Best program for trip from USA to China?
 

It looks like I may need to take two trips to China next year, probably Guangzhou or Shanghi.

I was wondering what the best airlines are for going from the USA East Coast to here, I mean which have the best mileage deals, so I can start getting my LD, credit card and such to generate miles in the best program ASAP.

Right now I mostly have USair and American miles.

You may want to take a look at this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum71/HTML/006925.html

For your US account, NW can get you to Shanghai and HKG (take the train or something else from there to Guangdong). You earn US miles for NW trans-Pacific flights but they're not Q-miles (if it matters).

For AA miles, there is that CX offer but you will have to go on another carrier from HKG to either mainland destination. Alternatively, you can fly on JL (more U.S. gateways) via NRT, or OZ via SEL. JL and OZ flights earn miles but not q- or elite miles on AA.

As a DL GM, it was tough for me to choose UA from CLT to Shaghai (PVG- the new airport built for APEC). In hindsight, it would have been better for me to use KAL (Skyteam) to get the additional elite miles. Flew Biz (new 744 layout) on UA which was great {CLT-ORD-SFO-PVG}. Shanghai is awesome!
By the way the "ChiComs" are the best capitalist on earth. They are doing a major end-run on the west.

on AAdvantage

guangzhou: CX to HKG, then either by land of take CZ to Guangzhou.

shanghai: AA to NRT, then i believe there is a MU operated AA code-share to take you to SHA.

in both case you could accumulate Q-miles and Q-points. remember to register for the platinum challenge b4 u fly

Welcome to Flyertalk!
Not sure where you are from, but if you live in a Hub city, then choosing that carrier would be the best for you.