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Originally Posted by uanj
(Post 33534412)
When are you looking to travel?
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Originally Posted by WasKnown
(Post 33538402)
anywhere in China to anywhere in the US in December 2021 in business class
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Originally Posted by WasKnown
(Post 33538402)
anywhere in China to anywhere in the US in December 2021 in business class
One-way biz class fare was around $10,000 On my flight to China in August 2020, BOS-SFO-PVG, I redeemed 175K UA miles for a business class ticket. One-way biz class fare was around $22,000 at that time. I expect December fares will go down. |
Originally Posted by UA_Flyer
(Post 33444298)
As I indicated in my earlier post, I was rejected pre-approval earlier this year, so I stayed put in China, After getting Sino-Vac shots, and I reapplied, and received the pre-approval and I left China and stayed two wonderful summer months back home in the US. Now I just completed my 14-day quarantine in Shanghai and ready to go back to work. Do you have PRC resident permit? Work related? After 14-day quarantine can you move freely in China? I thought some cities require you to be isolated for another 7-14 days. |
Originally Posted by kb1992
(Post 33540689)
What is this "pre-approval" by PRC Consulate in SFO? I have never heard about that.
Do you have PRC resident permit? Work related? After 14-day quarantine can you move freely in China? I thought some cities require you to be isolated for another 7-14 days. Do you have a valid visa (issued after March 2020)? All visa issued before are voided. I had to apply a new visa. here is one link for reference: ????????????????????????????? On the arrival quarantine: There are local guidance in addition to national guidance and also subject to changes based on local outbreaks. For example, I did 14+7+7 quarantine when I arrived in July. 14 days isolation. 7 days of restricted quarantine before able to go to Beijing. Once in Beijing, subject to local district restrictions and reporting. Also learn to get used to do PCR tests frequently once you are in China: I have done PCR tests three times in the 14-day isolation, 2 more tests during the subsequent 7 days, and 2 more in Beijing. Another example: I wen to Shenzhen two weeks ago, I needed to do one PCR test 48 hours before the flight, and then another PCR test upon landing at the Shenzhen airport. One more example: I am going to an industry event this weekend, and I need to do anther PCR test and show negative result before I can enter the exhibition hall. Get all the necessary Apps installed and ready to scan before you enter every single building. Embrace contact tracing in China. |
Originally Posted by kb1992
(Post 33540689)
What is this "pre-approval" by PRC Consulate in SFO? I have never heard about that.
三、持有效工作、团聚或私人事务类居留许可人员申请健康码 持有效工作、团聚或私人事务类居留许可人员，即日起无需发邮件提交预审，直接按要求进行“双检测”并申请健 康码。 |
Originally Posted by kb1992
(Post 33540670)
I paid $3800 in economy class on Aug. 30 PVG-SFO-BOS and easily got upgraded to business class.
One-way biz class fare was around $10,000 On my flight to China in August 2020, BOS-SFO-PVG, I redeemed 175K UA miles for a business class ticket. One-way biz class fare was around $22,000 at that time. I expect December fares will go down.
Originally Posted by travelinmanS
(Post 33538583)
Just about any flight you pick will be cheaper than MU PVG-JFK. I recommend you install the ctrip app on your phone and search for flights to the USA.
Originally Posted by WasKnown
(Post 33538402)
anywhere in China to anywhere in the US in December 2021 in business class
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Originally Posted by UA_Flyer
(Post 33540933)
Also learn to get used to do PCR tests frequently once you are in China:
I have done PCR tests three times in the 14-day isolation, 2 more tests during the subsequent 7 days, and 2 more in Beijing. Another example: I wen to Shenzhen two weeks ago, I needed to do one PCR test 48 hours before the flight, and then another PCR test upon landing at the Shenzhen airport. One more example: I am going to an industry event this weekend, and I need to do anther PCR test and show negative result before I can enter the exhibition hall. Get all the necessary Apps installed and ready to scan before you enter every single building. Embrace contact tracing in China. I hope y'all have fun. I'll be back in China when the quarantine is 7 days or less (home quarantine is still quarantine), getting a visa is relatively easy, and testing isn't required every 10 meters. See you then |
Originally Posted by gudugan
(Post 33541291)
BTW this is not required anymore if you have a residence permit. Same link as the one that was just posted. http://www.chinaconsulatesf.org/chn/...24247;码
三、持有效工作、团聚或私人事务类居留许可人员申请健康码 持有效工作、团聚或私人事务类居留许可人员，即日起无需发邮件提交预审，直接按要求进行“双检测”并申请健 康码。 |
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Hey so, my father has successfully entered Shanghai flying MU from JFK. I think technically you can’t choose your quarantine hotel but he was able to finesse something to get a decent spot. Happy to answer any Qs about that process.
In terms of return flights, he currently has a 25K USD MU return flight (PVG -> JFK) booked for December. I think that’s a ridiculous price to pay for business class but he really does not want to hop around planes for transfers. Would all Shanghai flights be innately more expensive? Thoughts on Beijing? Just to confirm, HK is not an option for US citizens right? I’m speculating that return flights are pricing so high rn due to the influx of Chinese students coming to the US. Would that be impacting the pricing of December flights now? He has an obscene amount of United PlusPoints and miles to redeem so open to any good redemption opportunities too. Sorry for all the Qs |
Originally Posted by WasKnown
(Post 33542130)
In terms of return flights, he currently has a 25K USD MU return flight (PVG -> JFK) booked for December. I think that’s a ridiculous price to pay for business class but he really does not want to hop around planes for transfers. Would all Shanghai flights be innately more expensive? Thoughts on Beijing? Just to confirm, HK is not an option for US citizens right? I’m speculating that return flights are pricing so high rn due to the influx of Chinese students coming to the US. Would that be impacting the pricing of December flights now?
He has an obscene amount of United PlusPoints and miles to redeem so open to any good redemption opportunities too. The flight out doesn't matter you can take whatever. Just need a covid test 3 days before entering the US |
Originally Posted by WasKnown
(Post 33542130)
Hey so, my father has successfully entered Shanghai flying MU from JFK. I think technically you can’t choose your quarantine hotel but he was able to finesse something to get a decent spot. Happy to answer any Qs about that process.
In terms of return flights, he currently has a 25K USD MU return flight (PVG -> JFK) booked for December. I think that’s a ridiculous price to pay for business class but he really does not want to hop around planes for transfers. Would all Shanghai flights be innately more expensive? Thoughts on Beijing? Just to confirm, HK is not an option for US citizens right? I’m speculating that return flights are pricing so high rn due to the influx of Chinese students coming to the US. Would that be impacting the pricing of December flights now? He has an obscene amount of United PlusPoints and miles to redeem so open to any good redemption opportunities too. Sorry for all the Qs Your dad can fly from HK if he’s willing to take the ferry from Shekou direct to HKIA or he can connect from the mainland through HK using Cathay and get to JFK that way. |
Originally Posted by gudugan
(Post 33541460)
Perhaps this is a bit off topic but to me this is too much. I get the quarantine, I get the tests during quarantine. I don't get the domestic tests and testing before entering a local facility. This is a sign that "zero covid" has failed and frankly this just sounds miserable, testing is not fun.
I hope y'all have fun. I'll be back in China when the quarantine is 7 days or less (home quarantine is still quarantine), getting a visa is relatively easy, and testing isn't required every 10 meters. See you then |
Originally Posted by WasKnown
(Post 33542130)
Just to confirm, HK is not an option for US citizens right?
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Originally Posted by WasKnown
(Post 33542130)
Hey so, my father has successfully entered Shanghai flying MU from JFK. I think technically you can’t choose your quarantine hotel but he was able to finesse something to get a decent spot. Happy to answer any Qs about that process.
In terms of return flights, he currently has a 25K USD MU return flight (PVG -> JFK) booked for December. I think that’s a ridiculous price to pay for business class but he really does not want to hop around planes for transfers. Would all Shanghai flights be innately more expensive? Thoughts on Beijing? Just to confirm, HK is not an option for US citizens right? I’m speculating that return flights are pricing so high rn due to the influx of Chinese students coming to the US. Would that be impacting the pricing of December flights now? He has an obscene amount of United PlusPoints and miles to redeem so open to any good redemption opportunities too. Sorry for all the Qs There is no need to pay anything over $5000 especially if your dad has UA Plus Points. I would avoid HK. It's definitely more expensive.
Originally Posted by gudugan
(Post 33542058)
Originally Posted by UA_Flyer
(Post 33540933)
You have a lot of reading to do.
Do you have a valid visa (issued after March 2020)? All visa issued before are voided. I had to apply a new visa. here is one link for reference: ????????????????????????????? On the arrival quarantine: There are local guidance in addition to national guidance and also subject to changes based on local outbreaks. For example, I did 14+7+7 quarantine when I arrived in July. 14 days isolation. 7 days of restricted quarantine before able to go to Beijing. Once in Beijing, subject to local district restrictions and reporting. Also learn to get used to do PCR tests frequently once you are in China: I have done PCR tests three times in the 14-day isolation, 2 more tests during the subsequent 7 days, and 2 more in Beijing. Another example: I wen to Shenzhen two weeks ago, I needed to do one PCR test 48 hours before the flight, and then another PCR test upon landing at the Shenzhen airport. One more example: I am going to an industry event this weekend, and I need to do anther PCR test and show negative result before I can enter the exhibition hall. Get all the necessary Apps installed and ready to scan before you enter every single building. Embrace contact tracing in China. I had been in China for 13 months during this trip, and toured 23 provinces, 70 cities and over 100 tourist sites ranked 5A. Stayed at Marriott hotels for 400 nights which helped me to reach life time Platinum status. Of course, I am about to make Marriott Ambassador. After I completed 14 days government forced quarantine, I was set free to stay at Shanghai and nearby cities in hotels since I don't have a place to live in China. Amazingly, I have avoided PCR tests for the whole year. Two during the quarantine, one before boarding the plane back to USA. I have been to all places where there were COVID outbreaks, but always managed to leave before the outbreaks. I was very lucky. The trick to bring TWO cell phones and always shut down one works well for me. After arriving at a new safe city with green health codes, turn on the offline phone. It erased all past 14-day history when you traveled to low risk area but in a city where there is a moderate risk district. People in China are paranoid about COVID. Officials and citizens are afraid to die. They shot down a city when where is one case. Officials are trying to control this at ALL costs, or they will be persecuted for not doing enough. I had been to numerous site seeing places where only handful tourists were visiting, while in a normal day you can see 50,000 people. People are super scared of COVID. |
Originally Posted by kb1992
(Post 33542637)
It is very easy to get upgraded on UA 858 PVG-SFO. Y fares are between $2000-$5000. I paid $3500 and got upgraded easily.
There is no need to pay anything over $5000 especially if your dad has UA Plus Points. I would avoid HK. It's definitely more expensive. Thank you. Actually I am aware of everything you said, having just left China few days ago on UA 858. I had been in China for 13 months during this trip, and toured 23 provinces, 70 cities and over 100 tourist sites ranked 5A. Stayed at Marriott hotels for 400 nights which helped me to reach life time Platinum status. Of course, I am about to make Marriott Ambassador. After I completed 14 days government forced quarantine, I was set free to stay at Shanghai and nearby cities in hotels since I don't have a place to live in China. Amazingly, I have avoided PCR tests for the whole year. Two during the quarantine, one before boarding the plane back to USA. I have been to all places where there were COVID outbreaks, but always managed to leave before the outbreaks. I was very lucky. The trick to bring TWO cell phones and always shut down one works well for me. After arriving at a new safe city with green health codes, turn on the offline phone. It erased all past 14-day history when you traveled to low risk area but in a city where there is a moderate risk district. People in China are paranoid about COVID. Officials and citizens are afraid to die. They shot down a city when where is one case. Officials are trying to control this at ALL costs, or they will be persecuted for not doing enough. I had been to numerous site seeing places where only handful tourists were visiting, while in a normal day you can see 50,000 people. People are super scared of COVID. |
Originally Posted by WasKnown
(Post 33542993)
How far out did you get upgraded? I don’t want him to fly economy for a flight this long but don’t want to pay $25K for a J flight if I don’t have to. Thnx.
See this for Sept. 5 PVG-SFO. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ea296c5409.jpg J class is 27/60 booked, and 14 people on waitlist. Again, all will be cleared except that they probably will not get lounge access because the BP will be reissued at the gate. UA.com is using weird term, First Class and Biz Class to refer to actual Polaris class and Premium Y class. I called UA to push my upgrade through 3 days before the flight so can select my desired seat. |
Originally Posted by kb1992
(Post 33543082)
UA has this nasty practice of clearing 858 upgrades at the gate. You can observe every flight to take a look. Basically most flights ALL people on upgrade list would eventually be cleared.
See this for Sept. 5 PVG-SFO. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ea296c5409.jpg J class is 27/60 booked, and 14 people on waitlist. Again, all will be cleared except that they probably will not get lounge access because the BP will be reissued at the gate. UA.com is using weird term, First Class and Biz Class to refer to actual Polaris class and Premium Y class. I called UA to push my upgrade through 3 days before the flight so can select my desired seat. |
Originally Posted by WasKnown
(Post 33543276)
Thanks man. I will book my dad a United economy ticket first and see how things go. Is PVG to SFO the only United option into the states? Also, do you think it’s worth applying Global Service PlusPoints here over 1K PlusPoints?
If there is a domestic connecting flight such as SFO-EWR/IAD/BOS, then 1K points may not clear him. GS points are preferred. For UA, the only flight from China is PVG-SFO. |
Originally Posted by kb1992
(Post 33543585)
For UA, the only flight from China is PVG-SFO.
UA 87 PVG-EWR starting 31 Oct UA 836 PVG-ORD starting 31 Oct UA 199 PVG-LAX starting 31 Oct Since the flight is in December maybe check back next month? |
Originally Posted by gudugan
(Post 33543621)
United has the following loaded into the website:
UA 87 PVG-EWR starting 31 Oct UA 836 PVG-ORD starting 31 Oct UA 199 PVG-LAX starting 31 Oct Since the flight is in December maybe check back next month? Next summer? Who knows. It largely depends on how China views US as a threat regarding COVID. I am not optimistic since 1/3 of the US population are too stubborn to believe in science and get vaccinated. It would possibly be another 3 years for China to open the door for Americans. Or longer. |
Originally Posted by gudugan
(Post 33543621)
United has the following loaded into the website:
UA 87 PVG-EWR starting 31 Oct UA 836 PVG-ORD starting 31 Oct UA 199 PVG-LAX starting 31 Oct Since the flight is in December maybe check back next month? |
Originally Posted by kb1992
(Post 33543724)
It largely depends on how China views US as a threat regarding COVID.
I am not optimistic since 1/3 of the US population are too stubborn to believe in science and get vaccinated. It would possibly be another 3 years for China to open the door for Americans. Or longer. The first necessary step is recognizing that a vaccine (or recovery from the illness) confers some proportion of immunity. Not necessarily total but much better than nothing. The next step is treating those individuals differently and giving them preferential access. Neither of these are true at the moment. Arguably getting a vaccine makes it more annoying to get in because you have to make sure the antibody and N protein tests are agreeable. It also doesn’t change the quarantine period. In addition, my understanding is that once within China, vaccination gives you no additional privileges (e.g. skipping PCR tests). Getting a Chinese vaccine makes it slightly easier for a visa application but no easier for the testing and quarantine process. Sure you could argue that there is some politics involved with the US. UAE has 88% of the population with at least one vaccine and Portugal has 86%. Even if these were 100% the door would not instantly be flung open. However, I do agree with your conclusion that it may take years. |
Originally Posted by kb1992
(Post 33543082)
UA has this nasty practice of clearing 858 upgrades at the gate. You can observe every flight to take a look. Basically most flights ALL people on upgrade list would eventually be cleared.
See this for Sept. 5 PVG-SFO. J class is 27/60 booked, and 14 people on waitlist. Again, all will be cleared except that they probably will not get lounge access because the BP will be reissued at the gate. UA.com is using weird term, First Class and Biz Class to refer to actual Polaris class and Premium Y class. I called UA to push my upgrade through 3 days before the flight so can select my desired seat. |
Originally Posted by lsquare
(Post 33546396)
Just want to make sure I'm on the same page as you but are you saying that currently for 858s, if status is high enough, buying economy (K-fare?) is practically guaranteed to be upgraded to Polaris for free?
To use upgrade points, you need W fare or higher. W is rarely available on 858. Often it's H or E or M. I have never seen K on this route. If you buy S, then you need to pay fee plus points to upgrade. 1K is almost guaranteed to get upgraded. Nothing is free here. If you are not 1K or Plat you don't have upgrade points. |
Originally Posted by kb1992
(Post 33543585)
GS points will 100% get him upgraded. 1K points should work in 95% cases.
If there is a domestic connecting flight such as SFO-EWR/IAD/BOS, then 1K points may not clear him. GS points are preferred. For UA, the only flight from China is PVG-SFO. |
I bet that upgrade is easy to get because people like me get denied HDC pre approval and cancel last minute. The SFO-PVG route, can’t remember if that’s 857 or 858.
Both of the times I’ve flown United PVG-SFO in the past year, the Polaris cabin has been sparse also. |
Interesting positive case in today's Shanghai Covid report:
??2021?9?7??????????????? ??????6? ????2?__?????????? 病例1为亚美尼亚籍，在泰国旅行，自泰国出发，于2021年9月4日抵达上海浦东国际机场，入关后即被集中隔离观察，其间出现症状。综合流行病学史、临 床症状、实验室检测和影像学检查结果等，诊断为确诊病例。 So this person is of Armenian nationality, was travelling in Thailand (presumably not a resident, because they normally would say working/living for people residing in a country), and flew from Thailand to PVG. So they got a green code despite not being a resident of Thailand. |
Originally Posted by tauphi
(Post 33551487)
Interesting positive case in today's Shanghai Covid report:
??2021?9?7??????????????? ??????6? ????2?__?????????? 病例1为亚美尼亚籍，在泰国旅行，自泰国出发，于2021年9月4日抵达上海浦东国际机场，入关后即被集中隔离观察，其间出现症状。综合流行病学史、临 床症状、实验室检测和影像学检查结果等，诊断为确诊病例。 So this person is of Armenian nationality, was travelling in Thailand (presumably not a resident, because they normally would say working/living for people residing in a country), and flew from Thailand to PVG. So they got a green code despite not being a resident of Thailand. |
Another gem today from Shanghai's Covid report:
病例4为以色列籍，在以色列生活，自以色列出发，经香港转机，于2021年9月10日抵达上海浦东国际机场，因有症状，入关后即被送至指定医疗机构隔离留观。综合流行 病学史、临床症状、实验室检测和影像学检查结果等，诊断为确诊病例。 An Israeli national travelled from Israel via Hong Kong to PVG and tested positive. |
Originally Posted by tauphi
(Post 33563246)
Another gem today from Shanghai's Covid report:
病例4为以色列籍，在以色列生活，自以色列出发，经香港转机，于2021年9月10日抵达上海浦东国际机场，因有症状，入关后即被送至指定医疗机构隔离留观。综合流行 病学史、临床症状、实验室检测和影像学检查结果等，诊断为确诊病例。 An Israeli national travelled from Israel via Hong Kong to PVG and tested positive. The bad: I guess it'll be that much harder to take it now... |
Originally Posted by tauphi
(Post 33563246)
Another gem today from Shanghai's Covid report:
病例4为以色列籍，在以色列生活，自以色列出发，经香港转机，于2021年9月10日抵达上海浦东国际机场，因有症状，入关后即被送至指定医疗机构隔离留观。综合流行 病学史、临床症状、实验室检测和影像学检查结果等，诊断为确诊病例。 An Israeli national travelled from Israel via Hong Kong to PVG and tested positive. |
Originally Posted by yoyo
(Post 33563976)
Any idea why Israelis can transfer through HKG? Do they have resident status of HKG? From what I understand, Chinese citizens without HKG resident status cannot transfer through HKG if their destination is Chinese inland.
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Originally Posted by yoyo
(Post 33563976)
Any idea why Israelis can transfer through HKG? Do they have resident status of HKG? From what I understand, Chinese citizens without HKG resident status cannot transfer through HKG if their destination is Chinese inland.
possibly using this in the process of hustling. |
Originally Posted by kickr
(Post 33564863)
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It's mostly being talked about in the main Coronavirus forum, but the US is dropping the entry ban from China in November. Hard to find a specific link as most of it is about the EU but fully vaccinated travellers from anywhere will be let in.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...-live-updates/ As this thread is mostly focused around US <> China travel, this may be useful to those of you who are not US Citizens or Permanent Residents. |
Many Shanghai hotels are still not accepting foreigners immediately following quarantine. Quite frustrating.
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Originally Posted by WasKnown
(Post 33583128)
Many Shanghai hotels are still not accepting foreigners immediately following quarantine. Quite frustrating.
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Originally Posted by WasKnown
(Post 33583128)
Many Shanghai hotels are still not accepting foreigners immediately following quarantine. Quite frustrating.
I've been staying at a lot of hotels (2 nights away from Marriott Titanium this year) and have not run into any issues. |
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