http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/6248/caring.png

Lol, sorry for the grammar lesson but this particular Americanism really drives me nuts!!

Tried to book a plane ticket on ctrip and they wanted photocopies of my CC front/back or they would not issue the ticket.

Stupid policy.
Like i'm going to fax my CC info to them for them to use??

Refused to do it and rebooked on elong.

UA, SQ, AC, DL, CA, MU, and elong have all employed the policy you speak of at various points in time.

Quorthon: I fixed that grammatical error; thanks for the heads up.

As in no foreign fee without a hitch?

No. I paid the fee; I'm not that special (yet).

Hopefully you didn't pay a forex transaction fee on the CC side too. Missing the Schwab? I sure am...

The HSBC Premier World Mastercard is still fx fee free. The rewards suck but at least you can get some miles now.

I used CTrip for the first time yesterday to book a group of 7 colleagues from Beijing to Sanya tomorrow. As expected, they asked for photocopy of the credit card and my passport, but the transaction went off very smoothly. Their communication was exceptional. Every email I sent with a question was responded to within the hour and with an answer that made sense (unlike the standardised emails so common with other providers). Overall, I was pleased with the transaction (but I'll reserve final judgement until after everyone has flown tomorrow without a hitch!).

The past 2 years I've only been impressed with CTRIP.

Good thing that they didn't fly from Shanghai :D

Looking to book PEK-PVG/SHA-PEK flights and was initially going for Ctrip, but today I noticed that Early bird fares [that also have gone down 20CNY since last week] are for over 55 only. Was it always like that?

The next ones up, normal fares are more than twice that :td:

I noticed that elong has some 510CNY fares on this route - am I ok buying those, as I can't see any age restrictions?

Also have two quick Qs for the experts here:
- how can I find booking class on Ctrip [or elong]?
- being SkyTeam elite, can I choose/pre-reserve seat on FM/MU? Do I need to request that from TA [Ctrip/elong] or the airline directly?

My company encourages train travel between BJ and SH because we are trying to conserve cash, but my colleagues and I have slowly come around to the realization that flying really is better, even if we have to endure a 1 hour delay.

Juneyao Airlines has a 630a flight that is almost always either y230 or y340; after adding the YQ and airport construction fee, this is still cheaper than the train, and permits us to arrive at the office by 9a. Since the plane arrives in PEK the previous night, it is rarely delayed, and the food (breakfast congee) is quite good.

CA and MU have been trying their best to match (or come close to) HO's fares on their morning flights.

If you are unable to find a flight that works for you, just take the train; it's not that bad.

1. I wouldn't risk the over 55 if you are not.
2. To get booking class I just call them or use another online tool (like cz.com or mu.com)
3. As STE, I don't think you can select seats via Ctrip, must go through MU.

ctrip displays the booking class on its Chinese site.

Thank you both for your answers. I wasn't thinking of using 55+ fares [being only 34], but was surprised to see them [somehow missed it before :confused:]

Used the CN version of Ctrip - it seems that booking class is X - which means no miles at all with Flying Blue :(

Now I am split between desire to try some new airlines and trying to save few ££s by taking a train [and seeing some of the country through the windows] :confused:

moondog, you mentioned that CA and MU try to match HO fares. I can see this for MU, where should I check CA if I can't see it on Ctrip? That way I might be able try some new lounges as well as earn few miles...