We are coming to viist our daughter and have decided to go to Bangkok.
The best prices coming up on Elong are China Eastern Airlines. I have read on this site that typically prices come down when you book week before. My questions:
1) Is China Eastern airlines reliable or should i look for another carrier. Their is also a Hong Kong express.
2) Should I book now or wait and gamble?
3) If I buy ticket on elong, is it paperless or do we need hard ticket?
4) are there orther ways to get discounted tickets.

i have never flown china eastern internationally, so cant speak to their reliability.

book now... sometimes the gamble pays off, many times it doesnt.

elong gives you the paperless option. as you are not here, that is the one you should choose. unless you want it delivered to your daughter.

if you can find a trustworth agent, you might be able to get cheaper. downside is you might have to pay cash in china. accepting foreign credit card is not likely.

elong has a strange credit card procedure and they also charge a 3% surcharge. just be aware of it.

1) My wife and I take China Eastern to Bangkok about 4-5 times a year each. Never a problem, other than what you would sometimes expect with weather delays etc. I would trust them more than HK Express actually.
2) For the best price...book as early as possible. It is not like the US where you are dealing with the US carriers and their load control policies. Tickets get cheaper as you get to the date as they try and fill the plane. Here the agents (elong, ctrip, etc..) buy the cheap tickets well in advance. You MIGHT get lucky and get a cheaper ticket if you wait, but my experience has been better to book as soon as possible. Check ctrip also.
Also...check Air India. But only the code share flights with Thai Airlines. Air India usually has the cheapest flights, and if you take the codeshare flight with Thai....you end up on Thai Airlines equipment.
3) Should be e-tickets. But through agents because of the way they buy up tickets in advance....might be paper
4) Try ctrip also. You will have to call them, no online booking for international, but englisg speaking agents. We use them constantly. Be flexible in your dates. Check a couple of days either side of your intended departure and return. Amazing what a day difference will make.

Enjoy your trip!

THANKS

1.china eastern is reliable.
2.you can book and issueing later after you finally fixed your schedule.
3.possible with hard ticket from elong.
4.one is 4008803366 and 021-58787497, 2720RMB is available for round-trip.

^ keep an eye on the news...Bangkok airport is not the best place to be at the moment.