Job Discussion Forums

SpedEd · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 143 Location: Shanghai

I've posted before to this forum inquiring about good discount travel agents. The name ELONG.COM came up, and I had heard of this company before from a previous C-employer. I sent an email query to them re. discount flights from Shanghai Pudong airport to Atlantic Canada (I'm desperate to avoid the extortionate rates that Air Canada charges to get there). They responded once with a one liner saying that they would deliver the ticket if I didn't have a credit card. I've tried to follow up on this, but no effort was made on their part to communicate. Should I forget these guys and try to find a better agent? Can they conceivable save me more money than the other guys anyway?

samhouston · Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 418 Location: LA

I used this lady twice. On my last minute escape from the burning bridges of the US, she was able to save me over $300 from what the jerks at the airlines were quoting me. I think she's an independent agent, working out of her house or something, in Florida. She's very fast, returns calls with good info in no time. Taiwanese, if I recall.

Lisa Cho
[email protected]
XIN XIN TRAVEL
352-797-0833
SKYPE---LISACHO888

North China Laowei · Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 419

TexasHighway · Joined: 03 Dec 2005 Posts: 779

North China Laowei said:

jeffinflorida · Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:55 pm Post subject:

They charged me 20 rmb to get a domestic ticket delivered because I was not in the delivery city.

Ahchoo · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 606 Location: Earth

clarrie · Joined: 05 Apr 2005 Posts: 75

Once again, try CTRIP!

Lorean · Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Posts: 476 Location: Beijing

For international flights, I've used:
gatewaylax.com
expedia.com

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

i just call the local Chinese company. There rates are just as good or better then the large internet companies, and they deliver.

profM · Joined: 18 Jun 2005 Posts: 481 Location: in political exile

elong almost always will be offering maximum discounts on domestic travel.

you can talk to them on a very cheap or free call in English.

a local travel agency in most cities will be picking up your cash if you haven't arranged a credit card transaction with elong by providing them with a form of theirs and some copies of your documents. the pick up of the cash will be free unless your location is outside of their pick up zone and them it costs a few bucks.

once you use them one time, if you stay where you are you can use the local agency that delivers to you by getting their phone number and working with them directly next time. cutting out elong may be convenient in the future, but the price will stay the same

for international, try TravelCraft out of S.F. They are cheap, reliable and cool, but you need a credit card. you won't be able to beat their prices with travelocity or expedia, or their results

SpedEd · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 143 Location: Shanghai

tuvia · Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Posts: 34 Location: beijing

ive used elong as well as c trip without any problem. however, two years about a year ago a friend of mine used elong and on the return leg, presented his ticket at the check in line and was told the ticket was not valid. he had to buy another one on the spot. upon returning to beijing, he went back to the elong office where he bought the ticket, and was given a refund (and said the person at elong acted as though this were a common occurance). he did get the refund, though it certainly was a hassle to have to purchase a ticket on the spot (and i am not sure if he had to pay more).