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UA, USA to China OJ from $303 ai

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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

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Old Dec 28, 2018, 8:59 am
  #1006  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K 0.7MM (trying to get to 1MM!)
Posts: 1,272
I've been tracking the prices of multiple options for these flights in February, March, and April in Google Flights. Overnight, they've all increased from a starting price of $350-$400 and are now $400-$450. I'm wondering why the "system wide" (maybe not the right term) in price increase. All of them seem to be still booking into the same (G) fare class as before, so it's not that G is sold out, and now only K is for sale, etc. Anyone have any ideas?
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Old Dec 28, 2018, 9:56 am
  #1007  
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: UA 1K (Million Miler). AA Gold (lifetime 1 Million). TK Elite Gold
Posts: 895
Originally Posted by mpiotrow
I've been tracking the prices of multiple options for these flights in February, March, and April in Google Flights. Overnight, they've all increased from a starting price of $350-$400 and are now $400-$450. I'm wondering why the "system wide" (maybe not the right term) in price increase. All of them seem to be still booking into the same (G) fare class as before, so it's not that G is sold out, and now only K is for sale, etc. Anyone have any ideas?
Supply and demand with seasonal pricing. Prices are not guaranteed until booked and paid for.
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Old Dec 28, 2018, 10:10 am
  #1008  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K 0.7MM (trying to get to 1MM!)
Posts: 1,272
Originally Posted by cagcag
Supply and demand with seasonal pricing. Prices are not guaranteed until booked and paid for.
I didn't mean to imply that I thought the prices were guaranteed, I was just curious as to what would have caused the prices to all increase. Perhaps your supply/demand explanation is the reason. Thanks! Now I just have to hope they might dip back down again!
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Old Dec 28, 2018, 6:42 pm
  #1009  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
Originally Posted by Kmxu
After I waked up this morning, I was looking at DCA-SFO-PVG-LAX-EWR-DCA itinerary for $600 leaving tomorrow. But I was astonished that I was able to book IAD-PVG/HGH-HKG-GUM-Canada city itinerary for travel tomorrow. The latter was more than $200 cheaper with slightly longer travel time and mileage. I was more astonished that United asked for volunteer for the first segment when I checked in. I guess that the cheapest booking code (G) was open long enough to let me book this itinerary. Keep checking and be ready to travel the next day!
Edit: This run was more eventful than I wanted. Only HGH-HKG and HKG-GUM were the originally booked. On the Christmas Eve after I went to bed, United texted me that IAD-SFO flight would be delayed; so I promptly changed to IAD-LAX-PVG; HKG-GUM was delayed by 2 hr, which caused to miss GUM-HNL-DEN flights; I had to take GUM-NRT-IAD flights.
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Old Dec 28, 2018, 8:46 pm
  #1010  
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 1
how full are the long flights?

is it possible to get a row of seats and lie down during the seven hour plus flights?
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Old Dec 29, 2018, 7:12 am
  #1011  
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 57
Originally Posted by mpiotrow
I've been tracking the prices of multiple options for these flights in February, March, and April in Google Flights. Overnight, they've all increased from a starting price of $350-$400 and are now $400-$450. I'm wondering why the "system wide" (maybe not the right term) in price increase. All of them seem to be still booking into the same (G) fare class as before, so it's not that G is sold out, and now only K is for sale, etc. Anyone have any ideas?
Ha they're on to us from time to time price will increase. Sometimes it comes back down and sometimes it keeps going up as the dates get closer. It was at its bottom before, so not sure if it will come back down. Definitely supply and demand. I'm not booking my flight until 1/1 so if it goes up more I'll likely skip this trip.
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Old Dec 29, 2018, 4:38 pm
  #1012  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NYC/Northern NJ
Programs: 1K - UAL, Platinum DL, Marriott, Hilton, SPG
Posts: 1,815
Originally Posted by nyckid
Ha they're on to us from time to time price will increase. Sometimes it comes back down and sometimes it keeps going up as the dates get closer. It was at its bottom before, so not sure if it will come back down. Definitely supply and demand. I'm not booking my flight until 1/1 so if it goes up more I'll likely skip this trip.
You are describing basic airline practices. On some days (Sun, Sat, Mon, Fri) whereas they know more people are prone to book flights they increase vs. Tuesday, Wednesday or late night.They change prices multiple times per day, even without inventory consumed.
RooseveltL is offline  
Old Dec 29, 2018, 5:42 pm
  #1013  
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Programs: Starbucks Gold
Posts: 185
I know this is a mileage run, but people who might want a more relaxed trip might want to look into going to shanghai the long way. You can do a RTW for about 675$.
Lax-ZRH break then zrh - pvg break then pvg-lax and then on to yul/yto . Also no need for visa for pvg as this qualifies for TVOW. Miles might be lower but that is a nice trip I thought.

Bob
Bob Saccamano is offline  
Old Dec 30, 2018, 1:55 pm
  #1014  
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: YYZ, SFO
Programs: DL Diamond, UA Platinum, OZ Diamond, AC Prestige25K
Posts: 129
Do these deals usually come around a 3-4 months before the departure date? I'm trying to find itineraries for August by starting with deals other people have found for April and then moving the flight dates into August. But the best deal I've come across is $577 for ~18k PQMs. Tried the same for November and no luck either. Do I have to just wait a bit longer?
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Old Dec 30, 2018, 2:02 pm
  #1015  
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 57
Originally Posted by chronicrelief
Do these deals usually come around a 3-4 months before the departure date? I'm trying to find itineraries for August by starting with deals other people have found for April and then moving the flight dates into August. But the best deal I've come across is $577 for ~18k PQMs. Tried the same for November and no luck either. Do I have to just wait a bit longer?
August would be tough. Kids are out of school. People are flying because of summer break. Definitely peak season.
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Old Jan 1, 2019, 12:40 pm
  #1016  
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 23
Thanks for the info! Would you need a Chinese visa to go EWR-PEK(2hr)-CTU (1day)- PEK (2hr) - EWR?
Diztravel is offline  
Old Jan 1, 2019, 1:41 pm
  #1017  
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: UA 1K (Million Miler). AA Gold (lifetime 1 Million). TK Elite Gold
Posts: 895
Originally Posted by Diztravel
Thanks for the info! Would you need a Chinese visa to go EWR-PEK(2hr)-CTU (1day)- PEK (2hr) - EWR?
Yes. This itinerary departs from same country as arrival. From USA to. USA
cagcag is offline  
Old Jan 1, 2019, 2:32 pm
  #1018  
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: YYZ, SFO
Programs: DL Diamond, UA Platinum, OZ Diamond, AC Prestige25K
Posts: 129
Originally Posted by nyckid
August would be tough. Kids are out of school. People are flying because of summer break. Definitely peak season.
I tried for November and October 2019 as well and no luck below $500. Any chance prices will decrease in a few months?

On another note, does anyone have general rules of thumb for finding these deals? It seems like if you stopover in HNL or GUM for more than a day the price skyrockets. I also can't seem to find cheap Japan stopover itineraries. Is there like a beginner''s guide for this ?

Thanks for the help!
chronicrelief is offline  
Old Jan 1, 2019, 5:17 pm
  #1019  
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: SFO/DFW
Programs: AA-EP, A3*G, UA*S
Posts: 290
Originally Posted by chronicrelief
I tried for November and October 2019 as well and no luck below $500. Any chance prices will decrease in a few months?

On another note, does anyone have general rules of thumb for finding these deals? It seems like if you stopover in HNL or GUM for more than a day the price skyrockets. I also can't seem to find cheap Japan stopover itineraries. Is there like a beginner''s guide for this ?

Thanks for the help!
Probably the G/K fares aren't loaded for that far out. < 24hrs count as connections rather than a stopover destination, hence the price does not change considerably.
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Old Jan 2, 2019, 5:00 am
  #1020  
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 57
Yeah stopover will increase the price. If you have some BA Avios you can fly JL to Japan for fairly cheap. I'm flying to Taipei via 8K UA miles.
nyckid is offline  


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