The Official Fall 2011 China DO Thread
#122
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: UA AS DL Hyatt SPG/Bonvoy HHonors
Posts: 2,008
#123
In memoriam
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: AA EXP "Life is good! Really good.""
Posts: 4,923
I've found this visa FAQ in the China forum and a couple of threads linked from the post very useful.
I'm wondering if I should go ahead and book an award ticket while it's available.
I'm wondering if I should go ahead and book an award ticket while it's available.
I'll probably know in early September if I can do this trip.
#124
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Bangkok, Thailand. No longer Palm Coast, FL though still exiled, again, from the Bay Area.
Programs: Only the good ones
Posts: 5,153
I'm in.
I'm in as I'll be living near Shanghai starting Sept 1.
Staying at the Grand Hyatt, most likely, at least that weekend.
I will arrange for reservations at Cloud 9 at the GH for a Saturday evening cocktail party/meetup, if that works with the schedule.
Staying at the Grand Hyatt, most likely, at least that weekend.
I will arrange for reservations at Cloud 9 at the GH for a Saturday evening cocktail party/meetup, if that works with the schedule.
#125
In memoriam
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Catlett, VA, USA
Programs: UA GS/1K/2MM, HH Diamond, Starwood Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 383
The average turn around for a visa at the Chinese embassy visa department is 4-days so if you use a visa service and they try to charge you more for fast processing they are dipping deep into your pockets . I used Washington Express Visa Service (http://www.washingtonexpressvisas.com) and had it back in my hands in less than 10 days from dropping it off with FedEx and there was no rush charges
#127
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Community Buzz and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 150km from MAN
Programs: LH SEN** HH Diamond
Posts: 29,517
Just booked 3 nights at the Westin Bund Center in a holiday sale on hotels.com. Expedia and a few other online booking sites also have the same 50% off sale. $129++ room only, non-refundable, etc. but I just couldn't resist. So I guess I'm almost confirmed.
Hoping to book a couple of nights as an award stay in another hotel, possibly Le Royal Méridien. Now I'll have to check if those award flights I found are still available with US DM miles.
ETA: Promo email from hotels.com this morning about "48 hours luxury hotel sale in American and Asia-Pacific destinations". I checked the Westin Bund Center for the same dates and they are now advertising $193++ at the "Special rate: Early Booking Bonus - Save 25% on your hotel stay". The rate is cancellable.
Hoping to book a couple of nights as an award stay in another hotel, possibly Le Royal Méridien. Now I'll have to check if those award flights I found are still available with US DM miles.
ETA: Promo email from hotels.com this morning about "48 hours luxury hotel sale in American and Asia-Pacific destinations". I checked the Westin Bund Center for the same dates and they are now advertising $193++ at the "Special rate: Early Booking Bonus - Save 25% on your hotel stay". The rate is cancellable.
Last edited by NewbieRunner; Aug 23, 2011 at 6:48 am Reason: additional info re higher rate
#128
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Mostly living in the basement
Programs: Newly minted free agent; MR LT(!)TE, HH SE, BA SECM, DL MM, UA PS, 2V Fanboi, CBP GE
Posts: 5,110
For those who haven't booked travel yet, check out this thread.
I'm seeing $707/ai from EWR-PVG for travel around the dates of the DO. [Edit: DL fares are now gone, it would seem.]
Oh, also the Courtyard Puxi (where I'll be staying if I don't cancel the tickets tomorrow) has 15% off for Marriott Rewards members (not sure if it's elite only), resulting in a rate of CNY670 per night (plus CNY100 service charge), so about $120/night. I stayed there earlier this year, it really has nothing in common with any CY in the US
I'm seeing $707/ai from EWR-PVG for travel around the dates of the DO. [Edit: DL fares are now gone, it would seem.]
Oh, also the Courtyard Puxi (where I'll be staying if I don't cancel the tickets tomorrow) has 15% off for Marriott Rewards members (not sure if it's elite only), resulting in a rate of CNY670 per night (plus CNY100 service charge), so about $120/night. I stayed there earlier this year, it really has nothing in common with any CY in the US
Last edited by bennos; Aug 24, 2011 at 4:47 pm
#130
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Community Buzz and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 150km from MAN
Programs: LH SEN** HH Diamond
Posts: 29,517
Hotels and flights (except HND-SHA) booked, so I guess I'm confirmed.
#132
In memoriam
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: AA EXP "Life is good! Really good.""
Posts: 4,923
I'm pretty much back on board. Looking at the Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund on points, or points and cash.
Any locals care to comment on this choice? I see Holiday Inn and HIX for really cheap - is that a location issue?
The Westin is still available on Expedia etc., but NOT on the SPG website. What?
Is there any news on events? The question is, will there be organized events throughout the weekend or should I investigate what to do on my own? Asia is very intimidating to me, so I really need to plan ahead.
Any locals care to comment on this choice? I see Holiday Inn and HIX for really cheap - is that a location issue?
The Westin is still available on Expedia etc., but NOT on the SPG website. What?
Is there any news on events? The question is, will there be organized events throughout the weekend or should I investigate what to do on my own? Asia is very intimidating to me, so I really need to plan ahead.
#133
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Bangkok, Thailand. No longer Palm Coast, FL though still exiled, again, from the Bay Area.
Programs: Only the good ones
Posts: 5,153
I'm pretty much back on board. Looking at the Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund on points, or points and cash.
Any locals care to comment on this choice? I see Holiday Inn and HIX for really cheap - is that a location issue?
The Westin is still available on Expedia etc., but NOT on the SPG website. What?
Is there any news on events? The question is, will there be organized events throughout the weekend or should I investigate what to do on my own? Asia is very intimidating to me, so I really need to plan ahead.
Any locals care to comment on this choice? I see Holiday Inn and HIX for really cheap - is that a location issue?
The Westin is still available on Expedia etc., but NOT on the SPG website. What?
Is there any news on events? The question is, will there be organized events throughout the weekend or should I investigate what to do on my own? Asia is very intimidating to me, so I really need to plan ahead.
#134
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Community Buzz and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 150km from MAN
Programs: LH SEN** HH Diamond
Posts: 29,517
I'm pretty much back on board. Looking at the Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund on points, or points and cash.
Any locals care to comment on this choice? I see Holiday Inn and HIX for really cheap - is that a location issue?
The Westin is still available on Expedia etc., but NOT on the SPG website. What?
Is there any news on events? The question is, will there be organized events throughout the weekend or should I investigate what to do on my own? Asia is very intimidating to me, so I really need to plan ahead.
Any locals care to comment on this choice? I see Holiday Inn and HIX for really cheap - is that a location issue?
The Westin is still available on Expedia etc., but NOT on the SPG website. What?
Is there any news on events? The question is, will there be organized events throughout the weekend or should I investigate what to do on my own? Asia is very intimidating to me, so I really need to plan ahead.
Asia doesn't intimidate me but I've never been to mainland China and it would be lovely to have company for some extra curricular exploring. I'll arrive on Wednesday afternoon (Nov 9th) and leave on Monday. Staying at Le Royal Méridien for the first two nights and the Westin Bund Center for three nights.
I can see the Westin's "Red Hot Deal" on the hotel's website by the way.
#135
In memoriam
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Catlett, VA, USA
Programs: UA GS/1K/2MM, HH Diamond, Starwood Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 383
I'm pretty much back on board. Looking at the Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund on points, or points and cash.
Any locals care to comment on this choice? I see Holiday Inn and HIX for really cheap - is that a location issue?
The Westin is still available on Expedia etc., but NOT on the SPG website. What?
Is there any news on events? The question is, will there be organized events throughout the weekend or should I investigate what to do on my own? Asia is very intimidating to me, so I really need to plan ahead.
Any locals care to comment on this choice? I see Holiday Inn and HIX for really cheap - is that a location issue?
The Westin is still available on Expedia etc., but NOT on the SPG website. What?
Is there any news on events? The question is, will there be organized events throughout the weekend or should I investigate what to do on my own? Asia is very intimidating to me, so I really need to plan ahead.
Hope to see you there.