Jul 5, 2017, 8:33 am
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
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
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
UA, USA to China OJ from $303 ai
Jan 3, 2018, 7:42 am
#646
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K 0.7MM (trying to get to 1MM!)
Posts: 1,272
I'm wondering if these errors have anything to do with the HKG-HGH segment on CX...perhaps United isn't able to book that CX segment? If I load the UA website, and do a multi-city search, and include HKG-HGH as one of the segments, I don't get any CX flight options for that segment. Just a thought...I don't know if that's what's really going on or not.
Jan 3, 2018, 7:51 am
#647
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,959
I am not sure that the CX segment is the problem because the link on #637 worked fine (https://www.google.com/flights/#sear...YZ0AC7351;eo=e). That link still works except for a higher price than before. I guess that some fares on google flight search were just not available (priceline.com search could not reproduce the same flights or the same prices in my experience).
Jan 3, 2018, 7:57 am
#648
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: BOS/SIN
Programs: DL PM, OZ Diamond Plus, BA Silver
Posts: 1,804
I encountered a similar problem even MCT at HKG (or anywhere else) was not violated, Here is an example: https://www.google.com/flights/#sear...QB0AC8912;eo=e
When I searched this deal via HNL and GUM, this error occurred. For example, https://www.google.com/flights/#sear...YYZ0UA228;eo=e
Any suggestion is appreciated in both instances. Perhaps, the solution may be the same.
When I searched this deal via HNL and GUM, this error occurred. For example, https://www.google.com/flights/#sear...YYZ0UA228;eo=e
Any suggestion is appreciated in both instances. Perhaps, the solution may be the same.
I'm wondering if these errors have anything to do with the HKG-HGH segment on CX...perhaps United isn't able to book that CX segment? If I load the UA website, and do a multi-city search, and include HKG-HGH as one of the segments, I don't get any CX flight options for that segment. Just a thought...I don't know if that's what's really going on or not.
Jan 5, 2018, 9:47 pm
#649
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: San Francisco, CA & Bangkok (Home)/Lawrenceville & Switzerland (Boarding School)/Baltimore, MD (College)
Programs: DL DM, AL MVPG 75K, SQ Gold, BA Silver, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriot Plat, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 599
Hey guys, I flew a couple of these, and even spent a night in Guam with KMXU, but dropped off after Singapore gutted United earnings to 25%. My statuses for next year will be Delta Diamond, British Silver, Alaska MVP 75K and Singapore Gold, so im covered with lounge access etc for all 3 alliances. But im bored, and sort of miss these runs. Looking at credit, I see most airlines credit at 50%. Anyone have advice for which carrier to credit to if im looking for either a great redemption rate in J or F, or usable miles for short haul much like British distance based charts? I wouldn't spend enough to make United status. Thanks and hope to see you on a plane soon!
Jan 7, 2018, 8:31 pm
#650
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: OZ Diamond, Jiffypark Manhattan Gold
Posts: 4,485
Ok, so I'm racking my brain and reading 250+ posts, plus doing brut force searching on ITA/Google...
I know there's fare rules, I'm not sure where they are, nor if I'd know how to read them, but can someone post them?
Also/alternatively, I'm just trying to figure out what I CAN search rather than just blindly searching. The HKG-HGH thing works, but I can't figure out what other combos work or aren't worth searching.
I'm YVR based, am totally prepared to position to SFO or from SFO one way since YVR seems to work at least one way. SEA is doable, but only really both ways cuz I can leave my car there and pick it up on the other end. I can't figure out why the eastern ones seems to be cheaper, but that's just airfares in general. I'd love to do a stopover in GUM, or NRT, as some others have but I can't seem to replicate. Don't need it as a mileage run, I was gonna go to south east asia end of March, but a trip to Southern China could be just as fun and half the price. Last 2 weeks of March returning first week of April. Totally fine doing all the researching myself, but does anyone have a list or something of cities that work?
Seems to me costs of intra city trips in China are fairly expensive, HGH-PVG is pretty easy via train, but I found when I was in China before and researching that because the govt controls the prices of airfares, even the LCCs aren't terribly cheap.
I know there's fare rules, I'm not sure where they are, nor if I'd know how to read them, but can someone post them?
Also/alternatively, I'm just trying to figure out what I CAN search rather than just blindly searching. The HKG-HGH thing works, but I can't figure out what other combos work or aren't worth searching.
I'm YVR based, am totally prepared to position to SFO or from SFO one way since YVR seems to work at least one way. SEA is doable, but only really both ways cuz I can leave my car there and pick it up on the other end. I can't figure out why the eastern ones seems to be cheaper, but that's just airfares in general. I'd love to do a stopover in GUM, or NRT, as some others have but I can't seem to replicate. Don't need it as a mileage run, I was gonna go to south east asia end of March, but a trip to Southern China could be just as fun and half the price. Last 2 weeks of March returning first week of April. Totally fine doing all the researching myself, but does anyone have a list or something of cities that work?
Seems to me costs of intra city trips in China are fairly expensive, HGH-PVG is pretty easy via train, but I found when I was in China before and researching that because the govt controls the prices of airfares, even the LCCs aren't terribly cheap.
Jan 7, 2018, 10:04 pm
#651
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: YVR/LAX/PVG/TPE
Posts: 760
Ok, so I'm racking my brain and reading 250+ posts, plus doing brut force searching on ITA/Google...
I know there's fare rules, I'm not sure where they are, nor if I'd know how to read them, but can someone post them?
Also/alternatively, I'm just trying to figure out what I CAN search rather than just blindly searching. The HKG-HGH thing works, but I can't figure out what other combos work or aren't worth searching.
I'm YVR based, am totally prepared to position to SFO or from SFO one way since YVR seems to work at least one way. SEA is doable, but only really both ways cuz I can leave my car there and pick it up on the other end. I can't figure out why the eastern ones seems to be cheaper, but that's just airfares in general. I'd love to do a stopover in GUM, or NRT, as some others have but I can't seem to replicate. Don't need it as a mileage run, I was gonna go to south east asia end of March, but a trip to Southern China could be just as fun and half the price. Last 2 weeks of March returning first week of April. Totally fine doing all the researching myself, but does anyone have a list or something of cities that work?
Seems to me costs of intra city trips in China are fairly expensive, HGH-PVG is pretty easy via train, but I found when I was in China before and researching that because the govt controls the prices of airfares, even the LCCs aren't terribly cheap.
I know there's fare rules, I'm not sure where they are, nor if I'd know how to read them, but can someone post them?
Also/alternatively, I'm just trying to figure out what I CAN search rather than just blindly searching. The HKG-HGH thing works, but I can't figure out what other combos work or aren't worth searching.
I'm YVR based, am totally prepared to position to SFO or from SFO one way since YVR seems to work at least one way. SEA is doable, but only really both ways cuz I can leave my car there and pick it up on the other end. I can't figure out why the eastern ones seems to be cheaper, but that's just airfares in general. I'd love to do a stopover in GUM, or NRT, as some others have but I can't seem to replicate. Don't need it as a mileage run, I was gonna go to south east asia end of March, but a trip to Southern China could be just as fun and half the price. Last 2 weeks of March returning first week of April. Totally fine doing all the researching myself, but does anyone have a list or something of cities that work?
Seems to me costs of intra city trips in China are fairly expensive, HGH-PVG is pretty easy via train, but I found when I was in China before and researching that because the govt controls the prices of airfares, even the LCCs aren't terribly cheap.
Jan 7, 2018, 11:26 pm
#652
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: OZ Diamond, Jiffypark Manhattan Gold
Posts: 4,485
as far as I know stopovers are almost impossible. You can take the bus to SEA not too painful, I do greyhound to SEA then the tram, which is rather painful but dirt cheap. I once priced out with a stop in SEA then SEA-YVR on AC, which gives you opportunity to hop off at SEA. try 9C or HO for intra China fares on ctrip, can be dirt cheap from time to time. high speed rail for journey below 500 miles can be rather cheap also (<100USD)
The stopovers aren't impossible, someone posted some fare rules way up that do state stopovers are possible, and I've found some stopovers that were previously posted by others, KIX for one, which would be really cool, but it made the price jump to like $600 CAD, so still a decent price, but also would have to position to SFO.
I'm trying to even just do like CTU or somewhere else in China since I've been to PVG and I'm going to PEK in about 2 weeks. I wouldn't mind spending 4-5 days in CTU but I can't seem to just make the return from the same city, so I'm wondering if for some reason that's off the table as well but I can't tell for sure, I'm just kinda randomly searching and searching.
Jan 7, 2018, 11:53 pm
#653
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: YVR/LAX/PVG/TPE
Posts: 760
Any time I check out the bus to SEA it lines up horrifically with my flights. I recently booked an Emirates trip and wanted to include the bus because they offer it on the same ticket, couldn't get the website to sell it to me so I had to pass on the bus portion.
The stopovers aren't impossible, someone posted some fare rules way up that do state stopovers are possible, and I've found some stopovers that were previously posted by others, KIX for one, which would be really cool, but it made the price jump to like $600 CAD, so still a decent price, but also would have to position to SFO.
I'm trying to even just do like CTU or somewhere else in China since I've been to PVG and I'm going to PEK in about 2 weeks. I wouldn't mind spending 4-5 days in CTU but I can't seem to just make the return from the same city, so I'm wondering if for some reason that's off the table as well but I can't tell for sure, I'm just kinda randomly searching and searching.
The stopovers aren't impossible, someone posted some fare rules way up that do state stopovers are possible, and I've found some stopovers that were previously posted by others, KIX for one, which would be really cool, but it made the price jump to like $600 CAD, so still a decent price, but also would have to position to SFO.
I'm trying to even just do like CTU or somewhere else in China since I've been to PVG and I'm going to PEK in about 2 weeks. I wouldn't mind spending 4-5 days in CTU but I can't seem to just make the return from the same city, so I'm wondering if for some reason that's off the table as well but I can't tell for sure, I'm just kinda randomly searching and searching.
Jan 8, 2018, 12:01 am
#654
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: OZ Diamond, Jiffypark Manhattan Gold
Posts: 4,485
Fair enough, I got HGH in PVG out to work just fine $388, but that doesn't include the positioning flight to SFO. Maybe I'll just quit and go back to the southeast asia search I'd been plugging away at before.
Jan 8, 2018, 4:52 am
#655
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: BOS/SIN
Programs: DL PM, OZ Diamond Plus, BA Silver
Posts: 1,804
Ok, so I'm racking my brain and reading 250+ posts, plus doing brut force searching on ITA/Google...
I know there's fare rules, I'm not sure where they are, nor if I'd know how to read them, but can someone post them?
Also/alternatively, I'm just trying to figure out what I CAN search rather than just blindly searching. The HKG-HGH thing works, but I can't figure out what other combos work or aren't worth searching.
I'm YVR based, am totally prepared to position to SFO or from SFO one way since YVR seems to work at least one way. SEA is doable, but only really both ways cuz I can leave my car there and pick it up on the other end. I can't figure out why the eastern ones seems to be cheaper, but that's just airfares in general. I'd love to do a stopover in GUM, or NRT, as some others have but I can't seem to replicate. Don't need it as a mileage run, I was gonna go to south east asia end of March, but a trip to Southern China could be just as fun and half the price. Last 2 weeks of March returning first week of April. Totally fine doing all the researching myself, but does anyone have a list or something of cities that work?
Seems to me costs of intra city trips in China are fairly expensive, HGH-PVG is pretty easy via train, but I found when I was in China before and researching that because the govt controls the prices of airfares, even the LCCs aren't terribly cheap.
I know there's fare rules, I'm not sure where they are, nor if I'd know how to read them, but can someone post them?
Also/alternatively, I'm just trying to figure out what I CAN search rather than just blindly searching. The HKG-HGH thing works, but I can't figure out what other combos work or aren't worth searching.
I'm YVR based, am totally prepared to position to SFO or from SFO one way since YVR seems to work at least one way. SEA is doable, but only really both ways cuz I can leave my car there and pick it up on the other end. I can't figure out why the eastern ones seems to be cheaper, but that's just airfares in general. I'd love to do a stopover in GUM, or NRT, as some others have but I can't seem to replicate. Don't need it as a mileage run, I was gonna go to south east asia end of March, but a trip to Southern China could be just as fun and half the price. Last 2 weeks of March returning first week of April. Totally fine doing all the researching myself, but does anyone have a list or something of cities that work?
Seems to me costs of intra city trips in China are fairly expensive, HGH-PVG is pretty easy via train, but I found when I was in China before and researching that because the govt controls the prices of airfares, even the LCCs aren't terribly cheap.
SFO-HKG-HGH-NRT HND-YVR for $467.50. 10 days in HGH and 4 in TYO. For more time in Tokyo you can push the HND-YVR segment back even further (7/8/9/10/11 departure all seem to work) but I can't seem to get HGH-NRT any earlier than the 2nd. HGH-NRT should be on the NH A320neo if that's vaguely interesting to you. SFO-HGH PEK-YVR and SFO-HGH PVG-YVR price out around $360 but I guess you don't want PVG or PEK.
Actually CTU does work: SFO-HKG-HGH / CTU-SFO-YVR for $416.50 https://goo.gl/flights/cDwy
And on a whim I tried most of the other NH destinations in China and you can do SFO-HKG-HGH WUH-NRT-SFO-YVR for $482 https://goo.gl/flights/v2Gd (and Wuhan on a map seems to be relatively close to Hangzhou; according to Wikipedia there's also HSR from Shanghai/Nanjing if you want to avoid flying).
And going even further away from HGH some other options include SFO-HKG-HGH TAO-NRT HND-YVR for $468 (https://goo.gl/flights/ayff) — i.e. replace HGH-NRT with TAO-NRT in the first link. Or replace TAO with DLC or SHE for the same price as well (https://goo.gl/flights/KQMe and https://goo.gl/flights/sQyq respectively). I have no idea where these places are just that NH flies to them and you can see a pattern here.
(If you don't want the TYO stop there are things like SFO-HKG-HGH DLC-NRT-SEA-YVR for $409 https://goo.gl/flights/cncG or SFO-HKG-HGH SHE-NRT-SFO-YVR for $482 https://goo.gl/flights/rN3K but those just sound painful).
Edit: Forgot you use CAD so these aren't that cheap after all... (except maybe SFO-HGH CTU-YVR)
Last edited by truncated; Jan 8, 2018 at 5:36 am
Jan 8, 2018, 6:41 am
#656
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: YVR/LAX/PVG/TPE
Posts: 760
TAO, SHE, DLC are all too far to go by rail from HGH, it will take around 20hr even with the most direct. TAO and DLC has rather great seafood scene and those are as great as beaches (not in winter though) go in China without resorting to HU hubs. HO offers PVG-DLC for sub 40 USD one way frequently but that kind of defeats the purpose. SHE is sheer cold right now, cannot recommend, why not do HRB instead? (great ice sculpture parks) For anything that is too far from HGH I think the deal loses its advantages, just my 2 cents.
Jan 9, 2018, 4:31 pm
#657
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: YUL
Posts: 61
Thought you guys might be interested in something new: https://goo.gl/flights/Tq4m
It's an OJ China-Hong Kong giving you a night in Honolulu, a day in Kauai and a day in Denver during the return (BTV-IAD-PEK / HKG-GUM-HNL-LIH-DEN-YUL).
Hawaiian segment for the inter-island and Air Canada segment for the return to Canada.
Works with some other islands of Hawaii, and also works if you want to get to YYZ, SFO, LAX, etc.
I don't even know if this is the same kind of fare (there is no leg on KA on this one), G-class on the outbound and K-class on the inbound.
Prices at491 CAD 449 CAD using the United website, so less than Google Flights is showing. Also, the GF booking link is not working so you have to search manually.
I booked this one to position for an award trip to New Zealand (XIY-AKL [Tianjin Airlines], AKL-SIN-HKG, return on SQ Suites/First
).
EDIT: Seems to be pricing at 449 CAD right now. Unfortunately, 24-hour cancellation window is over for me.
It's an OJ China-Hong Kong giving you a night in Honolulu, a day in Kauai and a day in Denver during the return (BTV-IAD-PEK / HKG-GUM-HNL-LIH-DEN-YUL).
Hawaiian segment for the inter-island and Air Canada segment for the return to Canada.
Works with some other islands of Hawaii, and also works if you want to get to YYZ, SFO, LAX, etc.
I don't even know if this is the same kind of fare (there is no leg on KA on this one), G-class on the outbound and K-class on the inbound.
Prices at
I booked this one to position for an award trip to New Zealand (XIY-AKL [Tianjin Airlines], AKL-SIN-HKG, return on SQ Suites/First
).EDIT: Seems to be pricing at 449 CAD right now. Unfortunately, 24-hour cancellation window is over for me.
Last edited by X31; Jan 10, 2018 at 5:11 pm
Jan 12, 2018, 2:52 pm
#658
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,959
Let me respond to your post
Hey guys, I flew a couple of these, and even spent a night in Guam with KMXU, but dropped off after Singapore gutted United earnings to 25%. My statuses for next year will be Delta Diamond, British Silver, Alaska MVP 75K and Singapore Gold, so im covered with lounge access etc for all 3 alliances. But im bored, and sort of miss these runs. Looking at credit, I see most airlines credit at 50%. Anyone have advice for which carrier to credit to if im looking for either a great redemption rate in J or F, or usable miles for short haul much like British distance based charts? I wouldn't spend enough to make United status. Thanks and hope to see you on a plane soon!
This is just my two cents.
Jan 14, 2018, 7:15 am
#659
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: San Francisco, CA & Bangkok (Home)/Lawrenceville & Switzerland (Boarding School)/Baltimore, MD (College)
Programs: DL DM, AL MVPG 75K, SQ Gold, BA Silver, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriot Plat, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 599
[QUOTE=Kmxu;29285552]Let me put it this way. It is not worth chasing airlines redeemable miles for J or F redemption because most airlines reward miles based upon spend (or a small fraction of flown distances for cheap fares).
Totally makes sense what you are saying, but I am a college student with no biz or work travel, I do this for fun. Its an addiction. So I will be taking these trips purely for fun. So I was just wondering of the airlines that credit 50% and have no yearly spend requirements for status, what the best FF program was. I already have top tier Delta status, and unfortunatley they dont give more upgrade certificates for exceeding the diamond threshold.
Totally makes sense what you are saying, but I am a college student with no biz or work travel, I do this for fun. Its an addiction. So I will be taking these trips purely for fun. So I was just wondering of the airlines that credit 50% and have no yearly spend requirements for status, what the best FF program was. I already have top tier Delta status, and unfortunatley they dont give more upgrade certificates for exceeding the diamond threshold.
Jan 15, 2018, 2:12 pm
#660
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Boston MA
Posts: 127
Have you looked at TK? It takes a bit to hit the 80K threshold for Elite Plus, but the two upgrade vouchers and renewal options after the first qual aren't too shabby.
[QUOTE=Quinlanty;29291095]
[QUOTE=Quinlanty;29291095]
Let me put it this way. It is not worth chasing airlines redeemable miles for J or F redemption because most airlines reward miles based upon spend (or a small fraction of flown distances for cheap fares).
Totally makes sense what you are saying, but I am a college student with no biz or work travel, I do this for fun. Its an addiction. So I will be taking these trips purely for fun. So I was just wondering of the airlines that credit 50% and have no yearly spend requirements for status, what the best FF program was. I already have top tier Delta status, and unfortunatley they dont give more upgrade certificates for exceeding the diamond threshold.
Totally makes sense what you are saying, but I am a college student with no biz or work travel, I do this for fun. Its an addiction. So I will be taking these trips purely for fun. So I was just wondering of the airlines that credit 50% and have no yearly spend requirements for status, what the best FF program was. I already have top tier Delta status, and unfortunatley they dont give more upgrade certificates for exceeding the diamond threshold.