| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Hamlet
Joined: 18 Mar 2008
|
 Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 1:02 am Post subject: Am I being scammed by this travel agent? |
 |
|
I booked an airline ticket to Shanghai with a travel agent. I sent the total amount for the ticket and the visa (visa was 140,000). After they booked the ticked, which is not refundable, they sent me this email:
| Quote: |
| We regret to inform you that China visa is increased 50,000 won more by Embassy from Jun 10th. If you still need to apply visa throught us, either transfer or pay in cash tomorrow when you come over. |
1st: Why the hell are they asking if I still want them to get the visa? Of course I still want them get me a visa! I've already paid for the airline ticket, and only a travel agent can get the visa.
2nd: Has anyone else heard anything about China raising its visa fees for Americans?
I booked my ticket on the 8th, and they are claiming that they were just informed about a fee increase (today the 11th) that goes into effect on the 10th! I call BS on that! |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Hamlet
Joined: 18 Mar 2008
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 1:13 am Post subject: |
|
|
Well, here's an answer--sort of. American visas are now 140 USD! That's 174,000 won, according to xe.com. I paid 140,000, and they are asking for 50,000 more--bring the total to 190,000!
My ticket to Shanghai cost 200,000. The visa is 190,000! WTF!
http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/t707921.htm |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
AsiaESLbound
Joined: 07 Jan 2010
Location: Truck Stop Missouri
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 1:25 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Sounds about right. I read it went up to $140 from $100. I think this is a bit steep for a tourist visa. It makes me wonder why the Chinese are charging Americans so much compared all other nationalities as well as what most any country charges for a tourist visa. Typically a tourist visa is free up to about $25 and usually it's a landing VOA in most instances for Americans. I find this peculiar being that China is a major trading partner with the US. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Hamlet
Joined: 18 Mar 2008
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 1:44 am Post subject: |
|
|
Yeah, it definitely went up. I just think it's BS that they quoted me one price, then booked my non-refundable airline ticket, then told me that there was a visa price increase of 50,000 Won, then asked me if I still wanted them to get my visa--when, obviously, I have no other option!
Plus, there is no way that they found out on the 11th that there was a price increase going into effect on the 10th!! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
BoholDiver
Joined: 03 Oct 2009
Location: Canada
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 4:59 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Scammed? No. Just the victim of some piss poor planning. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
BoholDiver
Joined: 03 Oct 2009
Location: Canada
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 4:59 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Piss poor planning on their part. Just being more clear. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
AsiaESLbound
Joined: 07 Jan 2010
Location: Truck Stop Missouri
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 11:21 am Post subject: |
|
|
| BoholDiver wrote: |
| Piss poor planning on their part. Just being more clear. |
Yes, I already knew about the visa price increase well in advance before today. These sorts of things you want to read up on before purchasing a trip just to be sure you know and want what you are getting yourself into. Your travel agency wasn't paying attention until the money didn't add up in their favor.
Why is China charging Americans such a ridiculously high price for a tourist visa? I thought $100 was steep, but $140 is offensive so I'm not going despite how dirt cheap the airfares run. Notice it's so cheap to fly to China, but expensive anywhere else. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
isisaredead
Joined: 18 May 2010
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 7:52 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| OP: would you mind if i asked which travel agent you're using? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Reappropriated
Joined: 08 Aug 2009
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 8:46 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| If I remember correctly from when I researched it, China visas are so expensive for US citizens because the US government charges Chinese citizens that price for US visas. I am not sure who started with the inflated prices, but you can (at least partially) thank the US government for the high visa fee. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Hamlet
Joined: 18 Mar 2008
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 10:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
If I remember correctly from when I researched it, China visas are so expensive for US citizens because the US government charges Chinese citizens that price for US visas. I am not sure who started with the inflated prices, but you can (at least partially) thank the US government for the high visa fee. |
To be clear, I am in no way blaming the travel agency because China raised their visa fees. I am blaming them because of the way they handled it.
I sent them the money for my ticket and my visa on the 8th--two days before the visa price increase. It's pretty incompetent for a travel agency not to be aware of what was going on. Let's assume, though, that it's not their fault.
They are still shady, because they sent me an email on the 11th. This email said, "Your ticket is booked. Here is your eticket. By the way, visa fees have gone up by 50,000 Won. Do you still want us to get the visa for you?"
Here is why that is annoying. They are fully aware that individuals cannot get their own Chinese visas--only travel agents can. So, instead of telling me about the fee increase and then asking me if I still wanted to buy a ticket to China, they booked the NONREFUNDABLE ticket and then asked me if I still wanted them to get me a visa.
Well, OF COURSE I still want them to get me a visa--I have no choice. But they don't make any money on the visa. The only reason they offer to get it is because they have to in order to sell airline tickets. So what they did was book the ticket, get their commission, and then "offer" to NOT get me a visa, a visa that I have to have in order to use the ticket that they already booked! Gee, thanks for that thoughtfulness! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
definitely maybe
Joined: 16 Feb 2008
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2010 7:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Hamlet wrote: |
| Quote: |
If I remember correctly from when I researched it, China visas are so expensive for US citizens because the US government charges Chinese citizens that price for US visas. I am not sure who started with the inflated prices, but you can (at least partially) thank the US government for the high visa fee. |
To be clear, I am in no way blaming the travel agency because China raised their visa fees. I am blaming them because of the way they handled it.
I sent them the money for my ticket and my visa on the 8th--two days before the visa price increase. It's pretty incompetent for a travel agency not to be aware of what was going on. Let's assume, though, that it's not their fault.
They are still shady, because they sent me an email on the 11th. This email said, "Your ticket is booked. Here is your eticket. By the way, visa fees have gone up by 50,000 Won. Do you still want us to get the visa for you?"
Here is why that is annoying. They are fully aware that individuals cannot get their own Chinese visas--only travel agents can. So, instead of telling me about the fee increase and then asking me if I still wanted to buy a ticket to China, they booked the NONREFUNDABLE ticket and then asked me if I still wanted them to get me a visa.
Well, OF COURSE I still want them to get me a visa--I have no choice. But they don't make any money on the visa. The only reason they offer to get it is because they have to in order to sell airline tickets. So what they did was book the ticket, get their commission, and then "offer" to NOT get me a visa, a visa that I have to have in order to use the ticket that they already booked! Gee, thanks for that thoughtfulness! |
Travel agents used to charge a 5,000-10,000 won fee to get tourist visas for you prior to the Chinese embassy changing the application process. I'm pretty confident that the extra 16,000 won is an "administrative" fee from the travel agency. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
supernick
Joined: 24 Jan 2003
Location: Seoul
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2010 9:04 pm Post subject: |
|
|
They probably had no idea about the price increase at that time, as most of the visas they apply for are not for Amerians. There are other companies who can get the visa for you, and they were probably just trying to confirm if you still wanted them to get the visa for you.
As the other poster said, you're not being scammed, just poor planning.
Enjoy your vacation. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
hari seldon
Joined: 05 Dec 2004
Location: Incheon
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 12:39 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Who the hell wants to spend almost $200 on a tourist visa? Now that I've been once and seen the major sights, I'll never return. A shame really, since there's still plenty more to see, but I'll be damned if I'll shell out $200 on a visa. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Jessie41
Joined: 14 Dec 2007
|
| Posted: Sun Jun 20, 2010 10:10 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Reappropriated wrote: |
| If I remember correctly from when I researched it, China visas are so expensive for US citizens because the US government charges Chinese citizens that price for US visas. I am not sure who started with the inflated prices, but you can (at least partially) thank the US government for the high visa fee. |
True, and the U.S. just raised its fee to $140, so the Chinese Embassy and consulates in the U.S. are now charging U.S. citizens $140 for a China visa. But it's more expensive here for some reason, since 190,000 won is almost $160. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
DeMayonnaise
Joined: 02 Nov 2008
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 21, 2010 6:51 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Count me in as another person not going to China because of the visa. Really too bad, since I want to go to Tibet, but between having to book a way overpriced tour, getting a China visa, getting to Lhasa, getting a Tibet visa...it's going to run me well over $1000 for a week. A week in Thailand costs like $250....
Oh well. I saw Beijing with my dad, and he paid, so I can say I've been to China and seen the Forbidden City and Great Wall. Plenty of other great places to visit in Asia, which aren't such visa nazis. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
