Rookie’s Guide: Booking My First Flight from San Francisco to Beijing
Rookie's Guide: Booking My First Flight from San Francisco to Beijing - Booking My First Flight from San Francisco to Beijing
First, be flexible with your dates. Flights to Asia often have lower fares on weekdays rather than weekends. I compared prices for a range of dates using Google Flights and found I could save over $300 by traveling midweek instead of a Friday or Saturday.
It's also worth looking at nearby airports. Flying out of San Jose or Oakland can sometimes be hundreds less than SFO for an international flight. I checked fares from all three Bay Area airports and found the cheapest deal out of SJC.
Don't assume nonstop is best. I was initially only looking at nonstop flights from SFO to Beijing. But when I expanded my search, I found substantial savings on flights with a layover in Taipei or Seoul. The total travel time was only 2 hours longer and I saved $500.
Consider budget airlines but read the fine print. I found ultra-low fares on Chinese carriers like Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern. However, these did not allow seat selection or checked bags. For my first big trip, I decided the extra amenities were worth paying a bit more.
Lastly, watch out for hidden fees. I almost booked through a third-party site because the airfare was $200 less. But after entering all my details, the price jumped up with extra baggage and service fees. Lesson learned - always confirm the final price on the airline's site first.
What else is in this post?
- Rookie's Guide: Booking My First Flight from San Francisco to Beijing - Booking My First Flight from San Francisco to Beijing
- Rookie's Guide: Booking My First Flight from San Francisco to Beijing - Finding the Cheapest Flights for a Trip to China
- Rookie's Guide: Booking My First Flight from San Francisco to Beijing - Navigating the Ins and Outs of Economy vs. Business Class
Rookie's Guide: Booking My First Flight from San Francisco to Beijing - Finding the Cheapest Flights for a Trip to China
Start by searching on Google Flights using a wide date range. Flights to Asia often have lower fares on weekdays rather than weekends. Compare prices for a few weeks and note when the cheapest dates fall. For China, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday tend to have the best rates.
It's also worth looking at nearby airports. Flying out of San Jose or Oakland can sometimes be hundreds less than SFO for an international flight to China. Check fares from all three Bay Area airports and note the cheapest airport.
Expand your search to include one-stop itineraries. Nonstop flights from SFO to Beijing or Shanghai will be more expensive. But one-stop routes through Seoul, Tokyo, Taipei, or Hong Kong can provide huge savings. The total travel time will be longer yet could save you $500 or more.
When searching for flights, try nearby destinations too. Instead of just Beijing and Shanghai, look at fares to secondary cities like Xi'an, Chengdu, and Hangzhou. These emerging destinations often have promotional low fares, especially on China's main carriers like Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern.
Lastly, be open to flying budget airlines. Carriers like Hainan, Juneyao, and Okay Airways offer rock bottom rates but nickel and dime you on extras. However, packing light and skipping frills could mean airfares up to 60% cheaper than flagship airlines. Just read their rules carefully before booking.
Rookie's Guide: Booking My First Flight from San Francisco to Beijing - Navigating the Ins and Outs of Economy vs. Business Class
When booking that first international flight, the choice between economy and business class can be daunting. Economy is generally the most affordable option. But for long haul journeys like San Francisco to Beijing, the cramped seats and lack of amenities can really take a toll.
Upgrading to business class provides more space, comfort and perks. Yet it often comes at a steep premium. Carefully weigh the pros and cons when deciding if it's worth stretching your budget.
Seat size and legroom are prime considerations. In economy, you'll likely get around 32 inches of pitch and a seat width of 17-18 inches. Moving to business class can increase seat pitch to 55-60 inches with seat widths around 20-22 inches. This extra room makes it much easier to work, sleep or just stretch out.
You'll also get improved relaxation and dining in business class. Airlines provide lie-flat seating, plush blankets and pillows. Meal service is elevated as well. You can expect multi-course meals with alcoholic drinks included. Noise-cancelling headphones and premium entertainment systems further enhance the experience.
Don't forget about the airport perks either. Business class passengers can take advantage of priority check-in, security screening, and lounge access. Your baggage allowance will also increase substantially over economy.