Round-the-world SAS EuroBonus challenge part 3: Taiwan to Dubai via China

10.01.2025 - 16:45 / thepointsguy.com

Just before Christmas, I was about halfway through my SAS EuroBonus million-mile challenge that had me traveling for 25 days on 20 flights with 15 different SkyTeam airlines. Along the way, I visited 16 countries in order to earn the ultimate prize: 1 million SAS EuroBonus miles.

My first week on the road took me from Portland, Oregon, to Seoul, South Korea, via Seattle and on to Bali, Indonesia, on a combination of carriers, including Delta Air Lines, Korean Air and Garuda Indonesia.

Over the course of my second week, I visited Vietnam on Vietnam Airlines.

My third week would include stops in Taiwan and mainland China, as well as Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. To reach these destinations, I'd fly with China Airlines, China Eastern, Xiamen Airlines, Kenya Airways and Saudia.

After six incredible days in Vietnam, I was on my way to the airport to take to the skies again for the biggest, most complicated leg of my trip. Here's how it went.

I began the next leg of my journey at Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi, Vietnam. One thing I noticed throughout this trip so far was that many of the airports I was flying through were incredibly far from the city centers, as Hanoi itself was 25 miles away from its hub. That said, transportation was inexpensive, so I took a taxi and traffic was light; I got there in about 50 minutes.

The China Airlines check-in staff were friendly and cheerful, quickly processing my information and noting that my SAS EuroBonus number was on my reservation (a necessity for successfully completing the challenge).

I then cleared customs and security and went to one of the airport's Priority Pass lounges for a quick bite before my flight.

My trip to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) would just be a short two-hour, 15-minute hop aboard one of China Airlines' Airbus A330-300s.

Right after we took off and we reached cruising altitude, we received a meal. There was a seafood and noodle option and a chicken option with rice, which I chose. The meal was fine but not really remarkable. My favorite part was the mixed fruit dessert.

There was no Wi-Fi on the plane, so I took a little nap after my meal. Once I landed, I went through customs and immigration and explored Taipei, Taiwan, as soon as I dropped my bags at the hotel since I would be headed to Beijing in less than 48 hours.

I stayed at the Courtyard Taipei Downtown, arguably the best Courtyard hotel I have seen in the world (though I'm always up for exploring more of them!). There was evening turndown service and an executive lounge, not something you typically see at a Courtyard in the U.S. Nightly rates were just $73.

With only one full day in Taipei, I hit the ground running. I went to the Chiang Kai-shek