Sky Pearl Club - China Southern Airlines
Unlike LAN and other airlines that offer 1.5 kilometers per SPG point, China Southern Airlines uses a 1:1 exchange rate for points to kilometers. This means that you will get around 30 percent less value per point when compared to a program that uses miles. There are, however, quite a few different ways to go about earning miles in this program. Those who frequently travel with this airline and their partners will definitely want to take the time to look into this loyalty program because of everything it has to offer overall.
- Pros
- Free hotel stay ❸
- Cons
- No stopovers
- Transfer points issue ❹
- Overpriced destinations ❶
- Only one 1 : 1 transfer partner
- Partners cannot be booked online
- Most partners impose fuel surcharge
- Fees & Charges
- Change award fee ❷$16
- Expiration: Miles expire 12 months since last activity.
- For some programs, an activity is any accrual of miles, crediting a flight, transfering or purchasing miles. For others, spending activities such as redeeming or donating points counts as an activity.
- ❶ Award flights between the U.S. and most other regions.
- ❷ Only date and time changes allowed
- ❸ Hotel stay for free: in case layovers are more than 8 hours (including award flights)
- ❹ Unlike LAN and other airlines that offer 1.5 kilometers per SPG point, China Southern Airlines uses a 1:1 exchange rate for points to kilometers. This means that you will get around 30 percent less value per point when compared to a program that uses miles.
Transfer Partners
Transfer time is what is reported by the transfer programs, supplemented by our own research. However, actual time to transfer is often highly variable.
Airlines and Fuel Surcharge
This table will show you the partner airlines can be booked online and those which impose fuel surcharge.
Airline |
Online Booking |
Fuel Surcharge |
Alliance |
---|---|---|---|
Aeroflot
|
|
|
SkyTeam
|
Aerolíneas Argentinas
|
|
|
SkyTeam
|
AeroMexico
|
|
|
SkyTeam
|
Air Europa
|
|
|
SkyTeam
|
Air France
|
|
|
SkyTeam
|
Alitalia
|
|
|
SkyTeam
|
China Airlines
|
|
|
SkyTeam
|
China Eastern Airlines
|
|
|
SkyTeam
|
China Southern Airlines
|
|
|
No alliance
|
Czech Airlines
|
|
|
SkyTeam
|
Airline |
Online Booking |
Fuel Surcharge |
Alliance |
---|---|---|---|
Delta Air Lines
|
|
|
SkyTeam
|
Garuda Indonesia
|
|
|
SkyTeam
|
Kenya Airways
|
|
|
SkyTeam
|
KLM Royal Dutch
|
|
|
SkyTeam
|
Korean Air
|
|
|
SkyTeam
|
MEA
|
|
|
SkyTeam
|
Saudia Airlines
|
|
|
SkyTeam
|
TAROM
|
|
|
SkyTeam
|
Vietnam Airlines
|
|
|
SkyTeam
|
XiamenAir
|
|
|
SkyTeam
|
Program Review
Program Review
China Southern Airlines, located in Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China, is the sixth-largest airline in terms of passengers carried, fleet size, and revenue. Moreover, it's the world's fourth-largest airline in domestic flight traffic. The airline provides its passengers with more than 193 available destinations with about 500 aircrafts fleet.
Since July 1, 1988, China Southern Airlines succeeded in implementing a number of domestic flights. With Air China and China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines form a "Big Free" airline group of China. Nowadays, the airline is a part of SkyTeam.
Sky Pearl Club Program
The Sky Pearl Club program allows its members to earn points in a number of ways, which can be redeemed for a variety of rewards. Some of the different rewards that you can enjoy as an earning member of this program include free award flights, hotel reservations, car rentals, and cabin upgrades when flying with China Southern Airlines or one of their many partners. You will definitely want to take the time to look into this program before deciding whether or not you want to join. In the end, you will be glad you did this research.
Earning Sky Pearl Club Points
As a Sky Pearl Club member, there are a number of different ways that you can go about earning points that can be redeemed for various rewards later on. You can earn points when flying with China Southern Airlines or their partners. It’s true that you can earn FFP mileage, but that is certainly not the only way. You will also be able to earn points wherever you stay at a hotel, rent a car, use your credit card, dine out, or take advantage of telecommunication services.
If you want to earn points with the flights you take, you will need to provide your Sky Pearl Club membership number upon making your reservation. Make sure that the name on the ticket you purchased is the same as that of your mileage account. There are many different partner airlines that you can earn points by flying with as well, including Aeroflot, Aeromexico, AirFrance, Delta, Korean Air, and many more.
You will also be able to earn points through this program by simply staying at certain hotels, including Shangri-la, Marriot, and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. When you choose to stay at one of these hotels, you have to present your Sky Pearl Club membership card when checking it. Don't forget to save the hotel bill - you will have the opportunity to use it when the appropriate mileage is published to your Sky Pearl Club Account.
Redeeming Mileage Points
When you have accrued enough points in the Sky Pearl Club program, you will be able to redeem them for a number of things. You can use your miles for an award ticket, and to book one you will need to visit the official China Southern Airlines website. You will also be able to use their mobile app or call China Southern Airlines’ hotline. The official website for this airline will provide you with a quick and easy way to book award flights with the miles you have accrued. You can also use this website for cabin upgrades on flights you have booked so you can travel in comfort.
Benefits of China Southern Airlines’ Sky Pearl Club Program
You will quickly discover that there are lots of great things about the Sky Pearl Club program, including the fact that you can take advantage of one-way redemptions. There are low change fees as well, so you won’t have to worry about spending a ton of money if you want to change a flight you have booked. You also get a free hotel stay if your layover exceeds eight hours, even on award flights. The fact that this program makes it so easy to earn points and redeem rewards are also worth considering before deciding whether or not to sign up.
Elite Levels
There are a couple of different Elite membership levels that you can work your way up to once you have accumulated enough points. Get acquainted with the available level types listed below:
Silver Level: Possessors of such elite level are welcome to use via application services, get a 15-percent mileage bonus on flights, confirm economy reservation within 72 hours before departure, and check-in at the Silver counter. In addition, the members can access the business class lounge, receiving business class service for flight delays, and the opportunity to get a priority standby. They are also allowed to consider extra baggage up to 10 kg or a piece.
Gold Level: The level owners automatically get a 30-percent mileage bonus and extra baggage allowance up to 20 kg. They are provided with the option to access the first class lounge, check-in at the Gold counter, and confirm economy reservation within 48 hours before their departure.
Booking Fees/Charges
One of the great things about the Sky Pearl Club rewards program is the fact that the change fees are only $16 to $32.
Redeem on Upgrades
You will be able to use the miles you accumulate in this rewards program for class upgrades to enjoy better service. If you want to book an upgrade, you can call China Southern Airlines hotline or go on their official website. On this airline’s website, you will be able to look at charts that will give you detailed information on flight upgrades.
Routing Rules
Those who fly with China Southern Airlines can use the award tickets for one-way, round-way, or even open-jaw. But it's important to know that open-jaw isn't permitted for China Southern Award ticket. Note that the mileage plan bases on a single segment.
Cobranded Credit Cards
Some members of this rewards program may be able to earn points just by using their credit card. The Pudong Development Bank offers a co-branded credit card in this program. Your credit card points are automatically converted into miles and immediately posted to your account as flight mileage when using a co-branded credit card.
Update 12.11.2018
China Southern Airlines decides to discontinue its membership agreement with SkyTeam Alliance from January 1, 2020.