We are on the China Explored trip Oct 21, and were informed by our travel agent that Imtrav will charge us an extra $50 (cdn) for the airport transfer, even though we booked plenty early, are booking our extra nights through Imtrav etc. We are arriving one day early. Does anybody else have this extra charge, or am I just getting it up the rear here???? The only time I have seen comments about this sort of thing was when Imtrav didn't receive sufficient notification of the traveller's itinerary, but we booked this thing in August. 
Airport transfer - Beijing (China Explored tour)
Re: Airport transfer - Beijing (China Explored tour)
Hi,
We also are on the Oct. 21 China Explored trip. I don't recall any airport transfer being included with our trip but I think I will check with our agent.
We will be arriving two days early...Oct. 19th. I think we are on our own from the airport. I'll post if we discover anything.
Don & Susan
Re: Airport transfer - Beijing (China Explored tour)
Hi There Bunnykins,
Unfortunately we cannot discuss individual cases on these public forums. What I would suggest is that if you are in any doubt - which you are - about your booking and the charges, to please contact your booking agent in Canada. The agent can then contact Imtrav and we can look into your booking.
Our booking conditions do state that if you arrive early but have booked your accommodation through us then you should be entitled to an arrival transfer too (as long as there have been no changes made within a month of tour departure). Obviously I don't know about your specific booking, but if you can speak to your agent they will be able to look into it for you.
I hope this will set your mind at rest, and also that you have a brilliant trip in China!
Regards,
Kelly
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The Imaginative Traveller Online
[This message has been edited by Kelly M (edited October 07, 2002).]
Re: Airport transfer - Beijing (China Explored tour)
Hi again,
We checked with our agent this morning and as you, we booked our extra days at the the same hotel used by IT. We were told that indeed we are to have airport transfer to the hotel....at no extra cost. They are sending the transfer voucher now.
We hope you get your transfer straightened out... it seems that it is included if you stay at the hotel they use.
Look forward to meeting you at the Tiantan hotel on the 20th. Where in Canada are you coming from?
Don & Susan
Texas... the green side
Re: Airport transfer - Beijing (China Explored tour)
Thanks to both Kelly M for clarifying the "official position" which leads me to believe the travel agent is at fault here (she forgot to book our room in Beijing, etc.) which means that I won't be after any Imtrav hide; and also thanks to Don & Susan for letting me know what you guys *are* getting!
Actually, D&S, we are coming from New Mexico, but going via Vancouver and stopping there for a few days before heading to HK/Beijing. Travel to China from Albuquerque is an "impossible concept" (we can have a laugh about it when we get there) so when I happened to be visiting a friend in Calgary, I stopped by an agent there and got the info on this tour. We are really looking forward to it, its our first trip to Asia and I have heard many good things about this tour. I bet we will run into you on the 20th, and definitely we'll see you on the 21st!
Jill & Alan
Re: Airport transfer - Beijing (China Explored tour)
Jill & Alan,
Look forward to meeting/traveling with you. Our first trip to Asia also and first "organized" tour. Should be interesting. Albuquerque is high on our list of cities that would be nice to live near! Will be interesting to get your prospective.
You said that your agent didn't book your hotel.... will you be staying at the Tiantan when you arrive? Or is that still up in the air?
Don & Susan
Re: Airport transfer - Beijing (China Explored tour)
Hi Don & Susan,
After a rather crabby discussion about the airport transfer/who's going to pay for it/hotel booking/etc., I have reason to believe that we will be at the Tiantan as per the original request. This isn't the best way to have a great relationship with the travel agent, I'm afraid [img]http://www.imaginative-traveller.com/ubb/frown.gif[/img]
This is our first trip to Asia and first organized tour also. We'll be happy to tell you anything you'd like to know about Albuquerque. Where in TX are you coming from?
Jill
Re: Airport transfer - Beijing (China Explored tour)
Jill,
Well it sounds like you have straightened out a bit of a mess. It is too bad that your agent didn't get it right the first time.... We have been cooresponding with our daughters boyfriends niece... she is in Beijing right now going to school... she is excited that we are visiting and will be showing us around the city on Sunday the 20th. She will have to attend class on Monday but this should give us a real jump start on finding our way around!
We live about 40 miles north of Beaumont, TX. It is very pretty, green and we have been amazed at the affordability of property here. The bummer is the Summers... heat and hummmmidity that just sap your energy. We moved here from the high desert of Eastern Oregon.. it was hot in the Summer but dry... it has been quite an adjustment... 2.5 years and still adjusting but thinking maybe time for a dryer climate!
BTW... have you heard from anyone else on this tour? I think I will post to see if there are any bites.
Don & Susan
Re: Airport transfer - Beijing (China Explored tour)
Well, I *hope* the mess is straightened out! I haven't heard from anybody else on the trip either, maybe we're just a really small group [img]http://www.imaginative-traveller.com/ubb/wink.gif[/img]
Have a great time on your "pre-tour", that sounds like fun. We are going on a "pre-holiday" in Vancouver, so I better get my packing done!
Jill
PS. See you next weekend!
Re: Airport transfer - Beijing (China Explored tour)
Hey All,
Just got back from the journey across china, which covers china explored and yangtse + southwest:- marvellous, you'll love it.
Food is pretty much fine (if interesting at times), scenery is excellent, people are fun (except in queues) and the standard of hotel is above what I was expecting. for 'adventurer' class. You'll be packing it in but you'll also experience a lot. Take cycling shorts if you have them for Yangshuo, as although the bikes are good you'll probably want to stay out all day and they definitely help.
You'll be met by someone with a card at the airport as long as your request has been passed on by your agents (I see this has been an area of contention on this thread). The Tiantan is only a few minutes walk to the temple of heaven, so if you arrive early a quick stroll there is easy.
Enjoy
Jerry
Re: Airport transfer - Beijing (China Explored tour)
Its just the state of Jerry's cut off shorts which could be disturbing ;-)
Hope you enjoyed the trip as much as us.
Chris
Re: Airport transfer - Beijing (China Explored tour)
Jerry,
Thank you for the information. We are getting excited about visiting China... the plane flight...no
Was money exchange a problem? Do you suggest exchange at the airport or is this just as easy in Beijing? Are there other places to exchange throughout the trip or do we need to carry enough yuan upon leaving Beijing?
How about ATM's outside of Beijing?
Wish we would hear from others that are in our group...
Thank you in advance!
Don & Susan
Re: Airport transfer - Beijing (China Explored tour)
Hi Again,
Money wasn't a problem. Most of the hotels could change travellers cheques or cash. The ATM in the airport worked OK I think.
I however didn't bother as I took all chinese cash currency with me, plus a few back up cheques, cash dollars and a credit card.
In the end I just used the cash. Banks can't get it as the bank of china won't let them trade, but, the Thomas Cook Travel Agent here in the UK could, so I guess others can too. In the end I spent less than 100 UK pounds per week, which included a bit of beer here and there and souvenirs.
.....and don't listen to Chris, there is nothing wrong with my shorts. Besides, I've washed them now !!
Jerry
Re: Airport transfer - Beijing (China Explored tour)
I'd agree with Jerry entirely, dont worry too much about the money. Because its communist the exchange rate is the same everywhere. You can do it in your hotel. Not every hotel changes travellers cheques but most do. Other than that you must use the Bank of Chine (no the other banks like industrial bank of china etc.) But they are easy to find. There is an ATM a couple of minutes walk from the Tiantan hotel which takes meastro or cirrus along with VISA and Mastercard. We really didnt spend that much, even a heavy beer drinker wont rack up too big a bill.
As for other people on the trip, most of the guys on our trip had never heard of the forum, only about 5 of us. The worst thing about that was that Myself and my other half were not in the same group as the other guys! I think Imtrav could do with promoting this service a bit better. Enjoy your trip
Chris