China Airlines Business Class For 2+ People
Hello from Glasgow!
Business class award space to Asia has been tough to find recently, but China Airlines continues to be a great option from the west coast. There are plenty of dates with space for at least two people and some dates with space for up to 8.
Even if Taipei isn't your final destination (though, you should visit!), this is a great option to Asia. You can even include a stopover with Flying Blue.
Now, let's get into the details!
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Straight To The Points:
Routes: LAX/ONT/SFO-TPE
Operating airline: China Airlines
Class of service: Business class
Dates: October 2023 - June 2024
Seats available: 2 (Up to 8)
Cabin layout: 1-2-1
Book with (nonstop, per person, one-way):
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue:
- YVR: 80,500 miles
- SFO: 87,500 miles
- LAX/ONT: 92,000 miles
- *Delta SkyMiles:
- One-way: 280,000 miles
- 90,000 miles if you fly to/from Mexico
- Round-trip: 550,000 miles
- Korean Air SkyPass: 155,000 miles (round-trip only)
- Qantas Frequent Flyer: 104,500 points
*No Surcharges
Taxes/fees (per person, one-way):
- From US: $5.60
- From Taipei: ~$34
- Surcharges:
- From US: ~$95
- From Taipei: ~$72
Bank transfer partners:
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue: Amex, Bilt, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Marriott
- Capital One: 20% transfer bonus
- Delta SkyMiles: Amex, Marriott
- Korean SkyPass: Marriott
- Qantas Frequent Flyer: Amex, Capital One, Citi, Marriott
Say up to date with your Current Transfer Bonuses page.
Let me know if you book!
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Flight Experience
China Airlines provides a solid business class product. The cabin is arranged in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone layout so everyone has a lie-flat seat and direct aisle access. If you fly out of Taipei, make sure you order from the noodle bar at the business class lounge.
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Available Dates
LAX-TPE
January: 22, 28
February: 11, 12, 19-21, 26-28
March: 5, 6, 11, 13, 20, 25-27
April: 1-4, 8-11, 16-18, 23, 24, 29
May: 1, 6, 8, 13-15, 20-23, 27-30
June: 11-13
TPE-LAX
October: 4, 5, 9-12, 17-19, 23-25
November: 1, 7, 9, 14, 15
January: 23, 25
February: 6, 14, 20, 22, 26
March: 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 14, 18-21, 25-27
April: 1, 8-11, 15-17, 22-24, 29, 30
May: 1, 2, 6-9, 13-16, 20-23, 27-30
June: 3-5, 10-13, 17, 18
ONT-TPE
January: 23, 24
February: 12, 26, 27, 29
March: 4, 6, 11, 12, 20, 26, 28
April: 1-3, 9, 11, 5-18, 22-24, 29, 30
May: 1, 2, 6, 9, 13-16, 20-22, 27-30
TPE-ONT
November: 1, 2, 7-9
December: 6, 12, 13
January: 24, 29, 30
February: 21, 26-29
March: 4, 11-14, 18, 20, 25-27
April: 2, 4, 8-11, 15, 22-24, 29, 30
May: 1, 2, 6-9, 13-16, 20-23, 28-30
June: 3-6, 10-13
SFO-TPE
January: 14, 20, 22, 29
February: 12, 13, 20-22, 26-29
March: 6, 11, 12, 14, 18, 21, 25-27
April: 1-4, 9-11, 15-18, 22-25, 29, 30
May: 1, 2, 6-9, 13-16, 20-22, 26, 28-30
TPE-SFO
February: 12, 15, 20, 21, 26, 29
March: 4-7, 11-14, 18-21, 25-27
April: 1, 4, 8-11, 15-18, 22-25, 30
May: 1, 2, 6-9, 13-16, 20-23, 27-30
June: 3-5, 10-13, 17, 18
YVR-TPE
November: 21, 22, 27, 29
January: 15-18, 22-24, 29
February: 19-21, 28
March: 4-6, 12-14, 18-20, 25-27
April: 15-18, 22-25, 29
May: 2, 6, 9, 14, 15, 20-23, 27, 28, 30
June: 3-6, 11
TPE-YVR
November: 6-9, 13, 15, 21, 29
January: 22, 24
February: 21, 22, 26, 29
March: 4-7, 11-14, 26
April: 23, 24, 29, 30
May: 2, 6-8, 13, 20, 23, 27, 29, 30
June: 4-6, 10-13
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Best Ways To Book
Air France-KLM Flying Blue: Best Overall
Flying Blue is your best option with award rates starting at 80,500 miles one-way to/from Vancouver. With Capital One's 20% transfer bonus, you'd only need to transfer 67,100 points.
While it might be possible to add a domestic connection on Delta or a connection within Asia, that could increase the award rate. However, Flying Blue now allows free stopovers on one-way award tickets on partners.
Delta SkyMiles: No Surcharges, But The Award Rate Is Steep
For those positioning from the east coast or central US, you could book a separate positioning flight to Mexico City to start your award ticket from there. Doing so would allow you to book for 90,000 SkyMiles one-way compared to 280,000 miles from the US.
Inconvenient? Sure. Fun side trip to Mexico? Also yes.
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How To Book
If you don't know the exact dates you want to fly, I would search with Delta.
- Enter the origin & destination
- Select Roundtrip or One-way
- Select the number of passengers
- Select your date(s)
- Select "Shop with Miles"
- Select Advanced search
- Under "Best Fares For", select Delta One
- Run the search
- Select Price Calendar to see additional dates
- Click on Filter then select Non Stop
- Select a date with availability
- Select your flight
- Complete the booking
Once you know the exact dates you want, you can run the search with Air France/KLM you'll be using to book. As always, I recommend confirming the program you're using sees the award space before you transfer points.
To include a stopover with Flying Blue, you'll need to call to book your award ticket (800-375-8723)
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Final Thoughts
If you've never been to Taipei, I strongly recommend it if you like food, nature, friendly people, etc. I'd also suggest using the high speed rail system to explore more of the island from Chiayi to Kaohsiung and more.
Happy booking!
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