Flights to Beijing from the UK

[adrianlondon]

I know this isn't really a "living in China" thread but, well - without the flight, I won't be able to live there so I'm clinging to relevance ...

I'm after a flight from London to Beijing. The price isn't bad (around £400-£500) until I put in a stay of over a month, at which point the price jumps to around £700. Of course, there are some cheapish options but as they usually involve at least one stop, the airport taxes then add so much to the price that it's back to £700 before you know it.

Not only that, but I'm not sure when I want to come home, so I need a changeable return date. Ouch - another increase in price.

I'm going to use my BNU acceptance letter to try and get an ISIC (International Student ID Card) which may let me get a decent 12-month-open-return type price. However, they tend to be for young students, not 37 year olds.

Any tips?

[zixingche]

How about two singles? Have you tried China Travel Services in Shaftsbury Avenue? They usually have quite good prices. If you you do get two singles, it's probably cheaper to get the China to UK flight with a UK company.

[adrianlondon]

I checked out the price of a single and it was horribly expensive.

CTS is on my list of places to check out; along with "ours travel" and some place on Charing Cross Road.

I have my BNU paperwork now, so will go to STA Travel and hopefully get my ISIC card (yes, I know, it's like saying PIN number, but just saying ISIC doesn't sound right) tomorrow.

[ZhuJiesheng]

if you try jade travel near the pagoda in china town, as long as you are under 26 you can get a low tariff; if you want a non-stop then you'll prob end up with air china. I got a single for 270 and I don't fly till august. I think prices went up at the end of June (summer sale ended >.<) but it shouldnt be that much more expensive.

[adrianlondon]

£270 isn't bad and I'd prefer non-stop for the speed, obviously, but also because even though they look more expensive at first, as there's less airport tax to add on, it can work out quite similar in price to the slower flight.

One of the things I mention in my opening post is that I'm 37. That's a bit over 26, unfortunately

[ZhuJiesheng]

ah, fair enough lol. Well you don't have to worry about the airport tax at least as thats included in the price they give you

[Ju_de]

I have just bought my tickets to London to Beijing (return) for 415 pounds in Chinatown, which is a student price.

I think this is a special deal which has just started.

I will be flying out at the end of August with Air China. Its valid for 12 months, and the return date can be changed for a small admin fee (about 50 pound).

I also found a similar fare on the STA website, though I am not sure if its still available.

Adrian, I think that as long as you are a full-time student you are eligible for the ISIC card, regardless of age. My friend used her university acceptance letter, and managed to get one.

[adrianlondon]

Thanks for that - yes, I've been told I can get an ISIC even though I'm not under 26. Unfortunately, many of the student flights say "full time students *and* under 26" which rules me out.

You flight - a 12 month open return with a smallish change fee - is exactly what I'm after.

I went to CTS Travel on Shaftsbury Avenue yesterday and all they could offer me was Emirates for around £470 (plus £75 change-date fee). They said that offers for September would likely be released in a couple of weeks.

Where in China Town did you go, Ju-de? I live and work walking distance from there so can pop over any time. I want your flight When I priced-up Air China online (for Aug or Sep outward) it came in at £1400!

[Ju_de]

Adrian, that is strange because I bought mine from CTS travel, 112A Shaftesbury Ave. I reserved the seat on tuesday, and paid for it on thursday.

It could be that you are planning to fly out in september, whereas I'm departing at the end of August. So you may have to wait for a few weeks to get that special offer.

[adrianlondon]

hmm - are you under 26? I'll go and see them again, and ask specifically about Air China student prices. if I have to go a few days early, so be it.

[Ju_de]

I'm 26, so it shouldn't matter how old you are,

as long as you have a valid ISIC card you should be able to get the student rate.

Good luck!!

[adrianlondon]

Thanks.

I found your flight/price online at C&E Travel UK, which is in Little Newport Street, Chinatown. I'll go and see them tomorrow. I'll report back!

http://www.everwell.co.uk/eng_superairfear.htm

Not sure that Super Air Fear instills much confidence

Did you know instill can be spelt with one or two l's? You didn't care? Oh well.

[Ju_de]

Great!!

Hopefully, you should get a reasonably priced fare now!!!

[adrianlondon]

Well, I went to Super Air Fear and ... it's turned into a brothel! That's soho for you. The sign on the door just said "beautiful oriental models upstairs for you". The landline, fax and mobile number associated with the agency are dead. Hey ho.

So, as chinatown isn't exactly short of travel agents I went to another. Air China has offers for August and then November & December. Nothing for Sept. Also, they don't believe anyone over 32 has any learning capacity left (I might end up agreeing with them - we'll see how the course goes) as you need an ISIC and to be under 32 to qualify for their student flights.

KLM had the best deal, but with a totally non changeable flight. And I hate making decisions.

Emirates is the best value so far : £450 inc with a £75 change fee; ticket valid for 12 months.

Thanks everyone for your input.

[Ju_de]

Sorry to hear that you couldn't get the Air China fare.

It is really silly that they wouldn't sell you that fare because of your age, even though you are going to be a full-time student.

When I bought mine, the lady at CTS never asked me my age, just asked me whether I had a ISIC card. May be I look under the age of 32???? who knows??

Anyway, hope the trip to China works out much better!!

[KingKitega]

Hi adrian,

Check out this fare:

http://www.seewootravel.co.uk/displayfare.php?fare=8328

only 6 months validity, but GBP285 (ex taxes) with KLM - and no need for ISIC!

You can search for other fares on that site too (cut out the displayfare bit in url), but that's the best I can find.

I think 6m is enough for you given that you're only studying for one semester.

Good searching!

[adrianlondon]

Thanks King Kitega,

KLM certainly works out the cheapest, but their tickets are totally non changeable when I last checked that offer. I'll check via your link though; one never knows. I haven't decided yet whether to come back to the UK just before Christmas to be with family, at the end of my semeter, or a few weeks after my semester to allow for travel time.

Maybe I just need to make a decision! But I'm bad at those.

I'll keep checking and post back here once I've got the flight tickets, in case there are other indecisive people around who are leaving it even later than me :-)