Best Time to Book Intra-China Airfare?
Jan 4, 2017, 1:31 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 21
Best Time to Book Intra-China Airfare?
Will be going to China in September and will need to book a few legs of domestic flights. When should I book these flights? 4 months out? 1 month? Prices seem very high now, but I know we're still too far out.
Thanks for the help.
Thanks for the help.
Jan 4, 2017, 5:48 pm
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,057
Jan 4, 2017, 6:49 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886
It depends, there is no magic formula. You can't buy more than 90 days ahead. There are sometimes early bird specials and you often have very good last minute deals. It depends on many factors like how many flights are on that route.
The best is to regularly check prices for various date to have an idea of what is a good deal and just buy when you see a price that you like.
The best is to regularly check prices for various date to have an idea of what is a good deal and just buy when you see a price that you like.
Jan 4, 2017, 7:34 pm
#4
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,057
You can pay full fare way in advance, if that floats your boat. 45 days used to be the magic number for discounts of all varieties. Recently, there's been some deviation from this in certain cases, but there's little point in trying to book more than 45 days out.
Jan 4, 2017, 7:43 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
What domestic routes? Discount propensity and seat availability varies, best timing could be anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks out. But not before early July since that's when the complete schedule and discounting are loaded in the system for Quarter 3.
Jan 4, 2017, 8:42 pm
#7
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
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Jan 5, 2017, 4:51 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
September is a popular month for foreign travel groups to China and XIY-KWL is one of the most common segments for the typical China tour itineraries. Since this route has more limited capacity, I'd get it sewn up by mid-July and not try to time the bottom of the discount. The other two segments can wait until about 4 weeks out. PEK-XIY is a route that you should consider going by train, particularly high speed/bullet train. Tickets on China's rail system can be booked up to 60 days in advance through a reputable agent (small service fee).
Feb 26, 2017, 11:00 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 380
I'm considering a similar routing.
XXX-PEK (XXX being HKG or the UK)
PEK-XIY
XIY-KWL
KWL-HKG
But I am looking at going in the last half of August. I know this is peak tourist season in China, so would it be best to book tickets as soon as possible?
Looking around for prices the cheapest I've found is for around 4700 Yuan per person if starting in HKG.
What about the best time to book hotels? I'd be looking on the cheaper end rather than anything expensive.
XXX-PEK (XXX being HKG or the UK)
PEK-XIY
XIY-KWL
KWL-HKG
But I am looking at going in the last half of August. I know this is peak tourist season in China, so would it be best to book tickets as soon as possible?
Looking around for prices the cheapest I've found is for around 4700 Yuan per person if starting in HKG.
What about the best time to book hotels? I'd be looking on the cheaper end rather than anything expensive.
Feb 26, 2017, 11:15 pm
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,057
I'm considering a similar routing.
XXX-PEK (XXX being HKG or the UK)
PEK-XIY
XIY-KWL
KWL-HKG
But I am looking at going in the last half of August. I know this is peak tourist season in China, so would it be best to book tickets as soon as possible?
Looking around for prices the cheapest I've found is for around 4700 Yuan per person if starting in HKG.
What about the best time to book hotels? I'd be looking on the cheaper end rather than anything expensive.
XXX-PEK (XXX being HKG or the UK)
PEK-XIY
XIY-KWL
KWL-HKG
But I am looking at going in the last half of August. I know this is peak tourist season in China, so would it be best to book tickets as soon as possible?
Looking around for prices the cheapest I've found is for around 4700 Yuan per person if starting in HKG.
What about the best time to book hotels? I'd be looking on the cheaper end rather than anything expensive.
Feb 26, 2017, 11:45 pm
#12
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 380
I've had a look on the BA Avios website and it doesn't recognize KWL airport, so I guess I have to phone them?
How many avios does the flight cost one-way?
Feb 26, 2017, 11:58 pm
#13
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,057
The cost is only 4500 points.
Focus on nabbing this, even if you need to adjust your schedule, because it is one of the main reasons you're looking at the high fare quote.
Feb 28, 2017, 10:07 am
#15
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
High speed train would probably be my choice in August, when the chance of flight delays due to severe weather could affect most of the Pearl Delta/HK region. It's more fiddly due to the Shenzhen North - border crossing to HK process, though if you have the cash and there are 2+ of you traveling, arranging a dual plated car pickup at Shenzhen North to take you to the border crossing then to your HK hotel, might be a decent investment in convenience.