Thanks Moondog. The problem is that I have a *Alliance award ticket that ends in CAN. I could make PEK the terminus point, but I would need a roundtrip PEK-ZHA -- which doesn't seem like it's worth $600 (and the flights are direct, but not nonstop!). The award ticket could end anyplace Air China goes, I suppose. I would welcome any creative thoughts! Also, if there is no good alternative, what exactly is the problem with changing carriers in CAN? Would extending the layover time from 2 hours to, say, 4 make any difference?

Thanks,
Peter