Asia Travel
Nov 21, 2019, 8:33 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2019
Programs: American
Posts: 1
Asia Travel
Good Morning:
I am planning a trip to China for my family and I am having a difficult time trying utilize the points that I have for an award flight. I have a large amount of miles on American Airlines as well as points on American Express. What is the best way to achieve the shortest business class fare flights possible? I need to fly from Chicago to Beijing and then from Hong Kong back to Chicago.
Thank you
I am planning a trip to China for my family and I am having a difficult time trying utilize the points that I have for an award flight. I have a large amount of miles on American Airlines as well as points on American Express. What is the best way to achieve the shortest business class fare flights possible? I need to fly from Chicago to Beijing and then from Hong Kong back to Chicago.
Thank you
Nov 21, 2019, 8:48 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
When and for how many people?
CX and JL are the two obvious candidates if you can't get on AA metal. All 3 (CX / JL / AA) should show up on AA.com these days. AA can be stingy with the domestic flights so check ex-ORD initially but then check some other routes such as JFK, DFW, SFO, SEA, LAX to see if there is availability for the long leg and then just buy a flight that connects in separately.
CX and JL are the two obvious candidates if you can't get on AA metal. All 3 (CX / JL / AA) should show up on AA.com these days. AA can be stingy with the domestic flights so check ex-ORD initially but then check some other routes such as JFK, DFW, SFO, SEA, LAX to see if there is availability for the long leg and then just buy a flight that connects in separately.
Nov 21, 2019, 9:04 am
#3
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: Hilton credit card Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,653
Consider using an award booking service.
Award booking services - a list and some reviews
Award booking services - a list and some reviews
Nov 21, 2019, 12:36 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum; Amex Plat; Four Seasons; Fairmont; HH; etc.; "Retirees-In-Training"
Posts: 658
Consider using an award booking service.
Award booking services - a list and some reviews
Award booking services - a list and some reviews
We learned about these services here, and it's made a *huge* difference in our ability to fly premium (J or F) with an airline we like (or avoid the few we prefer not to use is more accurate), and at about the right time.
We are fortunate to be able to be somewhat flexible most of the time, so that definitely helps.
The agent/service can usually find routings we wouldn't have thought about. In some cases, it might be a bit longer in flying time, but we get where we want to go, and in comfort.
This has been especially helpful on short notice. Although there are never any guarantees, we have yet to be disappointed...
GC