Help me see my dad one more (l/ast?) time?
August 3, 2010 9:15 AM Subscribe
Trying to book one-way international flights on a week's notice...
Hi, metafilter. I'm writing to ask for help because I have a somewhat complicated travel situation and I'm not sure what is the best thing for me to do. I need to get from Beijing to Bangkok (any day starting from tomorrow), stay in Bangkok for some flexible number of days, then fly from Bangkok to Denver, before 18 August.
My father was diagnosed last year with stage 4 colon cancer. He has lived in Thailand for the last ten years and chose to stay there for his treatment. The rest of us live in the United States and have been flying out there to see him whenever possible. This summer, I have been in Beijing on a state department sponsored scholarship. Two weeks ago, I learned that his situation has taken a turn for the worse and that it is very important that I come to see him before I return to the US. I don't have much information beyond this, but it sounds like the situation is pretty serious. At this point, it doesn't sound like he is in good enough shape to travel back to the states and he tells me that his oncologist really wants to meet with me.
My question is what is the best way for me to get over there to see him, asap? There are some weird details and limitations: first, I absolutely must get back to the US by the 18th of August for reasons that are unrelated to the question. Second, the program I am studying with ends this week and we are all scheduled to return to the US on Monday. When I learned of my dad's condition, I informed the directors of my program and they told me they would reroute my flight back to the United States so that I could stop over in Thailand. The reason they were going to do this instead of me is that the plane tickets of the students in my program were all bought at a group rate and it is, evidently, very difficult to convince the airline (United) to change anything other than the dates of travel. They thought it would be easier for them to call on my behalf. Since the dates of travel are, in theory, flexible, some people have suggested that I buy a cheap round-trip ticket from Beijing to Bangkok on a Chinese airline and push my United ticket back by a week. As the directors have been on the case for two weeks and have yet to produce an appropriate itinerary, I feel that it is high time that I forget about using my pre-existing ticket and just buy a one way ticket from Beijing to Bangkok and another one from Bangkok back to the US. (another reason to abandon this plan is that I don't have a multiple entry visa for China and don't want to deal with applying for a tourist visa while I'm trying to care for my dad in Bangkok) The cost is obviously less than ideal, due to the time constraints, but I don't know if anything can be done about this.
People have been suggesting that I try all kinds of things, such as contacting my local VFW (he is a disabled veteran), state senator, and so on, but I don't even know what I would say to them. I suppose my question is whether there is anything I can say to the airline that could help me reduce the cost of booking one way travel on such short notice. I apologize for the zombie writing style in this post and also if I have left one some glaringly important piece of information. Today was a long day. I'm going to sleep now but will check this in the morning.
Hi, metafilter. I'm writing to ask for help because I have a somewhat complicated travel situation and I'm not sure what is the best thing for me to do. I need to get from Beijing to Bangkok (any day starting from tomorrow), stay in Bangkok for some flexible number of days, then fly from Bangkok to Denver, before 18 August.
My father was diagnosed last year with stage 4 colon cancer. He has lived in Thailand for the last ten years and chose to stay there for his treatment. The rest of us live in the United States and have been flying out there to see him whenever possible. This summer, I have been in Beijing on a state department sponsored scholarship. Two weeks ago, I learned that his situation has taken a turn for the worse and that it is very important that I come to see him before I return to the US. I don't have much information beyond this, but it sounds like the situation is pretty serious. At this point, it doesn't sound like he is in good enough shape to travel back to the states and he tells me that his oncologist really wants to meet with me.
My question is what is the best way for me to get over there to see him, asap? There are some weird details and limitations: first, I absolutely must get back to the US by the 18th of August for reasons that are unrelated to the question. Second, the program I am studying with ends this week and we are all scheduled to return to the US on Monday. When I learned of my dad's condition, I informed the directors of my program and they told me they would reroute my flight back to the United States so that I could stop over in Thailand. The reason they were going to do this instead of me is that the plane tickets of the students in my program were all bought at a group rate and it is, evidently, very difficult to convince the airline (United) to change anything other than the dates of travel. They thought it would be easier for them to call on my behalf. Since the dates of travel are, in theory, flexible, some people have suggested that I buy a cheap round-trip ticket from Beijing to Bangkok on a Chinese airline and push my United ticket back by a week. As the directors have been on the case for two weeks and have yet to produce an appropriate itinerary, I feel that it is high time that I forget about using my pre-existing ticket and just buy a one way ticket from Beijing to Bangkok and another one from Bangkok back to the US. (another reason to abandon this plan is that I don't have a multiple entry visa for China and don't want to deal with applying for a tourist visa while I'm trying to care for my dad in Bangkok) The cost is obviously less than ideal, due to the time constraints, but I don't know if anything can be done about this.
People have been suggesting that I try all kinds of things, such as contacting my local VFW (he is a disabled veteran), state senator, and so on, but I don't even know what I would say to them. I suppose my question is whether there is anything I can say to the airline that could help me reduce the cost of booking one way travel on such short notice. I apologize for the zombie writing style in this post and also if I have left one some glaringly important piece of information. Today was a long day. I'm going to sleep now but will check this in the morning.
It's worth calling the offices of your congressman and Senators. They may or may not be able/willing to help, but this kind of constituent service does happen sometimes. Tell the person who answers the phone what you told us, and ask if there's anything the official can do about it. Worst thing that will happen is you'll get a sympathetic no.
posted by EarBucket at 9:40 AM on August 3, 2010
posted by EarBucket at 9:40 AM on August 3, 2010
Given the circumstances, you may be eligible for a bereavement fare, which would be something to ask the airline about - this isn't necessarily less expensive, but it might be, and may be more flexible with respect to dates of travel just in case you find yourself needing to delay your travel to the US. I second bluedaisy's suggestion that working with a travel agent might be a good idea - having one less thing to worry about at a time like this can help a lot.
I assume you've already looked into it, but a glance at the transit visa requirements for China suggests that you would have to go through an application process, which sounds like more hassle than you need right now, but could be an area where someone in the office of your congressional rep or senator might have connections that would help, if you were to decide that a return ticket between Beijing and Bangkok is the better route.
posted by EvaDestruction at 9:56 AM on August 3, 2010
I assume you've already looked into it, but a glance at the transit visa requirements for China suggests that you would have to go through an application process, which sounds like more hassle than you need right now, but could be an area where someone in the office of your congressional rep or senator might have connections that would help, if you were to decide that a return ticket between Beijing and Bangkok is the better route.
posted by EvaDestruction at 9:56 AM on August 3, 2010
Sorry about your situation and the difficulty changing your flight. Since your program directors have not had success, you should trying calling the airline directly and see what kind of options you might have. Perhaps you can use a portion of your paid ticket towards the purchase of a new one from BKK to the US. If they won't credit you a full fare from another departure city, maybe you can get a partial credit.
If you don't have any luck with United, I've had good luck in the past finding decent last-minute international fares on Air Gorilla. Just checking there quickly now, I see a one-way flight from Beijing to BKK for $262 on China Southern. You'd have to do a little more research on how to fulfill the leg back to the US.
Good luck and sorry you have so much stress to deal with right now.
posted by amusebuche at 10:05 AM on August 3, 2010
If you don't have any luck with United, I've had good luck in the past finding decent last-minute international fares on Air Gorilla. Just checking there quickly now, I see a one-way flight from Beijing to BKK for $262 on China Southern. You'd have to do a little more research on how to fulfill the leg back to the US.
Good luck and sorry you have so much stress to deal with right now.
posted by amusebuche at 10:05 AM on August 3, 2010
I'm sorry to hear about your father.
the best prices here are normally found on qunar.com rather than with a travel agent, however I have found some deals for others with travel agents in the past.
I don't think this is something a senator can really impact upon. You are already on a State Department trip and that puts you closer on a consular level. It the Chinese government's say when it comes to visa issues. I've seen worse things happen to people here and the embassies not even blink an eye.
go down to the entry and exit Bureau and explain your situation in person. it will only take you about two hours and then you'll have a firm answer. Sometimes they are sympathetic. it is not far away from the Lama Temple.
I second the suggestion for a bereavement fare.
finally, look up details of your travel insurance, this might have been covered.
Good luck.
posted by chinabound at 10:28 AM on August 3, 2010
the best prices here are normally found on qunar.com rather than with a travel agent, however I have found some deals for others with travel agents in the past.
I don't think this is something a senator can really impact upon. You are already on a State Department trip and that puts you closer on a consular level. It the Chinese government's say when it comes to visa issues. I've seen worse things happen to people here and the embassies not even blink an eye.
go down to the entry and exit Bureau and explain your situation in person. it will only take you about two hours and then you'll have a firm answer. Sometimes they are sympathetic. it is not far away from the Lama Temple.
I second the suggestion for a bereavement fare.
finally, look up details of your travel insurance, this might have been covered.
Good luck.
posted by chinabound at 10:28 AM on August 3, 2010
This does sound like a situation where you would be eligible for a bereavement fare, sometimes also called a compassion fare or medical emergency fare. Most American-based airlines will offer this, but I've never looked into the policies of Asian airlines. To receive this discount you will have to talk to an airline booking agent directly, although airline websites often have information on what kind of discounts they offer in the FAQs (United's indicate that for this situation they would wave change fees to an existing ticket or offer a 10% discount on a new ticket). Also, in order to receive the discount on your return flight to Denver as well as the flight to Bangkok you might need to book them together as a multi-city trip rather than two separate one way tickets. However, depending on the amount of the discount and what type of fare they're applying it to, it still might be more expensive than what you can buy online.
My suggestion would be to look online at airfare aggregator sites (I like Kayak.com and Trip Advisor at the moment, both can be used for international routes) and then call whichever airline has the best fare and schedule combination for you and ask what they can do for you. You should mention that your father's doctor has requested you come as soon as possible, since some airlines will want a note from the doctor as proof that the situation is real and grave. Good luck!
posted by unsub at 10:34 AM on August 3, 2010
My suggestion would be to look online at airfare aggregator sites (I like Kayak.com and Trip Advisor at the moment, both can be used for international routes) and then call whichever airline has the best fare and schedule combination for you and ask what they can do for you. You should mention that your father's doctor has requested you come as soon as possible, since some airlines will want a note from the doctor as proof that the situation is real and grave. Good luck!
posted by unsub at 10:34 AM on August 3, 2010
There's a lot of things going on here. I'm sorry you have to deal with this when your mind is certainly on other things.
At this point, it sounds like you have not even spoken directly to the airline (United) yourself. I think that should be your first step if you have not already done so.
It's not clear whether your problem with getting an "appropriate itinerary" is resistance on the part of United or your directors. It sounds to me like a lot of the trouble may be because you are trying to keep things flexible. I think you should just choose a DEFINITE date to travel (both to BKK and back to DEN) and price things out that way.
So:
OPTION 1: Buy ROUND-TRIP ticket from PEK-BKK and change existing United return trip.
Problem 1: Do you need a transit visa to re-enter Beijing? I thought that if you did not have to clear customs (i.e., all flights were in the same international terminal), you would not need a separate re-entry visa. You will not be able to determine whether this is necessary until you can compare the return flight / airline from BKK with your departing flight on United.
Problem 2: Your "open ended" return probably causes issues. I think you are best off trying to return to the US (via PEK) on a definite day.
If you can locate a suitable PEK-BKK round trip flight, I suggest you get your United record locator / confirm number, and just call United yourself about changing the return date. They will assess change fees. Compare those change fees against:
OPTION 2: Buy an OPEN JAW / "multi city" ticket from PEK-BKK-DEN and discard credit the currently booked United return ticket. (It is sometimes cheaper to book a round trip ticket (and just discard the return trip), although this "throw away" ticketing is technically against fare rules, but if it's a one-shot deal the airlines are unlikely to care. I priced out various PEK-BKK-DEN options on Expedia and it looks like the round trip currently prices out at $700 more than the open jaw.) Note that consolidators and other travel agents may be able to work some magic and get something cheaper than what's listed on the airline website.
posted by QuantumMeruit at 11:14 AM on August 3, 2010
At this point, it sounds like you have not even spoken directly to the airline (United) yourself. I think that should be your first step if you have not already done so.
It's not clear whether your problem with getting an "appropriate itinerary" is resistance on the part of United or your directors. It sounds to me like a lot of the trouble may be because you are trying to keep things flexible. I think you should just choose a DEFINITE date to travel (both to BKK and back to DEN) and price things out that way.
So:
OPTION 1: Buy ROUND-TRIP ticket from PEK-BKK and change existing United return trip.
Problem 1: Do you need a transit visa to re-enter Beijing? I thought that if you did not have to clear customs (i.e., all flights were in the same international terminal), you would not need a separate re-entry visa. You will not be able to determine whether this is necessary until you can compare the return flight / airline from BKK with your departing flight on United.
Problem 2: Your "open ended" return probably causes issues. I think you are best off trying to return to the US (via PEK) on a definite day.
If you can locate a suitable PEK-BKK round trip flight, I suggest you get your United record locator / confirm number, and just call United yourself about changing the return date. They will assess change fees. Compare those change fees against:
OPTION 2: Buy an OPEN JAW / "multi city" ticket from PEK-BKK-DEN and discard credit the currently booked United return ticket. (It is sometimes cheaper to book a round trip ticket (and just discard the return trip), although this "throw away" ticketing is technically against fare rules, but if it's a one-shot deal the airlines are unlikely to care. I priced out various PEK-BKK-DEN options on Expedia and it looks like the round trip currently prices out at $700 more than the open jaw.) Note that consolidators and other travel agents may be able to work some magic and get something cheaper than what's listed on the airline website.
posted by QuantumMeruit at 11:14 AM on August 3, 2010
Seconding the open jaw idea. I don't know how it works with international flights, but I've left from City X, gone to City Y, and then ended up in City Z (where I drove with some friends back to City X, but that's beside the point). Also agreeing with calling your friendly congressperson. That's how my uncle, having never been to the States at all, got into the country on four days' notice when my grandfather died. It CAN be done.
Good luck and good thoughts to you.
posted by Heretical at 11:24 AM on August 3, 2010
Good luck and good thoughts to you.
posted by Heretical at 11:24 AM on August 3, 2010
Best answer: A couple ideas -
1. Create a post on Flyertalk about this. These people know how to work airlines, mileage programs, ticket rules, etc. Here's the United board. You need to create a free profile to post.
2. Here are all the links between China (plus Hong Kong and Macau) and Bangkok, from Wikipedia's page for the Bangkok Airport. Some of the weird ones (Air Madagascar!) may only be a few times a week, but they may be cheap, as they're just "tag-ons" to a longer flight. Going to a travel agent may help here, but so might using Skype to directly call a reservations line or visiting the airline's website.
Also, I imagine you can almost certainly get to basically all of China from Beijing, so a flight like Beijing-somewhere on this list-Bangkok shouldn't be too tricky, though might require two bookings. Caveat lector...
• Air China - Beijing, Chongqing
• Air Macau - Macau
• Air Madagascar - Guangzhou
• Cathay Pacific - Hong Kong
• China Airlines (of Taiwan) - Hong Kong
• China Eastern Airlines - Kunming, Shanghai-Pudong
• China Southern - Guangzhou, Shantou
• Egyptair - Guangzhou
• Ethiopian Airlines - Guangzhou, Hong Kong
• Hainan Airlines - Haikou, Nanning
• Hong Kong Airlines - Hong Kong
• Kenya Airways - Guangzhou, Hong Kong
• Orient Thai - Hong Kong
• Pakistan International Airlines - Hong Kong
• Royal Jordanian - Hong Kong
• Shanghai Airlines - Shanghai-Pudong, Chongqing
• Shenzhen Airlines - Shenzhen
• Sri Lankan Airlines - Beijing, Shanghai-Pudong, Hong Kong
• Thai AirAsia (a low-cost airline: think Southwest) - Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen, Guangzhou
• Thai Airways (Thailand's national carrier: full-service) - Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shanghai-Pudong, Xiamen
If you want a legal-eagle way out of Thailand for immigration-desk purposes, book an AirAsia flight to a neighboring country (US passport holders visiting get 30 days) and bring the printout to the immigration desk in case you're asked when you're leaving. I've not been to Thailand; you may not be asked for this.
If you can swing some deal that includes Bangkok and the States on a single one-way ticket home, great; if not, nothing major - it should be easy to find a ticket to the States when you get to Bangkok, because every major Asian airline connects Thailand to somewhere in the US, especially the West Coast, especially Los Angeles. Also, Bangkok is the global center of cheap tickets and travel agencies there will be able to get you home somehow, for a not-excruciating amount. Denver shouldn't be that much harder for a Thai agent to deal with.
To see if you can get a Beijing-Bangkok-Denver deal all on one ticket, check out ITA Software's multi-city page, find a fare that works for you, click on the "get details" link on the flight listing that comes up, print out the details, bring them into an agency, and see if they can book it.
If you don't have a Chinese travel agent, check out CTrip and ELong, China's Expedia/Travelocity, or Zuji, Singapore's version of Travelocity, which features Asian carriers/deals more prominently (though beware - prices are listed in Singapore dollars [1 SGD = 0.74 USD]). Beijing's United Airlines office might be nicer in person and could help you more than someone on the phone.
Your congressperson can be found here by putting in your home ZIP code; you want to call their local office if the DC office doesn't pick up, and ask to speak to "constituent services". I would *highly* recommend this, especially as Denver is one of United's hubs, so your representatives have probably dealt with them a lot. Is there anyone at home who can go in in person to plead your case?
Good luck - and peace.
posted by mdonley at 11:31 AM on August 3, 2010
1. Create a post on Flyertalk about this. These people know how to work airlines, mileage programs, ticket rules, etc. Here's the United board. You need to create a free profile to post.
2. Here are all the links between China (plus Hong Kong and Macau) and Bangkok, from Wikipedia's page for the Bangkok Airport. Some of the weird ones (Air Madagascar!) may only be a few times a week, but they may be cheap, as they're just "tag-ons" to a longer flight. Going to a travel agent may help here, but so might using Skype to directly call a reservations line or visiting the airline's website.
Also, I imagine you can almost certainly get to basically all of China from Beijing, so a flight like Beijing-somewhere on this list-Bangkok shouldn't be too tricky, though might require two bookings. Caveat lector...
• Air China - Beijing, Chongqing
• Air Macau - Macau
• Air Madagascar - Guangzhou
• Cathay Pacific - Hong Kong
• China Airlines (of Taiwan) - Hong Kong
• China Eastern Airlines - Kunming, Shanghai-Pudong
• China Southern - Guangzhou, Shantou
• Egyptair - Guangzhou
• Ethiopian Airlines - Guangzhou, Hong Kong
• Hainan Airlines - Haikou, Nanning
• Hong Kong Airlines - Hong Kong
• Kenya Airways - Guangzhou, Hong Kong
• Orient Thai - Hong Kong
• Pakistan International Airlines - Hong Kong
• Royal Jordanian - Hong Kong
• Shanghai Airlines - Shanghai-Pudong, Chongqing
• Shenzhen Airlines - Shenzhen
• Sri Lankan Airlines - Beijing, Shanghai-Pudong, Hong Kong
• Thai AirAsia (a low-cost airline: think Southwest) - Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen, Guangzhou
• Thai Airways (Thailand's national carrier: full-service) - Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Shanghai-Pudong, Xiamen
If you want a legal-eagle way out of Thailand for immigration-desk purposes, book an AirAsia flight to a neighboring country (US passport holders visiting get 30 days) and bring the printout to the immigration desk in case you're asked when you're leaving. I've not been to Thailand; you may not be asked for this.
If you can swing some deal that includes Bangkok and the States on a single one-way ticket home, great; if not, nothing major - it should be easy to find a ticket to the States when you get to Bangkok, because every major Asian airline connects Thailand to somewhere in the US, especially the West Coast, especially Los Angeles. Also, Bangkok is the global center of cheap tickets and travel agencies there will be able to get you home somehow, for a not-excruciating amount. Denver shouldn't be that much harder for a Thai agent to deal with.
To see if you can get a Beijing-Bangkok-Denver deal all on one ticket, check out ITA Software's multi-city page, find a fare that works for you, click on the "get details" link on the flight listing that comes up, print out the details, bring them into an agency, and see if they can book it.
If you don't have a Chinese travel agent, check out CTrip and ELong, China's Expedia/Travelocity, or Zuji, Singapore's version of Travelocity, which features Asian carriers/deals more prominently (though beware - prices are listed in Singapore dollars [1 SGD = 0.74 USD]). Beijing's United Airlines office might be nicer in person and could help you more than someone on the phone.
Your congressperson can be found here by putting in your home ZIP code; you want to call their local office if the DC office doesn't pick up, and ask to speak to "constituent services". I would *highly* recommend this, especially as Denver is one of United's hubs, so your representatives have probably dealt with them a lot. Is there anyone at home who can go in in person to plead your case?
Good luck - and peace.
posted by mdonley at 11:31 AM on August 3, 2010
Map to the United Beijing office here. Print the address from the United site I linked above as it's got more details on which office/tower in the complex you need to get to.
posted by mdonley at 11:36 AM on August 3, 2010
posted by mdonley at 11:36 AM on August 3, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks for the information, Mdonley! The ITA Software helped me find an itinerary that I forwarded to a travel agent back in the states.
When I wrote the question, various people had called the airlines on my behalf without any kind of results. For the sake of thoroughness, I did call myself but had the same experience that they did -- the airline said that they would have been happy to help me change my existing ticket, except that there were no seats left to book. When I asked about a bereavement fare for a one-way ticket, they said that I did qualify for one, but that the bereavement fare would be the same as the normal fare. Oh, well. I am just relieved and grateful to have made it here and thankful to all of you for your help.
posted by mustard seeds at 3:28 AM on August 12, 2010
When I wrote the question, various people had called the airlines on my behalf without any kind of results. For the sake of thoroughness, I did call myself but had the same experience that they did -- the airline said that they would have been happy to help me change my existing ticket, except that there were no seats left to book. When I asked about a bereavement fare for a one-way ticket, they said that I did qualify for one, but that the bereavement fare would be the same as the normal fare. Oh, well. I am just relieved and grateful to have made it here and thankful to all of you for your help.
posted by mustard seeds at 3:28 AM on August 12, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
You might also look into whether China would give you a brief transit visa if you could fly to Thailand and back, but only stay in China long enough on the return trip to travel through the airport (ie you wouldn't actually be entering the country because you wouldn't leave the airport).
Good luck.
posted by bluedaisy at 9:22 AM on August 3, 2010