[sami925]

We in the VERY initial phase of adoption from China. Just out of curiousity I checked flights from Newark to China and it was $11,000.00 for the two of us!!!! Can anyone tell me is this right? What was your fare?

Otherwise I don't think we can afford to do this! Thank you!

[randloar]

We aren't traveling to China for our adoption, but I went to Beijing last year for work and our ticket was approximately $1500 to fly out of SF (and this included getting to SF from Denver). This was for a regular old economy ticket, so I know that for a fully refundable ticket it can cost more, but it shouldn't be $5500 for one person (that sounds like business class instead of economy?).

In my ticket search for Kaz, I have also come up with some outrageous ticket prices when I do a test run in Orbitz or Travelocity, but others that are actually buying the tickets are reporting a completely different price.........So I do understand your concern!! I would trust what an agency tells you is an average (depending on the time of year), and what others share as their ticket cost!

Good luck!
Carrie

[sak9645]

I don't know where you are looking, but you certainly don't have to pay those prices!

A lot depends on when you travel, of course. If you travel during the big April trade show, expect premium prices and little seat availability. Otherwise, you are likely to find seats as low as $750 per person, round trip.

A lot also depends on whether you insist on flying business class, or whether you are willing to fly coach. As an example, I just looked at
Continental Airlines. For a coach round trip flight in February, there was a quote of $772.39 per person in coach. For business class, the fare was $4,805 per person -- a huge difference.

My advice to you is to fly coach and, possibly, purchase a seat for your child, instead of having him/her on a lap ticket. The extra one-way seat on the flight above will cost as much as a round trip ticket, but it's probably worth it. Or, to save money, use only the lap ticket, which will cost under $100.

A third consideration is whether you are willing to lock in a date and time. You will pay the lowest fare for a flight, if you buy a non-refundable ticket that has large penalties for changes in date or time. The flight I quoted above is non-refundable, but changes in date can be made, I believe, for $150 per ticket.

I would suggest that you see if your agency can get you any good deals on flights, especially using refundable tickets or tickets with small change penalties. If you cannot, buy two coach seats with change policies like Continental's for your own use, and one one-way ticket for your child with similar restrictions.

Sharon

[shine4bella]

Those are almost certainly business class fares. The coach fares generally run 1,000 - 2,000 depending on the time of year from the east coast.

[lovemybulldog]

Also check to see if the airline offers an adoption discount. Northwest does (I think it's called "Special Delivery" or something like that), and it could either result in an upgrade to business class or a discount on coach, I'm not exactly sure how it works. We are planning to adopt a SN child from China who may be in the 2 to 3 y/o range when we bring him home, so we most definitely plan to get him his own seat. Even if we hold him most of the time, having 3 across to stretch out will be priceless and worth every penny.

The prices you quoted sound about on par with business class round trip. That's how DH travels to SE Asia for work, so I had to convince him that to do that on this trip is not smart money management.... but it sure would be nice to get an upgrade! I can dream, can't I?

[sak9645]

With regard to the "adoption fares" on some airlines, be aware that they may NOT be the lowest available fares. Very often, the percentage discount that is quoted is off the highest price a seat sells for, not off the sale price that you see on the Internet. Very often, the sale price that you see on the Internet is lower.

On the other hand, some adoption fares may be "unrestricted", meaning that you can change your flight dates without penalty if your plans change -- and plans DO change in adoption travel. Most Internet fares have significant restrictions -- such as a fee of $150 for changing a date or time of travel, and no refund if you cancel.

Sharon

[susanandgrace]

From Michigan to Beijing China it was approximately $800-$1,000 per person.

Maybe you typed in 1st class accidently or typed in the wrong airport code.

[monami7]

We flew in Aug to pick up Aurora. We booked 11 days before travel. Our flights for the US portion (Lilly stayed with my parents in another city so there was travel involved), Our US to Chin flights and all of our in China flights came to about $2100 each. That was for coach to China and Buisiness class Guanzhou to LAX.
Not sure what $11,000 was for but no you will not be expected to pay that!

[wannabamom]

I'd really look into travel agencies which are Asian for lower fares. I definitely know you can find lower fares than the ones you were quoted !!!! If you look for travel agencies that specialize in Asian travel i.e. Asian/ Indian, you can find good deals.

[aaaplus]

Hi!
We used Celebrations International Travel when we travelled to China to get our baby (in May of this year). They were extremely knowledgeable. Our total fare was ~1800/person including everything - no way near the $11,000 dollars you were mentioning. Give them a call (ask for Adrienne).

Good luck!

Alan

[echambers]

Thanks I am booking my tickets Monday and will use all this information. We are going to Hohut City via Bejing and might ask for an upgrade, especially on the way home with our new child.

[chithanh119]

Thanks for your information.


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