Saq

Hi guys,

I'm trying to purchase a direct flight (single not return) from either Tokyo or Osaka to Beijing around April the 14th of next year, but am having no luck finding anything reasonably priced (under USD 600). Am I being unrealistic to expect a flight in that price range?

The best prices I've found so far are about USD 800 direct to PEK with China Eastern. (Using momondo, kayak, orbitz). I'd prefer to fly out of KIX if possible but can fly out of Tokyo if necessary.

Any suggestions or feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Saq

LosPenguinosII

I think you're too far from your flight date.
For example, NH is now offering discount fares by March:

http://www.ana.co.jp/eng/fare/promot...eco/index.html

(fares for Aprils should be higher than March, but 4/14 is not yet
so called Golden Week and fares should not be too expensive).

Saq

I considered the possibility that it was a little too early for reduced fares as well. However, I need to at least get a better idea of the expected price before I book the rest of my trip. This flight will be just one portion of a multi-city trip.

Does anyone have some idea as to what a realistic price for this flight would be at that time of year? (April 14th)

My alternative would be to visit Beijing before Kyoto (though I'd prefer not to), since there are China Eastern tickets available from PEK to KIX for around $350.

RichardInSF

This fare will likely be much cheaper from PEK to KIX than the other way around.

Consider flying on ANA using points (you can transfer from AMEX MR or try to get a *A award on another carrier).

Saq

Thanks for the advice guys. Think I'll roll the dice and wait and see what kind of fares I get.

I'm new to Flyertalk so please pardon me if I'm off base here, but would this forum be the correct place to ask about some of the hotels I am considering in Tokyo and Osaka or is there a section that would be better for that?

RichardInSF

This will do just fine unless

-- you are just going to use one chain (like Starwood or Hilton or Hyatt), in which case post in that forum

-- you are going to stay exclusively in luxury hotels, in which case post in that forum.

Saq

So having read in some other threads here how it can be helpful to consult a TA, I visited one for the first time in almost 8 years. End result: got an ANA flight from KIX to PEK added to my existing multi-flight booking for about $150.

Never would have thought of doing that on my own, so used to travelling within Europe and booking flights myself. Thanks for all the advice!

Flyer123456789

$421 NRT-PEK

Provide this information to a travel agent to help them match the fares found.
Make sure to provide the exact booking and fare codes shown.
Fare 1: Carrier CZ LJPOW TYO to DLC (rules)
Passenger type ADT, ONE-WAY-ONLY fare, booking code L
Covers NRT-DLC (Coach)
$288.49
Fare 2: Carrier CZ E DLC to BJS (rules)
Passenger type ADT, one-way fare, booking code E
Covers DLC-PEK (Coach)
$53.50
CZ YR surcharge (YR) $36.10
People's Republic of China Airport Fee (CN) $7.50
CZ YQ surcharge (YQ) $4.00
Japan International Passenger Facility Charge (SW) $24.50
Passenger Security Service Charge (OI) $6.00

Subtotal per passenger $421.10
Number of passengers x1

Total airfare & taxes $421.10

* No changes may be made to this ticket after purchase.

Flyer123456789

Provide this information to a travel agent to help them match the fares found.
Make sure to provide the exact booking and fare codes shown.
Fare 1: Carrier CZ MJPOW OSA to SHE (rules)
Passenger type ADT, ONE-WAY-ONLY fare, booking code M
Covers KIX-SHE (Coach)
$360.60
Fare 2: Carrier CZ E SHE to BJS (rules)
Passenger type ADT, one-way fare, booking code E
Covers SHE-PEK (Coach)
$52.01
CZ YR surcharge (YR) $36.10
People's Republic of China Airport Fee (CN) $7.50
CZ YQ surcharge (YQ) $4.00
Japan International Passenger Facility Charge (SW) $31.90

Subtotal per passenger $493.50
Number of passengers x1

Total airfare & taxes $493.50

* No changes may be made to this ticket after purchase.

RichardInSF

Yeah, if you are travelling on a higher economy fare (like H or above on United, for example) or business/first, you can often arrange stopovers for not much extra. The problem is that if you've already booked the ticket there is generally a penalty for the change in addition to the fare differential -- but not always.

You can do this yourself, often online, if you know the ropes. A travel agent might help but it has to be a knowledgable one, a lot of them have no clue. Sounds like you picked one of the good ones.

moondog

Use miles, that's a 4+ cpm redemption.