Originally Posted by moondog

This development could potentially move Macau way up in the desirability list.

However, I don't on ANYBODY who has tried to use Macau as an entry point yet (not surprising because the 41 countries thing just started today and non-q transit to/from Mainland was quite restricted until about 6 months ago).

BUT, given the cost differential between this and pretty much everything else as well as the fact that Macau flights are not subject to CAAC Covid circuit breakers, it's probably worth learning more.

Along these lines, following are a few open questions:
1. Most importantly, are we absolutely certain that after clearing quarantine in Macau, we'll be considered clean by the Mainland?
2. Is it necessary to book a quarantine hotel in advance or do they get assigned upon arrival? If the former, what is the procedure?
3. Do you need any special health codes in order to enter/leave Macau?
4. Are land crossings a PITA (e.g. lottery system) like they are in HK?
5. How's the flight (out situation)? (This would be pretty easy to research, but I haven't checked yet.)

YariGuy you obviously have much more experience with Macau trips than the rest of us, and probably have good insights on 3 and 5.

Originally Posted by moondog

This development could potentially move Macau way up in the desirability list.

However, I don't on ANYBODY who has tried to use Macau as an entry point yet (not surprising because the 41 countries thing just started today and non-q transit to/from Mainland was quite restricted until about 6 months ago).

BUT, given the cost differential between this and pretty much everything else as well as the fact that Macau flights are not subject to CAAC Covid circuit breakers, it's probably worth learning more.

Along these lines, following are a few open questions:
1. Most importantly, are we absolutely certain that after clearing quarantine in Macau, we'll be considered clean by the Mainland?
2. Is it necessary to book a quarantine hotel in advance or do they get assigned upon arrival? If the former, what is the procedure?
3. Do you need any special health codes in order to enter/leave Macau?
4. Are land crossings a PITA (e.g. lottery system) like they are in HK?
5. How's the flight (out situation)? (This would be pretty easy to research, but I haven't checked yet.)

YariGuy you obviously have much more experience with Macau trips than the rest of us, and probably have good insights on 3 and 5.

Originally Posted by MSPeconomist

Does Taiwan allow transit by noncitizens and nonresidents? I thought this was prohibited, or have the rules changed?

Originally Posted by MSPeconomist

Does Taiwan allow transit by noncitizens and nonresidents? I thought this was prohibited, or have the rules changed?

Originally Posted by moondog

Yes. I think they might have prohibited transit for a brief period or two during Covid outbreak(s), but Taiwan has been a viable transit point throughout most of the pandemic.

That having been said, it was not useful for getting us TO Mainland China because:
-with the direct flight requirement, it was completely off limits
-after the direct flight requirement went away, it became somewhat viable, BUT it is necessary to spend 2-3 days IN the country prior to the final flight to Mainland China; most of us don't have permission to enter Taiwan

Hong Kong and Macau don't have the same pre-flight PCR test requirements, so airside transits are fine. Of course, it's easy to get to HK from many places nonstop. This isn't the case with MFM, so Taiwan might be useful.

While I'm on the Macau topic (again), I met up with several of you guys last night at trivia, and hotel booking appears to be the main current snag. Apparently, passengers need to reserve q hotels on their own, and there isn't a smooth system in place for this yet. I'm sure things will become clearer within the next week or two.

Originally Posted by imackie

Recently moved to China, still learning about the nuances. I have a domestic ticket booked on Air China. Air China claims I cannot associate my United FF# with the reservation and earn miles/PQP on domestic flights. Anyone with recent experience on how to do this?

For relevance to this thread: Arrived on UA857 last week. Very smooth process pre-departure and on arrival. Currently in Q hotel (JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai Changfeng Park).

Originally Posted by moondog

I've never had problems getting mileage credit for domestic flights. Since you have time on your hands, another phone call or two wouldn't hurt, but it should be easy to sort out when you check in.

Originally Posted by GinFizz

I am not quite clear on what you mean by "Hong Kong and Macau don't have the same pre-flight PCR test requirements, so airside transits are fine" so just to clarify in case anyone reading this doesn't pick up on these nuances ...

- Transit through Hong Kong to mainland China is still suspended still;
- I am fairly (but not 100%) certain that transit at Macau (MFM) is still suspended (and has been since March 2020) - and there is still a pre-flight PCR requirement (within 48 hours of the departure of the flight sequence, including transfers if applicable, to Macau).


Re: Taiwan, transit through Taiwan airports was suspended from May 2021 to June 2022 (around 13 months). Allowed again from end of June, with the exception of flights to and from China. Transfer through Taiwan is indeed though a useful option for getting to Macau if this new option of quarantine in Macau then entering China without quarantine work out to be doable.

Originally Posted by GinFizz

As moondog notes, this is absolutely fine. In the past I have credited all my domestic Air China flights to SAS (SK) without any issues whatsoever.

I suggest to download the Air China app and then 48 hrs before your flight you can try and check-in using your passport number, flight number and name. The name part might trip up the system - it will need to be the same as used for the booking (e.g. LAST FIRST, or FIRST LAST, or LAST MIDDLE FIRST, etc.). Definitely all capitals needed. Spaces seem to work fine these days (many years ago we had to use LAST/FIRSTMR (as an example) to get things to work). If you can find your flight that way you should be able to add your FF number. And if not just showing your card (or the FF number - help them by adding the "UA" part) at check-in should be absolutely fine.

Welcome also to China! Where is your final destination?

Originally Posted by imackie

Recently moved to China, still learning about the nuances. I have a domestic ticket booked on Air China. Air China claims I cannot associate my United FF# with the reservation and earn miles/PQP on domestic flights. Anyone with recent experience on how to do this?

For relevance to this thread: Arrived on UA857 last week. Very smooth process pre-departure and on arrival. Currently in Q hotel (JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai Changfeng Park).

Originally Posted by YariGuy

If you're going to be in China for any length of time you might want to think about which airline to credit your miles. Oftentimes you'll get better bonuses (including elite qualifying) on the actual airline. On the other hand, if you're going to fly UA on your long-haul flights, it might make sense to continue to credit to UA.

BTW nice quarantine hotel. Were you assigned, or were you able to choose?

Originally Posted by joesk

Update your Mileage Plus account to your new address/residence in China.