This deal was featured first on Thrifty Traveler Premium!
Subscribe to Premium to get instant notifications for international flight deals from your city.
Delta has launched a nationwide SkyMiles flash to China, with round-trip flights to Beijing (PEK) and Shanghai (PVG) starting at just 40,000 SkyMiles round-trip in economy – down from the norm of between 70,000 and 120,000 SkyMiles.
And it's not just huge hubs like Los Angeles (LAX) and New York City (JFK) getting the cheap rates. There are great deals available nationwide from almost every airport with Delta service, including tiny airports from Albuquerque (ABQ) to Wichita (ICT) for just 40,000 SkyMiles each.
You'll find the best rates flying into either Beijing or Shanghai, though not every city can snag flights into both cities at these low prices. Cheap rates are available from September all the way through May.
Thrifty Tip #1: When booking, make sure to select “Calendar View” and “5 weeks” to maximize the dates viewable.
Thrifty Tip #2: Not interested in visiting the big metropolitan cities of China? Head onward to three of our favorite cities in China! Or go check out the Great Wall! And some incredible National Parks, too.
Thrifty Tip #3: If you're staying in China, all U.S. citizens need a visa. Read up on what you need to enter the country.
Availability into Shanghai (PVG) and Beijing (PEK)
- Travel September – May, 2020
- To book these fares, search for flights at Delta.com and select “Shop with Miles”
- Restrictions: None
Departure Cities
Check your local airport!
Destinations:
Beijing (PEK)
Shanghai (PVG)
Our Analysis
If going to China is on your wish list, don't sleep on this deal.
Flying to China for 40,000 SkyMiles round trip is an incredible deal. It's less than you'll find on some pricey domestic flights. And in many cases, it's less than Delta would charge you for a one-way ticket to China.
SkyMiles flash sales like this one are a big part of the reason why we value SkyMiles so highly. They're one of the best ways to use your Delta miles.
Many sales like this one only offer dirt-cheap prices from just a handful of airports, but that's not the case here. The 40,000 SkyMile price is widely available, and you can get to China from almost anywhere in the nation for between 40,000 and 60,000 SkyMiles.
Unfortunately, the Delta Hub Penalty is in full effect here: While it's still a decent deal at 60,000 miles, rates are higher from hubs like Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP), Detroit (DTW), Atlanta (ATL), and others.
Elsewhere, it's much lower. And with just $35 to $50 or so in fees on each ticket, this deal can't be ignored – especially from small towns where flights to China are typically $1,400 or much more.
Bottom Line
Delta continues to outdo itself with these flash sales.
It's why we value SkyMiles more than most – you won't find another airline that can get you to China and back for just 40,000 miles.
Delta can be tough to grasp because it doesn't have an award chart, and that means they often charge an arm and a leg for an award flight. But that freedom also comes with tremendous upside – a great sale like this.
Is this actually on delta or is it a partner airline
These are all Delta fares, no partners.