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UA, USA to China OJ from $303 ai

Old Jul 5, 2017, 8:33 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: wolfpacktrojan
Transportation options from HGH to Hangzhou city center or PVG. Please add your name and your itinerary if you are interested in meeting other fellow FTers.
1) Taxi to Hangzhou city center, about 100 RMB ($15) for the entire party, not per person, walking from international terminal to domestic terminal (i.e., right turn after you get outside of the international terminal building), you will see taxi queue.
2) Shuttle bus, 20 RMB ($3), to Wulinmen CAAC Ticket Office or East Railway Station Line (two most popular options). The waiting hall for the shuttle bus is at Gate 10 (you can purchase ticket at Gate 14, too) Arrival Hall, on the first floor of the terminal building. Further details, see https://www.travelchinaguide.com/cit...ation.htm#hang
3) Shuttle from Hangzhou city center to PVG, 110 RMB, 3.5 hours: a) Wulinmen Ticket Office Central Hangzhou to PVG: (5:30, 6:10, 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00, 17:00)
b) Hangzhou Dragon Sports Center to PVG, 110 RMB, (7:00, 8:30, 10:30, 12:30, 14:30, 16:00
). Further details, see https://traveladept.com/bus-pudong-hangzhou/
4) Train from Hangzhou East station to Shanghai Hongqiao; less than 100 RMB (~1 hr); then you can take Subway Line #2 to PVG, ~10 RMB and 2 hrs; or shuttle bus (Airport Line #1), about 1 hr, 30 RMB ($4.5), every 15 - 25 minutes. The Hangzhou East ticketing windows are located on 1st Floor, EAST Area of the station. Please allow 20-30 minutes for walking to 2nd floor departure, and security check. The frequency of Hangzhou-Hongqiao trains is as good as that of subways in many US cities.
5) Getting cash at HGH The international terminal at HGH (where you arrive) only has an exchange vendor with hefty fees that is open limited hours. However, the adjacent domestic terminal has a bank ATM. To get to the entrance of the domestic terminal, exit the international terminal and keep walking right, past the taxi stand. Then enter and take the escalator to the second floor. The bank ATM will be on your left, next to the escalator.
6 Getting TWOV without issues The advice is to print out your itinerary, hotel reservation, etc., to speed up the procedure at the entry point in China. At SFO, the check-in agents were clueless, so be prepared to get there very early and fight for your boarding passes. Please read the last few pages on this thread for first-hand experiences. Good luck. There is a thread on FT for further details. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/china...hread-231.html

ATM To get to the entrance of the domestic terminal, exit the international terminal and keep walking right, past the taxi stand. Then enter and take the escalator to the second floor. The bank ATM will be on your left, next to the escalator.

Travel information for Beijing and airport:
Beijing will have 2 hubs starting Sept 30,2019. PEK (Beijing Capital International Airport) is original main hub and will continue for Star Alliance flights and Cathay Pacific (including subsidiary Cathay Dragon Air). PKX (Beijing Daxing International Airport, will debut Sept 30, 2019)
planned for airlines of the SkyTeam alliance and One World Alliance (AA, BA, etc. except Cathay Pacific) will be relocated to the new airport. Most flyers taking advantage of this China OJ deal will continue fly through PEK. Some people who use positioning flights through Beijing using non-Star Alliance airlines need to make sure you are flying into PEK, or else need 2hr ground transportation from PKX to PEK.
PEK allows TWOV within 24hr to stay inside security zone airside. This is more convenient for immediate turn than Shanghai-PVG, which force all passengers to exit immigration and customs, then re-check in from land side, even if you have immediate turn within 24hr.

Who are going? When for outbound and inbound? Routing from major hubs:
July 2017

August 2017
Quinlanty: Aug 3, ORD-HKG-HGH; Aug 7, PVG-LAX-SFO-IAH-ORD-YYZ (see post #284 for a brief report on TWOV procedure at HGH).

September 2017
Kmxu: 1 Sept, IAD-HNL-GUM-, 3 Sept, GUM-PVG; 4 Sept, PVG-SFO-ORD
Quinlanty; Sep 1, IAD-HNL-GUM; Sept 3, GUM-PVG, Sep 4, PVG-SFO-ORD-YYZ
pushmyredbutton: Sept 1; SFO-HNL-GUM-HKG Sept 3rd: HKG-HGH, Sept 4th: PVG-SFO
X31: 8 Sept BTV-EWR-SFO-HKG-HGH; 11 Sept PVG-NRT; 12 Sept HND-SFO-IAH-EWR; 13 Sept EWR-YUL
Kmxu + 3: 9 Sept, IAD-SFO-HKG-HGH; 12 Sept, PVG-SFO-IAD
techdarko: 12 Sept, SFO-HKG; 14 Sept, HKG-HGH; 16 Sept, PVG-SFO
Quinlanty: Sep 14; SFO-HKG-HGH; Sep 18, PVG-SFO-YVR
bencanfly: Sep 14, SFO-HKG-HGH; Sep 18, PVG-SFO-IAD
tde211: Sept 17, SFO-HKG-HGH; Oct 18 - PVG-SFO-YVR
Fishleafer: Sep 20, SFO-HKG-HGH; Sep 26, PVG-SFO-YVR
X31: 21 Sept BTV-EWR-HNL-GUM-HKG; 23 Sept HKG-HGH; 25 Sept PVG-SFO-IAH-EWR; 26 Sept EWR-YUL
985X: Sept 22, LAX-SFO-HKG; Sept 23, HKG-HGH; Sept 25, PVG-LAX; Sept 26, LAX-YVR
flyingstudent: Sept 23: SFO-HGH
netoreisinger: 30 Sept, BOS-EWR-HKG-HGH; 4 Oct, PVG-SFO-ORD-YUL

October 2017
gba: Oct 22, SFO-HKG-HGH; Oct 29: PVG-NRT-SEA-YVR
beyounged: Oct 24, SAN-SFO-HKG, Oct 26, HKG-HGH, Nov 8, PVG-HND-YVR
as219: Oct 26, LGA-ORD-HKG (+1); Oct 30: HKG-SFO-EWR-YUL (+1)
X31: 26 Oct BTV-ORD-HKG; 28 Oct HKG-HGH; 30 Oct PVG-SFO; 31 Oct SFO-ORD-YUL
riphamilton +1: Oct 27, BOS-EWR-HNL-GUM-HKG (+1); Oct 30: HKG-GUM-NRT; Oct 31: NRT-ORD-YUL

November 2017
Quinlanty: Nov 3, BOS-EWR-HKG-HGH; Nov 6, HGH-SFO-IAH-ORD-YYZ
pushmyredbutton: Nov 19: BDL-ORD-HKG-HGH, Nov 27 HGH HKG-SFO-(YVR)
Davistev: Nov26, LAX-NRT-PVG

December 2017
Kmxu: Dec 1, IAH-HNL-GUM-HKG; Dec 3, HKG-HGH, Dec 4, PVG-SFO-IAD
X31: Dec 1, YUL-IAD-IAH; Dec 2, IAH-LAX-PVG; Dec 4, HGH-HKG-GUM-HNL; Dec 4, HNL-EWR-BTV.

January 2018
Kewldude21: Jan 14 IAH-EWR-HKG Jan 16 HKG-HGH Jan 22 PVG-SFO-IAH
mpiotrow: Jan 21, ORD-SFO-KIX; Jan 23, KIX-HGH; Jan 24, HGH-HKG-GUM-HNL-DEN-YYZ

February 2018

March 2018
Davistev: Mar03, PVG-SFO-YVR
flyer777lr: Mar 20, DEN-HNL-GUM; Mar 23, GUM-KIX (NH)-HGH; Mar 26, HGH-HKG-GUM-HNL; Mar 27, HNL-EWR-YYZ
Kewldude21: Mar 22 IAH-EWR-HKG Mar 24 HKG-HGH Mar 28 HGH-PEK-SFO-IAH
flyme2: Mar 28, BTV-ORD-HKG; Mar 29: HKG-HGH; Apr 17: HKG-EWR-YUL
JetSetDave: Mar 29, EUG-SFO-HKG-HGH; April 3, PVG-SFO-EUG
Coeur 05: March 31, bos-sfo-hkg-pvg; April 5, PVG-lax-ord-yow

April 2018
ttyl: Apr 01 BTV-IAD-EWR-HKG; Apr 02 HKG-HGH; Apr 04 PVG-SFO-IAD-LGA-YUL
Toronto1970: April 6, EWR-ORD-HKG-HGH; April 13, CTU-SFO-EWR-YYZ
Exiled in Express: April 18, ORD-HKG-HGH; April 30, WUH-NRT-SEA-YVR
X31: Apr. 28 : BTV-EWR-HKG-HGH; May 1st : PVG-KIX; May 15th : ITM-HND-YVR-YYJ

May 2018
Kewldude21: May 3 IAH-SFO-HKG May 13 PEK-SFO-IAH

October 2018
KMXU, Oct. 18, IAD-SFO-HKG-HGH, Oct. 25, PVG-SFO-IAD

November 2018
KMXU, Nov. 14, ORD-HKG-XIY, Nov. 19, PEK-ORD

September 2019
xinliz Sept 4 SFO-NRT-PVG Sept 25 PEK-EWR-YOW
Flying Machine Sept 9 LAX-SFO-HKG Sept 10 HKG-HGH Sept 16 PVG-SFO-IAD

October 2019
kmxu: Oct 26, IAH-HNL-GUM-HKG, Oct. 27, HKG-XIY, Oct 30, CTU-SFO-IAH
wolfpacktrojan: Oct. 26, EWR-SFO-PVG, Oct. 28, PVG-NRT-SFO-YVR

November 2019
kmxuand his colleague: Nov 9, IAD-PEK, Nov 12, PEK-NRT-HNL-SFO-YYZ
kmxu's colleague: Nov 13, YYZ-IAD-NRT-PEK, Nov. 16, PEK-ORD
kmxu: Nov. 20, IAD-NRT-PEK, Nov. 22, PEK-EWR-YYZ
kmxu: Nov. 23, YYZ-IAD-NRT-PEK, Nov. 26, PEK-ORD
aquanine Nov 28: LAX-SFO-KIX, Nov 30: KIX-PEK, Dec 2: PEK-SFO-YVR

December 2019
kmxu: Nov. 30, IAD-NRT-PEK, Dec. 2, PEK-ORD-YYZ
kmxu: Dec. 3, YYZ-IAD-NRT-PEK, Dec. 6, PEK-ORD
jskang Dec 5, EWR-PVG, Dec 8, PEK-NRT-IAD-YOW

January 2020


February 2020


March 2020

April 2020
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UA, USA to China OJ from $303 ai

Old Jul 4, 2017, 3:19 am
  #31  
 
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Be sure to factor in the $140 China visa charge into your total cost if you plan to stay on the mainland for more than 72 hours.

Last edited by KAFlyer; Jul 4, 2017 at 3:26 am
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Old Jul 4, 2017, 5:19 am
  #32  
 
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Originally Posted by flycal312
Ended up booking one of these for November.

https://www.google.com/flights/?gl#s...YZ0UA6156;eo=e

For those looking to get over the EQM hump, with $70 positioning for me, this is costing $350 all in ($280 ticket). That's tough to beat.
you did good! Thanks for sharing
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Old Jul 4, 2017, 5:53 am
  #33  
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Originally Posted by mal2ianne123
https://www.google.com/flights/#sear...,SFOYYC0UA5469

Thanks OP! needed to go to a conference in Taipei and been wanting to go to Calgary for the longest time
How does it work if you need to go to TPE? You may pay more to fly between China and TPE.
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Old Jul 4, 2017, 6:53 am
  #34  
 
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Originally Posted by KAFlyer
Be sure to factor in the $140 China visa charge into your total cost if you plan to stay on the mainland for more than 72 hours.
always good to point that out... not just the $$, but also the hassle of getting the visa in the first place...
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Old Jul 4, 2017, 7:30 am
  #35  
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
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Originally Posted by TerryK
How does it work if you need to go to TPE? You may pay more to fly between China and TPE.
redeeming Eva air miles. And dont mind staying in shanghai for a few days.
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Old Jul 4, 2017, 7:50 am
  #36  
 
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Originally Posted by KAFlyer
Be sure to factor in the $140 China visa charge into your total cost if you plan to stay on the mainland for more than 72 hours.
Just checking to be sure, if one transits through two cities within China in less than 72 hours does a US citizen need a visa? For instance, passenger lands in Hong Kong on 11/4, continues to Hangzhou on 11/5, departs Hangzhou on 11/6.
https://goo.gl/flights/Tnr4
This itinerary seems to be about 8 hrs short of 72
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Old Jul 4, 2017, 7:50 am
  #37  
 
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Originally Posted by Kmxu
Thank you. Very helpful link. I ended up booking a week earlier to avoid an overnight stay at HKG. So, there will be two nights in Hangzhou, where hotels are much cheaper. I will leave from IAD and end at Montreal (can throw away IAD-YUL) for less than $400.
What do you think: Go through SFO and add 1000 PQM but have to make an 85 minute connection in HKG, or sacrifice 1000 PQM to go through ORD and give yourself a 120 minute connection in HKG?

Btw, it looks like the Hilton Doubletree in Hangzhou has rooms for 1000 points/night.
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Old Jul 4, 2017, 7:56 am
  #38  
 
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Originally Posted by Clincher
Just checking to be sure, if one transits through two cities within China in less than 72 hours does a US citizen need a visa? For instance, passenger lands in Hong Kong on 11/4, continues to Hangzhou on 11/5, departs Hangzhou on 11/6.
https://goo.gl/flights/Tnr4
This itinerary seems to be about 8 hrs short of 72
Hong Kong doesn't count. The visa requirements only apply to mainland China, i.e., your time in Hangzhou. As long as you arrive/depart from the same mainland airport, and you stay on the mainland for less than 72 hours, you're fine. No visa required.
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Old Jul 4, 2017, 7:58 am
  #39  
 
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Originally Posted by KAFlyer
Hong Kong doesn't count. The visa requirements only apply to mainland China, i.e., your time in Hangzhou. As long as you arrive/depart from the same mainland airport, and you stay on the mainland for less than 72 hours, you're fine. No visa required.
^ thx
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Old Jul 4, 2017, 8:28 am
  #40  
 
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Link for IAD flyers

Originally Posted by Kmxu
Thank you. Very helpful link. I ended up booking a week earlier to avoid an overnight stay at HKG. So, there will be two nights in Hangzhou, where hotels are much cheaper. I will leave from IAD and end at Montreal for less than $400.
For about $400, and one night hotel in Hangzhou.
https://www.google.com/flights/?gl#s...OW0UA6308;eo=e


There is plenty of availability for next year.

Last edited by Kmxu; Jul 4, 2017 at 3:49 pm
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Old Jul 4, 2017, 9:19 am
  #41  
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Join Date: Feb 2017
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Originally Posted by FLA77
The 229 was a typo, and I edited to show 249. Didn't save anything given I had no intention of flying it, but just now I plugged a first set of dates in ITA and I got 268. Here's the link:
https://matrix.itasoftware.com/#view...=SFOHGH-PEKYUL
I am sure if you play with dates a bit, you might find even lower fares (than 249). Good luck.
Can you share you date and which airport you pick for $249 please??
The lowest I got is SFO-HKG-HGH/PEK-SFO-YVR for $272 on Mid-September
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Old Jul 4, 2017, 11:28 am
  #42  
 
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Thanks to who all contributed to this thread! Booked EUG-SFO-HKG-HGH/PVG-SFO-YVR with a 4 night stay in HGH and PVG area. If time wasn't a factor, I would've reached YYZ. 2018 dates were limited with higher fares.

Last edited by JetSetDave; Jul 8, 2017 at 9:55 am Reason: Changed flights to include PVG
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Old Jul 4, 2017, 12:11 pm
  #43  
 
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Originally Posted by KAFlyer
Hong Kong doesn't count. The visa requirements only apply to mainland China, i.e., your time in Hangzhou. As long as you arrive/depart from the same mainland airport, and you stay on the mainland for less than 72 hours, you're fine. No visa required.
Shanghai and area (including Hangzhou) have 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit that doesnt require that you fly in and out of the same area airport. My plan to fly SFO-HKG-HGH;PVG-SFO should be eligible for TWOV based on my reading of the policy.

https://www.travelchinaguide.com/emb...it-144hour.htm

Can anyone confirm?
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Old Jul 4, 2017, 12:17 pm
  #44  
 
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Originally Posted by thunder007
Shanghai and area (including Hangzhou) have 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit that doesnt require that you fly in and out of the same area airport. My plan to fly SFO-HKG-HGH;PVG-SFO should be eligible for TWOV based on my reading of the policy.

https://www.travelchinaguide.com/emb...it-144hour.htm

Can anyone confirm?
This is also how I understand it. It is better to confirm with someone who actually had done it.
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Old Jul 4, 2017, 12:19 pm
  #45  
 
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Originally Posted by thunder007
Shanghai and area (including Hangzhou) have 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit that doesn’t require that you fly in and out of the same area airport. My plan to fly SFO-HKG-HGH;PVG-SFO should be eligible for TWOV based on my reading of the policy.

https://www.travelchinaguide.com/emb...it-144hour.htm

Can anyone confirm?
I concur. I haven't traveled to mainland China in awhile so the information I posted earlier was out of date. As long as you are inbound or outbound from HGH and/or PVG (you can mix), you are fine with a stay of up to 144 hours.

Here's the flyertalk thread that discusses this in detail:
China 24, 72, and 144 hour Transit Without Visa ("TWOV") rules master thread

Last edited by KAFlyer; Jul 4, 2017 at 1:20 pm
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