Job Discussion Forums

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I'm going to try to get cash instead of the flight at the end of my contract. I'll be here for 10 months, how much cash should I expect to get?

struelle · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 2372 Location: Shanghai

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

wait a minute...
What does your contract stipulate???

The going-rate varies between 3000 and considerably higher, in isolated cases exceeding RMB ten thousand, though many just pay a lumpsum of RMB 5000 at the end of a one-year stint.

Now, what's a "one-year" stint?
Obviously, you are thinking of twelve months; however, a one-year contract may include several weeks of holidays, paid or unpaid;
I suggest if youwork for a public school, you get a one-way ticket refund or a lump sum seldom exceeding 3000 at the completion of one semester, or RMB 5000 at the end of two semesters.
Somer schools actually refund you the actual costs, banking their policy on the unfair hope they can save some dough from folks that flew in to China from a destination much closer than the USA.
I suggest you go for the minimum refund of RMB 5000 (I think this is a nationally-defined minimum sum that I for one have been receiving since 1995).
And, naturegirl, some advice: Always discuss such topics with your new employer before you commit yourself!
In addition, try to prorate your airfare and get it paid in monthly instalments!!!
Some employers obliged me on this score!

mr pink · Joined: 12 Jul 2003 Posts: 53 Location: China

It depends on your contract. Some contracts give you a one way ticket for a ten month contract and others say round trip/ return. Also there might be limits. Maybe they will pay for only from China to a major city in your country like Los Angeles, London, etc. Or there is a 500 USD cap on one way or 1000 USD for round trip.

sometimes the school wants a ticket or reciept before they give you money. If they will flat out give you money, that's great.

mr pink

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

My contract says a one way from Shanghai or Beijing to Chicago, but I decided not to go to Chicago, but to Europe straight from China.

MyTurnNow · Joined: 19 Mar 2003 Posts: 860 Location: Outer Shanghai

You should then (in theory) get the cash equivalent of the price of a one-way to Chicago, as stipulated in your contract.

Whose price may be a stickier question....different sources, dates, and flights have different prices. Sometimes WILDLY different. From what I've seen of some people's exits from chinese schools, the owner may claim he has an uncle who can get him tickets to Chicago for 50 RMB. Shocked

Please note that while this arrangement (cash instead of ticket) is very common, unless it's specified in your contract the owner is within his rights to decline this.

MT

Guest · Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 10:11 am Post subject:

While we are talking about tickets etc. I have a question please.

I have my return ticket to Australia which I plan on using in June. I will then come back to China with another 12 month return ticket.

Is it possible to buy my ticket HERE IN CHINA? The ticket would be from Australia to Shanghai and then back again - so I do not know if it is possible. I am thinking ahead about money - as I will only have R.M.B. and have never tried to change it into U.S. Dollars or whatever.

Our contract here says the return ticket will be refunded- but when another Australian teacher left here in December, she received 4,000 yuan which is only equivalent to about $800 Australian, which is roughly two thirds of my return fare - which is okay as far as I am concerned.

She flew here in December though, and she paid about $1,600 for her return ticket. Arriving in August, it was much cheaper.

I am hoping the School will give it to me in Cash and in U.S. Dollars though - that would make life easier.

Klamm · Joined: 18 Jun 2003 Posts: 121

Difficult to say mid-contract. I always haggle early on. It's always better to bargain for the air ticket paid in cash. You can arrange your own flight as you like. I've never had too much trouble getting 8,000 Rmb (paid at the end of semesters half).

They whine a bit and then give.

But it may depend on you and your quals. Don't know.

K.

arioch36 · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 3589

4,000 one way is decent. Some schools (reasonably, I think) cap the amount at 8,000.

I have never had any luck getting paid in dollars. However, after I signed the receipt for the RMB, I have had many FAO's who exchanged the money for me, or introduced me to someone.

Again, here in Henan, the Bank of China has a very good english speaker in the currency exchange, and you can do it yourself.

You might want to hold on to your RMB if you plan on changing to US DOllars, at least. The rate is suppose to be changed twice this year, so i hear, possibly making it 1$ to 7.5 RMB