Review of China Airlines.
This program was reviewed and rated by our editors in June 2005. Changes in the program past this date are possible, especially program partner information. We recommend you subscribe to the #1 source of frequent flyer information, Inside Flyer Magazine, to get the most current information possible.
Don't let the name confuse you. China Airlines is not a part of the People's Republic of China. In fact, it does not even have regularly scheduled flights to mainland China; passengers bound there must fly through Hong Kong and transfer to another airline. Instead, China Airlines is the state-owned airline of the Republic of China, and has been based proudly in Taipei, Taiwan since 1959. It's come a long way since the days of two PBY Amphibian aircraft and 26 employees -- today, China Airlines' 65 aircraft serve 49 cities in 22 countries. Its frequent flyer program, Dynasty Flyer, is one of the oldest in the Asian market, having started up way back in 1989. Dynasty Flyer is not the largest or best-known program in Asia, but it certainly deserves the consideration of the business traveler, as it offers some important benefits that most other Asian programs do not.
What I liked. 1. Service. The service on this airline was wonderful. The staff of stewards and stewardesses would bend over backwards to please the passengers, and still never lose their smiles! The service was wonderful from the time you present your boarding pass and passport to the time, get on the plane, get served your first hot towel to help you refresh and wash your hands to the serving of the dinner on the 14-hour flight, to snacks, getting some juice or free wine, or asking for an extra pillow or blanket. I am extremely happy with the service from China Airlines, I wonder what they do for the passengers in First Class! 2. The plane. I flew out of L. A. on a deluxe Boeing 747. I always thought the 747 was the Cadillac of the skies, and have flown on the newer 767 and 777. I still think the 747 is the classic design and style and has the room for comfort of the passengers in mind, even if you are in economy class. 3. Baggage Handling. Bag check in was easy and quick with China Airlines. My two bags were way under the weight limit and they were whisked away to the plane without further ado. I was allowed to bring on two carry on bags as well, my backpack and my laptop computer bag. My bags were there when I got to Taipei, before I came down to baggage claim. 4. Free Entertainment Fun. Three movies were played to keep you occupied if you did not want to sleep on the fourteen hour flight. The Bourne Supremacy, The Incredibles and the terrible King Arthur were played. They also had what Korean Airlines had on the big screen, a real time map of where in the world we were (mostly over the Pacific Ocean), our air speed in mph and kmh as well as wind speed, time at the point of departure and the arrival place, our jet speed, and all kinds of goodies. Besides this is music on a variety of channels, some magazines, and things like this. 5. Price. I paid about $700 for this one-way flight from L. A. to Taipei, but remember it was on very short notice. I know if you book directly with the airline you can get a much better deal, especially for a roundtrip ticket. So, all in all, I had a wonderful experience with China Airlines. I just graduated back in December from university with my bachelors degree and got employed in Taiwan as an English teacher. China Airlines was my first positive experience on my way to the unknown experiences (then) awaiting me in Taiwan living and working in a new environment and country. I will
Flight awards are divided into two types: Short-haul (between any two points in Asia) and long-haul (Between Asia and the U.S., Canada, Europe or Australia). Basic short-haul awards begin at 35,000 miles. Veterans of other programs might consider that level high -- after all, most U.S. programs offer domestic tickets for 25,000 miles. And for a Dynasty Flyer member using the award for a truly short trip, they'd be right. But when you consider the vastness of the Asian continent, and realize that 35,000 miles can get you to any point on it, the award clearly has some value. Roundtrip coach trips to points outside Asia run from 100,000 to 150,000 miles, depending on class of service. Upgrade awards are also available, and again are divided into intra and extra-Asian classes. Within Asia, they'll run between 15,000 and 30,000 miles; outside of Asia, you're looking at between 30,000 and 60,000 miles. All flight and upgrade awards are subject to blackout dates, though those restrictions may be overcome with more miles.
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PARTNERSHIPS:
MemberRating: 4.21
OurRating: 7.00
China Airlines offers not only a large number of partners, but a wide variety, as well. Dynasty Flyer is allied with no less than 11 credit card and financial partners, including AMRO Bank, American Express, Cathay United Bank, Macoto Bank, Hsinchu International Bank, Cosmos Bank, Taishin Bank, Union Bank of Taiwan, The Chinese Bank, Shin Kong Commercial, and E.Sun Bank. Hotel partners include the Grand Formosa Regent Taipei Hotel, Hyatt, Mandarin Oriental, Priority Club, Regal and Shangri-La. The partner list is rounded out by car rental partner Hertz and telecommunications partner Sparq.
probably fly this airline again and again. They fly to all kinds of destinations in Asia, from Phnom Phen to Hong Kong, Hanoi, Seoul, Manila, Jakarta and more places than you can shake a stick at. My recommendation is strong for this airline. United States based airlines could learn a thing or two from the Asian airlines such as this
