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Smart Travel Podcast
In this episode of the BoldlyGo Podcast, DeAndre Coke sits down with Stefan Krasowski, an experienced points-and-miles traveler who has visited every country in the world, lived in China for more than a decade, and traveled to every Chinese province. Stefan shares how studying Mandarin from a young age eventually led him to China, how living there introduced him to the points-and-miles world, and why many of the assumptions American travelers have about visiting China do not align with the experience on the ground. From choosing where to go to understanding how the country has changed for international visitors, this episode serves as a practical guide for travelers interested in exploring China independently.
DeAndre and Stefan dive into one of the biggest challenges for points travelers: actually getting to China. With many pre-pandemic routes still missing, Stefan explains why travelers may need to get creative with positioning flights and connections through places like Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea. They discuss award availability on airlines such as EVA Air, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, and Korean Air, as well as the importance of understanding partner availability and planning well in advance. Once in China, Stefan breaks down the essential apps travelers should set up, including Alipay, WeChat, and DiDi, why physical credit cards and cash have largely disappeared from everyday transactions, and how foreign visitors can navigate China's mobile-first ecosystem.
The conversation also covers domestic travel, including why China's high-speed rail network can often be a better option than flying, how to avoid overpaying for domestic airfare, and why hotel travelers can find exceptional value across Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, and IHG. Stefan shares practical details that can make a major difference on a first trip, from translation tools and local transportation to hotel quirks and cultural differences. The episode closes with a broader discussion about the value of international travel, the Points Travel Festival community, and why stepping outside familiar destinations can completely change the way travelers understand the world.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro: The Ultimate Guide to Traveling China
(03:21) Meet Stefan Krasowski and His Points & Miles Journey
(05:24) How Stefan Ended Up Living in China
(10:20) What Americans Get Wrong About Traveling to China
(14:32) Where Should You Go on Your First Trip to China?
(19:59) How to Fly to China Using Points and Miles
(24:59) Positioning Flights, Asian Hubs, and Finding Award Availability
(31:37) The Essential Apps You Need Before Visiting China
(40:11) Getting Around China and Booking Domestic Flights
(44:11) Why China's High Speed Trains Can Beat Flying
(47:21) Incredible Hotel Value With Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton & IHG
(54:24) Language Barriers, Translation Apps, and Traveling Without Mandarin
(59:59) Points Travel Festival and Finding Stefan Online
(01:03:36) How Points & Miles Can Change the Way You Experience the World
(01:07:28) Final Advice for Exploring China and the World
Key Highlights:
- China Is More Accessible: Recent changes have made payments, transportation, and other everyday travel tasks significantly easier for international visitors.
- Think Beyond Beijing and Shanghai: Cities and regions like Chengdu, Chongqing, Yunnan, and lesser visited provinces can offer some of China's most memorable experiences.
- Getting There Takes Creativity: Limited nonstop award availability from the US makes positioning and connecting through other Asian hubs an important strategy.
- EVA Air Can Be Valuable: EVA can offer useful award availability through Taipei, particularly for travelers with access to its transferable points partners.
- Book Strategically: Some Asian airlines follow predictable award release patterns, making advance planning especially valuable.
- Essential Apps: Alipay, WeChat, and DiDi are among the most important tools to set up before or during a trip to China.
- China Is Nearly Cashless: Mobile payments dominate everyday transactions, while physical cards and cash are used far less frequently.
- High Speed Rail: China's extensive train network can often be more convenient than domestic flights, especially between major cities.
- Hotel Value Is Exceptional: Major loyalty programs have extensive footprints in China, with luxury hotels often available at surprisingly low cash and points rates.
- Language Is Manageable: Translation technology and the willingness of locals to help can make independent travel possible even without Mandarin.
- Explore Beyond the Familiar: Stefan encourages travelers to look past assumptions and experience destinations that may initially feel intimidating or unfamiliar.
Resources:
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