China TWOV

[wandering_fred]

Over on flyertalk, both the AA and DL sections have an on-going thread (verbal tussle) on the inability of the two airlines to correctly recognize the actual implementation of the Chinese transfer without visa.

Roughly speaking, the TWOV applies for (24/72/144 hours depending on the arrival city) arrival into the city from one country and exiting to a third country. Internal stops in China are not allowed and a number of Chinese cities permit the "stopover".

The airlines (AA/DL) have denied boarding where the flights have been booked (USA-Chinese city)(Chinese city-connecting Asia city not in China-USA). Much "discussion" on the meaning of the word "transit", the level of competence in USA airline check-in agents and the description of the "terms" for not requiring a formal visa in Timatic, etc.

Has anyone experienced issues with non-USA airlines when attempting to visit China under the TWOV starting from Australia or SE Asia?

Happy wandering (visa permitting)

Fred

 

[clifford]

I've done it several times into/out of PVG, with only a carry-on, and never had a problem, other than being in a long queue. But it's not something I look forward to. The hassle factor is just a bit much for me, unless I have no real alternatives.

 

[mmchow]

QF bound to PVG last month, returning via HKG. The check in agent was happily checking us in, putting us on an earlier flight to SYD, until I mentioned about the 144hrs visa. She stopped and seek further clarification with her supervisor. They went through the books and no mention of the 144hrs, only the 72hrs visa.
Showed her a print out of the rules (from PVG gov site) and she wasn't too confident and called in two managers. 40 mins later, they issued us the boarding pass and advised that the 144hrs visa is not stated in the system or on the books. If they get it wrong and in the event we get a rejected entry into the country, they will face a hefty fines.
Not ideal to start the journey but we made it in the end. What's interesting is that when we get to PVG immigration, we are required to show the return flight details prior granting of the visa. Our PNR is on the print out and they logged into QF manage my booking section and reconfirm the details. Not that I see this often but coincidently I was over the other side waiting for my partner so I saw what the agent did

 

[MEL_Traveller]

QF bound to PVG last month, returning via HKG. The check in agent was happily checking us in, putting us on an earlier flight to SYD, until I mentioned about the 144hrs visa. She stopped and seek further clarification with her supervisor. They went through the books and no mention of the 144hrs, only the 72hrs visa.
Showed her a print out of the rules (from PVG gov site) and she wasn't too confident and called in two managers. 40 mins later, they issued us the boarding pass and advised that the 144hrs visa is not stated in the system or on the books. If they get it wrong and in the event we get a rejected entry into the country, they will face a hefty fines.

144 hour TWOV is clearly listed in TIMATIC. There's no way they couldn't see it if they kept reading past the 72-hour section. She made that bit up!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Just bumping this thread because of an article in news.com(.au) in which passport validity was being discussed (6 month requirement for entry to many countries). Part of the article discussed alternatives, and stated for China that transit without visa exists but does not allow passengers to leave the airport.

The only part of this piece of the article which is true is that you require proof of onward travel. There is absolutely no requirement to remain in the airport on any type of TWOV... either the 24, 72 or 144 hour variants.