Job Discussion Forums

Jordean · Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 238

OK, I'm taking the plunge in a couple of months. Any suggestions on US-China ticket options? One way, or open return? I am thinking of flying to HK and train up to BJ.

Is there a better way to do this, all things being equal?

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2199 Location: Jiangsu Province

In business and government here they are often very dishonest to put it mildly so having an open return ticket is a good move. Singapore Air is good with letting one roll over a ticket for a couple of years. Just make sure everything is proper on your contract. Saving on most wages being paid here is difficult especially for the first year as you normally need to buy things while you are settling in.

I have a government job at an English Teachers College and they are the biggest bunch of cheats going since the first principal I had left after the first two semesters. They tried to get out of paying airfares and travel allowance the first year and were ten weeks late in paying it and they are trying it again this year.

Be very careful with pick pocket when you get here and they cut through your clothes and bags to get stuff. I had my jacket cut through on a bus but he got nothing. I also had a woman try to get stuff out of my back pack in a market. They get around arrival places like air, bus and train terminals.

Also carry fifty RMB notes as there are plenty of fifty RMB forgeries around I got stuck with one soon after arrival in change from a hundred RMB note plus I have had other try to pass them on me until I started only carrying 50 RMB note on me.

Welcome to China!

william wallace · Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 2869 Location: in between

A buddy of mine is coming over soon, and he's telling me that there is a 25 dollar surcharge per piece of luggage PER airport,so that could add up quite a bit.
Good luck,
WW

roadwalker · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 1750 Location: Ch

I second the open-ended ticket option. I have done this twice through a local (US) agent. The first time through Eva Air and the second through Air China (also Tai wan). Both fly to Hong Kong. If you land in HK I would cross to Shenzhen and fly to Beijing as opposed to a very long train ride. The open ended option will fix you a date in March or April for return due to the inability to reserve any further in advance, but you can later change to a date no later than a year from your originating flight, at no additional charge.