No more direct SFO-TPE flights?
Jul 13, 2008, 2:20 pm
#31
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: KHH, FUK, SNA
Programs: BR, UA 1k, CX
Posts: 1,181
Considering the crazy oil price now, BR and CI may not be cheap as the old time. However, their premium cabin fare are still cheaper. (Maybe I should say premium cabin on long haul flight to and from TPE is cheaper than other markets.)
Last October, I purchased CI's LAX-TPE C class RT ticket for only $2,720. My TA told me BR is slightly higher than CI, and SQ's C class is over $5,000. Now, CI's business class climbs to $3,600. BR is still slightly higher than CI, and SQ is about $6,000.
If you buy C class at Taiwan, all CI/BR/SQ are between $3,600 and $4,000. CX and JL even provide lower C class fare (between $2,700 and $3,300) in Taiwan if you transfer through HKG/NRT.
Last October, I purchased CI's LAX-TPE C class RT ticket for only $2,720. My TA told me BR is slightly higher than CI, and SQ's C class is over $5,000. Now, CI's business class climbs to $3,600. BR is still slightly higher than CI, and SQ is about $6,000.
If you buy C class at Taiwan, all CI/BR/SQ are between $3,600 and $4,000. CX and JL even provide lower C class fare (between $2,700 and $3,300) in Taiwan if you transfer through HKG/NRT.
The problem is on UA busines+first are many upgrades, most paid business passengers from Taiwan fly CI/BR then SQ/MH/NW. Its interesting that Northwest Airlines will increase Taiwan serivce in the fall. I think part of of it marketing, NWA has better Taiwan only web site and promotions, the UA Taiwan web site is very poor with info and promos.
Jul 13, 2008, 2:33 pm
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: San Diego
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I don't see why, especially for an American flying PRC >> ROC, heck, there's not even a visa requirement for Americans in ROC (I think it's still 90 days on arrival).
Jul 14, 2008, 2:42 am
#33
Formerly known as CollegeFlyer
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: JRA
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Posts: 6,716
But their Y costs more than UA, or about as much, I think.
Jul 14, 2008, 2:46 am
#34
Formerly known as CollegeFlyer
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: JRA
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Posts: 6,716
I think it's 30 days for US visa waiver though.
Jul 14, 2008, 2:52 am
#35
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: AUS
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 350
The problem is on UA busines+first are many upgrades, most paid business passengers from Taiwan fly CI/BR then SQ/MH/NW. Its interesting that Northwest Airlines will increase Taiwan serivce in the fall. I think part of of it marketing, NWA has better Taiwan only web site and promotions, the UA Taiwan web site is very poor with info and promos.
I am wondering is it because the demand for NRT-TPE reduced dramatically after SFO-TPE restarted? Some poster mentioned UA like to park the NRT flight in TPE because it's cheaper, maybe that's the reason?
Although CI has cheaper tickets, many people prefer other airline over CI due to their safety record.
Jul 14, 2008, 3:00 am
#37
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Taiwan
Programs: UA, CX, BR
Posts: 718
US citizens (and a number of others) can enter Taiwan without a visa (or, technically, you get a landing visa upon arrival), for up to 30 days.
Jul 14, 2008, 4:28 am
#38
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: LAS ORD
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Jul 14, 2008, 9:43 pm
#39
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Just learned (from FT's Other Asian Carrier forum) that Eva is cutting a numebr frequencies to LAX and SFO...... on top of SQ discontinuing TPE-LAX and UA's cut.