Two carriers are battling for customers on a specific route – that’s what’s called a fare war. And those competitions almost always result in great prices for customers. Just like now: LOT and Finnair are trying to underbid each other on their routes from Budapest and Prague to Beijing in China. Consequently, business class tickets are currently available for prices starting around only €1,222.
- LOT from Prague at €1,222 (~HUF 481,355)
- Finnair from Prague at €1,308 (~HUF 515,231)
- LOT from Budapest at €1,256 (~CZK 31,712)
- Finnair from Budapest at €1,386 (~CZK 34,995)
Star Alliance member LOT is generally offering lower prices. Although Finnair has better flight times. And some may prefer the onboard product. In any case: availability is great, except for July and August.
The routings are no big surprise. If you’re flying Finnair, your trip will include a layover in Helsinki. LOT will have you change aircraft in Warsaw. Both carriers offer a decent business class product. Finnair might have a slightly better option for those traveling alone. Check out the following reviews for more information:
Search & Book
The fare rules for both deals read almost identical – as if one airline had copied them from the other. Tickets will be sold until January 27th, and the deal is valid for trips commencing between February 10th and November 30th. Even the blackout dates are the same:
- June 19th through August 23rd
Both fares will require a minimum stay of 5 days or the night from Saturday to Sunday, and you can spend up to one month in China before returning to Europe.
Use Google Flights (instructions) to find the best available flights. Once you’ve settled for a date, you can either visit LOT or Finnair on their online presence. Or you can have our Travel Dealz flight search compare prices that OTAs will offer.
Mileage
LOT
All tickets will be issued in booking class F. The earning rate will be somewhere between 100% and 150%. See what the trip from Prague via Warsaw can get you:
- 15,446 Award Miles + 480 Points on Miles&More
- 13,918 Miles on Ethiopian ShebaMiles
- 12,288 Miles on Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
- 9,880 Miles on Asiana Club
- 9,830 Points on SAS EuroBonus
- 9,742 Miles on Aegean Miles+Bonus
- 9,630 Miles on Thai Royal Orchid Plus
- 9,278 Award Miles + 1,550 PQP on United MileagePlus
- 9,278 Miles on Air Canada Aeroplan
- 9,278 Miles on EVA Infinity MileageLands
- 9,278 Miles on Copa ConnectMiles
- 9,278 Miles on Singapore KrisFlyer
- 9,278 Miles on TAP Miles&Go
- 9,278 Miles on Avianca LifeMiles
- 9,278 Miles on ANA Mileage Club
- 9,278 Miles on Egyptair Plus
Finnair
Booking class is I. Consequently, you will be credited with 125% on most Oneworld frequent flyer programs. Finnair Plus can even get you 200%:
- 14,218 Avios + 360 Tier Points on British Airways Executive Club
- 14,218 Miles on Royal Jordanian Royal Club
- 11,848 Avios + 84 Qpoints on Qatar Privilege Club
- 11,848 Avios + 1,230 Elite Points on Iberia Plus
- 11,848 Miles on American AAdvantage
- 11,848 Miles on Alaska Mileage Plan
- 11,848 Miles on SriLankan FlySmiLes
- 9,478 AsiaMiles + 140 Club Points on Asia Miles
- 9,478 Miles on Royal Air Maroc Safar Flyer
- 9,478 Points + 22 Elite Points on Malaysia Airlines Enrich
- 9,478 Award Miles on LATAM Pass
- 6,634 Miles on Japan Airlines Mileage Bank
- 6,000 Points on Finnair Plus
Information & Tips for Beijing
China’s capital Beijing is full of historically and contemporary important buildings. Most of them concentrate arround Tian’anmen square – which is sorrounded by government buildings and the entrance to the Forbidden City, the palace that hosted China’s emperors for more than 500 years. Beijing itself is full of attraction that take weeks to discover, but the fun doesn’t end there. Just a 90-minute bus ride away is The Great Wall at Badaling, the best known section of the Great Wall of China.
The Best Time to Visit
Beijing is located in a continental climate zone and is known for its hot, humid summers and its harsh, cold winters. Therefore, the best times to visit are from late March through May and late August through November.
Please be aware that during the Chinese National holidays, usually two weeks after October 1st, the city is overcrowded with Chinese tourists and should be avoided.
From the airport to the city
Beijing Capital Airport, the second busiest worldwide, is very well-connected by public transport. It is served by a regular subway line and an express rail way to the edge of the city centre, which takes 20 Minutes and costs about €3 one way. Further, there are 18 bus lines to different parts of the city (costing €3-5). Of course, taxis are an option as well. A trip to the city centre costs around €12-15, but often take over an hour.
It is not possible to rent a car in China without a Chinese drivers licence.
→ All Dealz for Beijing
Source: YHBU – Thanks!
Cover Picture: © chungking - fotolia.com