Originally Posted by brewdog11

Do you have a Chinese visa? If so, there are some sub-$1000 prices to PEK (Beijing) if you're willing to fly out of Chicago ORD. You could book an award ticket round-trip between DFW and ORD to further cut costs. If you don't have a Chinese visa, this will preclude you from doing a mileage run to mainland China. You will be able to visit Hong Kong if you don't have a Chinese visa, though.

If no visa, I'd consider a double run to Hong Kong. You could book one itinerary DFW-HKG-DFW, and then book a separate itinerary HKG-DFW-HKG (prices are often cheaper when originating in Hong Kong on AA). One DFW-HKG round-trip run will net ~16,000 elite qualifying miles. At first glance, prices aren't great.

Also, have you been offered a status buy-up? This might be the easiest way.