Applying for China Visa information

I just wanted a post to give information on getting a China visa.
For U.S., most companies automatically apply for 1 year, multiple entery. No difference in cost so no reason to do anything less. 1 year is max for tourist.
Anyways, without having a company letter or an invitation letter from someone living in China you need to have airline flights and hotel reservations.

After asking questions here and reading this site and my companies website I was able to contact someone who used mychinavisa.com to get his visa using standby tickets from United and hotel reservations.

I tried to use mychinavisa.com but getting to the final page to input credit card info it would not except my credit card.

So, I ended up using another website (could not go in person) passportvisasexpress.com hearing people mention it on the flyertalk forums.
I sent off the visa appication form, my passport, a passport photo, hotel reservations (printout from bill from hotels.com), and used United standby tickets (printout of standby itinerary) and copy of my order (printed after ordering visa online) on Feb 21st.

Fedex showed the package arriving at passportvisasexpress Monday morning. By Tuesday evening I had no reply from them that they received it so I did their online chat and they said they received it. That was the only contact I had from them until until Feb 28th and then I had an email saying they shipped it back to me and should arrive on Monday (March 3rd).

I received my passport today, March 3rd, with the visa installed. So it was basically 6 business days.

So, checking different websites the main difference is the cost they charge for their service (taking paperwork to embassy) and thier return shipping costs.
There are big differences between these. I saw service fees between $40-$150 and shipping between $20-60 (some companies allow you to send a self addressed stamped envelope).

It this time, using passportvisasexpress the cost was $222.99. Breakdown was $140 for visa, $49.99 for service fee and $33 for return shipping.

EDIT- Coworker used Visa Central (CIBT), its the company Delta has on their employee site. Anyways, it was $248 through them and took 9 business days. Also, this price is about $50 less than if you did not link through employee's site.
Also, coworker used a Delta standby itinerary for the airline tickets.

Should be leaving for China on the 22nd.

Wow, that's alot of money for a visa. Now I know WHAT NOT TO DO.

Do not have much choice when its the only thing I can do at this time. Also, Utah is supposed to use the embassy in DC. Only way to get to DC before the embassy closes is taking the redeye to DTW or ATL. Catching early AM flight you would have to stay the night in DC. Two nights hotel in DC (drop off passport and pick up passport) would cost more than a service, and the time waisted not living near the embassy city. Again, could save a little money if you sent a paid return envelope (some services allow this).
Regardless of what route you took (service or walk in) it costs $140 for the visa.

Well, China is a pretty neat place to visit for sure. Gotta do what you gotta do.

Original post was edited to add company and cost that coworker used to get visa.

This is good to know. Ima do it soon, PVG here I come (hopefully!)