Originally Posted by
guv1976
If the OP wants to utilize some of those Amex/Chase points, I would explore the Finnair Plus FFP. For travel on AA North America to Asia, Finnair charges just 34,000 Avios (no extra charge for necessary connections). Although Finnair Plus is not an Amex/Chase transfer partner, BA is, and Avios can now been transferred from BAEC to Finnair Plus. But the OP would have to investigate whether there are any carrier surcharges on a Finnair Plus redemption on AA LAX-DFW-PVG, as well as possible telephone-booking and cancellation/change fees. If those things prove not to be problematic, then the OP might be able to make this roundtrip without signing up for any AA credit cards.
I like your AY idea, in principle, because BA awards are priced by distance and segment by segment (meaning LAX-DFW gets added to DFW-PVG).
But, if I were the OP, I'd try to grab at least one Barclays card and one Citi card because doing so would theoretically take care of half of the tickets.
And, I'd focus on 2 (i.e. adult plus child) pax per booking one way only.
With the LAX origin, TYO connections should pop up (in addition to DFW), but setting the destination as PVG will definitely force the DFW routing (using other cities in China does not).
For economy class, HKG connections are also an option, but with DFW and TYO, premium cabins are possible, especially close in.
Separately, let's not completely rule out UA/*Alliance. Since UA is launching LAX-PVG in August and MU also flies that route daily, I expect there will be ample award inventory next fall, but it might not be released until closer in.