- Mr Plane Guy
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
New Avios Partner: Xiamen Airlines, How to Fly to China Using Avios
By Mr Plane Guy, Travel Blogger & Flight Expert
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A New Way to Earn and Redeem Avios on Flights to China
Avios collectors, here’s a redemption you probably didn’t know existed. It involves a SkyTeam airline, a Dreamliner, and a surprise spicy chicken.If you’re collecting Avios and planning a trip to China, here’s some big news: Xiamen Airlines has quietly joined the Avios family.
That means you can now earn and redeem Avios on Xiamen
Airlines through Qatar Airways Privilege Club, even though Xiamen belongs to the SkyTeam alliance (not oneworld, which includes British Airways and Qatar Airways).
It’s an unusual partnership, but one that opens up fresh Avios routes into Asia and a few surprises, as I discovered on my own journey.
Flight Information
Route: Doha (DOH) → Beijing Daxing (PKX)
Flight Number: QR 5578 (operated by Xiamen Airlines MF 846)
Arrival: 14:40 China Standard Time
Flight Time: 7h 55m (scheduled)
Aircraft: Boeing 787 Dreamliner (787-9)
Fly to China for less than £400!
Plane Flight Deal: See more cheap flight offers with Jack’s Flight Club Here
My Unexpected Flight with Xiamen Airlines from Doha to Beijing
I recently booked what I thought was a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Beijing perfect, I thought, an easy connection after a night in a lounge and maybe a few hours of Qsuite bliss.
Instead, I boarded a Xiamen Airlines Boeing 787 a codeshare service under Qatar’s flight number.
Let’s just say, it wasn’t quite the smooth experience I was expecting.
Xiamen Airlines Review What the Flight Was Really Like
Xiamen Airlines Cabin & Comfort
Tight is an understatement. The legroom felt designed for contortionists, and the seats were clearly not built with Western passengers in mind.
If you’re curious what Qatar’s premium cabin really feels like, check out my full review Flying in Style: My Qatar Airways Qsuite Experience on the 787 and if you want to know how I actually earned that upgrade, don’t miss my post on How I Went from Zero Avios to a Qatar Airways Business Class Upgrade in Just 3 Months
Xiamen Airlines Cabin Atmosphere
The cabin had a faint whiff of stale smoke as passengers boarded, something I haven’t encountered since my early Virgin Atlantic crew days. The exit-row seats were all empty but roped off with seatbelts and reclined flat, unusable for anyone who’d actually paid for extra legroom.
For another stellar Asian carrier worth flying, check out my China Southern Airlines Business Class Review I was genuinely impressed by the comfort and service on board.
Xiamen Airlines Food & Entertainment
Dinner was fine, the chocolate cake was excellent, but the rice dish came with chicken so spicy it could wake the dead. Breakfast, on the other hand, was best forgotten.The in-flight entertainment felt like it came from 1998, and the brand-new Dreamliner didn’t even have Wi-Fi.
After several hours of Monopoly and mild claustrophobia, we landed safely in Beijing. That’s about the best I can say.
Where to Stay in Beijing, Hilton Beijing
After that flight, the Hilton Beijing felt like a five-star oasis. Big rooms, excellent service, and one of the most generous breakfast spreads I’ve seen in China.It’s also great value for Hilton Honors or Avios travellers, often bookable for under 30,000 points per night.
Read next: Hilton Beijing Hotel Review
Plane Tip: Save (and Earn) with the Currensea Hilton Debit Card 💳✨
Ditch foreign fees and earn Hilton Honors points every time you spend. The Currensea Hilton Debit Card links straight to your UK bank account, giving you great exchange rates and rewards on every purchase, from Beijing street food to hotel stays. I’m literally staying for free thanks to mine.
Disclaimer: I’m not a financial advisor, always do your own research or seek independent financial advice before applying for any financial product.
Flights to China from the UK and Where Xiamen Airlines Fits In
Here’s the thing: Xiamen Airlines doesn’t currently fly directly to the UK.
But Avios collectors in London or Manchester can still reach China using connecting routes via:
Doha (with Qatar Airways and Xiamen Airlines codeshares), or
Amsterdam / Paris (operated directly by Xiamen Airlines).
That means you can fly:
London → Doha → Beijing (Qatar Airways + Xiamen Airlines), or
London → Amsterdam → Xiamen → onward to Shanghai or Beijing.
Redemptions and Avios earning are handled through Qatar Airways Privilege Club, not BA.com. You’ll need to link your accounts and transfer Avios across.
Plane Tip: Always check who’s operating your flight. A Qatar Airways flight number doesn’t guarantee a Qatar aircraft and if it’s Xiamen, you’ll want to manage expectations.
Don't have Avios? Use my referral Get 500 Avios with the Avios app
How to Earn and Spend Avios on Xiamen Airlines
To book or earn Avios on Xiamen Airlines, you’ll need to use Qatar Airways Privilege Club.
Open or log into your Qatar Airways Privilege Club account.
Link it to your British Airways Executive Club account.
Transfer Avios between the two instantly.
At the moment, redemption availability seems limited to Doha–Xiamen, but it should expand to cover long-haul routes including Paris, Amsterdam, Sydney, New York and the Maldives.
Plane Tip: Compare Avios redemptions on both BA.com and Qatar Privilege Club before you book, prices can differ by up to 30 %.
Xiamen Airlines Routes Available via Avios
Long-haul destinations:
Paris
Amsterdam
New York
Los Angeles
Vancouver
Doha
Sydney
Melbourne
Maldives
Plane Travel Essentials: Don’t forget the little comforts. I never board without my noise-cancelling earbuds and travel adapter with USB-C ports both from Amazon, both worth every penny on long-haul flights. You should also get a airplane Bluetooth adaptor
Regional connections:
Tokyo
Osaka
Singapore
Bangkok
Kuala Lumpur
Bali
Ho Chi Minh City
Phnom Penh
Seoul
That opens up creative Avios redemption possibilities, for example, Amsterdam to the Maldives, or Paris to Sydney, both bookable through the Qatar Airways Privilege Club site.
Final Boarding Call, Should You Fly Xiamen Airlines with Avios?
You can now earn and spend Avios on Xiamen Airlines, but temper your expectations.If comfort matters, stick to Qatar-operated flights; if you’re chasing value or new routes, it’s an interesting addition to the Avios network.
And as always:
Compare your airport parking early
Check your insurance
And give yourself time for a pre-flight gin in the lounge.
Because even when the flight isn’t first-class, your travel routine still can be.
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Thanks for reading, New Avios Partner: Xiamen Airlines, How to Fly to China Using Avios.
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