If you’ve been wanting to see the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, Cathay Pacific has dropped a solid deal from San Francisco (SFO) to Xi’an, China (XIY) for $802 roundtrip.
Flying across the Pacific deep into inland China usually runs way past $1,100, so snagging an economy seat on a top-tier airline for around eight hundred bucks is definitely worth a look.
The Route & The Hong Kong Stopover Bonus
You’ll fly out of SFO, head across the ocean to Cathay’s main hub in Hong Kong (HKG), and then take a quick connecting flight straight into Xi’an.
Here is the best part: the rules on this specific ticket let you add up to two multi-day stopovers in Hong Kong for $100 each. Instead of sitting in the terminal for a few hours, you can actually step out, grab dim sum, check out the skyline, and turn one trip into a two-destination vacation.
When You Can Fly
The lowest rates pop up across a few distinct travel windows:
- Late August through November
- January
- Mid-March through April
A few quick rules to keep in mind:
- You need to fly mid-week (Monday through Thursday) on both ends.
- You must book at least 7 days before you want to fly out.
- Promos like this sell out fast once flight deal trackers pick them up, so if your dates line up, try not to wait too long.
Where to Credit Your Frequent Flyer Miles
This ticket books into Cathay’s Q Class (Discounted Economy). Where you send those miles matters:
- Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan: You’ll earn 25% of your actual flown miles (about 3,902 redeemable and elite qualifying miles for the whole trip).
- American Airlines AAdvantage: Zero miles. American gives zero credit or Loyalty Points for Cathay Q-class fares, so attach an Alaska frequent flyer number instead.
How to Find & Lock It In
- Find Open Dates: Go to ITA Matrix, set SFO as your origin and XIY as your destination. Type cx cx under the advanced routing codes and maxconnect 400 under extension codes. Search the calendar view for 3 to 10-day trip lengths.
- Book Direct: Once you find dates showing the $802 price, plug those exact dates directly into Cathay Pacific’s website or an agency like Priceline to buy your ticket.
A Few Heads-Up Items
- Visa Rules: U.S. passport holders need an official entry visa before traveling to mainland China. Make sure your passport has at least six months of validity left before applying.
- Money Matters: You’ll be using Chinese Yuan (CNY) once you land ($1 USD runs around 6.7 to 7.0 CNY). Pack a credit card with no foreign transaction fees so you don’t get hit with unnecessary bank charges while you’re there.
