It’s the West Coast’s turn for a China Eastern business class mileage run!
Here’s an LAX to Jakarta mileage trip pricing at $1995.25 on Expedia. Here’s a direct link to the deal I found. (If the price is higher, try searching for other dates.)
The trip should yield nearly $7400 MQD when you credit the trip to your Delta Air Lines SkyMiles account — that’s the important part.
Like the JFK run we blogged earlier, you’ll stay overnight and have a full day in Jakarta. (It looks like there are options to stay longer if you like.)
- Cost: $1995.95
- Dates: Departures on February 19, 21, 22, and 25.
- Route: LAX-PVG-CGK-PVG-LAX
- Class: China Eastern I between LAX and PVG. China Eastern J between PVG and CGK.
- Miles Flown (estimated via Unofficial SkyMiles Calculator): 18,458
- MQD (est): $7383.20 (because China Eastern’s I and J classes earn 40% of mileage flown)
- MQM: (est): 30,348 (6.6 CPM)
- SkyMiles (est): 36,916 (plus medallion bonus: Diamond + 120%; Platinum + 80%; Gold + 60%; Silver + 40%)
Readers CarolK and Peter — China Eastern mileage runs veterans — noted in another post you do not need a China Visa to connect through Shanghai as long as you’re going to a third country.
Where to Book
China Eastern’s website = yuck.
Try the deal’s direct link at Expedia.
My pal Carol generally has success through Travelocity, Momondo, and JustFly. (You can earn up to $16 cashback on JustFly if you start your purchase through TopCashback.) I’ve also had luck finding runs on Expedia.
(Travelocity and Expedia also participate in TopCashback, Rakuten/Ebates, and BeFrugal.)
Our friend Adam (who was featured along with René in the Washington Post a few weeks ago) has a team of people dedicated to finding and booking mileage runs. Get in touch with them for help booking this mileage run — or have them create something especially for you. They’re the best.
Paying for the Trip
Remember to use a credit card that gives you bonus points on your airfare purchases!
2X with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (<– LINK), which also comes with great trip delay and cancellation coverage!
3X on the Chase Ink Business Preferred Card (<– LINK) (3X on the first $150,000 combined spend in categories — such as travel — each anniversary year)
3X with the American Express® Green Card (<– LINK), which awards all travel purchases, including airfare, hotels, rideshare, and more!
3X with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (<– LINK), which also comes with an annual $300 travel credit. Plus, airport lounge access!
Enjoy!
— Chris
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- Don’t miss a single run. Subscribe HERE: www.RenesPoints.com/RunMail
- Need to learn how to find a run? See THIS Rookie post for how-to guide!
- Boost your Delta MQMs with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (<– LINK) or Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card (<– LINK)
- Want a custom built run from your home airport? You can find one here.
- Relax in an airport lounge during your mileage run with one of these cards!
Cover photo: ©iStock.com/hanafichi
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Gosh – this sounds like fun. 10 hours in Shanghai. I’m sure there’s a few lounges to hop around to and since they have a high-speed mag-lev train you could make a mad dash into the city for a meal.
Great run. You can go LAX SIN for $21 more $2016 between Feb 23 and Mar 6 for more less the same MQD MQM and SM. I personally like to explore SIN but CGK is interesting if you have never been there. I have friends in both places. Prices are lower in CGK and during layover at PVG take the train to town and go shopping by the Science Museum. doesn’t open till 9 or 10 am. Great prices but you have to bargain and that is part of the fun. Trip from airport takes about an hour and costs about $1. Only caution is they have some bad viral flu in China now. Hope it isn’t similar to SARS which they had in past. I really like J on MU good product and very attentive FA. Enjoy your trip with 2 runs you could have 13,000 + MQD. Enjoy and thanks for post!
How to get a refund without paying $160 when all the flights are cancelled and customer service is impossible to reach?
@Jason: Try the airline’s Twitter