Originally Posted by
sthubbar
Happy,
Thanks for all the info. Let me try and clear things up.
- I have to be outside of China for 30 consecutive days before the end of the year.
- My family is having reunion in Kansas City, Dec 21-29

Why not simply redeem for a Cathay flight to US connecting to a AA flight to MCI? Or, fly AA from China?
I don't see why you would consider trading to a much lower amount of CO miles.