BA – EDI to TFU (Chengdu, China) – best routing options

[cst91]

Hi all,

First post given the runaround I’ve had with BA so far.

I’m attempting to get from EDI to TFU (Chengdu) 21-27 October and thought I’d found an option in Qatar Airways. BA informed me that their agreement with QA does not cover the DOH-TFU route.

So my question is, what is the best option to utilise BA EC and earnings for this trip. Am I better flying BA to Shanghai or Hong Kong before getting an internal flight to Chengdu instead? Or am I better just playing it safe and using QA with BA FF which would earn on the EDI-DOH legs (is my understanding).

Appreciate any advice on this if there’s anyone that travels to China regularly. I’m not keen on the China Southern option which is in itself very limited for accessing Chengdu. The removal of the BA service to Beijing changes things a bit for future China travel.

Cheers

[SCHWLX]

Fellow frequent traveller to China, normally on CX via HKG but not exclusively.

When you say BA informed you their agreement with QR doesn’t cover DOH-TFU – what exactly are you referring to? For a codeshare?

QR is part of OneWorld – all that is required is to book flights (on BA ticket stock, on QR ticket stock, with the airline or with a travel agent doesn’t matter) and ensure your BAEC number is in the booking. You will earn Avios and TPs both EDI-DOH and DOH-TFU. Similarly if you want to redeem, this is also possible.

From a quick look it looks like EDI-DOH-TFU on QR is by far the best routing in terms of duration, comfort, and price.

EDIT: Just seen you posted dates 21-27 Oct. You can do a nice routing about 17-19 hours each way in duration for about £1000 economy, £4,500 business. Not cheap but certainly a comfortable way to travel. If you exclude Mainland Chinese airlines (I would), then the Qatar option is not out of step with prices with other alliances.

[AFKAE]

Unhelpfully I’ve been to Chengdu several times, but always went BHX-AMS-TFU on KLM.

[JDB]

I think the BA agent may be correct. I’m not sure, but I think the QR agreement excludes China, probably owing to the marketing agreement with China Southern. BA did recently offer rerouting with QR (and CZ) following the Beijing route suspension, but that was outside their normal guidelines. However, there is nothing to stop you booking this routing (EDI-TFU) directly with QR and earning BA TP/Avios. If you are going to Chengdu I hope you will have time to visit QingCheng Mountain and Dujiangyan if you haven’t already. Lots of flights stil operate to the old airport (CTU) which is much more convenient for most places! The newish train line is 7h30 on the fastest trains from Beijing.

[cst91]

@JDB

@SCHWLX

Thanks both so much for the input and the recommendations too.

I think @JDB is right about the marketing agreement. This is what the BA agent was referring to when telling me that BA doesn’t codeshare the QA route between DOH-TFU. It can’t be booked via OneWorld portal either. Good to know that BA tier points and avios would be credited regardless when booking through QA on the route suggested with BAEC number in the booking. This is what I’m going to do to minimise travel time and transfers in China.

Appreciate the help folks. I look forward to checking out QingCheng Mountain and Dujiangyan!

With any luck this will contribute towards retaining BAEC status as well.

[cst91]

@JDB

@SCHWLX

Thanks both very much for the insight and recommendations too.

I think @JDB is right about the marketing agreement between BA and QA/CZ. The BA agent mentioned this and I understood this to be why BA didn’t even codeshare the route. It’s good to know that BA TP and avios will be credited with a booking through QA, I’ll be taking this option given the easier route and no need to transfer in China.

Appreciate the comments and looking forward to visting QingCheng Mountain and Dujiangyan when I’m there!

[Lady London]

@cst91 QA is not Qatar Airlines. QR is.

And for the person on the other thread VA is not Virgin Atlantic. It’s VS.