I am using Delta miles to fly Business. That is why I booked it ~350 days or whatever was the first opening in the availability window. I wanted to get to CHC and its the only route with just 1 stop from JFK to CHC. And doing a "traditional" NYC > West Coast > Auckland or AUS > CHC is NEVER available at a saver level award for any airline. With Delta I was able to do 97,000 for each business class ticket. Sure 17,000 more than the saver of AA or United but AA/United never have saver flights there AND I figured eh, 17,000 extra but I get 18 hours in China, I'll take it. Seemed worthwhile to get 1 stop and 18 hours for another 17,000.

Oh well - all that planning (and hoping) may be thwarted. Sitting in the business class lounge for 8 hours is going to be dreadful. But not sure it is worth the visa hassle to get in/out for just 1-2 hours in the city? We'll see, it is over dinner time, so maybe I'll sing a different story later. I had a private guide lined up to show me and my wife around for the time in the city. Now I'll see if he can adapt it to a dinner/evening tour.

From a business perspective, I thought it made sense to leave that late and land in China in the morning. work all day in the US, hop on a plane and wake up to start your day in China. I figured this was more of a business route vs a vacation route, but maybe I am wrong. It is also right near the start of Chinese New Years, so if anything I would think they would increase loads to get people out there vs cut back.