Job Discussion Forums

Guerciotti

Does anyone know a website where I can use a UnionPay card to buy overseas flights? I'm in a bit of a fix here.
Please? Thanks.
Cool

abigolblackman · Joined: 05 Jan 2011 Posts: 15

elong.com

There's an English version. Good low prices.

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

Surprisingly good prices. This will make my life a lot easier.

Guerciotti · Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 4:00 am Post subject:

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

abigolblackman, have you ever booked through them? I went through most of the process but didn't complete it because I don't know exactly when I'm going. I'm wondering because some online booking sites will take you right up to last step and then there's a big surcharge. I won't mention any specific site names, but one springs immediately to mind that's been orbiting the web for years. Very Happy

choudoufu · Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 3325 Location: Mao-berry, PRC

i've been able to use a US credit card on elong.
i think i tried once to use my union pay atm card (agbank), but
the site was requiring my shenfenzhen number.
maybe that has been updated?

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

Guerciotti · Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 7:24 am Post subject:

Yes, you can use a credit card - Visa or MC, or you may use a China Merchant's Bank or China Construction Bank card. I used my CCB card, and it is limited to UnionPay.

The only surprise was a 50 RMB option for flight insurance, and the 80 RMB CCB charged me to make the payment.

Using CCB, I was required to go to the bank and make the payment over the counter by the end of the day. (hahaha surprise!) But that went fast. I spent more time travelling to the bank than making the payment. Then they require a confirmation email.

So book your flight in the morning (or bery late at night like me), go make your payment, sent them the confirmation email and you're done.

Beats the alternative which, for me, is ... well oddly enough I have no alternative.

Here's the steps to airborne bliss:
go to elong.com
change it to English
book your flight(s)
go to CCB or CMB and make the payment. Elong sends you a text message with their account number et al so that's not difficult. Oh yea, CCB charged me 80 RMB for the payment.

go home or use your high tech phone to email confirmation.

Go eat some Mongolian BBQ.

Mongolian BBQ optional.
Cool

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

I think both elong and ctrip do this, but if you pay with a non-Chinese credit card, they will charge you an extra 3% at the end of the process (3% of whatever your ticket price is). I think I know the reason why and maybe some of you do as well: Visa and MasterCard take 3% of whatever the business is collecting, so they are making up for it by making YOU pay that fee. However, I'm not sure why they wouldn't charge all credit card users. Maybe they do, I just don't see it because I don't use a Chinese credit card!

You'd rarely see this in the states. Either a business would just fold it into their advertised price and we'd be none the wiser or they would eat it. The logic is that if a company takes credit cards, many customers are likely to spend more than they would if using cash, so losing 3% is worth it in the long run.

Javelin of Radiance · Joined: 01 Jul 2009 Posts: 1187 Location: The West

You can be sure the businesses are just adding 3% to the price. Any and all additional costs are always passed on to the consumer.

kungfuman · Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 11:28 am Post subject:

Take note that there are LIMITS to your atm usage on Unionpay via Elong. If it is over a certain amount it won't go through.

Also note that the usually call you - a recording - in Chinese - for you to put your atm pw - and it can be difficult to understand. If you mess up the pw input for than a few times it locks your card out of the system.

Can I recommend that you do the research on the internet and then go find a travel agent to do it and just pay the cash OR swipe your card at the travel agent.

Javelin of Radiance · Joined: 01 Jul 2009 Posts: 1187 Location: The West

My gf sometimes books tickets online and we pay for them on delivery. Don't know what site that is but it's possible to buy tickets online with COD. As suggested travel agents are still a good option, I've used them recently but not here in China.

kungfuman · Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 11:45 am Post subject:

^ Elong USED to have that option and I used it once. Was easy. Guy called me from the gate. Went down, inspected the tickets, took his picture and a picture of his car license tag, paid him, and all was well.

I think they stopped it now though.