Delta DM experience flying China Eastern
May 26, 2014, 7:06 pm
#16
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: MSY
Programs: DL DM/2.5MM, AA EXP, SPG Plat
Posts: 73
I was told once by PVG check-in staff that the domestic lounge access rule is 24 hours, not same day, so if you arrive in the evening then have a domestic flight the next morning, you should still have lounge access (for ST E+). Normally, as stated, lounge access is strictly only for First Class or domestic airline elite frequent fliers. IMHO I would agree, Chinese domestic coach in either CZ or MU is much better than any US coach.
May 26, 2014, 8:25 pm
#17
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,031
I am planning an award trip where I will do a stopover at PVG on the way to XIY, then an open jaw returning from PEK, so I will need to get from XIY to PEK. A coach ticket is in the $200s and FC is in the $400s for the just under 2 hour flight, and I am considering flying coach. 
So coach on MU was acceptable? I have a mental picture of it being a zoo flying coach in China.
So coach on MU was acceptable? I have a mental picture of it being a zoo flying coach in China.
Regarding MU, I fly them 4x/month out of necessity (rarely earning even 25% mileage credit btw), and simply loathe the experience.
May 26, 2014, 10:51 pm
#18
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: KOA
Programs: DL Gold/MM, HH Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 2,280
May 26, 2014, 11:00 pm
#19
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,031
May 27, 2014, 11:16 am
#20
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: KOA
Programs: DL Gold/MM, HH Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 2,280
Thanks. I was able to replicate this booking on ctrip, but if I try it on HU's website it comes out to $224. I assume that you have used ctrip before and they are legit, right? How can they sell tickets for so much less?
May 27, 2014, 11:27 am
#21
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Washington, DC, Chapel Hill, NC (RDU)
Programs: DL Plat (won't hit DM again) 2MM (2.5), HH Gold, PC Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 5,626
Check the other Asian airlines board here for other experiences.
May 27, 2014, 1:19 pm
#22
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,031
Ctrip is the largest online travel agency in the world if I'm not mistaken... yes they are legit. I use them about 3x/month, but I've never felt their prices were anything special (i.e. specific airline sites and old school travel agents tend to sell tickets for the same prices; the system is extremely cut and dry). I just like ctrip because they throw their weight around when things go wrong.
May 27, 2014, 2:43 pm
#23
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: KOA
Programs: DL Gold/MM, HH Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 2,280
Thanks Moondog and Mot29 for those two websites. As you said Mot29, I am seeing FC for the same price as economy on the airlines' own websites. I may just pay the extra cash and fly in FC.
May 27, 2014, 3:54 pm
#24
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Washington, DC, Chapel Hill, NC (RDU)
Programs: DL Plat (won't hit DM again) 2MM (2.5), HH Gold, PC Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 5,626
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/other...guangzhou.html
May 28, 2014, 3:12 am
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,421
moondog is one of the folks who gave me good advice when I asked about China travel in this thread
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/other...guangzhou.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/other...guangzhou.html
Apr 21, 2016, 4:02 pm
#26
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: BIL
Programs: Delta FO
Posts: 786
Just coming back from a trip to Japan/China that involved 4 MU flights in coach, including 2 @ 12-14 hours each. Never, ever again will I fly China Eastern. I'm pretty tough when it comes to flying long haul in economy, but these were rough flights. Staff from check in agents to FA's are rough, rude and surly. The food is not quite as bad as Air France, but pretty close. I was afraid to eat it. Pilots smoked during all 4 flights, so cigarette smoke was always in the plane. The on-board lavatories were disasters within an hour of departing. No in-seat power. The inflight entertainment systems reset themselves every single time there was an announcement on board. On the PVG-LAX flight, they were out of red wine immediately after the first meal service. My wife wanted white, but they didn't have it. The lounges at PVG airport are just unbelievably disgusting. Unreal experience.
Apr 21, 2016, 5:29 pm
#27
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, BW DE (lifetime), HH DE, Marriott PE (lifetime), National Emerald Executive
Posts: 7,205
Ah, so that is still happening. That mirrors my experiences, both with long and short haul int'l MU flights. (But just for the smoking part. The food on MU has been always good, and the service likewise. Without a doubt many fold better than DL. But may be it has went downhill as of late..)
Apr 21, 2016, 5:58 pm
#28
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Diamond, AAdvantage EXP, Hyatt Explorist, HHonors Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 7,344
Just coming back from a trip to Japan/China that involved 4 MU flights in coach, including 2 @ 12-14 hours each. Never, ever again will I fly China Eastern. I'm pretty tough when it comes to flying long haul in economy, but these were rough flights. Staff from check in agents to FA's are rough, rude and surly. The food is not quite as bad as Air France, but pretty close. I was afraid to eat it. Pilots smoked during all 4 flights, so cigarette smoke was always in the plane. The on-board lavatories were disasters within an hour of departing. No in-seat power. The inflight entertainment systems reset themselves every single time there was an announcement on board. On the PVG-LAX flight, they were out of red wine immediately after the first meal service. My wife wanted white, but they didn't have it. The lounges at PVG airport are just unbelievably disgusting. Unreal experience.
Apr 21, 2016, 8:39 pm
#30
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SDF
Programs: DL:360/DM/6 MMer; Bonvoy: Lifetime Titanium 10+M pts, 3100+ nights;
Posts: 1,441
I have my first experience with China Eastern coming up on Saturday when I fly DL NRT-PVG and MU PVG-DEL. Still hoping the international-to-international SkyTeam transfer goes smoothly in PVG and doesn't require immigration, claiming bags and re-checking in at the counter.
I'll report back after arriving in DEL.
I'll report back after arriving in DEL.