

I had experience purchasing a CZ ticket from CTrip and was able to use the ticket verification online. I don't think you can manage the booking, but online check-in should be possible, although the last time I tried, you need to have a China-based mobile phone for it to work.

I believe the ability to manage a booking (low level like selecting seats and special meals) is airline-dependent, and for certain airlines it's possible to do so only a certain number of hours before/up to departure. To do so, you'll need the PNR or ticket number at the very least, which should appear on Ctrip after a booking is confirmed and the ticket, issued.

For flight changes and cancellations for tickets bought through agents like Ctrip, airlines will typically refer you to them to do so.

I've used Ctrip for domestic and international plane and train tix, airport transfers (including from overseas airports) and hotel bookings, and can only say that they have pretty excellent customer service. On two occasions when things didn't work out (hotel room booked wasn't available and airport pick up didn't turn up on time), I was given compensation in cash, after simply contacting their customer support number.

Searching train options at Ctrip. Can someone please help me out with the Suzhou dropdown menu options? Which Suzhou is the Jiangsu one?

苏州 or 宿州?

The former.