TMK MU still does paid upgrades ex-PVG for Y3000 or so (although I don't personally know anyone who's upgraded since the introduction of the new planes) and I can't imagine that they'd discriminate against AA-coded passengers.

The real problem with the AA code is one of economics; pay more (sometimes lots more) to fly on the same plane. One of MU's main draws is that it's cheap; take away that and you might as well go with a better airline.

FYI, MU is part of Asia Miles.

Spiff,

A plane change in NRT after coming across the pond on AA makes sense as one alternative. Another is to go milecrazy and get thee to HKG (on CX or AA etc.) and do the same thing.

MU from NRT to PVG would be very easy to deal with,. Have flown them many times on that 2 1/2 hour leg and find them quite reasonable.

Mike

Thanks!
 

mjm,

Mucho appreciate the suggestions! I think I'll look at both options - cheap flight to NRT, upgrade to biz, earn lotsa miles, or, option B, CX F award to HKG. :)

HK TAs can no longer get visas for Americans
 

Although I've received several conflicting reports, the agency most of us trust most (Japan Travel Agency in TST) told me that, as of April 1, HK agents are no longer allowed to process visas for Americans (only Americans are affected by the new policy).

Rather, you need to straight to the consulate,..... which isn't that big a deal except

-makes getting good visas (6+ month) more troublesome
-eliminates the mail service option
-is no more convenient than going to one of the US consulates (which still do mail service BTW if you ask nicely)

If I had to venture I guess, I'd say that this new policy will surely be relaxed or rescinded by the fall, but you guys would be wise to double check before booking those HK trips.

Seriously thinking about it
 

Really. That will be a slow time at work. Anyone going to do more than a weekend? I have AA, Marriott and Starwood points. Even US dollars. Flying from MSP, with status on NW, what would you all recommend?

BTW, will my ATM card work? ;)

Comicwoman might come!
 

I'm thinking about going for a week - flying into Beijing, spend a few days, then go down to Shanghai. The drawback: it's not a great time of year for Beijing, although for you it might seem positively tropical.

I'll let someone more knowledgable than me answer re NW flights - but I hope that you join us.

Well- the fact that AA offers 50k awards to PVG that time of the year makes this tempting...

How sure are y'all with the dates?

Wendy,

Wow. I was just talking about you to a friend this evening. And thinking I should be getting myslef over there for a visit soon. And then I read you may show up in Shanghai. I hope you can make it out. And with football season coming up I may see you before than yet. :)

Mike

Today's New York Times has short pieces about what's new in the major Asian cities; Shanghai is included:

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/25/tr...5shanghai.html

Dates are fixed !
 

Just to confirm, Feb 18 - 20 are the main dates planned for this event so far. Due to the US holiday being the Monday 21, I can imagine most people would want to stay over Sunday night.

Wendy, we'd love to catch up with you on this trip.. please do come over, come via HKG (NW fly via NRT) if you can, to make a little side trip to our funny swedish four-storey furniture shop. As for ATM's.. well it all depends what sort of plastic you try to stick in 'em.

Great to hear about all these plans being made. :D

I'm planning on three nights in Beijing, in addition to the three nights in Shanghai. I have tentatively booked the New World Courtyard Beijing from 15-18FEB.

beijing in feb isnt that bad !
 

I was in Beijing for a week in early feb last year. it was cold, but dry and clearer air. Also the lack of tourists was refreshing, virtually had the forbidden city to myself.

Would recommend a short stop there for those with time, as the Great Wall et al are worth a visit.

feb in pek is a crap shoot
 

I've had experiences just like GK describes. When the winds are cooperative, Beijing is beautiful in February.

However, it's important to keep in mind that a large portion of Beijing and surrounding areas still rely on coal heat which is none too clean. Furthermore, there's a large desert just west of the city that provides some pretty spectacular sand storms from time to time (typically only in the winter because of the lack of vegitation).

To this day one of the clearest images I have of Beijing is from February 02: I was hanging out in my friend's sihiyuan (courtyard) just after dusk and I looked up and the sky was purple. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, just trying to dispell the myth that Beijing's pollution ups and outs for the winter.

To the person that asked about the ATMs; all BofCs and ICBCs are supposed to work with most US cards, but in practice things don't always go smoothly. IME BofC works around 90% of the time; as for the other 10%, on a number of occassions I've found myself missing appointments due to strings of bad luck (when they go offline, they seem to do so in groups).

Shanghai is a little better than Beijing. Perhaps more importantly, HSBC machines are prevalent here and they almost always work and have high withdrawal limits (~$1200 per day). Citibank and BofA also have a limited presence in Shanghai. Even though BofA is my bank (hence no fees), I still can't endorse it because of the incredibly cheap Y2000 limit and the fact that it's been out of money 2 of 4 times I went down there.

Considering Tokyo for add-on
 

Since at least one of our tickets will be an award we were considering taking advantage of the free stopover allowed at nrt. I have not been to Tokyo proper since '87 and Jerrie has never been.
Just waiting to here from mjm on whether we should do the stopover before or after. ;)

Hey there Ref,

All you have to do is tell me when you will be here and I will be most poleased to do the Welcoming Committee/Tour Guide/ Dinner Companion bit. I am free both before and after the Shanghai event and will be there for it myself also. So, book as fits your schedule and just let me know when you know. Cannot promise much in the way of root beer, but they do a fair job with tea in these parts. ;)

And folks, I do this for non-Northern Californians as well. I love welcoming people to this faraway land. :)

Mike