Saving $19K in fall award travel to China

“A million dreams for the world we're gonna make.” 

In celebration of my wife and me landing new jobs, we decided to spend our first PTO on a trip to China. Val RSVP’ed for a friend’s wedding in Taipei, Taiwan, and I personally wanted to check out Macau after watching a “No Reservations” episode about its culinary scene. We also had to avail my new benefits as a fledgling Disney cast member by exploring its theme parks in Hong Kong and Shanghai. (Yes, we both get free admission as a perk—she has her own spousal pass!) 

What made this trip particularly memorable for me was reaching the 1 Million Miler milestone with Delta! With diligent planning, I redeemed what would have cost $19,333.06 in retail value to just $211.54 in taxes, fees, and booking incidentals. 

That’s a 98.91% savings off the retail price. Nice.

In addition to a photo album and recap reel, I’ve created a travel sheet that outlines our complete hour-by-hour itinerary, expenses, packing, and perspectives for those curious about planning a similar trip to China. 

Breakdown. 

Flights for two people yielded $17,572.26 of value from award redemptions, and we only needed to pay $209.96 in taxes and fees to fly across continents:

• 1 business class flight on Delta One from SEA to TPE retailed for $6,819 and 1 premium select class flight retailed for $1,303. We redeemed 230,000 Delta SkyMiles (and $11.20 in taxes and fees) for 2 premium select seats and applied a Global Upgrade Certificate—but only one of the seats upgraded to Delta One, so I gave that one to Val!
• CPP = 100 * ((6,819+1,303 - 11.20) / 230,000 = 3.53 CPP 
• 2 business class flights on EVA Air from TPE to MFM retailed for $1,060. We redeemed 40,000 Aeroplan points transferred from Capital One Miles (and 123.60 CAD or $85.65 in taxes and fees). 
• CPP = 100 * (1,053.40 - 4.18) / 30,000 = 3.50 CPP 
• 2 business class flights on Cathay Pacific from HKG to PVG approximately retailed for $1,547.  We redeemed 60,000 Avios points via British Airways (and $151.80 in taxes and fees). I applied $50 in airline credits from Val’s AmEx Hilton Aspire Card to lower the taxes and fees to $101.80.
• CPP = 100 * (1,547 - 101.8) / 60,000 = 2.41 CPP
• 2 business class flights on Delta One from PVG to LAX retailed for ¥24,409 per person or $6,843.26 for two people. After applying our 15% Delta SkyMiles card member savings, we redeemed 221,000 Delta SkyMiles (and ¥438 or $61.31 USD in taxes and fees) for Premium Select seats that we later upgraded to Delta One cabins via Global Upgrade Certificates awarded as a Delta Diamond Choice Benefit. I applied $50 in airline credits from my AmEx Hilton Aspire Card to lower the taxes and fees to $11.31.
• CPP = 100 * (6,843.26 - 11.31) / 221,000 = 3.09 CPP 

Accommodations for two people resulted in $1,972.34 of value from award redemptions, and since all of our stays were recouped either through travel credits or through the Hilton Honors point portfolio, we did not have to pay any hidden resort fees:

• 2 nights at the Grand Victoria Hotel (SLH property) retailed for $301.58 USD. We used the $300 annual travel credit on the Capital One Venture X and only paid the $1.58 difference at checkout. 
• 1 night at the Four Seasons Hotel Macao retailed for $256.76 USD. We used the $300 semi-annual Fine Hotel and Resorts statement credit on the AmEx Platinum card for a fully comped stay!
• 2 nights at Conrad Hong Kong in a King Bed Deluxe room retailed for approximately $994 USD. We redeemed 170,000 Hilton Honors points without paying taxes or fees. 
• CPP = 100 * (994 - 0) / 170,000 = 0.58 CPP
• 2 nights at Conrad Shanghai in a King Deluxe room retailed for $420 USD. We redeemed 120,000 Hilton Honors points without paying taxes or fees. As I mentioned in a previous post, Hilton redemptions are usually the most suboptimal among our trips, but we had over a million Hilton Honors points and just want to burn them ASAP.
• CPP = 100 * (420 - 0) / 120,000 = 0.35 CPP

Reviews. 

While I do all of the planning for our trips together, Val contributes by writing reviews of our experiences. 

• Michelin meals:
• Din Tai Fung - Xinyi Branch: This is the original Din Tai Fung location in Taiwan, and the only one with a rightfully deserved Michelin star. The location is now split into separate dine-in and takeout storefronts, roughly 3 minutes apart. There are no reservations, so expect to take a number and wait, even if you arrive right around opening at 10:30 am. A party of two still had to wait about an hour before being seated. Luckily, the nearby Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Park and nearby stores made the time pass more easily. Once seated, service was quick and efficient, and every dish was beautifully presented. The braised eggplant and cold spicy cucumber appetizers were perfectly textured and flavorful. We loved the delicate flavors of their specialty soup dumplings, especially the green squash and truffle pork varieties.  Even the dessert taro dumplings were a highlight, being just the right amount of sweetness. If you plan appropriately and don't expect to be eating for at least another hour, this is definitely a great place to eat a classic Taiwanese meal. 
• Chef Tam's Seasons: This restaurant assembled a standout dinner on our trip in Macau. The decor is spacious, elegant, and grand, creating an ideal balance between luxury and not feeling too crowded. We loved that the restaurant offered both tasting menu and a la carte options, allowing for flexibility without sacrificing that fine-dining experience. The food was delicious and beautifully presented; in particular, the hairy crab bird's nest soup and 3-week-old pigeon leg with gold foil were presented beautifully and tasted delicious. We were also given surprise Jasmine tea canisters at the end for our anniversary, which was a thoughtful gesture. The dessert also included a dessert bar with bite-sized treats that they offered to us continuously and generously. Our special anniversary dinner at Chef Tam's Seasons felt truly special, like we were dining in a palace.
• Forum Restaurant: The restaurant offers both a tasting menu and an la carte menu, and we opted for the tasting menu at lunchtime to get the best sampling of Chinese delicacies. For a small extra charge, they allowed us to swap the traditional boiled soup of the day from the Business Lunch menu for the traditional shark fin soup from the other tasting menu, which we really appreciated. The food was exceptional: we sampled shark fin soup, dim sum, braised abalone, sea whelk, and several other flavorful dishes. The only dish we didn't enjoy as much was the lamb dumpling; the flavor was a bit strong and gamey. We also enjoyed the extensive tea selection and guidance from their tea sommelier, which added an extra layer of sophistication to the meal. The Forum offered a value-laden menu with top-quality dishes and excellent service. It's a great choice for anyone looking to experience more refined Chinese cuisine in Hong Kong.
• Airport lounges and flights:
• Oriental Club Lounge: This lounge was clean, comfortable, and well-organized. Its most unique feature is its soup station, where fresh noodle soups are made to order, with eight varieties to select. There's also a good variety of classic Chinese dishes and light bites, along with a self-serve beverage and bar area. Tables have a QR code for free Wi-Fi, and power outlets are plentiful in the desk-style seating areas, although they are less available near the food section. The atmosphere is calm with attentive staff keeping the area clean. Showers are available for those with extended layovers, although we did not utilize them ourselves this time. Overall, it’s a charming and efficient place to relax or get some work done before your flight while filling up on delicious Chinese and Taiwanese food.
• EVA Infinity Lounge: This lounge is very clean and well-maintained, though it doesn't feel as private as other business class lounges we've visited. The environment is calm and relaxing, with a good number of people but not overly noisy or crowded. Seating areas all have a relaxed atmosphere, with no tables feeling like busy dining tables. Power outlets are readily available in many seating areas, though not all. The food selection is impressive, with a good variety of Chinese and Taiwanese dishes, plus Häagen-Dazs ice cream and milk tea boba stations. The beverage and bar areas are self-serve. Bathrooms are clean, and women's restrooms are stocked with menstrual pads (no tampons, as they are less commonly used in China and Taiwan). Overall, this is a very comfortable lounge to relax and get some work done, though it is not as luxurious as other business-class lounges we have visited.
• Cathay Pacific Business Class: Cathay Pacific delivered an excellent business class experience. The staff were consistently friendly, attentive, and welcoming throughout the flight. The in-flight meal was surprisingly impressive—especially the steamed fish, which was genuinely delicious for airplane dining. We also appreciated the extensive movie selection, which offered far more variety than many American carriers. There were plenty of classic films alongside a wide range of newer releases, making it easy to stay entertained. The only minor disappointment was the blanket quality, which felt a bit underwhelming compared to the rest of the premium experience. Otherwise, we were thoroughly impressed and would happily fly Cathay Pacific Business Class again.
• Hotels and resorts:
• Grand Victoria Hotel: The Grand Victoria Hotel offered a clean and spacious room, making for a comfortable stay. The location is great as it's right next to an MRT (subway) stop, and it's conveniently attached to a giant mall with plenty of shopping and dining options.  Keep in mind that this location is not in the heart of Taipei, so being near the MRT is crucial. Breakfast is also not included for Hilton Diamond members.  The check-in and check-out processes were smooth, with friendly staff fluent in both Chinese and English. The rooms were furnished with reliable Wi-Fi, soft bathrobes and slippers, and razors and extra toothbrushes were available on request. 
• Four Seasons Hotel Macao: Our stay at the Four Seasons was nothing short of incredible. We were welcomed with the kind of warmth and hospitality that made us feel like VIPs. We were celebrating our anniversary, and the hotel went above and beyond to make our stay feel special. From the moment we arrived, we were treated to a series of thoughtful surprises: a stuffed animal quokka with a balloon, folded-towel swans, a large assortment of sweets, a bathtub filled with rose petals, and a complimentary bubble bath product. They even presented us with a beautifully framed photo of our wedding day, which was such a touching and personal gesture. We also received multiple handwritten cards from various staff members.  It was clear that the entire team put genuine care into making our celebration unforgettable. Our room was exceptionally large, beautifully appointed, and had a spectacular view of the city skyline. We had an exceptional time staying here and cannot recommend staying at the Four Seasons highly enough.
• Conrad Hong Kong: We were greeted with a delightful anniversary surprise: not one but two little Conrad bears resting on a blanket of rose petals, along with some tea and biscuits in a bamboo steamer. When we asked about the signature Conrad duck, the staff happily provided one at no additional cost, which was a charming touch. Breakfast was included with our Hilton Diamond membership, and we appreciated having two great options. The Executive Lounge offered a quieter, more private setting with a curated but still varied selection of Chinese and Western breakfast dishes. The main restaurant featured a much larger buffet showcasing breakfast items from Chinese, Western, Middle Eastern, and South Asian cuisines—plenty of choices, all well-prepared. The hotel’s location is convenient, with a subway station nearby (though we didn’t get a chance to use it due to our tight schedule). Being on the same island as Victoria Peak also meant the Peak was just a short trip away. Uber is readily available throughout Hong Kong, making transportation simple and efficient. Overall, Conrad Hong Kong offered an excellent stay with thoughtful touches, solid dining options, and great accessibility, which was perfect for both special occasions and convenient city exploring.
• Experiences:
• Hong Kong Disneyland: Visiting on a Tuesday meant short lines and—best of all—no need for a FastPass. The park is very doable in a single day, and we especially enjoyed collecting the many passport stamps scattered throughout the park. Since we visited during its 20th anniversary, we were able to redeem our completed stamps for a commemorative collector’s coin, which was a fun bonus. Tomorrowland is noticeably smaller than its Disney World or Shanghai counterparts, but it still remains one of the most enjoyable areas. Hyperspace Mountain was the standout thrill ride; it was easily the most intense coaster there. The new Ant-Man ride (formerly Buzz Lightyear) and the Iron Man Experience were also entertaining highlights. Frozen Land was beautifully done, and Frozen Ever After is a must-ride for fans of the movies. We unfortunately missed Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs because the area closed early for an event. The Mystic Manor, which is their version of the Haunted Mansion, was also a fun and creative take on the classic ride that we really enjoyed. It is significantly less dark and scary than the original ride, which may be preferred for some patrons or those with young children. At the end of the night, the special 20th-anniversary fireworks show was spectacular and the perfect way to wrap up the day.
• Shanghai Disneyland: Shanghai Disneyland is truly impressive—especially in contrast to Hong Kong Disneyland, which we had just visited. Even arriving early, it took over an hour to get through the extensive security and ticket-check queues. A FastPass (Premier Access) is highly recommended here, as the park remains crowded even on weekdays. Many meet-the-character lines exceeded 120 minutes, and the most popular attractions regularly sat at 90+ minutes. The park features a passport stamp collection activity that is much more precise and user-friendly than the manual-stamp system in Hong Kong. Although Shanghai Disneyland notably lacks a Haunted Mansion-type attraction and an “It’s a Small World” ride, the rest of the park more than compensates. The new Zootopia land is absolutely stunning, both visually and thematically. Its signature ride, Zootopia: Hot Pursuit, is energetic, immersive, and extremely fun in a Mario Kart sort of way. Soaring Over the Horizon offers a wonderful “around the world” flight experience with enormous screens, motion seats, and coordinated scents that elevate the ride to something truly special. The Alice in Wonderland Maze is expansive, whimsical, and a fantastic backdrop for photos. The standout area of the park, however, is Tomorrowland, especially the TRON Lightcycle Power Run. Riding it at night was incredible—the glowing neon track set against the darkness made it feel as though we had genuinely entered The Grid. It was easily the most exhilarating ride in the park. One major drawback is the payment system: like the rest of Mainland China, many services rely heavily on Alipay or WeChat Pay. Food and merchandise could be purchased with a foreign credit card, but when our phones were dying, and we attempted to rent one of the many power banks scattered throughout the park, we were forced to use Alipay. Even with some understanding of Mandarin, navigating the park can feel noticeably more challenging than in Hong Kong. The park is visually spectacular and technologically advanced, and it offers two nightly fireworks shows, which help avoid the pressure of timing your night around a single finale. Despite the crowds and payment hurdles, it was a magical and memorable Disney experience.