Air to Kunming (KMG)
 

I will be going to KMG in August, leaving from MKE. I am not sure what the most convenient (and maybe even cheapest) air routing would be. I thought of connecting in PVG, BKK or PEK. I will have to buy my ticket before I leave, so buying a ticket to KMG, in say, PVG, will not be an option. Any opinions? Thanks so much!

If you want convenience then I would say probably go for one of the International connections into KMG, which would be either Thai via BKK, Korean Air via ICN, or Dragon Air/Cathay via HKG. These will all allow you to check luggage all the way to KMG from your point of origin and you don't need to clear customs until you arrive in KMG. If you connect in PEK or PVG you need to claim luggage, clear customs and then recheck into domestic flight. This way may be cheaper however.

Setting aside the fact that you are TMK the only active FTer who lists KMG as a home airport (and, therefore, have an abundance of expertise points), I concur with your advice. That having been said, BJ and SH are both sensible options as long as the OP is willing to spend a night or two.... but, trying to force same-day connections is a recipe for grief and/or added cost.

Thanks so much for responding, AandT and moondog. I did forget to write that I plan to spend a couple days in BKK or PVG or wherever I fly into from the States just to rest up before continuing on to KMG.

I have been investigating various airlines like TG and CZ and am shocked by the high prices (about $600 r/t) and the weird routing with long layovers (like 10 hours in some cases). Any suggestions for the most direct airline to KMG after I spend a couple days in BKK or PVG or wherever?

If you are going to stay over a couple days en-route then I suggest PEK or PVG, and book the domestic leg separately from the international. You can book online with english.ctrip.com or I use ticket.9588.com. Booking this way you should be able to book a discount fare, usually 2 weeks to 1 month in advance of travel. (you can also book on arrival and sometimes get a better discount but I know you already said you wish to book in advance).

Probably PVG is a better choice for me since NW has just launched a DTW-PVG route. Thanks for the booking links. The only reason that I wanted to buy the ticket ahead of time is that I have to be in KMG on August 1. I wouldn't mind waiting and buying the ticket in PVG but then wouldn't I run the risk of a sold out flight?

NW's non-stop from DTW gets into PVG at 6:20p. There aren't many PVG-KMG flights a day (more from SHA), and last one from PVG departs 7:25p. I think it's too tight, and if you miss it you will have to stay overnight in Shanghai and likely buy another ticket next day to KMG.

It's generally best to buy tickets between 2 weeks and 2 days in advance. BTW, I just spot-checked PEK/SHA/CAN-KMG for next Tuesday and there was lots of availability for around y1000 in all 3 cases (actually CAN-KMG is closer to 700).

Thanks again, everyone, for your help. I just booked a ticket into PVG. I couldn't use any PMUs to upgrade on the direct DTW-PVG flight so I am connecting in NRT. That flight arrives at 9:00 pm. I will stay overnight that night and then the two days that follow (July 30 and 31) and leave for KMG August 1. Do you think that is enough time to buy a ticket? I only have two days to buy one but moondog said two days might be enough time.

Are there special travel agencies in Shanghai that sell them or can I just go anywhere? I am completely new at something like this.

BTW, I tried to add PVG (or SHA)-KMG to my NW ticket and they wanted a whopping $1600 more to book coach on CZ!!!

Yes. Also check out ctrip, elong, etc. (lots of info on them here).

Thanks, moondog. I will check out the sites you mentioned. I had never heard of them before so this will be real learning curve experience for me. Thank you again!

Queries like yours are probably the most common of all in this forum. I'm assuming that you've taken upon yourself to do a bit of research by now and -- therefore-- are already abreast of these key points, but I will state them anyway since I'm in a good mood this evening:

-for the most part, air fares don't spike until the 2 day mark, if at all
-for this reason, it makes sense to wait until your schedule is set (but, if you know what you want to do 7 days out, then there's little harm in booking; fares might drop, but probably not by much)
-always book one-way trips; in addition to schedule flexibility, doing this makes changes much easier... and doesn't cost a fen more
-I usually end up booking with ctrip itself because doing so is really convenient and I like the fact that I can put the onus on them when things go awry (this doesn't always help much, but is a big step above the travel agent in the Lido who can't do squat during her limited business hours, let alone at 8p in Xi'an when CA is telling me that I need to "be patient for a few days")
-that having been said, if there happens to be a physical travel agent nearby (even at a 5-star hotel), I have no qualms about using them; 9 times out of 10, prices are the same regardless of booking channel (a minor amount of research constitutes proper due diligence); what's more, if you head to the airport with a ticket, you'll probably be okay

moondog, I'm glad you were in a good mood last night because I really appreciated your suggestions. I did go to the ctrip site yesterday but it wouldn't let me price anything. When I e-mailed ctrip and asked them why not, they said my trip was too far out to book right now. They said to wait until July.

I already know my exact travel dates and I purposely left two days in PVG to buy tickets. I have to leave PVG (or SHA) on August 1 and must leave KMG on August 22.

You have been very patient so I hope you will answer one more question for me : Would you wait until you got to PVG and buy a ticket two days out or just book something on ctrip in July? My fear, of course, is that the planes will be filled if I wait two days out, although once I had to buy a ticket SHA-HKG the same day and had no problem doing so at the CZ counter in SHA. Thank you again for all your help!

There is zero chance all SHA-KMG flights will be sold out, and you seem to be fairly flexible which flight to take. Worse case, buy a full-fare Y, or first/business class ticket.

So, either way is perfectly fine.

Thanks again, rkkwan, AandT and moondog. Your advice has been wonderful. I think I'll check ctrip again in July. If the prices are too high I'll buy a ticket in Shanghai. There seem to be many flights from PVG/SHA to KMG so I will find something.