The Real Deal: Round-trip airfare on Cathay Pacific Airways to Hong Kong, a round-trip flight on Dragon Air between Hong Kong and Beijing, three nights at the Metropark Hotel Causeway Bay in Hong Kong, three nights at the Capital Hotel in Beijing, buffet breakfast daily, two lunches, sightseeing tours, airport-hotel transfers, fuel surcharges, and hotel taxes, from $1,549 per person — plus taxes of $100.
When: Nov. 15–Dec. 6, Dec. 24–31, 2009, Jan. 1–March 21, 2010; add $100 for Aug. 16–Oct. 7, Oct. 31–Nov. 14, 2009; $200 for Oct. 8-30, $500 for Dec. 7–23.
Gateways: L.A., New York City, San Francisco (New York City and San Francisco cost $50-$100 more on certain departure dates); add $125 for Phoenix, Seattle; $250 for Denver, Salt Lake City; $315 for Miami; $460 for Chicago, Dallas, Houston; additional gateways may be available.
The fine print: Based on Monday through Thursday travel; add $25 per person each way to depart Friday through Sunday. Taxes are an additional $100 per person. U.S. citizens need a passport and a visa, which must be obtained prior to arrival in China through an embassy or consulate; the visa costs $130. Or pay $165 per person to have Globotours procure the visa for you. Based on double occupancy; single supplement is $400. To book, refer to tour code: HKGPEK. Read these guidelines before you book any Real Deal.
Book by: No deadline; based on availability.
Contact: Globotours, 800/988-4833, globotours.com.
Why it's a deal: According to a recent search on Kayak, the lowest multicity flight — L.A. to Hong Kong, Hong Kong to Beijing, Beijing to Hong Kong, and Hong Kong to L.A. — is $1,517 with taxes for departures in mid-November (multiple carriers). For an additional $132, the Globotours package covers airfare as well as six nights' accommodations, transfers, breakfast daily, sightseeing tours, fuel surcharges, and all taxes and fees.
More: Add from $500 per person to upgrade to Langham Place Hotel in Hong Kong and the Ritz Carlton in Beijing. Optional activities include a full-day Lantau Island tour with lunch ($85 per person) and an acrobatic show in Beijing ($65 per person). Additional nights start at $158 per room at the Metropark Hotel Causeway Bay in Hong Kong and $77 per room at the Capital Hotel in Beijing.