Long connection at PEK/Beijing
Dec 18, 2014, 11:15 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Omaha
Programs: UA 1K, MM
Posts: 62
Long connection at PEK/Beijing
Flying my adult daughter back to US on miles from Bangkok via TG business class to PEK arriving 540 am Christmas day, departing 525pm on UA to CHI in Global First on first class award miles. I understand no China Visa is required, but can she leave the airport? When at the airport what lounge options will she have for TG business class and UA first class? If choices, what would be suggested? Is TG inbound likely the same terminal for UA outbound? Any other suggestions for this connection/layover? Thanks to all.
Dec 18, 2014, 11:21 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,521
My advice:
December 24th: BKK-NRT-ORD, in Global F. 1h25 minute connection.
TG676-NH1012
December 24th: BKK-NRT-ORD, in Global F. 1h25 minute connection.
TG676-NH1012
Last edited by aacharya; Dec 18, 2014 at 11:27 am
Dec 18, 2014, 11:26 am
#3
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RNO, NV, USA.
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 5,063
Dec 18, 2014, 11:29 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: SJC
Programs: A3 *G, Marriott Plat, AS 75K
Posts: 995
Flying my adult daughter back to US on miles from Bangkok via TG business class to PEK arriving 540 am Christmas day, departing 525pm on UA to CHI in Global First on first class award miles.
Christmas isn't a holiday in Beijing, so Christmas day would probably be the same as any other day (ignoring the decorations)
I understand no China Visa is required, but can she leave the airport?
Beijing recently initiated a '72 hours transit visa', which is free of charge. When she goes through customs, tell her to go to through the leftmost lane, which is the same as the Ebola lane (as of 1 month ago). If she lines up for any other lane, she'll be redirected to that lane. The visa would allow her to enter Beijing as a tourist.
When at the airport what lounge options will she have for TG business class and UA first class? If choices, what would be suggested? Is TG inbound likely the same terminal for UA outbound?
She'll have access to Air China business class and/or Air China first class lounge I believe. I know the business class lounge has day-beds, I have never been in the F lounge.
There is only 1 international terminal in Beijing.
Any other suggestions for this connection/layover? Thanks to all.
I would go out, enjoy the city and come back. You can take the subway, which gets you to Dongzhimen station, and you can transfer to the Beijing subway network which can get you to anywhere you want (including Tiananmen).
Depending on your daughter's background and what she hope to accomplish - sightseeing, eat, shop or people watch, I would probably come up with a different suggestion.
Christmas isn't a holiday in Beijing, so Christmas day would probably be the same as any other day (ignoring the decorations)
I understand no China Visa is required, but can she leave the airport?
Beijing recently initiated a '72 hours transit visa', which is free of charge. When she goes through customs, tell her to go to through the leftmost lane, which is the same as the Ebola lane (as of 1 month ago). If she lines up for any other lane, she'll be redirected to that lane. The visa would allow her to enter Beijing as a tourist.
When at the airport what lounge options will she have for TG business class and UA first class? If choices, what would be suggested? Is TG inbound likely the same terminal for UA outbound?
She'll have access to Air China business class and/or Air China first class lounge I believe. I know the business class lounge has day-beds, I have never been in the F lounge.
There is only 1 international terminal in Beijing.
Any other suggestions for this connection/layover? Thanks to all.
I would go out, enjoy the city and come back. You can take the subway, which gets you to Dongzhimen station, and you can transfer to the Beijing subway network which can get you to anywhere you want (including Tiananmen).
Depending on your daughter's background and what she hope to accomplish - sightseeing, eat, shop or people watch, I would probably come up with a different suggestion.
Dec 18, 2014, 11:30 am
#5
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RNO, NV, USA.
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 5,063
Flying my adult daughter back to US on miles from Bangkok via TG business class to PEK arriving 540 am Christmas day, departing 525pm on UA to CHI in Global First on first class award miles. I understand no China Visa is required, but can she leave the airport? When at the airport what lounge options will she have for TG business class and UA first class? If choices, what would be suggested? Is TG inbound likely the same terminal for UA outbound? Any other suggestions for this connection/layover? Thanks to all.