Flight Hack: Combine Air Asia & Hainan to China from Auckland from $752 Return, Chch $934, Welly $937 @ Beat That Flight

Over on ozbargain today, I found this deal:

5 star Hainan Airlines, top 10 in world.
Via Haikou to MANY Chinese cities.
Most of which can be found from SYD/MELfor under $399. RETURN.
Across a period of around 6 months, depending on the route.

So I wondered, if I could do that from NZ.

And yes, flights exist, but like $1042 is an example.. https://bookings.beatthatflight.com.au/flights/akl0711sha041…

So I tried my trusty 'break it into parts' technique.

Sydney to Shanghai Return - $388 - https://bookings.beatthatflight.com.au/flights/syd0711sha041…
Auckland to Sydney Return - $369 - https://bookings.beatthatflight.com.au/flights/AKL0711SYD061…

Total = $757 Return from Auckland to Shanghai.

Similar tactics can be applied say, from Christchurch:

$546 Return from CHC to SYD - https://bookings.beatthatflight.com.au/flights/chc0711SYD061…, plus the Shanghai route, total $934 Return.

Wellington:

https://bookings.beatthatflight.com.au/flights/wlg0711SYD061… - $549 Return, plus Shanghai route, total $937 Return.

A cheaper option from Auckland:

AKL to SYD https://bookings.beatthatflight.com.au/flights/AKL0711SYD051… $364 return
SYD to Chengdu https://bookings.beatthatflight.com.au/flights/syd0711ctu041… - $388 Return
Total $752 Return.