onocoffee

I've been asked to fly out to Manila and my hosts have been lollygagging on booking the flight. Today I received an email asking if I can fly Air China IAD-JFK-PEK-MNL

I'm presuming these people are trying to find the cheapest fare since the previous discussion was BWI-EWR-NRT-MNL (UA-ANA).

My home airport is BWI, so getting to IAD is a major pain in the butt and at least a two hour ordeal. Not to mention SuperShuttle from my house to IAD and back is $500!

I don't know much about Air China. I'm mostly a UA flier and hold *Gold status with UA. I'd like the trip to be as comfortable as possible and if I can upgrade with miles, that would be even better. But it's coming down to the wire and these flights need to be booked.

I've seen some questionable things about AC online
so I'm wondering just how bad it is?

Thanks!

nux

Flying in what class?

IluvSQ

AC = Air Canada
CA = Air China

What class of travel?

onocoffee

Sorry for the AC/CA confusion.

Economy class - at least that's what I'm presuming since they're trying to find the cheapest way to bring me there, at the very last minute - even though they've been planning this for three months!

knatoriqois

If you're used to UA then I do think you'll have no problem with CA.

However, I'm just curious as to why they picked CA when UA is normally cheaper for flights from North America to the Philippines. I also think that the BWI-ORD-NRT-MNL is shorter than the CA route.

cheltzel

+1

You also have to be careful about the fare class you book into on CA. Many of the cheaper classes only earn 50% RDM and PQM on MP.

http://www.united.com/CMS/en-US/mark...spx?ItemId=312

ORDnHKG

Since your host is only willing to pay for the cheapest ticket, therefore it would be impossible to upgrade with miles, not to mention the cheapest ticket also wouldn't yield 100% of acual miles flown on CA.


I disagree, for one CA's 747 on JFK-PEK wouldn't even have PTV, whereas if OP fly UA on EWR-NRT's 777, it would have PTV and AVOD.