This was posted 14 years 3 months 12 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

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Air China - Fly to China from $1299 and get another rtn ticket from only $219 (Mel and Syd only)

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Air China - Fly to China from $1299 and get another rtn ticket from only $219 (Mel and Syd only)
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bargrin on 15/01/2010 - 10:04 bestflights.com.au (1515 clicks)
Last edited 15/01/2010 - 10:04

You will fly with Air China from Sydney or Melbourne to Beijing or Shanghai. After arriving back in Australia you can take a return flight to the same city as your first journey and you only have to pay the taxes.

Please note that you have to depart on your second flight no later than the 14th of November 2010.

All travel has to be completed within 1 year of your original departure.

Stopovers are permitted in each direction but not sure where you stopover with Air China, maybe if going to Shangahi you can stop in Beijing.

Travel Air China Asia Best Fl China

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closed Comments

  • adriancfc on 15/01/2010 - 10:25

    quite a weird deal but yeah this is a bargain for people who often fly to China

  • [Deactivated] on 15/01/2010 - 10:27

    agree. Sounds pretty good for people who visit china regularly. However, not such a good deal for a tourist. Why would you want to go to the same place twice within a year.

    • bargrin on 15/01/2010 - 10:33
      +1

      I have travelled a bit past year and have to say Shanghai is one of my favourite cities in the world, going back there twice in one year would not be a problem as heaps to do.

      Honestly if you havent been to Shanghai your going to be amazed.

      • punter1 on 15/01/2010 - 10:46

        i heard the foods in china are very oily.
        is this true?

        • saine on 15/01/2010 - 10:59

          There are many different types of Chinese food depending on the region.

        • chapps on 15/01/2010 - 11:38
          +1

          Foods amazing over there.
          Was there for 3 weeks and not only lost weight but felt amazing.
          Good to work all that processed sh*t out of your system.

          • bargrin on 15/01/2010 - 11:41
            +1

            @chapps: yeah the food is one the reasons to go there!

            such a variety (deep fired or steamed) and so CHEAP!!

            • SomeGuyOnOzB on 17/01/2010 - 01:01
              +1

              @yargnairod: Zhenjie, please indicate if further comments are sarcasm, by including at the end of the post, something like

              - sarcasm

              In face to face discussions and over the phone, sarcasm is often indicated through changes in vocal inflections or tone of voice.

              That is not possible in a comment written on the web.

              Please indicate clearly in future that you are being sarcastic so we don't have to go through this again.

              Thanks in advance

        • citybargainhunter on 15/01/2010 - 13:42

          you don't need to go to China to find out about Chinese food. Plenty of Chinese restaurant in Oz, esp Syd and Melb

          • TtiGeR on 15/01/2010 - 13:49
            -1

            @citybargainhunter: Being a Shanghainese, I would say the quality of food is completely different. Most Chinese restaurants here are c**p. (even though lots of people thought they are ok / good, they would change the mind once they experience good ones in China.)

            • zhenjie on 15/01/2010 - 16:52
              +1

              @TtiGeR: Plenty of good Asian and foreign cuisine food in Australia.

              The fact you get better ingredients here is a big plus. Of course there are good restaurants in Shanghai also. My generalization was sarcastic, yours is just ignorant.

            • citybargainhunter on 15/01/2010 - 19:07

              @TtiGeR: You are not the only Chinese here, mate. I've tried most of the Chinese restaurants in Sydney, sure a lot of them are not as authentic, but there are quite a few good ones as well.

              I agree with zhenjie that having good ingredients, esp in the seafood department, really helps.

            • SomeGuyOnOzB on 17/01/2010 - 01:29

              @TtiGeR: sus888's original question was "Are foods in China oily?" I guess it partly depends on what you would consider oily.

              Anyways …

              There are a wide variety of cuisines in China. A bit like … if you travelled around Europe, different countries tend to have different dishes. In China, you can get quite varied cuisines travelling from one province to another.

              Some dishes are oily, some are not. You may want to look into it a bit further before you go. I think Wikipedia may be of some assistance.

              Some of the more common styles, that I know of, over here in Victoria, include Cantonese (often main courses served with sides of rice if you visit a restaurant), Shanghainese (often quite spicy and here those often include chilli oil), hmm …

              Sorry, it's late and I can't remember too many other types right now.

              Some of the dumplings and yum cha dishes are steamed (so not oily) etc. Many steamed buns are not going to be, what I would call, oily.

              If you try dishes over here, many places try to adapt their cooking towards local ingredients and what is more popular over here.

              I've heard Italian and Chinese dishes made here, tend to have a lot more meat than they do in the areas that they come from. Spices may be a little different. Also, enforcement of government regulations on cooking and cleaning practices can also cause some dishes to taste very different.

              There are also dishes served here in Asian restaurants, that were created here. (I think that applies to chicken in batter with lemon sauce and pork in batter with sweet and sour sauce)

              Tasting dishes here can give you an idea of what foods may be like over there, but the final result may vary.

              Also, if you are unfamiliar with the dishes, you might try to find a friend or associate who can slowly introduce you to some of the dishes … or even get the restaurant to recommend some things so you can start slowly.

              So to sum up … can you tell us what you would consider oily? :)

              • SomeGuyOnOzB on 17/01/2010 - 01:33

                @SomeGuyOnOzB: I also heard, if you are visiting Beijing, there is a McDonalds there, though they aren't generally as common in China as here.

                Shanghai and Beijing main have many shopping centres. You may want to go with friends and possibly a tour guide. Hopefully you can find something you like in the shopping centres, but I've heard avoid wine that is incredibly cheap (especially large volume bottles for ultra low prices with unheard of brands). They can be almost flavourless :P

                • SomeGuyOnOzB on 19/01/2010 - 15:05

                  @SomeGuyOnOzB: sus888 - if you like to follow your curiosity, you may find it interesting and even as good as going on holiday, trying out Chinese restaurants and/or stores with friends and associates. :)

    • OzChick on 15/01/2010 - 10:51

      Maybe people have friends or relatives there.

  • stevejacobsit on 15/01/2010 - 10:50

    I guess this is good for those who fly to China often.

  • pradaheels on 15/01/2010 - 11:25
    +1

    Can the second ticket be used by another person? If so this is a great deal. Go to Shanghai in June for the World Expo.

  • Chinotto on 15/01/2010 - 11:42
    +1

    Flying with Air China once is more than enough as an experience in one's lifetime. After all I am not a cat, I don't have 9 lives.

    • rainy118 on 15/01/2010 - 12:15
      +1

      mate i think you are talking about China Airlines, which is from Taiwan. But Air China is from Mainland China, it does not have any accident in the past 20 years.

      • jazeng on 15/01/2010 - 12:24

        no, i think he means air china. my family has flown with them twice times ( me and my father on the first one way trip, mother on the secondone way trip ), and both flights were delayed, had crappy planes, no ptv so on the way back we copped the extra and took cathay from HK.

        • baoluo on 15/01/2010 - 20:23

          Cathay is the best!
          I was upgraded to business class for free when I back to Melb from HK

      • cynix on 15/01/2010 - 16:20

        China Airlines would at least have acceptable service I'd imagine.

        The one time I flew with Air China the service was utter crap. There was a dead fly in my salad and the cabin attendants didn't give a damn. I have since switched to Japan Airlines exclusively and never had a reason to try another airline.

  • Creamsoda on 15/01/2010 - 12:32

    remember flying Qantas to shanghai for $700ish return last year. don't see this as anything special. budget airlines like Macau were doing like $500 return last month.

    • TtiGeR on 15/01/2010 - 13:52

      Macau? Do you mean viva? Worst ever… was delayed twice including once by almost 2 days.

  • shawn_low on 15/01/2010 - 12:49
    +3

    Flew Air China domestic. Basic, nothing flash by comfortable.

    I rang Best Flights. Here are details (in addition to what's on the webpage).

    BOTH flights have to be taken within that period: IE 1 March to 25 June 2010. Please amend OP's words as it mentions departing no later than November (which is not true).

    You don't have to book 2nd flight at time of booking. You can book second flight at a later date. You have to pay in full within 7 days of booking.

    Note that the SAME PERSON has to take both flights.

    CONS:

    Dates CAN'T be changed. Tickets are NON refundable.

    PROS:

    This is a one-year ticket (not some piddly 30 day ticket). So in theory, you could stay for a year on your second trip up!

    Stopovers permitted: The flight from Melbourne to Beijing transits in Shanghai. So you could do a stopover if you want too. Not sure where else you can 'stopover' at.

    Great deal for those who have their dates locked in and for those who want to do long term travel in China.

    Sure, you can get $700-900ish tickets but those are usually 30 day tickets.

    Anyone have links to other deals, let me know as I'm planning a trip!

    • TtiGeR on 15/01/2010 - 13:55
      +1

      No, you can't stopover at other places.

      I think Air China has only CA175/6 (Sydney) and CA177/8 (Melbourne).

      CA175: Beijing(PEK) -> Shanghai(PVG in 99.9% cases, rarely SHA) -> Sydney (SYD)
      CA176: Sydney -> Shanghai -> Beijing

      CA177: Beijing -> Shanghai -> Melbourne (MEL)
      CA178: Melbourne -> Shanghai -> Beijing

    • bestflights on 15/01/2010 - 14:56
      +2

      Hi shawn_low,

      Just to clarify for you, you are actually permitted to depart from Australia on your second outbound flight after the 25th of June 2010. Your only restriction is that all flights be used within one year and that no outbound travel is permitted 25 November 2010-31 January 2011.

      Hope this clears things up!

      • shawn_low on 15/01/2010 - 15:06

        Thanks for your reply.

        Can you clarify: within one year of the FIRST flight?

        Apologies for confusion as the salesperson on the phone told me I had to book both flights within that period on the website.

        Perhaps it might be a good idea to put full details on your website.

        PS: Best Flight is located in Perth so they are three hours behind EST.

        • bestflights on 15/01/2010 - 16:11
          +1

          Hi shawn_low,

          There was a little bit of confusion going around about this fare but all consultants have been notified of the all details and conditions now.

          You must return home to Australia (following you second flight to China) no later than one year after your first flight from Australia to China.

          Hope this makes sense!

          • dragonrabit on 15/01/2010 - 16:32

            @bestflights: hi bestflights,

            do you know about this promotion http://www.travel.com.au/international-airfares/hot-flights-…?
            $629 included tax to shanghai from sydney/melb.

            • bestflights on 15/01/2010 - 16:55

              @dragonrabit: Hi dragonrabit,

              We have this special featured on our site here: http://www.bestflights.com.au/cheap-flights/phone-flights-de…

              from $619 return including taxes. Thanks!

              • dragonrabit on 16/01/2010 - 00:03

                @bestflights: would you be able to help me to search on which date this fare is available mate?

                • bestflights on 18/01/2010 - 11:37

                  @dragonrabit: Hi dragonrabit,

                  There are still plenty of seats available on this fare. Can you please contact our call centre on 1300 767 757 if you wish to discuss further as our travel consultants are more able to help you with this.

                  Thank you!

                  • dragonrabit on 18/01/2010 - 21:25

                    @bestflights: i just called your customer support, i told her that i am looking the flight between sydney to beijing or shanghai

                    depart between 1 may - 25 june (return 15 days later), but she said she is not aware about this promotion.
                    then after put me on hold, she came back said no seat available, and also offer me for another ticket with higher price.

                    can i get email address that i can send to u directly? Once i got the date, i can book my holiday. Thanks.

                    • bestflights on 19/01/2010 - 11:28
                      +1

                      @dragonrabit: Hi dragonrabit,

                      I am very sorry about the confusion. If you contact our customer service centre and ask for Dave he will be able to assist with your enquiry. Alternatively contact us by email through Ozbargains and I will ask Dave to contact you.
                      Thankyou very much and again sorry for the inconvenience.

                      • bestflights on 19/01/2010 - 13:42

                        @bestflights: Hi dragonrabit,

                        Further on from this, just letting you know a new special has been released by China Eastern Airlines offering the same "Fly a second time and pay only taxes". Travel dates are 1 March-25 June, with your second flight to depart no later than the 18th of November 2010.

                        • dragonrabit on 19/01/2010 - 16:23

                          @bestflights: thanks bestflights, i only got 1 holiday only this year:)

                          I call Dave now. Thanks again.

                        • dragonrabit on 20/01/2010 - 15:11

                          @bestflights: no one call me back yesterday, and today i checked that promotion already expired.

  • skytree on 15/01/2010 - 13:31
    -1

    umm..1299 to china is not a bargin. If in quiet season you can get 860 return including tax…

  • shawn_low on 15/01/2010 - 13:41
    +2

    @Skytree

    This is a bargain considering that you get TWO return tickets for the $1299 + 219 (tax on second ticket).

    Going by your logic, your costs will be $860 x 2 = $1720.

    Plus these are one-year tickets (not 30 days).

  • skytree on 15/01/2010 - 16:07
    +1

    Oh yes..sorry about my overlook…this is a great bargin..

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