If you use the Ctrip app you can check all this very easy (aside from the likely to cancel info). Go to their flight section. Plug in HKG to whatever city you want to check and then click on the date selection space. The calendar that comes up will show you days when there is availability. Every city I checked was sold out until November. PVG was sold out until end December. Takes about 10 seconds to check a city so to cycle through all the options should be a few minutes.

I use ctrip because I’m used to the interface but I think most Chinese travel apps have this info.

I also have the ctrip app, and "no flights available" is common. When this happens, you need to book via airline websites themselves. They will sell flights and take your money. Furthermore, they WILL refund you when they cancel. This means that you will have your $500 back. However, you're still in HK, and might need to stay there for several months.

percysmith Do you know if CX can/will protect passengers on flights that no longer exist? By way of example, if they cancel their Quanzhou flight, will they put you on the Changsha flight instead?

CX won't sell you a flight directly to anywhere in China until October. Their availability matches exactly with what Ctrip offers. I'm not gonna check the Chinese airlines because I don't have that much time but I'm pretty sure they'll match Ctrip availability as well.

CX doesn't fly to Quanzhou. It's not 2019 anymore, Moondog, no matter how much you may wish it to be. :-)

moondog , no. Passengers are largely left to fend for themselves. CX is trying to railroad passengers to take refunds, knowing they'll get no traction with HK courts for coronavirus-driven cancellations.

Seen and heard from people who have stuck in HK without doing homework by coming to HK with the mindset that 'HK is the gateway to China", I would say the best way to get into China is to travel from your home country (or a third country with proven reliable process in place) with visa issued by the local PRC embassy and consulates, and go through with the Covid testing requirements and applying for the health code.

Earlier this year, I had planned to travel to China via Singapore from the US, but upon checking with PRC embassy in Singapore, I had to fulfull 14-day stay in Singapore before being permitted to apply for healthcode, I then decided to just suck it up doing my required tests etc. in San Francisco for a week before flying UA to PVG. Also SIN to PVG was super expensive with only one fight per week at the time.

+1 for Ctrip. The web-version (Chinese interface) also will give you a suggestion for a nearest alternative routing if the search doesn't throw up a hit. For example searching for HKG-PVG on Oct 10th gives "no flights", but suggests HKG-NKG (Juneyao) on Oct 23rd, HKG-PEK (Air China) on Nov 2nd or HKG-NGB (Ningbo)(HK Express) on Nov 8th. This works also from flights out of Europe - and in most cases I have seen all the flights offered at valid routings (nothing via Taiwan or Japan, and only transits where airside testing is still available).

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...34838c1da1.jpg

I would have guessed the same for (3) - but to my surprise Timatic suggests that in some cases (Hong Kong resident with Mainland Travel Permit) this is actually possible

Results from https://www.ExpertFlyer.comI assume this is up-to-date, as a search for say a UK passport holder (rather than HK passport holder) gives the result is that transit is not possible.

Of course this, and the original question is moot as LHR-PEK/PVG flights (with passengers) are not happening yet, and more importantly, under the present situation you would have to desperate I think to attempt a transit in China with the risk of getting stuck here in case of IRROPS or cancellations.

Yes I think this is accurate as you don't need an HDC code to fly from HKG to China so transits may indeed be possible.

I think it’s likely a mistake. There is no way to transit through Chinese airports now unless that transit involves a 10 day quarantine.

Wow, HKG-NGB for USD $337? That's a regular, pre-covid fare.

Combine that with a US-HKG flight for around $500, and theoretically you can get into the mainland for less than $850? + 3 nights hotel in HK of course, and whatever the week costs in NGB or NKG or where ever.

I do have UA857 booked for next May, but I am now tempted to try the HK routing this year, if I can somehow get a month off, and assuming I can get a visa in the US. The HK stopover would be a plus actually, since I have friends there I haven't seen in years.

edit: oh I see the NGB flight actually isn't operating currently. But honestly even HKG-NKG for around $1000 isn't bad at all, and that one seems to be operating.

I'm guessing that the post that lead to this tangent was either a joke or in error (i.e. the poster meant to ask about LHR-HKG-PVG instead of LHR-PVG-HKG). Nevertheless, it bears repeating that the idea of transiting in China is unthinkable. You've already highlighted the quarantine issue. In some countries, it's possible to exit quarantine early if you have a good reason or to simply leave the country. I think I would have needed a really good reason, and possibly consular assistance, in order to leave my quarantine hotel early. I only saw the lobby two times during my visit (arrival and departure days); in both cases, the doors were locked except for the 15-minute windows when we entered/exited, and exit was between 6a and 615a (sleep in and you're probably going to stay another night). I wouldn't necessarily describe the hotel as awful (i.e. it could have been a Marriott during its former life), but it was repurposed as a prison, and the only "room service" I received was from the morning nurse and the evening lady who picked up my trash.

Other bad points about the transit in China idea:
-visas aren't easy to get
-multiple PCR tests that still cost around $500
-hanging around the airport for 3+ hours upon arrival (you get treated to the first of many free PCR tests, have to walk close to a mile in the maze they set up, and then wait until at least 7 other people are ready to take the same bus as you); VIP service definitely helps on these fronts, but I don't know how to actually get it myself
-then, of course, there are the flight costs (which I've already mentioned). LHR-PEK/PVG will definitely start up again, but these flights will almost surely cost $7,000 or more in economy class, and sell out. Meanwhile, LHR-HKG is obtainable for $2500 in business class as long as you're flexible wrt date

Apologies for the longwinded explanation of something that no rational actor would ever contemplate.

Quarantine does not apply if they are flying from Macau, something like MFM/PVG/NRT would still be an international transit and if someone didn't have their HRP they would need to TWOV.

Macao - Quarantine Measures Upon Arrival

A rule change with fairly limited application, but foreigners with Portuguese passports, green cards or certain visas/residence permits (the ones that work for China entry or reentry) who have only been in the mainland for the previous 10 days can now travel to Macau without quarantine.

I'm planning a Taiwan trip around November-December. It's basically a 3+(very loose 4) where you can do "important things", similar to the Hong Kong one. https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/34535569-post604.html

I still don't think there's a way I can get a China visa by then so I will probably put off China for another year.

There is an update that APEC business card holders don't need visas anymore: Notice on Allowing entry to China of APEC Business Travel Card holders and Study Residence Permit holders and on Updating International Student Visa application requirements. I do have an APEC business card but it is from the US who is a transitional member in the scheme so wouldn't qualify for visa-free access. Oh bother.

Yeah the APEC route is a no-go for Americans, but have you tried for a visa?

Don't have any relatives in China and don't have any legitimate business reasons either. I think X1 student visas are being issued but don't want to go for a year. Don't want to get a job there. And I don't think tourist visas are being issued...

Yeah if this is the case then wait.

But enjoy Taiwan! I might be there in December too, using it as a transfer point to Shanghai, if airfares from the US don't come down by then.

China drops some COVID reporting rules for int'l travellers

I just saw this news this morning (reported on three different WeChat OAs). None of the articles go into much detail, but it appears to only apply to the China side (i.e. those 3 pre-trip PCR tests are presumably still required). Nevertheless, I'm always happy to see baby step improvements.

nice. Just to be clear though, currently it's only two test required, not three. One at 48hrs then other at 24 hrs.

My bad. For #3, I was thinking of the arrival PCR test.

They aren't dropping any tests. The only thing that's being dropped is the question on the Customs form that asks about your pre-flight PCR test result. It was redundant as the airline would have already verified the pre-flight PCR tests.

Looks like Chengdu’s number came up on lockdown roulette! The insanity continues!! 成都加油😂

Macau now allows non-resident passport holders from 41 countries to enter from anywhere in the world:

https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2022...from-thursday/

This development could potentially move Macau way up in the desirability list.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6e6acb65ab.png
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.

Hong Kong gets in-principle agreement to implement reverse quarantine for Guangdong entry:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...hina-scmp-says

John Lee Hails 'Reverse Quarantine' for Closed-loop HK Isolation to Meet CN '7+3' Rule; GD, SZ Leaders Agree to Form Task Force
https://www.aastocks.com/share/news/....1210825/?l=en

The article does not say whether this reverse quarantine is applicable for non-residents of Hong Kong or Guangdong. If it is, it will be swamped as a tactic for everyone to get back into other parts of China very quickly.

According to a post on a private Facebook group, someone with a Grenada passport (no visa required to visit PRC) was able to fly from HKG to Beijing after being rejected on direct flights from the US as he could not obtain a green code.

Last time I was in Macau was January of 2022, but:

3) Yes, Macau has a health code. It's similar to the other health codes I've done but doesn't incorporate PCR test results. It's required to enter Macau and to enter various venues like casinos
5) The flight situation is very fluid. At times I was able to redeem something like 20k MU points for a business class, and at times there would be no flights. From my experience, this is based on Macau / destination's COVID case situation. I had a ticket to/from Macau from Shanghai in June, but that was canceled (good, because by that time I'd escaped to the US and couldn't use it anyway).

You can try out the Macau health code here:

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f1cc1f8e49.jpg

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

Taiwan transit has been allowed for a while now. The problem before with routing through Taiwan was that China didn't allow connecting flights so you had to enter Taiwan and do tests there and entry is still restricted.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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?

I was talking about transiting in Taiwan. You do so without leaving the airport if you are going to HK or Macau, but if you want to fly from Taiwan to the mainland, you need to leave the airport in order get tests on two separate days (back to back).

Thank you both. Helpful tips. Final destination is Guangzhou!

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?

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

Any thoughts on best Chinese airlines for GZ based? Most frequent travel will be to BJ

Currently UA 1k (through Jan 2024), Delta Gold (through Jan 2023). With restricted borders flying will be mostly domestic. With unrestricted borders 2-3 TPAC flights per year..

Q hotel was randomly assigned, very lucky. Suite was available for 30% higher price

Is there any benefit from this? Given PQP change it seems there is no longer a PQD wavier
Given current Delta rules, it does seem there is a benefit of a MQD waiver