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☆ Morgan Stanley says China's market will be the biggest winner in 2023 and these stocks stand out
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Zavier Ong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Since the turn of the year, investment banks have become increasingly bullish on the world's second-largest economy, upgrading their outlook on its stocks. But Morgan Stanley is going even further: It's predicting that Chinese stocks will beat global markets this year. "This actually implies that the Chinese equity market will top global equity market performance for 2023. So, this is the time to get back into China," Wang said. Stock picks Wang said the "number one trade" she would recommend to investors is to buy "large-cap, highly liquid" Chinese internet names.

☆ How China planted an FBI mole who was discovered only after gutting the CIA's vast spy network
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | by ( James Bamford | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +25 min

At the time, four years after the handover from Britain to China, much of Hong Kong remained a world of neon and noise. "Five years ago, everyone looked down on you if you spoke Mandarin," said a Beijing executive living in Hong Kong. As soon as the Hong Kong Arts Festival ended, the Hong Kong International Film Festival began. In February 2006, Alex Ma, China's mole in the FBI, sent David photos he received from his handlers of five suspected human sources. Born in Hong Kong like Alex, Lee grew up in Hawaii and became a naturalized U.S. citizen.

What are credit card and bank rewards points worth? One great feature of the program is that all points are equal, so any account that earns Membership Rewards points has access to transfer partners. If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards customer, you'll earn 25% to 75% more points, depending on how much you have on deposit, but your rewards points are still worth 1 cent apiece. You can transfer points from Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, and Citi ThankYou to JetBlue, but the ratio varies depending on the rewards program. However, those miles expire after 36 months regardless of your account activity, so only transfer miles when you have immediate plans to redeem them.

How to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards pointsThe only way to earn rewards in the Chase Ultimate Rewards ecosystem is by opening and using a Chase credit card that operates within this program. Pay Yourself Back with Chase points (up to 1.5 cents per point)During the pandemic, Chase introduced a compelling new way to redeem points for everyday, non-travel expenses. Redeem points for experiences (point values vary)You can also use Chase Ultimate Rewards points to book special experiences, including one-of-a-kind events hosted by Chase. Book hotels through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portalWhile the Chase Ultimate Rewards program partners with IHG Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, and World of Hyatt, it's important to price shop awards before you transfer Chase points to these programs. For example, you may find that a Marriott stay that costs 50,000 points will only set you back 12,000 Chase points through the portal.

How to earn Alaska Airlines milesThere are two types of Alaska miles: Elite-qualifying miles and redeemable miles. Earn Alaska miles for car rentalsYou can opt-in to earn Alaska miles when you rent cars through Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, National, or Thrifty. Redeem Alaska miles for domestic flightsOne of the most popular ways to redeem Alaska miles is for domestic award flights on Alaska and its partner American Airlines. Redeem Alaska miles for flights on partner airlinesUsing Alaska Airlines miles for award flights on partner airlines is perhaps the best way to use your Alaska miles. Donate Alaska Airlines miles to charityYou can donate your Alaska miles to over a dozen different charities, in 1,000-mile increments, and with no maximums or fees.

☆ China’s reopening has gotten Wall Street excited. Here’s how the pros are playing it
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-10 | by ( Zavier Ong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Over the past week, a host of Wall Street banks have turned increasingly bullish on the world's second-largest economy and have upgraded their outlook on Chinese stocks. Morgan Stanley expects China's GDP to grow by an "above-consensus" 5.4% in 2023, on the back of a "fast-tracked" reopening and more proactive policy easing. Meanwhile, UBS says Chinese stocks look increasingly attractive. How to play the reopening Against this backdrop, analysts have named a slew of both Chinese and global stocks they think will benefit most from China's reopening. Bank of America's domestic reopening beneficiaries include consumer stocks such as alcoholic beverage makers Kweichow Moutai and Tsingtao Brew , airline stocks including China Southern Airlines , as well as online travel platform Trip.com .

☆ The best ways to book domestic flights using Amex Membership Rewards points
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Jason Stauffer | Benji Stawski | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +18 min

Below, CNBC Select details the best ways to redeem Amex points to fly for free (or nearly free) across the U.S. Best Amex cards for earning Membership Rewards pointsAmerican Express has a strong lineup of both personal and business cards that earn transferrable Membership Rewards points. How to use Amex points for domestic flightsYou can only transfer Amex points to two U.S.-based airline programs: Delta SkyMiles and JetBlue TrueBlue. Booking United flights with Amex points Amex Membership Rewards points don't transfer to United MileagePlus, but you can book United award flights through United's Star Alliance partners, such as Avianca LifeMiles and Air Canada Aeroplan. By strategically transferring Amex points to partner airlines, you can use Amex points to book flights with United Airlines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and others.

SYDNEY/BEIJING, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Airlines have boosted January international seat capacity to and from China by 9.5% over the last week as they ramp up flights after its border opening, according to aviation data provider Cirium, though flights remain at a fraction of pre-pandemic levels. International capacity to and from China scheduled for the month of February has risen by 23% over the last week and for March by 13% over the same period, Cirium data showed. A major jump in capacity is expected in April, after the start of the summer airline schedule season that begins on March 26. Seats to and from China will rise to 4.3 million a month in April, up from about 1.85 million in January, 2 million in February and 2.7 million in March, according to Cirium data. Reporting by Jamie Freed in Sydney and Sophie Yu in Beijing; Editing by Christopher CushingOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Alaska Airlines personal and business cards are adding new benefits, including priority boarding and 2x bonus categories, but it's not all good news
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Jasmin Baron | Read More | Read Less | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +23 min

Alaska Airlines credit cards are getting a makeover, with new perks and changes to earning categories. Alaska AirlinesBank of America has announced changes to the Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card and Alaska Airlines Business Credit Card . and Alaska Airlines Business Credit Card . Eligible accounts include business checking, business savings, business CDs, and Merrill business investment accounts. No other changesLike the Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card, the Bank of America Alaska Airlines Business Credit Card isn't making changes to its annual companion fare or 20% inflight rebate.

David Slotnick/Business InsiderAmerican Express Membership Rewards points are among the most valuable card rewards you can earn. You'll usually get the most value from Amex points by transferring them to airline and hotel partners. In fact, the Amex Membership Rewards program debuted way back in 1991 with just seven US airline partners. More Information Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. What to know about transferring Amex points to partnersAmerican Express Membership Rewards points are among the most valuable and versatile travel rewards out there.

The aviation industry, battered by years of pandemic curbs, has also been critical of the decisions to impose testing on travellers from China. China reported five new COVID deaths in the mainland for Thursday, bringing its official virus death toll to 5,264, one of the lowest in the world. Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways (0293.HK) said on Thursday it would more than double flights to mainland China. Except for airplane wastewater testing by Malaysia and Thailand for the virus, the region's 11 nations will treat Chinese travellers like any others. As many as 76% of Chinese travel agencies ranked Southeast Asia as the top destination when outbound travel resumed, according to a survey released in December by trade show ITB China.

☆ Cathay Pacific ramps up flights between Hong Kong and China as borders reopen
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The airline will resume 61 return flights from Hong Kong to 13 cities in mainland China from January 14, according to a statement Thursday. Cathay Pacific currently operates 27 flights a week from Hong Kong to the mainland, and 50 in the opposite direction. From Sunday, up to 60,000 Hong Kong residents will be able to cross the border each day as a gradual reopening begins. The cap does not apply to Hong Kong residents returning to the city from the mainland, or mainland Chinese traveling back from Hong Kong. Hong Kong gradually eased travel restrictions in the second half of last year and scrapped mandatory quarantine in September.

☆ The top 20 safest airlines in the world for 2023, according to experts
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-04 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

AirlineRatings.com has revealed the 20 safest airlines in the world for 2023, which includes five from the US. The website also revealed the top 20 safety low-cost carriers — another five of which were from the US. He also noted that the safety margins between the top 20 carriers were "very small," and that they are "all outstanding airlines." Meanwhile, the same five US carriers that made the list last year — Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines — maintained their spots in 2023. The organization also published the world's 20 safest low-cost carriers, which included five US carriers — Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, and Spirit Airlines.

The Citi Premier is offering 80,000 points (worth at least $800), but this elevated bonus won't be around much longer. Citi; InsiderThe Citi Premier® Card has been offering a record-high elevated bonus since last summer, but it's about to end. If you've had your eye on the record-high welcome bonus on the Citi Premier® Card, it's your last chance to apply. Insider's valuations peg Citi ThankYou points as worth 1.6 cents apiece, on average, so this bonus is potentially worth $1,280 in travel. You can find out all the details in our Citi Premier card review.

☆ Hong Kong asks Japan to drop airport restrictions with 60,000 travellers affected
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Japan, which is a top travel destination for Hong Kong people, said it would limit flights from Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China to Tokyo's two airports, plus Osaka and Nagoya from Friday. "It is understood that around 250 outbound flights of Hong Kong airlines will be affected between December 30, 2022 and the end of January 2023, affecting around 60,000 passengers," the government said in a statement late on Wednesday. "We think that Hong Kong people should be allowed to use not just these four airports," Lee said. Flights of Hong Kong airlines can still carry passengers back to Hong Kong from various airports in Japan, the government said, to "ensure the smooth return of Hong Kong people from Japan and to minimise the impact to Hong Kong travellers caused by the incident." Hong Kong Airlines and Peach Aviation announced they would cancel some flight routes because of the rules.

☆ Here's where Covid rules for visitors from China are changing
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Vernon Yuen | Nurphoto | Getty ImagesBEIJING — Some countries announced new Covid testing requirements for visitors from China after the mainland said it would finally relax border controls. Covid-19 infections surged this month in mainland China, but there is limited data available publicly. Those who test positive will need to quarantine at a designated facility, the ministry said. The new rules also apply to people who visited mainland China within the seven days prior to arrival in Japan, the health ministry said. The rules do not apply to flights from Hong Kong or Macao.

In this guide, we'll give you a crash course on how to quickly earn credit card rewards and book free travel. If everyone in the world expertly utilized credit card rewards to travel for free, there wouldn't be such amazing travel opportunities out there. Identify your travel goalsBefore you begin collecting credit card rewards, you should first identify your travel goals. Recommended credit card strategies for beginnersThe best practice for anyone new to credit card rewards is to invest in flexible points. You'll need: An annual fee-incurring Hilton credit card One of the greatest deals in credit card rewards is the free night certificate that comes with select American Express Hilton credit cards.

☆ Corporate travel propels boom in sustainable aviation fuel
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-07 | by ( Jamie Freed | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

SAF accounted for only 0.5% of aviation fuel in 2021, but many airlines have a target of 10% by 2030 and the industry's goal of "net zero" emissions by 2050 relies on SAF accounting for 65% of fuel. The corporate sector interest could build momentum for the SAF industry to scale up given businesses account for around 20% of air travel globally and 30% in Europe, said Denise Auclair, corporate travel campaign manager at European non-governmental organisation Transport & Environment. 'GREEN PREMIUM'Buying SAF is more costly than purchasing emissions offsets but experts say it can play a key role in reducing travel emissions alongside switches to video-conferencing and cleaner alternatives like rail. "They contract with us, they pay for the cost premium of sustainable aviation fuel over the conventional jet fuel, and then enable us to deliver sustainable aviation fuel for our partner airlines to consume," he said. Companies are able to contract directly with airlines, travel agencies like American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) (GBTG.N) and fuel providers like Neste as they look to claim SAF credits and avoid pitfalls like double claiming.

Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu. Capital One recently added a new benefit to the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. Anniversary bonusesCapital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card cardholders receive a 10,000-mile bonus each year on their account anniversary. Authorized usersThe Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the clear winner in terms of authorized user access and benefits. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is comparatively inexpensive at $395 per year.

☆ Morgan Stanley turns bullish on China stocks, giving them serious upside potential
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Weizhen Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Morgan Stanley has turned bullish on China stocks for the first time in nearly two years as the country embarks on a "clear path set towards reopening." It had held its equal weight rating on Chinese stocks since Jan. 2021 and was last overweight on China in March 2020. Morgan Stanley also gave the major Chinese stock indexes large potential upsides. Morgan Stanley recommended investing in offshore Chinese stocks. Stocks set to benefit Morgan Stanley highlighted a list of stocks it said are set to benefit from the easing in China.

☆ Explainer: Why U.S. airline pilot wages are outpacing global rises
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Jamie Freed | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

U.S. domestic demand was only 0.8% below than 2019 levels in October, while globally, domestic travel demand was 22.1% lower. REGIONAL PILOT SHORTAGEThe steep pay rise on offer to Delta pilots follows a series of large increases at U.S. regional airlines that serve as feeders to major carriers. Uniquely among world markets, the United States requires pilots even at regional airlines to have a minimum of 1,500 hours of flying experience. Faced with growing shortages of entry-level pilots and rapid attrition of more experienced ones to major airlines, U.S. regional carriers have lifted pay rapidly. The increases put pressure on major airlines to ensure their entry-level pay attracts joiners from regional carriers to cover retirements and planned fleet growth.

☆ Citi AT&T Points Plus Card review: Earn a $100 welcome bonus and up to $240 in annual statement credits for no annual fee
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Tessa Campbell | Personal Finance Reviews Fellow | Read More | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +24 min

More Information The information related to the AT&T Points Plus℠ Card from Citi has been collected by Business Insider and has not been reviewed by the issuer. Review: Is the Citi AT&T Points Plus credit card the best card for you? Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightFees and costsThe AT&T Points Plus℠ Card doesn't charge an annual fee. Does the Citi AT&T Points Plus card come with cell phone insurance? No, the AT&T Points Plus℠ Card unfortunately does not come with cell phone insurance.

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☆ Capital A to combine AirAsia and AirAsia X as part of restructuring plan
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Jamie Freed | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Capital A, headed by Fernandes, will retain the digital, logistics and aviation services businesses, while AirAsia X will be renamed AirAsia Aviation and be led by long-time executive Bo Lingam under the plan. Capital A hopes submit to Bursa Malaysia Securities for approval in February. AirAsia X is also classified as PN17, but in an interview with Reuters on Tuesday, Fernandes said under the restructuring plan, both listed companies would emerge from that status by July 2023. Capital A investors will receive an in-specie distribution in the former AirAsia X, giving them exposure to a pure airline business with multiple brands. Fernandes said the distressed-company status had a "major impact" on the airline's share price by reducing investor confidence, which he hoped to restore through the restructuring plan.

☆ Cathay Pacific in talks on orders for medium-haul jets, freighters
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 25 (Reuters) - Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd (0293.HK) is in talks with aircraft manufacturers about orders for medium-haul aircraft and dedicated freighters, a senior executive said on Friday. Lam said the focus would be on acquiring more medium-haul jets to operate in the Asia-Pacific region as well as dedicated freighters, though he did not provide the numbers or types being considered. The long-serving executive, who will take over as chief executive on Jan. 1, had raised the prospect of jet orders in an interview with Bloomberg last month. Lam told analysts that the passenger outlook was improving but that cargo demand and prices had weakened compared to an "exceptional" performance in 2021. Reporting by Jamie Freed; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Gerry DoyleOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ China is easing its Covid measures. Here’s how market pros are playing it
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( Zavier Ong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

China announced a shortening of its quarantine requirements last week, while simplifying travel rules and adjusting its monitoring regime. China has stood firm on its zero-Covid policy even as countries around the world adopt a "live with the virus" approach. Fund manager Brian Arcese believes the market reaction reflects the "underlying fundamentals that earnings will really start to improve." Meanwhile, Arcese, who is a portfolio manager at Foord Asset Management, said the firm has a China exposure of about 20%. It should benefit from the re-opening of China as tourism gradually recovers to pre-Covid levels," he added.

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