China Southern Airlines has made significant changes to its frequent flyer program - Sky Pearl Club - and has dropped the mileage threshold to as low as 10,000 for a free ticket.

Starting now, China Southern Airlines' enhanced Sky Pearl Club is focused on three main aspects: award tickets, mileage accumulation and elite membership upgrades.

The starting point for award tickets or award upgrade has been dramatically lowered to 10,000 compared with the previous level of 20,000, the experience of free travel is closer than ever before.

Both Sky Pearl Gold and Silver Card members not only will accumulate all their mileage but will also receive special elite bonus mileage on eligible flights. Sky Pearl Gold Card members earn an extra 30% and Sky Pearl Silver Card members earn an extra 15%.

You can earn your Elite status by earning Elite Qualifying Mileages or Elite Qualifying Segments. Mileages and flight segments will be counted based on the relevant booking class. Upgrading to Gold Card status, you only need to accumulate 80,000 Elite Qualifying Mileages or 40 Elite Qualifying Segments. Upgrading to Silver Card member, you only need to accumulate 40,000 Elite Qualifying Mileages or 20 Elite Qualifying Segments during certain period of time.

And, Sky Pearl Club members who take the First or Business Class can expect even more benefits: Flying First or Business Class once can be counted as 2 Elite Qualifying Segment (EQS) while one flight in Economy or Premium Economy Class is calculated as one qualifying flown segment.

In addition, China Southern Airlines' award tickets zones are now changed to meet the growing needs of our frequent flyers. Award tickets zones have expanded from six to eight zones making it even easier for free travel.

China Southern Airlines recommends that its FFP customers read The Sky Pearl Club Membership Guide carefully and especially take notice of the limits on accumulation under certain circumstances. Remember to double confirm that the booking class of your reservation can be accumulated into your account as some fare classes are not eligible for accrual. Passengers are also kindly recommended to check their mileage statement for any irregularities.

For more information, please call China Southern Sky Pearl Club through its customer service hotline at 95539 (within mainland China); +86-(0)20-8668-2000 (for overseas callers) or visit http://www.cs-air.com.