Skyteam members KLM, Air France, China Eastern and Xiamen Airlines team up with China Southern to bring you cheap business class fares to major Chinese cities Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. These fares start at €1,317 and necessitate one or two layovers on each trip.
Search & Book
These fares are available until October 30, 2019. They apply to flights that consist of at least one night from Saturday to Sunday and a maximum stay of one month. Furthermore, there is no limitation of travel time, flights can be booked up to May 31, 2020.
Google Flights shows great availability for all four destinations. You can use Google Flights (instructions) to find the best dates and book the flights at KLM.com or whichever airlines is shown issuing the ticket. Fares found our Travel-Dealz search can be up to €100 cheaper. However, we recommend to book premium fares directly at the airlines’ website.
Why is booking with an airline better than with an online travel agency?
More often than not, online travel agencies offer lower fares than airlines do. We still recommend booking with the airlines directly. There are two main reasons for that:
Better Customer Service
In case any problems like delays, cancellations or missed connections arise, you can communicate directly with the airline. The airline has to take care of you because you have a contract with them.
If a travel agency issues your ticket, you may have to reach out to them first. You also depend on your OTA to forward information like flight changes instead of receiving them directly from the airline. In many cases, you may get a prime exhibition of responsibility shifting rather than problem-solving.
This especially applies to premium tickets. You don’t want to spend more than €1,000 to wind up with some budget OTA’s telephone hotline in case anything goes wrong.
Baggage and Other Fees
Economy fares not including hold luggage are industry standard by now. In most cases, travel agencies charge much higher baggage fees than the airlines themselves. If bags are not included in your fare, airlines are often the cheaper alternative.
This also applies to other things like food services, insurances or priority treatment. In almost all cases, you pay less for additional amenities when booking on the airlines’ website.
Mileage
The booking class for long haul flights is I. This results in at least a 100% mileage credit for these segments. Meanwhile, inner European flights or Chinese domestic flights, that are part of some itineraries, are booking class J. Since issuing and operating airlines vary widely, we can’t give any accurate mileage information for your trip. The above Budapest to Shanghai roundtrip will probably be credited like this:
- 14,732 Miles on CSA OK Plus
- 12,112 RDM + 2,422 MQD on Delta SkyMiles
- 11,814 Award Miles + 2,086 Tier Miles on Saudia Alfursan
- 11,516 Miles on MEA Cedar Miles
- 11,516 Award Miles + 1,788 Tier Miles on Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles
- 9,728 Award Miles + 30 XP on Flying Blue
- 9,728 Award Miles on American AAdvantage
- 9,728 Avios on British Airways Executive Club
- 4,800 Award Miles + 80 Tier Points on Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- 2,500 Miles on Aeromexico Club Premier
- 2,086 Award Miles on Etihad Guest
- 1,788 Miles on GOL Aéreos Smiles
- 1,500 Miles on Aerolíneas Argentinas AerolíneasPlus
- 1,490 Points on Malaysia Airlines Enrich
- 1,490 Miles on Korean Air Skypass
- 1,490 Miles on Garuda Indonesia GarudaMiles
- 1,490 Miles on Air Europa Suma
Information & Tips for China
China is the most populous and the third largest country in the world, so naturally, there is a lot to see. The most touristically important cities are the capital of China, Beijing and the financial and trade center Shanghai.
Best Time to Travel
Since the country is vast and extends over several climate zones, there is no best travel time for China. China is connected to Europe through numerous direct flights and the travel time is about 11-13 hours. Flights to China can be found for less than 400€ throughout the year, and there are also often excellent Business Class fares.
A general advice is that travel should be avoided during the Chinese national holidays, which span over the first two weeks of October. During these time tourist destinations are overcrowded with Chinese tourists on their domestic vacation.
Visa for China
Most European citizens will need a visa to enter China.
You can apply for a tourist visa at a Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) in your country. There you’ll hand in your visa application personally and can pick it up again after a few days. There is no faster and cheaper way.
Alternatively, you can apply for a visa by mail. The processing time will be up to two weeks, and you’ll have to pay for extra for shipping.
There are also so-called Visa services available that sometimes offer a faster (and maybe even cheaper) way to get your Visa. Check local sites to find out more.
→ All Dealz for China
Information & Tips for Beijing
China’s capital Beijing is full of historically and contemporary important buildings. Most of them concentrate arround Tian’anmen square – which is sorrounded by government buildings and the entrance to the Forbidden City, the palace that hosted China’s emperors for more than 500 years. Beijing itself is full of attraction that take weeks to discover, but the fun doesn’t end there. Just a 90-minute bus ride away is The Great Wall at Badaling, the best known section of the Great Wall of China.
The Best Time to Visit
Beijing is located in a continental climate zone and is known for its hot, humid summers and its harsh, cold winters. Therefore, the best times to visit are from late March through May and late August through November.
Please be aware that during the Chinese National holidays, usually two weeks after October 1st, the city is overcrowded with Chinese tourists and should be avoided.
From the airport to the city
Beijing Capital Airport, the second busiest worldwide, is very well-connected by public transport. It is served by a regular subway line and an express rail way to the edge of the city centre, which takes 20 Minutes and costs about €3 one way. Further, there are 18 bus lines to different parts of the city (costing €3-5). Of course, taxis are an option as well. A trip to the city centre costs around €12-15, but often take over an hour.
It is not possible to rent a car in China without a Chinese drivers licence.
→ All Dealz for Beijing
Information & Tips for Shanghai
Shanghai is the most important financial and commercial center of China. But not only business travelers are welcome here. Also, regular tourists can get there money’s worth. And this is great because the city is connected to many major airports and therfor we’ll often present you with good deals for flights to Shanghai.
Best Time to Visit
Since Shanghai is located in a subtropical climate zone, spring and autumn are the best travel times thanks to moderate temperatures and a few rainy days. April, May, September, and October are particularly suitable for a visit to the Chinese city thanks to the low rainfall and humidity.
From the airport to the city
Shanghai Pudong Airport is located 40km east of the city center. Probably the fastest and most exciting method is the Maglev. The magnetic levitation train takes only 7 minutes, and with costs of around 5€ it is also a rather inexpensive (and of course faster!) alternative to a taxi, which would cost about 20€.
→ All Dealz for Shanghai
Information & Tips for Guangzhou
Guangzhou is better known as Canton in western counties. It is the most influential metropolis in Southern China. Although in these days it is overshadowed by neighbouring cities Shenzhen and Hong Kong (both can be reached by car within an hour), Guangzhou has a much larger legacy than those flashy up-and-comers. Its name is patron to both dialect and culture of the whole region – Cantonese. The city features large, green parks and a buzzing city center. Strolling through the lovely colonial district or having a look at the majestic Pearl River will make your stay in Guangzhou worthwile.
Best Time to Visit
Winters are mild and dry, whereas summers are hot with rainfall and high humidity. The best time to travel is from October to early December when the weather is sunny, cool and therefore very pleasant.
From the Airport to the City
Guangzhou Baiyun Int’l Airport is homebase to China Southern Airlines and one of the busiest in the country. It is well connected to the city center by a metro line. The trip takes 30 minutes to get downtown and costs around €1. Further there are eleven bus lines that connect the airport directly to points of interest like Guangzhou Railway Station, taking about an hour. These are priced around €4. A taxi ride will take 60-90 minutes and costs approx. €15.
→ All Dealz for Guangzhou
Information & Tips for Xiamen
Located in the South East of China at the Taiwan Straight, Xiamen is one of the favorite domestic destinations of Chinese tourists. The city center is located on an island and known for its beautiful parks and lakes. Beautiful beaches are near, as well. Further, a short ferry ride will take you to Gulangyu Island – which offers lots of eye pleasing colonial architecture.
Best Time to Visit
Being located in a subtropical climate zone, Xiamen is very humid all year round. A monsoon period that stretches from April through August makes it less attractive to visit in those times. The best times to visit are September through November, when the daily average is around twenty degrees Celsius. Travelling during the Chinese national holidays (two weeks after October 1st) should be avoided.
From the airport to the city
Xiamen Airlines’ main hub Xiamen Gaoqi Airport is located on the edge of the island that hosts the city center. It isn’t connected by railway or metro, but a taxi downtown will take approx. twenty minutes and cost around 5€. In addition, several shuttle buses leave reguarly to points of interest like the railway station or the ferry terminal for 10RMB (1,20€). There you can connect to Xiamen’s public transport system.
→ All Dealz for Xiamen
Cover Picture: © Fotolia.com / aphotostory