NYC-PEK first timer question
 

Flying to PEK tomorrow for work for 100 days. Question is do I go with UA direct, China Air or another *Alliance partner? Looking for a quality ride and complimentary adult beverages (if possible)(just being honest :-). No experience in this area...thank you all!! Silver btw:confused:

You are flying tomorrow for a 100 day trip and haven't purchased a ticket yet?

Looks like you can get a $850 one-way fare on UA 89 EWR-PEK and there are tons of Economy Plus seats available which you can get with your silver status, so I think no question go that route. As far as adult beverages, they won't be complementary but honestly you'll be happier with more legroom in E+ so spend your money on a few drinks on board instead.

Just called out
 

Hello everybody - I will be flying economy. I figured the direct flight was best option in UA steel but I still need to grab my visa at Chinese consulate tomorrow morning. EWR leaves at noon so I think that's note nought time to get back to EWR from midtown NY. Hence the Air China flight out of JFK. It's pricier but work covers a refundable economy. Just need a comfy flight with decent service. Thank you again for your suggestions, tips, and experience.

If your work covers refundable economy, that is about $3500 one-way.

You could get a one-way business fare for the same amount (Asiana JFK-ICN-PEK). You'll get PLENTY of adult beverages there...

If the price isn't an issue but your company doesn't allow booking business, (and you have a friend with GPUs to burn), maybe you could attempt to get on UA and book a Y-fare and fly in business.

Timing is the issue.
I don't know how the consulate is in NYC but I know in chicago they say they don't do same day but if you show up in the morning they will usually have it to you after lunch. Is it too late for you to head over to the consulate now and get your app in?

I hear you Noah!
 

Hi Noah- I appreciate the tip but the receipt has to show an economy designation somewhere unfortunately. I was thinking about a MR too as I am at 29k for mileage. Slow year this year. I'd like to get to up to a gold at least :-)

I have to fly tomorrow as I am paid by the day and need some days. Just need to grab a flight. I received my LOI from China today hence last minute call out. Take care and thank you.

I thought UA metal (exCO bird) in J was pretty decent (EWR-PEK). Best idea would probably be to buy a W+ economy ticket and GPU it, if possible.

Otherwise, you'll probably be in Y.

If I'm stuck in Y, I am definitely flying UA on the 772 to get E+. That will be a huge benefit on the 14 hour flight. Way more important to me than food and beverage. Also, that's probably the best long-haul aircraft in the fleet in Y - AVOD and power outlets at every seat.

Also, if you really buy a Y fare, you can upgrade it after it's ticketed for 20,000 miles, no copay (or 30,000 miles for a B fare). You'll still have a receipt showing an economy fare purchase.

I wouldn't dismiss NH here, their Y (and I believe B) fare sits in premium econony seats. Bonus PQMs on UA and NH metal. Won't get you to gold in itself but a cheap ex-PEK milage run later will.

Made it in one piece
 

To everyone that posted on the thread - great advice and I appreciate it. I had to book this fare in a hurry and couldn't make an earlier flight due as I was picking up my visa at the NY Chinese Consulate. 5 minutes in to drop off with properly prepped docs and 5 minutes to pick up. Could've made the EWR 12 pm flight but didn't know at the time. I checked in at JFK and had a heck of a time getting a seat. I had booked Y but due to the time - they said I needed 48 hours to use upgrades? - I was unable to use my Y to get to business. Due to close booking time/purchase I was also unable to access seat map.
I was shoved to the back and managed to sweet talk an AC employee to moving me up to an outside seat in the middle aisle on the bulkhead, right behind business. Customer service was below average. I was always polite but could not seem to get an adult beverage without walking all the way to the back and asking. It was a bit of an affront for what I paid. Meal service was decent, though limited Western fare - albeit I was going to China, right? :p Aircraft seemed fairly new with lots of overhead storage. TV/movie featured a lot of organic Chinese content obviously. Definitely not the usual transcontinental entertainment United provides.
As well I noticed I only received 100% of points versus the 150% I thought I was receiving based on the partner flight in Y. I will check with United on this as I booked through their website.

Overall, Air China seems decent enough and the best of what China offers for direct flights. In the future I will fly United direct if I have the chance. Or, better yet, take Cathay Pacific or Singapore Airlines in a pinch. If I was an AC elite - I probably would have had a better experience. The staff in business seemed excellent. I hope this helps a little to anyone deciding. Cheers.

The AC Y fare earns at 100%/100% on UA. Air China Earnings Chart. So you received proper credit.

It is unfortunate but these days only a small handful of partners credit at 150% pqm in full fare Y or even in C. Transpac it's only UA and NH. Coming home I'd really advise looking at NH for the premium Y seat on the longhaul. It's far better than UA E+.

Air China = CA
Air Canada = AC