US citizens applying at US consulates are often granted 1-year visas, even if they don't have previous China visas (due to reciprocity, I think).

I had a 5 Day SEZ visa for going across the border from Hong Kong., but I didn't really need multi-entry, only double (to go and return from North Korea), but the multi is the same price so thought I'd try.

Moondog is correct. DN, if you had applied at a Chinese mission in the USA, you would almost certainly have gotten the 12 month multiple entry. This deal is not normally available if you are a US citizen applying for a visa in a 3rd country. The older policy of not granting a multiple until you had at least one (or 2 or 3) entries into China on singles and doubles doesn't seem to apply anymore, at least to US citizens.

I paid my $130 and only got a 30 day visa. =( I believe it is my 5th visa. Not that I would go back to China again.
I was expecting a one year visa.

I confirm this.

I am planning on going to china on tourism. However I have a friend who is working there. Is there any benifit to an F over an L visa or the other way around. I shouldn't have a problem getting a letter if that helps at all. I am in DC this week so applying there makes the most sense for me.

Just get the L visa for tourism--you didn't describe any reason that you'd need an F for. Keep it simple. You won't need a letter for an L visa. I can't figure out why your friend working in China has any bearing on your visa application. If you will be travelling inside China for longer than 30 day standard visa duration, then ask for 60 day duration on the application form and put down a longer list of cities (need not match your real travel plans). Because they are now all same price for US citizens, you should check the box for multiple entry, 12 months validity.

If you ever find yourself in need of an extension while in China, L's are straightforward to deal with yourself--F extensions can be more problematic.

I am going to China in June and want to get the visa taken care now so am looking at a 6 month double or multi entry visa (though only plan on entering once). Any disadvantage to getting a double/multi with no intention of using more than one entry?

Absolutely none. The cost is the same.

Thanks! I wasn't sure if they kept track for the future. I think I will just go for the 6 month double entry - don't want to be too greedy

It honestly doesn't matter. I get the 1-year multiple entry every year. Sometimes I use it, sometimes not. Sometimes I go multiple times, sometimes not. They don't care if it's not used.

I've only had one go unused (SARS), the passport guy simply marked it off when he saw it, he didn't say a thing. The airline here tried to deny us boarding because of it, though--they found the expired visas and didn't look to see if there were also valid ones.

I've had that happen with airlines, too. Airlines are idiots.

Thank you all. Filling out the paperwork as I type!

The passport official in China had no problem with it--he marked off the wasted visa and just went on looking. He probably saw a lot of wasted visas in the SARS time.