Beijing flights using points – help planning

[bluesong]

Hi, looking for some pointers.

I’m new to redemptions and trip planning so appreciate this is a lot to ask. If anyone could recommend a process and tools they use I’d be grateful.

I’d like to take a trip to Beijing to visit a friend, either in October 2024 or Spring 2025. If possible, I’d like to burn some points to fund the flights and ideally in business.

I intend to use the 144 hour ‘Visa-Free Transit’ scheme, so would add a 3rd country destination – Seoul maybe? I’d be happy to pay cash using a low-cost carrier for this leg.

I’m flexible on departure airport and number of stops. I live in the North West of England.

I have the following points balances:
– 112,150 Amex
– 93,947 American
– 5,311 Virgin

Additionally my wife (would not be travelling) has:
– 67,225 Virgin
– Virgin credit card 2-4-1 voucher

Thanks!

[NorthernLass]

I think Hainan Airways is the only carrier direct from MAN to PEK, and no idea if they participate in any of the points schemes. Cathay goes to HKG, and can in theory be booked with avios, but I don’t know what availability is like.

Avios pricing on BA starts at 90k plus £237-ish each way from LHR (and your domestic connection would be free), so if you converted your Amex points, they would get you either there or back in CW, or both ways in PE, as long as you could travel on off-peak dates. You may have left it a bit late for October, but there’s more availability in the spring months.

Virgin did fly to Shanghai from LHR but I think the route is being pulled imminently.

I’m not sure whether American Airlines do any routes east from Europe, but there may be partner options.

Flightconnections .com is a good tool for route planning. SeatSpy is a reasonably accurate (but not 100%) guide to award seat availability. Both give a higher level of info if you subscribe (or you can ask on here for someone to check).

[bluesong]

Many thanks, this has really helped! I’ve seen an interesting route from BHX via DOH on Qatar that I can book through AA which would add an extra interesting stop on to my tour.