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The Best Ways to Fly to Mainland China With Points and Miles [Step-by-Step]

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Stephen Au

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China is a tourist hotbed for so many people around the world. It has a stunningly diverse culture, culinary delights to die for, and the second most UNESCO Heritage Sites in the world at 36!

Known for the Great Wall, pandas, terracotta warriors, and some of the most flavorful foods in the world, China is definitely guaranteed to entertain tourists for days, weeks, and maybe even months!

To put it simply, China should definitely be on the top of your priority list when thinking about your next travel destination. It is a gigantic country with tons to explore, and you definitely have plenty of choices when deciding how to fly there.

In this guide, we will do a deep dive into the best ways to fly to China with points and miles. There are so many airlines that operate nonstop flights from America; some of them have great premium cabin products and some…not so much.

We’ll be focusing on nonstop flight options for the most part, and we’ll start with the frequent flyer programs that have the best award sweet spots!

After that, we’ll move onto some alternative booking methods, depending on what points you have.

Best Programs to Use to Book Flights

All Nippon Airways (ANA) Mileage Club

Flying ANA business class using ANA miles will only cost 80,000 miles round-trip during low season! Visit Japan en route to China too! Image Credit: ana.co.jp.

All Nippon Airways is, quite frankly, one of the most amazing frequent flyer programs in existence. They have jaw-droppingly good redemption rates, a generous stopover/open-jaw policy, and awesome coverage through the Star Alliance and other partners.

ANA only allows round-trip redemptions and they are selective in passing on fuel surcharges from partner airlines.

There are 2 award charts:

  1. Award chart for ANA-operated flights (least expensive), subject to seasonality rules
  2. Award chart for partner flights (more expensive)

Although you can fly directly to various cities in China on partner airlines, it might be worthwhile to fly on ANA to China via Japan because the award redemption rates are typically much more competitive!

Below is ANA’s award chart for flights to Asia 1 (Zone 3), which includes China:

Flying from North America to China on ANA-operated flights in business class will only cost 80,000-95,000 miles round-trip! Image courtesy of ana.co.jp.

Using their stopover policy, you could also visit Japan before flying to China!

Specifically, flying to China via Japan on ANA Business Class round-trip will only cost 80,000 miles — compared to directly to China on partners, which would cost 95,000 miles.

Here is the ANA partner award chart for flights between North America and China:

The ANA partner award chart does not have adjustments for seasonality. This is the partner award chart for flights to/from Asia 1 (Zone 3), which includes China. Image courtesy of ana.co.jp.

If you wanted to fly nonstop to China, your best options would be on United Airlines or Air China. We would generally recommend sticking with ANA due to its amazing business class product, though you may also choose to fly on Hawaiian Airlines if you’re located in Hawaii.

However, we know that time is money — so if you would accept spending up to 15,000 more miles for nonstop round-trip flights in a less-impressive business class, then you should consider that.

When you compare the above 2 award charts, you’ll notice that partner awards are priced the same as ANA-operated high-season awards.

This means that if you planned on flying to China during high season, it will cost the same number of miles on ANA versus partners. This may be worthwhile for those who want to fly nonstop to China!

Fuel surcharges are variable depending on which airline you fly. For example, ANA levies about $420 in total taxes and fees on round-trip bookings, whereas ANA does not pass on surcharges from United Airlines.

Hot Tip: For more information on these fees, check out our articles — The Ultimate Guide to Airline Fuel Surcharges (Including Those That Charge The Most & The Least) and the Best Ways to Redeem Points and Miles With Low Fees, Taxes, and Surcharges.

However, if you decide to fly on the arguably inferior United Business class, you will only pay around $73 in taxes and fees round-trip.

Since we believe ANA has a superior business class product and is therefore worth the ~$350 extra you’ll pay in fuel surcharges, we’ll talk about some great example routes via ANA before looking at partners:

  1. New York City (JFK) – Tokyo-Haneda (HND) – Shanghai (PVG) round-trip for 80,000 miles + ~$420 in taxes and fees during low-season for ANA business class (be sure to pick the 777 on the Tokyo-to-Shanghai leg!)
  2. Los Angeles (LAX) – Tokyo-Haneda (NRT) – Beijing (PEK) round-trip for 180,000 miles + ~$420 in taxes and fees during regular season for ANA first class (be sure to pick the 777 on the Tokyo-to-Beijing leg!)
  3. San Jose (SJC) – Tokyo-Narita (NRT) – Dalian (DLC) round-trip for 80,000 miles + ~$420 in taxes and fees during low-season for ANA business class (confirm the Tokyo-to-Dalian leg is in the 787 Dreamliner first!)

Here are each airlines’ nonstop route options:

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Nonstop Air China Route Options From North America
Los Angeles (LAX) – Beijing (PEK)Los Angeles (LAX) – Shenzhen (SZX)
New York City (JFK) – Beijing (PEK)Newark (EWR) – Beijing (PEK)
San Francisco (SFO) – Beijing (PEK)San Jose (SJC) – Shanghai (PVG)
Houston (IAH) – Beijing (PEK)Washington D.C. (IAD) – Beijing (PEK)
Vancouver (YVR) – Beijing (PEK)Montreal (YUL) – Beijing (PEK)

 

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Nonstop United Airlines Route Options From the U.S.
Los Angeles (LAX) – Shanghai (PVG)Newark (EWR) – Beijing (PEK)
Newark (EWR) – Shanghai (PVG)San Francisco (SFO) – Beijing (PEK)
San Francisco (SFO) – Shanghai (PVG)San Francisco (SFO) – Chengdu (CTU)
Chicago O’Hare (ORD) – Beijing (PEK)Chicago O’Hare (ORD) – Shanghai (PVG)
Washington D.C. (IAD) – Beijing (PEK)

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Nonstop Air Canada Route Options From Canada
Vancouver (YVR) – Beijing (PEK)Vancouver (YVR) – Shanghai (PVG)
Toronto (YYZ) – Beijing (PEK)Toronto (YYZ) – Shanghai (PVG)
Montreal (YUL) – Shanghai (PVG)

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Nonstop Hawaiian Airlines Route Options From the U.S.
Honolulu (HNL) – Beijing (PEK)

As you can see, there’s definitely no shortage of flights and carriers you can take to China from North America.

Each of these flights (except the Honolulu service from Hawaiian Airlines) shares the same mileage cost of 60,000 ANA miles for round-trip economy, 95,000 ANA miles for round-trip business class, and 180,000 ANA miles for round-trip first class.

The Honolulu – Beijing route serviced by Hawaiian Airlines costs 55,000 miles round-trip in economy and 85,000 miles round-trip in business class!

Here are the approximate taxes and fees you’ll pay on each airline for round-trip tickets from North America to China:

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AirlineTotal Taxes & Fees
ANA~$420
Air China~$82
United Airlines~$72-$77
Air Canada~$59-$65
Hawaiian Airlines~$72-$77

Hot Tip: Booking with ANA allows 1 open-jaw and 1 stopover for round-trip awards. You can use this to plan value-added visits to Japan before proceeding to China! 

If you don’t mind flying on partner airlines and would rather save some cash, here are some great example routes you can take:

  • San Francisco (SFO) – Beijing (PEK) round-trip for 95,000 miles + ~$72 in taxes and fees in United Airlines’ brand-new best Polaris business class
  • New York City (JFK) – Beijing (PEK) round-trip for 180,000 miles + ~$82 in taxes and fees in Air China first class
  • Montreal (YUL) – Shanghai (PVG) round-trip for 95,000 miles + ~$59 in taxes and fees in Air Canada Signature business class

ANA is generally reliable for these partners, so you can go ahead and complete your booking online with these steps:

  1. Visit ANA’s website
  2. On the right-hand side of the top banner, click ANA Mileage Club
  3. The Flight Awards section automatically appears on the left-hand side of the page you’re directed to. Click International then Award Reservation, and you will be prompted to log in with your ANA member number and password.
  4. Fill in the search query by typing in your cities, travel dates, class of service, and number of passengers. Click Search.
  5. Select the flights you want to take.
    • If you need time to transfer your points, you are technically able to hold awards for up to 72 hours by calling ANA at 1-800-235-9262 during the hours 5AM-6PM PST, but this is highly variable depending on the representative you get.
  6. Finish transferring your points and confirm your reservation by paying any taxes and fees!

Earning ANA Mileage Plan Miles

ANA is an American Express transfer partner and a Marriott transfer partner.

Recommended American Express Cards (Personal)

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The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

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The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
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Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
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When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros

  • The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
  • 5x points per $1 spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per year)
  • 5x points per $1 spent on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
  • Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment (airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR credit, and Equinox credit)
  • TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
  • Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
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Cons

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  • Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
  • Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
  • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
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  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
  • $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
  • $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
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  • $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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  • Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
  • $695 annual fee.
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Financial Snapshot

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  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months.
60,000 points
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Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
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The American Express® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

Pros

  • 4x points per $1 at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
  • 4x points per $1 at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases; and 1x thereafter
  • 3x points per $1 on flights purchased directly from airlines or at Amex Travel
  • Up to $120 annual dining credit: up to $10 monthly statement credit when you pay with the Amex Gold card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations
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  • No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)
  • Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection
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Cons

  • Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
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  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $250.
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Your Amex points transfer at a 1:1 ratio in 2-3 business days, and Marriott transfers at a 3:1 ratio.

Additionally, you will receive an additional 5,000-mile ANA bonus for every 60,000 Marriott points you transfer. This means that for transferring 60,000 Marriott points, you’ll receive 25,000 ANA miles! It usually takes up to 7 business days for Marriott points to transfer to ANA.

Bottom Line: ANA is king when it comes to affordable round-trip award bookings. They have the best business class product (though no nonstop flights to China) and charge around $400 per person. You have the flexibility of enjoying nonstop flights on partners like Air China, and you’ve got solid transfer partners! 

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

Hainan Airlines A350 Business Class – Seat 12K. Image Credit: Cherag Dubash

We like using Alaska Airlines miles because they grant you access to some pretty awesome partners that no other frequent flyer program can provide!

In fact, they might not be the “go-to” airline for flights to China, but they definitely provide a ton of value for one airline: Hainan Airlines.

(Keep in mind that you can use Alaska Airlines miles to fly on American Airlines to China, but it is generally not worth it due to unfavorable mileage costs.)

Hainan Airlines actually has an excellent reputation as an airline — they are a 5-star airline as characterized by Skytrax!

We love using Alaska miles to book Hainan Airlines business class because they have an amazing portfolio of non-stop routes to China, and highly competitive award rates to boot.

Alaska Airlines is an airline that is known not to pass on fuel surcharges, but Hainan Airlines is oddly not included in this; you’re going to pay around $400 in round-trip fuel surcharges flying on business class and $300 flying on economy. 

Round-trip economy class flights cost 60,000 Alaska miles + ~$300 in taxes and fees, while round-trip business class flights cost 100,000 Alaska miles + ~$400 in taxes and fees. One-way flights cost half the price.

At the time of writing, Hainan Airlines has a whopping 15 nonstop routes from North America:

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Nonstop Hainan Airlines Route Options From North America
Los Angeles (LAX) – Chengdu (CTU)Los Angeles (LAX) – Chongqing (CKG)
Los Angeles (LAX) – Changsha (CSX)New York City (JFK) – Chongqing (CKG)
New York City (JFK) – Chengdu (CTU)Seattle (SEA) – Beijing (PEK)
Seattle (SEA) – Shanghai (PVG)San Jose (SJC) – Beijing (PEK)
Chicago O’Hare (ORD) – Beijing (PEK)Boston (BOS) – Beijing (PEK)
Boston (BOS) – Shanghai (PVG)Las Vegas (LAS) – Beijing (PEK)
Vancouver (YVR) – Tianjin (TSN)Toronto (YYZ) – Beijing (PEK)
Calgary (YYC) – Beijing (PEK)

Even though Alaska Airlines is a great way to get to China with points and miles, we did not place this as our top choice for the following reasons:

  1. Fuel surcharges topping $400-$450 round-trip in business class
  2. Lack of transfer partners

However, just like all Alaska award bookings, you can actually add a stopover on all one-way tickets, though these stopovers are typically confined to hub cities of partner airlines. Similarly, you can have 2 stopovers on round-trip tickets!

Here are some great example routes you can take with 2 stopovers:

  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Chengdu (CTU) – Beijing (PEK) ; Shanghai (PVG) – Chongqing (CKG) – Los Angeles (LAX) in Hainan Airlines business class for 100,000 miles + ~$430 in taxes and fees! For this price, you can use 2 stopovers and 1 open-jaw to visit 3-4 cities for free! 
  • New York City (JFK) – Chengdu (CTU) – Beijing (PEK) ; Shanghai (PVG) – Chongqing (CKG) – New York City (JFK) in Hainan Airlines business class for 100,000 miles + ~$430 in taxes and fees
  • Seattle (SEA) – Shanghai (PVG) – Changsha (CSX) ; Xi’an (XIY) – Beijing (PEK) – Seattle (SEA) in Hainan Airlines business class for 100,000 miles + ~$429 in taxes and fees

Hot Tip: Working in 2 stopovers on round-trip award tickets takes some patience; luckily, Hainan Airlines has a ridiculously diverse route map, so it’s very easy to visit 3+ places for the price of 1! 

Ready to book Hainan Airlines business class? Follow these steps to book with Alaska Airlines miles:

  1. Visit Alaska Airlines.
  2. Click the checkbox that says Use Miles to search for your routes and dates. Be sure to use Multi-city if you’re booking stopovers or open-jaws.
  3. Pick your desired flights and click Add to Cart.
  4. Log in to your Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account.
  5. Complete the booking and pay any taxes and fees.

Earning Alaska Airlines Miles

You can earn Alaska miles very easily. First, you can get a bunch of Alaska miles through credit card using a co-branded credit card — specifically, the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card!

Sadly, the only transfer partner Alaska Airlines has is Marriott, so you’re going to have to rack up Marriott points to transfer to Alaska.

Finally, one of the best ways to accumulate Alaska miles is by buying them. You can buy as many miles as you want, with the limit set at 60,000 miles per transaction. But you can make as many transactions as you like!

Also, Alaska Airlines routinely offers discounts of 30%-50% on purchased miles, so consider holding out until they have these sales.

Bottom Line: Alaska Airlines provides the only way to fly on one of the best airlines to China: Hainan Airlines. With round-trip business class tickets costing 100,000 Alaska miles and the 2 stopover allowance, you should definitely consider using the diverse routes that Hainan Airlines operates. Be aware though, as you will be paying anywhere from $300-$450 in fuel surcharges. Alaska’s sole transfer partner is Marriott, so look at earning Alaska miles directly or buying them outright! 

Etihad Guest

Etihad is ordinarily an airline connecting the Middle East to the rest of the world. So, it doesn’t make much sense that it’s in this list…until you realize that it partners with American Airlines.

And the redemption rates on AA metal are astonishing! AA devalued their award chart a while ago, but Etihad’s award chart for AA-operated flights has remained unscathed.

What does that mean?

Round-trip economy tickets for 70,000 Etihad Guest miles and round-trip business class tickets for 110,000 Etihad Guest miles. Total taxes and fees will run around ~$100.

If you’re not totally sold yet, American Airlines has a great new 787-9 Dreamliner business class product that flies on these 4 routes:

  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Beijing (PEK)
  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Shanghai (PVG)
  • Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) – Beijing (PEK)
  • Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) – Shanghai (PVG)

You can also technically fly on Hainan Airlines using Etihad Guest Miles, but it’s not a good use of your points.

In fact, Etihad Guest will charge 106,000 miles one-way for the Los Angeles (LAX) – Chengdu (CTU) flight in Hainan Airlines business class, while Alaska Airlines charges 100,000 miles round-trip plus 2 stopovers. So, we know which airline is the clear winner for Hainan Airlines flights here!

Business class seats feature direct aisle access and a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone layout. These are different, unfortunately, from the Flagship business class on the 777, but it’s a solid way to fly on a proven U.S. airline to China.

American Airlines business class award availability is typically difficult to find, but those with patience will be able to reap the rewards with Etihad Guest!

To book AA awards on Etihad, you’ll need to call after successfully finding award availability.

Here are the steps to book your AA business class flight with Etihad Guest:

  1. Visit British Airways and log in to begin your availability search.
  2. Type in your route, travel dates, and business/economy class.
    • British Airways’ search engine can be a bit quirky at times. It may not show availability, even if you’ve seen it on a site like Qantas or AA. You’ll need to play with the dates back and forth and keep refreshing if this happens.
  3. Write down the flight numbers, dates, and times.
  4. Call Etihad Guest’s Serbian Call Center at +1-877-690-0767, press 1 for English, and then press 4 (don’t press 2 for “first and business class” bookings!).
    • After that, press 1 to book or change a flight, and then press 1 again to book or change a flight using Etihad Guest Miles.
  5. Ask them to search for AA business or economy award space on the date desired. Provide them with the flight number.
  6. Complete the booking by providing traveler information and paying for any applicable taxes and fees.

Earning Etihad Guest Miles

Etihad Guest is a transfer partner with American Express Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy. It is therefore easy to earn Etihad Guest miles!

American Express and Citi transfer to Etihad Guest at a 1:1 ratio, and sometimes American Express runs transfer bonuses of up to 30% bonus miles.

However, the only times this ever happened were in 2016, where there were 2 transfer bonuses of 30% and 20% during May and October, respectively. I wouldn’t really count on that to happen these days, though it’s a distant possibility.

If you did catch a bonus, this would bring down the cost of round-trip AA business class ticket from 110,000 miles to ~84,615 Amex points! Definitely keep your eyes peeled.

You can earn ThankYou Rewards points with any of the ThankYou Points-earning credit cards and transfer them to Etihad Guest at a 1:1 ratio.

Citi ThankYou points may take up to 7 business days to transfer, while Amex’s transfers are instantaneous.

Bottom Line: Interested in flying American Airlines’ business class to China round-trip for 110,000 miles plus minimal taxes and fees? Seriously consider Etihad Guest — they still use the pre-devaluation award chart! Economy costs 70,000 miles round-trip, plus Etihad Guest is a transfer partner with Amex, Citi, and Marriott, so you shouldn’t have any issues racking up enough miles! 

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

Delta One Suites A350-900 rear view. Image Credit: Stephen Au

Virgin Atlantic is not in any major airline alliances, but it has several key advantages for travel to China.

It partners with Delta Air Lines and is also a Chase transfer partner, American Express transfer partner, Citi transfer partner, and Marriott transfer partner.

On top of this, the Flying Club award chart for flights on Delta is excellent: round-trip economy costs 80,000 Virgin Points, while round-trip business costs 120,000 Virgin Points!

The 2 other reasons this particular program is amazing are the frequent transfer bonuses of up to 35%, and the fact that fuel surcharges are never passed on!

Best of all, you can try Delta One Suites on the A350 and 777 by using your Virgin Points. Delta offers the Delta One Suites on the following routes:

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Delta One Suites Routes to China
Los Angeles (LAX) – Shanghai (PVG)
Detroit (DTW) – Beijing (PEK)
Detroit (DTW) – Shanghai (PVG)

The remaining Delta One routes are the following:

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Non-Suite Delta One Routes to China
Seattle (SEA) – Beijing (PEK)
Seattle (SEA) – Shanghai (PVG)
Atlanta (ATL) – Shanghai (PVG)

Delta One Suites is astonishing, and I would definitely do whatever I could to fly this over the regular business class product!

For 120,000 miles round-trip and super-low taxes and fees (like $35 round-trip low), there’s a reason Virgin Atlantic is near the top of our list when it comes to flying to China with points and miles!

Honestly, the main challenge is finding award availability — though this isn’t even that big of a deal, since Virgin Atlantic allows 5-week award searches!

The icing on top is that Virgin Points all transfer from flexible rewards currencies instantly, and you can book Delta awards completely online! 

If you’re sold, follow these steps to book your Delta One Suites award to China with Virgin Atlantic Flying Club:

  1. Visit Virgin Atlantic. You’ll get the best results when using the United Kingdom version of the website. To change it, click the flag emblem at the top-right of the page and choose United Kingdom – English.
  2. At the top of the new page, you should be able to type in your flight information. Type in your route, flight type, number of passengers, and travel dates.
  3. Click Advanced Search toward the lower right of the banner, click Miles, and choose Upper Class to return business class availability.
  4. Click the red arrow to execute the search. If availability doesn’t show up, scroll down and select Show flights for Within 5 weeks. Click Find my flights. 
  5. Pick your flights and click Next Step
  6. Log into your Flying Club account
  7. Complete your booking by paying the miles and paying for any taxes and fees.

Earning Virgin Points

Earning Virgin Points is super easy — it is a transfer partner with Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy!

Recommended Chase Cards (Personal)

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
60,000 points
$1,200
$95
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros

  • 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
  • 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $250 (through March 31, 2025)
  • 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
  • 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
  • 2x points on all other travel worldwide
  • $50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
  • 6 months of complimentary Instacart+ (activate by July 31, 2024), plus up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024
  • Excellent travel and car rental insurance
  • 10% annual bonus points
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs like United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt
  • Complimentary Spot Club Platinum status with The Parking Spot for 2 years, 20% off of your first reservation, and points for 1 free day of parking (enroll by October 26, 2023)

Cons

  • $95 annual fee
  • No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
  • Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
60,000 points
$1,200
$550
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Excellent (740-850)

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

Pros

  • 10x points on car rentals, hotels, and dining booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
  • 10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
  • 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
  • 5x points on airfare booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
  • 3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases
  • $300 annual travel credit
  • Priority Pass airport lounge access
  • TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit
  • Access to Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
  • Rental car elite status with National and Avis

Cons

  • $550 annual fee
  • Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
  • $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
  • Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel
  • 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
  • Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
  • Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Business owner? See our list of the best Chase business credit cards.

Each one of these transfer to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club at a 1:1 ratio, with the exception of Marriott at 3:1. For every 60,000 Marriott points transferred, you’ll get an additional 5,000 Virgin Points, bringing up your total to 25,000 miles from 60,000 Marriott points.

American Express and Citi often have transfer bonuses ranging from 25%-35%, so wait to transfer your points until these are offered! They do so at least once per year, but often 2-4 times per year!

A transfer bonus of 30% will bring down your Delta One Suites round-trip cost to ~92,308 AmEx or Citi points + ~$35 in taxes and fees! 

Furthermore, Virgin Points can be earned directly from the co-branded credit cards issued by Bank of America!

The last thing we want to reiterate is that all except Marriott transfer instantly to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Marriott is not far behind, and will take less than 24 hours to transfer to Virgin Atlantic.

Bottom Line: Delta One Suites are often prohibitively expensive when booked on Delta. Virgin Atlantic provides an amazing solution to this, with round-trip Delta One Suites priced at 120,000 miles + $35 in taxes and fees! Lots of transfer partners, no fuel surcharges, and a completely online booking process make this redemption a no-brainer! Be sure to plan in advance (especially for Delta One Suites routes), because award availability can be hard to come by. 

Japan Airlines Mileage Bank

Japan Airlines uses a distance-based award chart, so prices of awards may vary depending on the distance between the 2 cities you select.

See the below chart for reference:

With the new devaluation coming on November 20, 2018, JAL award redemptions are going to be more expensive. Image Credit: Japan Airlines

When using Japan Airlines Mileage Bank, the 2 partners that will be useful for nonstop flights to China are:

  1. China Eastern
  2. American Airlines

For simplicity, we will assume that you’re flying round-trip to China from North America.

As you can see, the range of distances across the routes operated by the 2 airlines above is pretty diverse.

The shortest route is Honolulu (HNL) – Shanghai (PVG) by China Eastern at a round-trip distance of 9,864 miles, while the longest route is New York City (JFK) – Shanghai (PVG) by China Eastern at 14,720 miles round-trip.

Here are the nonstop route options operated by China Eastern:

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Non-stop Route Options on China Eastern to China
RouteRound-trip DistanceEconomy CostBusiness Class CostFirst Class Cost
Los Angeles (LAX) – Shanghai (PVG)12,964 miles55,00085,000135,000
Los Angeles (LAX) – Nanjing (NKG)13,116 miles55,00085,000135,000
New York City (JFK) – Shanghai (PVG)14,720 miles60,000100,000155,000
San Francisco (SFO) – Shanghai (PVG)12,292 miles55,00085,000135,000
San Francisco (SFO) – Qingdao (TAO)11,914 miles50,00080,000115,000
Honolulu (HNL) – Shanghai (PVG)9,864 miles40,00065,000105,000
Chicago O’Hare (ORD) – Shanghai (PVG)14,110 miles60,000100,000155,000
Vancouver (YVR) – Shanghai (PVG)11,222 miles50,00080,000115,000
Vancouver (YVR) – Nanjing (NKG)11,324 miles50,00080,000115,000
Toronto (YYZ) – Shanghai (PVG)14,210 miles60,000100,000155,000

You’ll want to fly on the 777 if you have a choice. Here are the China Eastern routes operated by the inferior A330 (avoid these if possible):

  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Nanjing (NKG)
  • San Francisco (SFO) – Qingdao (TAO)
  • Honolulu (HNL) – Shanghai (PVG)
  • Vancouver (YVR) – Shanghai (PVG)
  • Vancouver (YVR) – Nanjing (NKG)

Lastly, here are the nonstop route options operated by American Airlines:

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Non-stop Route Options on American Airlines to China
RouteRound-trip DistanceEconomy CostBusiness Class CostFirst Class Cost
Los Angeles (LAX) – Beijing (PEK)12,474 miles55,00085,000135,000
Los Angeles (LAX) – Shanghai (PVG)12,964 miles55,00085,000135,000
Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) – Beijing (PEK)13,920 miles55,00085,000135,000
Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) – Shanghai (PVG)14,696 miles60,000100,000155,000

Overall, the range of prices in economy is 40,000-60,000 miles round-trip, business is 65,000-100,000 miles, and first is 105,000-155,000 miles depending on the route you take.

Hot Tip: JAL will be heavily devalued starting on November 20, 2018. If you book before then for travel after that date, you’ll still be able to secure the pre-devaluation rates as shown above. However, once that deadline is passed, you’re going to see prices jump up! 

Interestingly, one-way prices are not equal to half the round-trip prices.

If you’re planning on doing one-way travel and taking advantage of JAL’s industry-best routing rules (including stopovers and open-jaws), then you should calculate your miles cost based on the total distance traveled.

Luckily, Japan Airlines has a great distance calculator for your use!

You can book American Airlines flights directly on JAL’s website, though you have to call to book China Eastern Airlines. 

Here’s how to book AA flights directly on JAL:

  1. Visit British Airways
  2. On the top right corner, log in with your British Airways Avios Number and Password
  3. Pick your routes, travel dates, number of passengers, and class of service
  4. Call JAL at 1-800-525-3663 between the hours of 6AM-6PM PST Monday-Friday and 7AM-3PM PST on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays to request flight awards
  5. Give them the AA flight numbers along with times and dates
  6. Confirm your booking by paying with JAL miles and for any other taxes and fees

Here’s how to book China Eastern flights with JAL:

  1. Visit Delta to search for award availability.
    • We don’t like using Air France for this search, because their variable award pricing makes it difficult to distinguish whether a flight has actual availability.
  2. Type in your inbound and outbound cities, travel dates, and number of passengers.
    • Click the Advanced search button right below the search area and select Miles and Delta One.
  3. After this search completes, modify it by clicking 5 Weeks on the Calendar View and Show Only Non Stop. This will effectively filter out all the connecting flights and give you true China Eastern availability.
  4. Scroll through the calendar and select available flights.
  5. Write down the flight numbers, dates, and times.
  6. Call JAL at 1-800-525-3663 between the hours of 6AM-6PM PST Monday-Friday and 7AM-3PM PST on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays to request flight awards
  7. Provide them the flight numbers, dates, and times.
  8. Finish your booking by paying for any taxes and fees and spending your JAL miles.

Here are some great example routes you can take:

  • Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) – Beijing (PEK) round-trip for 85,000 miles + ~$77 in taxes and fees on American Airlines 787 Dreamliner business class
  • Los Angeles (LAX) – Shanghai (PVG) round-trip for 135,000 miles + ~$77 in taxes and fees for China Eastern 777 first class (with double beds!)
  • New York City (JFK) – Shanghai (PVG) round-trip for 100,000 miles + ~$77 in taxes and fees for China Eastern 777 business class
  • Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) – Shanghai (PVG) round-trip for 100,000 miles + ~$77 in taxes and fees for American Airlines 787 Dreamliner business class

Earning JAL Mileage Bank Miles

The only realistic way to earn JAL miles is by transferring them from Marriott at a 3:1 ratio. For every 60,000 Marriott points you transfer to JAL, you will get an additional 5,000-mile bonus to bring your total up to 25,000 miles!

It’s also possible to earn JAL miles directly with their co-branded credit card. However, it lacks a compelling welcome bonus and earnings categories that make spending valuable.

Recommended Marriott Credit Cards

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A great option for Marriott hotel fans who want a no annual fee card and automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status.

Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card

A great option for Marriott hotel fans who want a no annual fee card and automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status.
Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
30,000 points
$210
$0
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

Casual travelers who like to frequent properties that are part of the Marriott Bonvoy collection of brands may want to consider the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card.

The Marriott Bold card rewards cardholders for Marriott stays and gives them a boost towards Marriott Bonvoy elite status.

Pros

  • Up to 14x points per $1 on Marriott purchases
  • 2x points per $1 on travel purchases
  • 15 Elite Night Credits each year (automatically gives you Silver Elite status)
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • No annual fee

Cons

  • Lower point earn rate than other Marriott Bonvoy cards
  • Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status is the lowest status tier
  • Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Pay no annual fee with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card from Chase®!
  • Earn up to 14X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Card.
  • 2X points for every $1 spent on other travel purchases (from airfare to taxis and trains).
  • 1X point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
  • Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, qualifying you for Silver Elite Status. Restrictions apply.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Marriott loyalists will love this card's annual free night award, automatic elite status, and up to 17x points per $1 on Marriott hotel stays.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card

Marriott loyalists will love this card's annual free night award, automatic elite status, and up to 17x points per $1 on Marriott hotel stays.
Earn 3 Free Nights after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases (each night valued up to 50,000 points) within the first 3 months from account opening.
Up to 3 Free Nights
$1,050
$95
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

If you’re a frequent traveler and a Marriott loyalist, there’s a lot to love about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. The card comes packed with several great benefits like a free hotel night once a year, automatic Silver Elite status (with a fast-track to Gold Elite status), and multiple options for redeeming points.

Pros

  • Earn big when you use your card at over 7,000 participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
  • New benefit to earn big at grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
  • Automatic Silver Elite Status
  • 1 Free Night Award each cardmember anniversary (up to 35,000 points)
  • DoorDash DashPass subscription
  • No foreign transaction fees

Cons

  • $95 annual fee
  • Marriott Silver status is the lowest status tier
  • Earn 3 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after qualifying purchases.
  • Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.
  • Earn 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend.
  • 1 Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary.
  • Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card.
  • Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, automatic Silver Elite status, and path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each calendar year.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card gives you automatic Marriott elite status and helps you earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on your everyday purchases.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card gives you automatic Marriott elite status and helps you earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on your everyday purchases.
Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership
85,000 points
$595
$250
20.99%-29.99% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card, the latest mid-tier offering in the Marriott Bonvoy lineup of cards, offers cardholders automatic elite status and ways to earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on each of their stays and daily purchases.

Pros

  • 6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
  • 4x points per $1 at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per calendar year, then 2X points)
  • 2x points per $1 on all other purchases
  • Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
  • 15 Elite Night Credits per year
  • 1,000 bonus points per paid stay
  • 1 Free Night Award (up to 50,000 points) when you spend $15,000 on the card in a year
  • No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)

Cons

  • $250 annual fee (rates and fees)
  • Free Night Award certificate is not an automatic benefit
  • Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
  • Earn 4X points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets per calendar year, then 2X points).
  • Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
  • 1K Bonus Points Per Stay: Earn 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points per paid eligible stay booked directly with Marriott for properties participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
  • With complimentary Gold Elites status, earn up to 2.5X points from Marriott Bonvoy® on eligible hotel purchases with the 25% Bonus Points on stays benefit.
  • Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Free Night Award: Earn 1 Free Night Award after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ Card in a calendar year. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at a hotel participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
  • 15 Elite Night Credits: Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express Card® you can receive 15 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
  • Plan It® is a payment option that lets you split up purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee. Plus, you'll still earn rewards the way you usually do.
  • $250 Annual Fee.
  • Terms apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.
Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
95,000 bonus points
$665
$650
20.99%-29.99% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a premium card designed with road warriors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalists in mind.

So is the card a worthwhile addition to your wallet?

Pros

  • 6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy program
  • 3x points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines and restaurants worldwide
  • 2x points per $1 on all other purchases
  • 25 Elite Night Credits each year
  • Priority Pass Select membership upon enrollment
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit
  • Annual Free Night Award after card renewal
  • Complimentary Platinum Elite status

Cons

  • Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card at restaurants worldwide.
  • With Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
  • Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
  • Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
  • Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
  • $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy® member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
  • Enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited access to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
  • With Cell Phone Protection, you can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month's wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
  • $650 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Marriott Bonvoy

Bottom Line: If you intend on utilizing JAL Mileage Bank to book your travel to China, you should definitely consider booking your travel before November 20, 2018. After that, you’ll be hit with a huge devaluation. For now, you won’t be paying fuel surcharges and you can leverage their generous award routing rules to build some sweet vacations! 

American Airlines AAdvantage Program

For 140,000 AA miles, fly on American Airlines 787 Dreamliner business class. Enjoy luxe privacy and comfy seats on your way to China! Image Credit: American Airlines

American Airlines is generally a pretty attractive frequent flyer program for simple award bookings. AA miles are usually easy to accumulate, especially through credit card welcome bonuses from Citi and Barclays.

The booking process is relatively simple, and award prices remain quite attractive to China.

Your biggest challenge will be finding award availability, since you’re basically restricted to flying on American Airlines to China.

Round-trip economy costs 70,000 miles from the contiguous U.S. to China, and round-trip business costs 140,000 miles.

The other option you have is Hawaiian Airlines’ sole Honolulu – Beijing route, but it really only makes sense if you’re originating from Hawaii.

Round-trip economy from Hawaii, oddly, is actually more expensive despite being geographically closer to China at 75,000 miles per person. Business class fares are the same at 140,000 miles per person.

Importantly, you won’t be paying fuel surcharges on these routes, so your total out-of-pocket cost will be around ~$77 per person round-trip!

You can refer to the chart above for the nonstop routes AA flies to China, but you’ll have to leave from Los Angeles (LAX) or Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW).

Both of those 2 cities fly to Beijing (PEK) and Shanghai (PVG) on the same aircraft: the 787-900.

Hot Tip: Need help booking? Check out our guide to book American Airlines Business Class using points.

Earning American Airlines AAdvantage Miles

It’s generally very easy to get a lot of AA miles, particularly in the short term. Citi and Barclays both offer huge welcome bonuses on their co-branded AA credit cards.

I would first apply for the Barclays Aviator Red Card and the equivalent business credit card, since Barclays is known to be more sensitive to hard inquiries than Citi.

After you’ve exhausted your Barclays options, Citi is a great option!

Additionally, American Airlines is a transfer partner with Marriott, so you can top off your AA miles balance with Marriott points by transferring them at a 3:1 ratio — but we definitely don’t suggest doing this unless you have a specific redemption in mind.

It can take up to 2 business days to transfer Marriott points to American Airlines.

Bottom Line: The main benefits of using AA miles to fly to China are attractive redemption rates, ease of earning miles from co-branded credit card welcome bonuses, and a very simple booking process. The drawback is that you’ll need to find award availability on AA business class, which can be tough.

United Airlines MileagePlus

With United Airlines MileagePlus, you will be eligible to use the same partners as in the above ANA section.

The main benefit of using United Airlines MileagePlus is the convenience and ease of earning United miles.

ANA offers very attractive rates, beating out United by a significant margin (50% or more). However, American Express Membership Rewards points will be the key factor in choosing to use the ANA method above.

If you’re a big Chase fan, you might find United Airlines MileagePlus the go-to option for yourself.

Economy costs 70,000 miles round-trip, and business costs 160,000 miles round-trip. First class costs 240,000 miles (the only first class flights would be on Air China).

Surcharges are not passed on, with out of pocket costs ranging from $6-$80 total!

Here’s a chart illustrating award rates from the U.S. (not including Hawaii):

SCROLL FOR MORE
Cabin ClassUnited Miles CostTotal Taxes and Fees
Economy70,000~$6-$80
Business160,000~$6-$80
First240,000~$6-$80

You may also choose to book on Hawaiian Airlines round-trip between Honolulu (HNL) and Beijing (PEK) for 55,000 miles in economy and 120,000 miles in business.

Although you won’t be responsible for fuel surcharges, you’re generally compensating for it by paying more miles to book your trips. For example, round-trip business class on Air China only costs 95,000 ANA, miles while United charges 160,000 miles.

Earning United Airlines MileagePlus Miles

The best part of United Airlines MileagePlus is the ability to easily earn United miles. When thinking about the best ways to earn United Airlines miles, your best friend is definitely Chase!

You can earn lots of Chase Ultimate Rewards points and transfer them to United, or earn United miles directly from co-branded credit cards offered by Chase.

The last option is to transfer from Marriott at a slightly improved 3:1.1 ratio. In addition to this, you will also receive a bonus for transferring 60,000 Marriott points to United. Overall, transferring 60,000 Marriott points will net you 27,500 United miles!

Delta Air Lines SkyMiles

Honestly, we would be doing you a disservice if we discussed the best ways to fly to mainland China with points and miles and didn’t mention the SkyTeam alliance.

In fact, Delta actually has the most partners that fly to China. As discussed in the Virgin Atlantic section, they also operate their own flights to China, including 3 of them with Delta One Suites!

You can fly the 5 following airlines to China using Delta SkyMiles:

  1. China Eastern
  2. China Southern
  3. Delta
  4. Xiamen Airlines
  5. Hawaiian Airlines (only route is Honolulu – Beijing)

We already displayed the different routes for all 5 airlines with the exception of China Southern and Xiamen. China Southern operates these routes to China:

SCROLL FOR MORE
Non-stop China Southern Airlines Route Options from North America:
Los Angeles (LAX) – Guangzhou (CAN)New York City (JFK) – Guangzhou (CAN)
San Francisco (SFO) – Wuhan (WUH)San Francisco (SFO) – Guangzhou (CAN)
Toronto (YYZ) – Guangzhou (CAN)Vancouver (YVR) – Guangzhou (CAN)

And Xiamen Airlines operates these routes to China:

SCROLL FOR MORE
Non-stop Xiamen Airlines Route Options from North America:
Los Angeles (LAX) – Xiamen (XMN)Los Angeles (LAX) – Qingdao (TAO)
New York City (JFK) – Fuzhou (FOC)Seattle (SEA) – Shenzhen (SZX)
Vancouver (YVR) – Xiamen (XMN)

With the exception of Delta, the award pricing is as follows:

SCROLL FOR MORE
Cabin ClassDelta SkyMiles CostTotal Taxes and Fees
Economy70,000~$35-$545
Business170,000~$35-$545

Delta charges the following for flights on their own metal:

SCROLL FOR MORE
Cabin ClassDelta SkyMiles CostTotal Taxes and Fees
Economy44,000-60,000~$35
Business180,000-600,000~$35

Interestingly, fuel surcharges are not consistent among these 5 airlines.

China Eastern charges the most — anywhere from $450-$545 depending on which cabin class you’re flying.

Delta will pass on around $280 in fuel surcharges for China Southern.

Hawaiian Airlines, Delta, and Xiamen will not have fuel surcharges, bringing down the ultimate out-of-pocket cost to approximately $35 total.

Hot Tip: Be sure to use the Delta flexible 5-week award calendar search tool to check for award availability! 

You’ll notice we don’t talk about booking Delta One with Delta SkyMiles, because their prices are so ridiculous it’s not even funny.

They charge anywhere from 180,000 to 600,000 SkyMiles on round-trip flights…not exactly the best use of your points!

Earning Delta SkyMiles

There are plenty of ways to earn lots of Delta SkyMiles.

A great way to get a head start is by looking at their transfer partners: American Express Membership Rewards and Marriott.

You can also earn Delta SkyMiles directly from the Delta co-branded credit cards offered by American Express.

Recommended Delta Cards

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card provides bonus SkyMiles on all purchases, along with a free bag, priority boarding, and discounted award flights.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

This card provides bonus SkyMiles on all purchases, along with a free bag, priority boarding, and discounted award flights.
Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
40,000 miles
$480
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.
20.99%-29.99% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

Frequent Delta flyers will love the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card. The card offers great benefits that will help save you money, effectively mimics low-level elite status with Delta SkyMiles, and helps you earn miles even faster, all for a low annual fee. Let’s dive into the benefits to see if the Delta Gold card is a good fit for your needs.

Pros

  • New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • Bonus earning on Delta purchases and U.S. supermarket and worldwide restaurant purchases
  • First checked bag free on Delta flights
  • 20% back on inflight purchases

Cons

  • Moderate annual fee
  • Earn rate for Delta flights is relatively low compared to other travel cards
  • Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Enjoy a $0 introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $99.
  • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
  • Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
  • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
  • $100 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, receive a Credit to use toward future travel.
  • Want even more flexibility? Take up to $50 off the cost of your flight for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.
  • Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • With Send & Split®, you can send money and split your Card purchases with any other Venmo or PayPal user, directly from the Amex App. Enroll today.
  • Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Delta SkyMiles Frequent Flyer Program

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Frequent Delta travelers will enjoy this card's bonus categories, benefits, and ability to reach higher levels of elite status.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Frequent Delta travelers will enjoy this card's bonus categories, benefits, and ability to reach higher levels of elite status.
Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
50,000 bonus miles
$600
$250
20.99%-29.99% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card can be a great option for those seeking additional ways to obtain a higher level of status — or to maintain their current status — with the airline.

A key feature of this card is the ability to earn bonus Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) that are essential for earning Delta status. This could help you get closer to earning free flights and other valuable rewards.

Pros

  • New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • 3x SkyMiles per $1 spent on Delta purchases
  • 3x SkyMiles per $1 spent on purchases made directly with hotels
  • 2x SkyMiles per $1 spent at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets
  • 1x SkyMile per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • Annual companion certificate
  • Complimentary checked bags
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit
  • 20% back on inflight purchases
  • Delta Status Boost
  • Discount on Delta Sky Club visits (Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available)

Cons

  • $250 annual fee (rates & fees)
  • Does not earn transferable rewards
  • Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
  • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
  • Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
  • Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
  • Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
  • Get access to Delta Sky Club® at a rate of $50 per person per visit for you and up to two guests or immediate family when traveling on a Delta flight from now until 12/31/23. Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Official Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Earn 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Delta Platinum Card, up to two times through 12/31/23. Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card. Learn more at delta.com/skymilesprogramchanges.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • $250 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Delta Air Lines SkyMiles

BEST FOR DELTA LOUNGES
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Delta loyalists will love the fast track to Delta elite status, lounge access, baggage benefits, and upgrade priority with the Delta Reserve card.

Learn More(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

Delta loyalists will love the fast track to Delta elite status, lounge access, baggage benefits, and upgrade priority with the Delta Reserve card.
Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
60,000 miles
$720
$550
20.99%-29.99% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is a stellar option for frequent travelers who always fly with Delta thanks to its lounge access, status boost, annual companion certificate, and many other great benefits.

Here is a full look at everything the Delta Reserve card can offer to you to help you decide whether the card deserves a place in your wallet.

Pros

  • New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • 3x SkyMiles per $1 on Delta purchases
  • 1x SkyMile per $1 on all other purchases
  • Complimentary Delta Sky Club and Amex Centurion Lounge access when flying Delta. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
  • Delta Status Boost
  • Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) Waiver
  • Annual Companion Certificate
  • Access to Complimentary Upgrades and Upgrade Priority
  • Free checked bags
  • 20% back on inflight purchases
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee statement credit
  • Travel and purchase protection

Cons

  • $550 annual fee (rates and fees)
  • No bonus categories other than Delta purchases
  • Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Enter Delta Sky Club® at no cost and bring up to two guests or immediate family at a rate of $50 per person per visit. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
  • Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
  • With Status Boost®, earn 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card through 12/31/23, up to four times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion Status and are different from the miles you earn towards flights. Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card. Learn more at delta.com/skymilesprogramchanges.
  • Eligible Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • Receive a domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+® or domestic Main Cabin round trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Official Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases.
  • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • $550 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

  • APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Delta SkyMiles Airline Loyalty Program

Bottom Line: If you want to try any SkyTeam airlines then Delta is a great way to do so, particularly on partner airlines in business class! Delta is excellent for round-trip economy flights on their own metal, but not-so-excellent on business class flights on their own metal…stick to Virgin Atlantic for those. Searching for availability is super easy, and you have lots of airline choices when booking through Delta.

Other Options to Fly to Mainland China

There are a lot of other ways to fly to China with points and miles, including Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, Qantas Frequent Flyer Miles, Malaysia Airlines Enrich, Asiana Airlines Mileage Club, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Korean Air SKYPASS, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways Avios, etc.

We did not include these airlines here due to one or more of the following factors:

  1. Unattractive award redemption rates
  2. High fuel surcharges
  3. Better alternatives with other transfer partners
  4. Difficult booking process

Final Thoughts

For the most part, we focused on nonstop flights to China from North America.

However, we also recognized that adding a stopover in Japan by flying on ANA metal can actually save you miles, especially when flying during low-season. Plus, they arguably have the best business class product of any airline in this guide.

There are tons of airlines that fly directly to various cities in China from many cities in America.

ANA has excellent round-trip redemption rates, as does Alaska Airlines on Hainan Airlines flights and Etihad Guest on American Airlines flights. Virgin Atlantic has a sweet spot, particularly when flying Delta-operated flights on their amazing Delta One Suites.

Overall, there are numerous ways to fly to China with points and miles, and we’ve definitely covered our bases here. You should certainly be ready to get the best deals on award flights now!

The information regarding the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. 

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which airlines include carrier-imposed surcharges on award flights to China?

ANA only levies fuel surcharges on their own metal. Total fees and taxes are about $420 round-trip in business class.

Alaska levies fuel surcharges on Hainan Airlines, with a total of around $430 round-trip in business class.

Delta passes on fuel surcharges from China Eastern (around $500 in round-trip business/first class) and China Southern (up to $280 in first class).

What is the fewest number of miles you can use to book an economy class award flight to China?

Delta is absolutely the best choice here.

They’ve got round-trip economy flights between S,eattle and Shanghai for 40,000 SkyMiles.

Seattle to Beijing will be around 44,000 SkyMiles, and Los Angeles to Shanghai will be around 60,000 SkyMiles.

Best of all, you won’t be hit with fuel surcharges!

What is the fewest number of miles required to fly business class to China?

With 80,000 ANA miles, you can fly during low-season to China via Tokyo on a connecting flight. Since ANA allows stopovers, you can visit 2 places for the price of 1 with a stopover in Japan!

The cheapest direct flight in business class would be using 95,000 ANA miles to fly on Star Alliance partners such as Air China, United, or Air Canada.

If you act fast, you can use 80,000 JAL miles to book some of the routes in the section above in business class!

You may also choose to fly on Hainan Airlines for 100,000 Alaska Airlines miles round-trip.

Lastly, if you want to fly in Delta One Suites, it will cost 120,000 Virgin Points for a round-trip flight. You won’t pay fuel surcharges for this either!

What is the fewest number miles required to fly first class to China?

To fly first class to China would cost quite a bit of points. Your best bet might be to use 180,000 ANA miles to book Air China First Class.

Another alternative we didn’t discuss is to use 160,000 Asiana Airlines miles. We didn’t talk about it much because of the difficulty in earning lots of Asiana Airlines miles with a single transfer partner (Marriott).

About Stephen Au

Stephen is an established voice in the credit card space, with over 70 to his name. His work has been in publications like The Washington Post, and his Au Points and Awards Consulting Services is used by hundreds of clients.

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