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-   -   Next TPAC, When and where? (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/united-airlines-mileageplus/2016022-next-tpac-when-where.html)

npei Jul 27, 2020 7:47 pm


Originally Posted by JNelson113 (Post 32557022)
I'm trying to reach 3MM status with UA as well as 1K for this year and I need the spend. The fare LAX-HKG is quite good. Plus I miss long haul TPAC flying, and I got the 7X bonus offer. Just seems like a good time to do it.



Yikes, well that would not be cool if all I'm trying to do is stay in the airport for 15 hours then leave. Thank you.



Originally Posted by JNelson113 (Post 32561697)
We all make our own risk/reward calculations regarding covid. To me the risk of being on a very empty flight, while wearing a mask, is quite low. Plus I suspect that I've already had it and am a younger healthy person with no risk factors, so I would go. Others might decide differently and that's great too.




Status run 3mm for lifetime 1k if you are close to achieving is worth effort in my mind (I crossed 4mm last Dec with quite a few LAX-HKG, LAX-SIN, LAX-PVG, and EWR/YYZ-SIN flights), but please try to maximize Covid-19 safety precautions to enjoy your hard earned status. I would even encourage people to get N95 or FDA-approved KN95 mask to go one level higher than surgery masks, if you are going to be mixed with people in relatively full transpacific flights at airports and on planes.




Originally Posted by JNelson113 (Post 32557051)
I would too! I considered that as well, but the fare wasn't quite the same bang for the buck. However, if I knew that it would work I would proceed. Just no idea if it would.


Originally Posted by JNelson113 (Post 32557586)
After reading the press release issued by the US Hong Kong consulate, it seems impossible to do this: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/...0072200750.htm. This goes into effect for US citizens as of July 29th:

"According to the latest specification, a traveller who, on the day on which the traveller boarded a civil aviation aircraft that arrives at, or is about to arrive at Hong Kong (specified aircraft), or during the 14 days before that day, has stayed in one of the aforementioned specified places must provide the following documents:

(1) a letter or certificate in English or Chinese issued by a laboratory or healthcare institution bearing the name and identity card or passport number of the relevant traveller to show that:
(a) the relevant traveller underwent a nucleic acid test for COVID-19 the sample for which was taken from the relevant traveller within 72 hours before the scheduled time of departure of the specified aircraft;
(b) the test conducted on the sample is a nucleic acid test for COVID-19; and
(c) the result of the test is that the relevant traveller was tested negative for COVID-19; and

(2) the original of the report for the test issued by the laboratory or healthcare institution bearing the name and identity card or passport number of the relevant traveller;

(3) a letter in English or Chinese issued by the relevant authority of the government of the place in which the laboratory or healthcare institution is located certifying that the laboratory or healthcare institution is recognised or approved by the government; and

(4) the relevant traveller has confirmation in English or Chinese of room reservation in a hotel in Hong Kong for not less than 14 days starting on the day of the arrival of the relevant traveller in Hong Kong.

The operator of the specified aircraft should submit to the Department of Health (DH) before the specified aircraft arrives at Hong Kong a document in a form specified by DH confirming that each relevant traveller has, before being checked-in for the flight to Hong Kong on the aircraft, produced for boarding on the aircraft the above documents."


This 14 day quarantine is non-starter for all passengers except those with critical /urgent need to fly. HKG and SIN and NRT are hurting very bad since they are major transit hubs. This also impact UA transpacific flights and profits. I hope UA can work with respective airports & governments to reduce pain point for people to fly, by adopting Covid-19 testing procedure for passengers upon arrival, and within 7hr receive negative result, allowed to enter city or go on to next transit flight (as long as contact tracing info is maintained) .
(UK propose LHR arriving passengers for Covid-19 test, if they are not from travel corridor with UK, via nearby airport lab able to process ~7hr turnaround, and allow entry if negative result)
https://www.travelandleisure.com/air...-covid-testing

STS-134 Jul 28, 2020 12:14 pm


Originally Posted by JNelson113 (Post 32561697)
We all make our own risk/reward calculations regarding covid. To me the risk of being on a very empty flight, while wearing a mask, is quite low. Plus I suspect that I've already had it and am a younger healthy person with no risk factors, so I would go. Others might decide differently and that's great too.

My friends already make fun of me for doing mileage runs when there's not a pandemic, calling such trips useless/a waste of time. If I were to actually get SARS-CoV-2 on one of these trips, I would never hear the end of it (unless it actually kills me). Risk of death is low for me, statistically, although it seems like the risk of long term complications might be many times the risk of death. Ultimately, it comes down to whether I'm willing to risk complications over saving a little bit of money, and for me, the answer is no.


Originally Posted by npei (Post 32563252)
Status run 3mm for lifetime 1k if you are close to achieving is worth effort in my mind (I crossed 4mm last Dec with quite a few LAX-HKG, LAX-SIN, LAX-PVG, and EWR/YYZ-SIN flights), but please try to maximize Covid-19 safety precautions to enjoy your hard earned status. I would even encourage people to get N95 or FDA-approved KN95 mask to go one level higher than surgery masks, if you are going to be mixed with people in relatively full transpacific flights at airports and on planes.

But wouldn't this be just as do-able after the pandemic is over as it is now? I fail to see what advantage you get from doing this now, since there are no bonuses on lifetime mileage, and if you're like most people, you're probably not flying much right now anyway.

JNelson113 Jul 28, 2020 1:06 pm


Originally Posted by STS-134 (Post 32564884)
My friends already make fun of me for doing mileage runs when there's not a pandemic, calling such trips useless/a waste of time. If I were to actually get SARS-CoV-2 on one of these trips, I would never hear the end of it (unless it actually kills me). Risk of death is low for me, statistically, although it seems like the risk of long term complications might be many times the risk of death. Ultimately, it comes down to whether I'm willing to risk complications over saving a little bit of money, and for me, the answer is no.

But wouldn't this be just as do-able after the pandemic is over as it is now? I fail to see what advantage you get from doing this now, since there are no bonuses on lifetime mileage, and if you're like most people, you're probably not flying much right now anyway.

Sure, and like I said, everyone has to make their own risk-reward analysis. About your second comment and question, there are some amazing deals right now. They may or may not be available after the pandemic. In addition, because of the pandemic all my work is online, which gives me more flexibility to take trips. So for me at least, the time is now. Again, that may be different for others, and that's fine.

STS-134 Jul 28, 2020 1:42 pm


Originally Posted by JNelson113 (Post 32565044)
In addition, because of the pandemic all my work is online, which gives me more flexibility to take trips.

That's a good point. However, from a practical standpoint, in the past, I may have been able to convince my boss that I was actually working from the plane, but what I actually end up doing is fighting to maintain a VPN connection because of the constant momentary WiFi outages and extremely slow speeds. I would hope it's better right now due to much lower passenger volume.

travelinmanS Jul 28, 2020 6:41 pm

This thread is funny. The reality is there is nowhere a passenger holding only an American passport can fly on UA transpacific that will accept them.

JNelson113 Jul 28, 2020 8:02 pm


Originally Posted by travelinmanS (Post 32565686)
This thread is funny. The reality is there is nowhere a passenger holding only an American passport can fly on UA transpacific that will accept them.

True! But we can dream of better days 🙂

COSPILOT Jul 28, 2020 9:52 pm


Originally Posted by travelinmanS (Post 32565686)
This thread is funny. The reality is there is nowhere a passenger holding only an American passport can fly on UA transpacific that will accept them.

Maybe not for long. Japan is thinking of opening to some select countries but also Hawaii.😄

moondog Jul 28, 2020 10:44 pm


Originally Posted by COSPILOT (Post 32565931)
Maybe not for long. Japan is thinking of opening to some select countries but also Hawaii.😄

I suppose that might be useful for Hawaii residents, but others would presumably need to quarantine in Hawaii on their way to Japan.

bluedemon211 Jul 28, 2020 11:20 pm


Originally Posted by moondog (Post 32565987)
I suppose that might be useful for Hawaii residents, but others would presumably need to quarantine in Hawaii on their way to Japan.

The proposal as l understand it would only be for Hawaii residents based on the low infection rate in the state (although our numbers are climbing). Other state residents would not be eligible even after a 14 day quarantine, which doesn't make sense to me.

STS-134 Jul 28, 2020 11:46 pm


Originally Posted by bluedemon211 (Post 32566034)
The proposal as l understand it would only be for Hawaii residents based on the low infection rate in the state (although our numbers are climbing). Other state residents would not be eligible even after a 14 day quarantine, which doesn't make sense to me.

Unless Hawaii prohibits all transfers at HNL unless you go through a 14 day quarantine between transfers, then Japan should treat anyone coming from Hawaii as if they're coming from the US Mainland. Of course, Japan could easily make a prohibition of direct transfers a condition of allowing people on flights from Hawaii to bypass quarantine. Although, they'd better also require a PCR test 3 days before departure, a rapid test at departure, a rapid test on arrival, and a PCR test on arrival, at minimum, otherwise they're probably going to have cases slip through the cracks.

Lori_Q Jul 30, 2020 8:58 am


Originally Posted by travelinmanS (Post 32565686)
This thread is funny. The reality is there is nowhere a passenger holding only an American passport can fly on UA transpacific that will accept them.

Ireland and Turkey are open to American travelers. https://www.kayak.com/travel-restrictions

The border is open between Ireland and Northern Ireland. If one really needs to get to Europe in a hurry, it's possible to fly to Ireland and drive to Belfast, then get a flight to the continent from there.

travelinmanS Jul 30, 2020 9:51 am


Originally Posted by Lori_Q (Post 32569195)
Ireland and Turkey are open to American travelers. https://www.kayak.com/travel-restrictions

The border is open between Ireland and Northern Ireland. If one really needs to get to Europe in a hurry, it's possible to fly to Ireland and drive to Belfast, then get a flight to the continent from there.

Unfortunately this thread is about transpacific flights. Your deft maneuvering may work via transatlantic to Europe via the Emerald Isle (which I doubt) but there ain’t nowhere Americans are welcome in Asia.

GUM_elite Jul 30, 2020 10:12 am


Originally Posted by travelinmanS (Post 32565686)
This thread is funny. The reality is there is nowhere a passenger holding only an American passport can fly on UA transpacific that will accept them.

Sure there is: GUM via NRT

travelinmanS Jul 30, 2020 10:16 am


Originally Posted by GUM_elite (Post 32569362)
Sure there is: GUM via NRT

2 weeks quarantine I believe, but you’re right. I should say nowhere outside the US and it’s territories.

moondog Jul 30, 2020 10:23 am


Originally Posted by GUM_elite (Post 32569362)
Sure there is: GUM via NRT

I thought "Trans Pacific" implied crossing the Pacific, as opposed to making it 3/4 of the way?


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