On January 3, 2013, China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Xiamen Airlines and China Airlines jointly launched the “Greater China Connection” program. The four SkyTeam member airlines in the Greater China region will share resources to establish a common set of Cross-Strait membership services. Travelers that hold a frequent flyer card with any of the four airlines can now enjoy privileges with all four airlines. With “four-in-one card”, travelers can enjoy more value, convenience and service.

The “Greater China Connection” press conference was hosted by China Airlines President Sun Huang-Hsiang, China Southern Airlines President Tang Wan-geng, China Eastern Airlines Ma Xu-lun and Xiamen Airlines President and CEO Che Shang-lun. More than 200 guests including Taiwan Institute of Economic Research President Chiang Pin-Kung and China Aviation Development Foundation Chairman Yeh Kuang-Shih took part in this milestone event.

The four airlines will develop dedicated products and marketing strategies based on passenger needs while expanding shared member privileges, providing consumers that travel frequently between Taiwan, China and Hong Kong with even better and more convenient services. Under the “Greater China Connection” program, more than 460,000 Elite and Elite Plus members are entitled to program benefits, effective immediately.

“Greater China Connection” lets travelers enjoy the benefits of four cards in one. Based on codeshare agreements, the program allows passengers to take advantage of the four airlines’ extensive network and flights on their return travels. Passengers that purchase outbound tickets from any of the four airlines that operate those flights can change their inbound tickets to codeshare flights of other marketing carriers, in accordance with ticket terms. This privilege also applies to connecting flights, making cross-strait travel even more convenient.

Other mutual privileges available to members of the four airlines include: accumulation of frequent flyer miles and redemption of award tickets; for Elite/Elite Plus members, priority booking, check-in, security and passport clearance, boarding and baggage handling as well as access to 31 airline lounges operated by the four airlines in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan; for Elite Plus members flying economy class on China domestic flights, priority access to airport lounges operated by China Southern, China Eastern and Xiamen Airlines.