China Eastern Airlines, one of the major airlines in China. Founded in 1988, it has grown into one of the world’s largest airlines, both in terms of fleet size and passenger numbers. China Eastern operates a comprehensive domestic and international route network, serving destinations across Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania.
A crucial part of China Eastern’s customer loyalty strategy is its frequent flyer program, Eastern Miles. This program is designed to reward loyal passengers with various benefits, including flight upgrades, extra baggage allowance, and access to airport lounges.
Eastern Miles Tiers
The program has multiple tiers, each with its own set of privileges.
- Silver Member
- Status Credits Required: 40,000 points or 25 segments within 12 consecutive months.
- Gold Member
- Status Credits Required: 80,000 points or 40 segments within 12 consecutive months.
- Platinum Member
- Status Credits Required: 160,000 points or 90 segments within 12 consecutive months.
Benefits of Eastern Miles Program
Eastern Miles Elite members can enjoy the following exclusive benefits:
| Benefits | Silver | Gold | Platinum |
| Guaranteed Reservation | up to 72 hours prior to departure | up to 48 hours prior to departure | up to 24 hours prior to departure |
| Priority Wait List | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Priority Airport Standby | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Priority Airport Ticketing Counter | X | Yes | Yes |
| Priority Check-in It is subject to given conditions of airports. | Business Class Check-in Counter | First Class/Business Class check-in Counter | First Class/Business Class check-in Counter |
| Extra Baggage Allowance | – 20KG for Mainland China flights – 10KG for International and China Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan regions flights | – 40KG for Mainland China flights – 20KG for International and China Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan regions flights | – 40KG for Mainland China flights – 20KG for International and China Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan regions flights |
| Priority Security and Immigration Lines | X | Yes | Yes |
| Lounge Access It is subject to given conditions of airports. | Specified Business Class lounge | Specified First Class/Business Class Lounge (can invite one travel companion to the lounge) | Specified First Class/Business Class Lounge (can invite one travel companion to the lounge) |
| Priority Boarding | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Priority Baggage Handling | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| VIP Ferry Ride | X | X | Yes |
| Priority seat | X | X | Yes |
| Elite Bonus Points | 15% of the standard mileage | 30% of the standard mileage | 50% of the standard mileage |
| CEA Flights Award Ticket/Upgrade Award seat Guarantee | X | X | up to 48 hours prior to departure with available seats |
| After voluntary-caused refund of CEA Award Flight Ticket/Upgrade Award, points refund with no charge | X | X | Yes |
| Infinite free flight upgrade awards of non-stop flights of Mainland China | X | X | Yes |
| Free flight upgrade awards of international flights and the flights of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan of China | X | X | Four Options |
Mileage Accumulation and Redemption
Eastern Miles members earn miles by flying with China Eastern Airlines and its partner airlines. Miles can also be earned through various non-flight activities, such as hotel stays, car rentals, and credit card spending with participating partners.
Accumulated miles can be redeemed for a variety of rewards, including:
- Free flights or flight upgrades on China Eastern and its partner airlines.
- Hotel stays and car rentals.
- Merchandise and gift cards from the Eastern Miles online store.
- Donations to charity.
Partners and SkyTeam Alliance
China Eastern Airlines is a member of the SkyTeam alliance, one of the world’s three major airline alliances. This membership significantly enhances the value of the Eastern Miles program, as it allows members to earn and redeem miles on any of the 19 SkyTeam member airlines, which include major carriers such as Delta Air Lines, Air France, KLM, and Korean Air.
SkyTeam Benefits for Eastern Miles Members
- SkyTeam Elite Status: Eastern Miles Gold and Platinum members automatically qualify for SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus status, respectively. This provides access to a wide range of benefits when flying with any SkyTeam member airline, including priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling, as well as lounge access.
- Global Network: The SkyTeam alliance’s extensive global network allows Eastern Miles members to enjoy seamless travel across more than 1,150 destinations in over 175 countries.
- SkyPriority: SkyPriority services are available to Gold and Platinum members, ensuring a faster and more convenient airport experience with dedicated check-in counters, priority security lanes, and expedited boarding and baggage handling.
Non-Airline Partners
Eastern Miles has established partnerships with various non-airline companies to provide additional earning and redemption opportunities for its members. These partners include:
- Hotels: Major hotel chains like Marriott, Hilton, and InterContinental allow members to earn miles for stays and redeem miles for free nights.
- Car Rentals: Partnerships with car rental companies such as Avis and Hertz enable members to earn miles on rentals and use miles to cover rental costs.
- Credit Cards: Co-branded credit cards issued by banks like China Merchants Bank and ICBC offer bonus miles for everyday spending and sign-up bonuses.
Points Calculation
Domestic Flights
- Economy Class
- Discount Economy (L, N, S, X, T, U, V classes): 30% of actual miles flown.
- Standard Economy (Q, H, K classes): 50% of actual miles flown.
- Flexible Economy (Y, B, M classes): 100% of actual miles flown.
- Premium Economy
- Standard Premium Economy (G, W classes): 110% of actual miles flown.
- Flexible Premium Economy (P class): 125% of actual miles flown.
- Business Class
- Discount Business (D class): 150% of actual miles flown.
- Standard Business (I, J classes): 170% of actual miles flown.
- Flexible Business (C class): 200% of actual miles flown.
- First Class
- Standard First Class (F class): 250% of actual miles flown.
- Flexible First Class (A class): 300% of actual miles flown.
International Flights
- Economy Class
- Discount Economy (L, N, S, X, T, U, V classes): 30% of actual miles flown.
- Standard Economy (Q, H, K classes): 50% of actual miles flown.
- Flexible Economy (Y, B, M classes): 100% of actual miles flown.
- Premium Economy
- Standard Premium Economy (G, W classes): 110% of actual miles flown.
- Flexible Premium Economy (P class): 125% of actual miles flown.
- Business Class
- Discount Business (D class): 150% of actual miles flown.
- Standard Business (I, J classes): 170% of actual miles flown.
- Flexible Business (C class): 200% of actual miles flown.
- First Class
- Standard First Class (F class): 250% of actual miles flown.
- Flexible First Class (A class): 300% of actual miles flown.
Example Calculations
Domestic Flight: Shanghai to Beijing (1,000 miles)
- Economy Class (Standard Economy)
- Points Earned: 1,000 miles × 50% = 500 points
- Premium Economy (Standard Premium Economy)
- Points Earned: 1,000 miles × 110% = 1,100 points
- Business Class (Standard Business)
- Points Earned: 1,000 miles × 170% = 1,700 points
- First Class (Standard First Class)
- Points Earned: 1,000 miles × 250% = 2,500 points
International Flight: Shanghai to New York (7,500 miles)
- Economy Class (Standard Economy)
- Points Earned: 7,500 miles × 50% = 3,750 points
- Premium Economy (Standard Premium Economy)
- Points Earned: 7,500 miles × 110% = 8,250 points
- Business Class (Standard Business)
- Points Earned: 7,500 miles × 170% = 12,750 points
- First Class (Standard First Class)
- Points Earned: 7,500 miles × 250% = 18,750 points
With these sample calculations, members of the Eastern Miles program can accurately determine how many points they will earn for different classes of travel, both on domestic and international flights. This helps in strategizing travel plans to efficiently move up the tier levels and enjoy the associated benefits.