Our adventure to China started when we bought a Groupon through Rewards Travel China for, what we thought, was a jaw-dropping price.
The company is based in Canada and organizes trips to China for thousands of tourists from the U.S. every year.
READ MORE ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE WITH REWARDS TRAVEL CHINA
The company uses several airlines in the travel packages it offers. The 40 people who ended up in our traveling group flew to China on Air China and China Eastern Airlines, depending on the option they selected. My husband and I ended up with two seats on China Eastern. This is what you can expect during the 12 hour flight from LAX to Shanghai.
CHECKING IN
We paid an extra $50 when we booked our trip to guarantee that we would have seats together. However, I was not able to check in online or select our seats until 24 hours before our flight.
You will need a ticket number to check in. When it comes to China Eastern, that number begins with 781-*******. You will also need an ID number (ticket locator) it’s a combination of six letters and numbers.
IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT
If you want in-flight Wi-Fi, as of December 2017 you still need to apply for it. It’s only available to use on laptops and tablets. It will not work on your cell phone.
Speaking of cell phones and in-flight entertainment, I suggest loading up your tablets and laptops with movies and Netflix. Notice I didn’t mention cell phones? That’s because as of 2017, China Eastern makes passengers turn off all cell phones. Airplane mode IS NOT good enough for this airline. Flight attendants will come around and make you turn off your phones.
China Eastern does offer a handful of movies, shows, and games but it’s not the same selection you’ll have on other airlines.
SEATING
We flew to and from Shanghai on a Boeing 777-300. The seat configuration in economy is 3-4-3. Your seat width is 17 inches. You’ll find additional information on your plane here.
Once we settled into our seats for the long flight, we realized the plane didn’t have adjustable air vents above the seats. It was uncomfortably warm during the flight.
MEALS AND DRINKS
You will be served two meals during the overnight flight. The first was some kind of noodle dish. The second contained eggs. Both smelled horrible and looked even worse. We skipped both meals but ate the bread that was offered.
Beverage service is also offered at these times … AND ONLY THESE TIMES!! You’ll have to specifically ask a flight attendant for drinks at other times during the flight.
This airline does not offer anything in between meals. If you think you’ll have the munchies during the flight, make sure you pack snacks. I also suggest carrying on a water bottle and filling it up after you go through security so you have plenty to drink during your flight.
CUSTOMS
When we landed in Shanghai. I was a little concerned about getting through customs and to the correct gate for our flight to Beijing. I wasn’t sure what to expect at the airport.
One note here. Make sure you get a visitors card before you reach customs in the Shanghai airport. The flight attendants ran out of the cards on our flight. As soon as you walk into the customs area, you will see people filling out little slips of paper. Go ahead and fill one out for everyone in your group.
As soon as you’ve filled out your card, get in line. You will go through customs, your visa will be checked, and your passport stamped.
CONNECTING FLIGHT
After we cleared customs, we followed signs to connecting terminals. As soon as we went down an escalator, there was a gentleman who asked if we were traveling with Rewards Travel China and he pointed us to our next gate. (a.k.a. we stuck out like nobody’s business!)
We walked quite a distance. You have time to use the restroom or grab a drink. The gate ended up being downstairs from most of the others. We sat around for about an hour. Then we boarded a shuttle. The shuttle took us to a plane on the tarmac, away from the airport. This is the first time in a long time that I’ve climbed a plane’s stairway instead of boarding through a jetway.
The two hour flight from Shanghai to Beijing was nothing compared to the hours we’d spent flying from LAX to Shanghai. I liked this flight better. (It was obviously much, much shorter.). There were air vents over our seats on this flight, so it was cooler. We also received beverage service twice during this short flight.
NOW WHAT?
We landed in Beijing and grabbed our luggage. As you wait at baggage claim, look around at the travelers. The other Americans who look like they have no idea what to do next are the others in your group!
After you have your luggage, walk toward the marked exit. As soon as you turn the corner, you will see someone standing there with a Rewards Travel China sign. You did it! You’ve traveled to Beijing and that’s your guide for the next 3 days!
