China Southern Airlines has made changes to its frequent flyer program including lowering the threshold for the first award redemption to 10,000 miles — down from 20,000. Elite flight mileage bonuses are also now offered: Sky Pearl Gold members will earn 30 percent more miles and Silver members will earn an extra 15 percent. Elite status can be earned through qualifying miles and segments; 80,000 miles or 40 segments for Gold and 40,000 miles or 20 segments for Silver. Elite qualifying segments (EQS) are earned twice as fast when flying first or business class. Sky Pearl Club’s award chart has been rearranged to reflect eight zones instead of six. These are just some of the changes that have been promised by Sky Pearl Club as the program plans a full relaunch.