Yesterday the 2015 Delta SkyMiles program launched. While overall it’s bad news for those that actually fly the airline frequently, for those looking to redeem SkyMiles, it was arguably a positive change.
One way awards became bookable for half the cost of a roundtrip, and Delta actually introduced a functional award calendar on their website, which makes it possible to search award availability much more easily. The only loss was that stopovers on roundtrip award tickets are no longer possible.
But it looks like there’s some more great news — China Eastern and China Southern award tickets are now bookable on delta.com.
Redeem Delta SkyMiles for China Eastern
China Eastern has a pretty extensive route network out of Shanghai. Their North America destinations include Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Toronto, and Vancouver.
As you’ll see when doing an award search on delta.com, they have excellent business class award availability, with typically two business class award seats per flight.
There are fuel surcharges, though they’re not too bad, at ~$200 each way between North America and Asia.
Keep in mind that China Eastern has a fantastic new reverse herringbone business class product on their Boeing 777-300ERs, which they’re in the process of putting on their routes to Los Angeles and New York.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EMk7_yviZk
Redeem Delta SkyMiles for China Southern
China Southern’s hub is in Guangzhou. Their North America destinations from there include Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Vancouver.
Award availability on China Southern is also generally quite good, typically with two business class award seats per flight.
Much like on China Eastern, there are mild fuel surcharges for China Southern redemptions.
The Los Angeles to Guangzhou route is operated by an A380, which features a very good business class hard product. The business class hard product is the same on the new Boeing 777-300ER they’re flying between New York and Guangzhou.
Bottom line
With the business class hard products improving on the Chinese airlines, these are much more compelling redemption opportunities. And being able to search and book the space directly on Delta’s website is great news.
(Tip of the hat to Mac)
I also can't find any availability on delta.com or expert flyer. Delta rep saw zero availability for any class. What just happened?
All availability for china eastern, and china southern seemed to disappear from delta now. Not a single flight available
Just flew China Southern to Bali and back from Taipei. While the hard product was fine, the soft was lacking...and I speak Chinese, so there's not a language issue there! Arrived in CAN on a red-eye and at the lounge I asked for a sleeping room so that my exhausted 5yo could get some sleep over our long layover. It's upstairs said the receptionist. It wasn't until I was upstairs trying to figure out where...
Just flew China Southern to Bali and back from Taipei. While the hard product was fine, the soft was lacking...and I speak Chinese, so there's not a language issue there! Arrived in CAN on a red-eye and at the lounge I asked for a sleeping room so that my exhausted 5yo could get some sleep over our long layover. It's upstairs said the receptionist. It wasn't until I was upstairs trying to figure out where the sleeping rooms were that I realized the other staff person was leading me as she never spoke to me or acknowledge my presence until she unlocked the door and said "over here." Then, the sleeping room was hampered by the fact that the staff hallway was adjacent and I could hear them holler to each other from the lounge to the hallway, "I'm out of spoons/cups/etc - bring me some more!"
I think only international long haul is bookable now. short haul domestic China flights are not showing to me.
Can't get non-stop flights to show up for me. Tried several routes and dates.
@ MichaelP -- What routes are you looking at?
Does this include flights within China, or just to/from USA?
@ Yves -- It should include flights within China as well.
The China Southern map is wrong. The SFO-CAN (Tu, Th, Sa) flight goes through Wuhan, and is not nonstop, (though a M, W, F, Su nonstop will start in June) so the map should have SFO-WUH-CAN and SFO-CAN on it.
Hi Lucky, thanks for this information...
I have a question regarding booking domestic CZ or MU flights via Delta. Are they bookable through Delta website or I have to call? Can I connect to domestic CZ or Mu flight in the same ticket? Thank you very much!
@ SCUT -- Hmmm, I believe in theory it should be bookable online, though I also think they code the forward cabin as first class rather than business class, so I don't believe you can redeem SkyMiles for the premium cabins on those flights.
wonder whether you would live to ride China Southern again, haha
Well there goes that well kept secret!