Wide Open: Vietnam Airlines Business Awards To & From USA

Also, for a RT in J KE are charing 155K plus taxes & fees - before being SkyPeso'd by their controlling partner the Premium Airline.

Was surprised by the relative lack of award availability when I searched for this route a couple of months ago. Is this just VN being stingy or them wanting to see route performance based purely on revenue fares after its initial launch? Not sure how well this route is performing in terms of loads or revenues, it seemed to have been launched to just muted fanfare. And I'm also going to guess that redemption with DL Skymiles is either extortionate or nonexistent.

Fwiw, the best way to book this is with Aeromexico - you need to call in, but they are able to ticket it. Given the 1:1.6 transfer ratio from Amex it works out to 70k or something amex points.

What they lose in passenger load factor they're probably recovering in air freight, and then some. It's much, much more lucrative to carry 100 kg of air freight than it is to carry a 75 kg passenger and their 25 kg of baggage.

Ben, As far as Vietnam Airlines, it's a Skyteam carrier so if it's available to Skyteam programs then it's available to ANA. On ANA, it's 136,000 round trip (has be booked RT). I don't know how to check ANA on line--I think you need to view on Virgin and then call ANA if you see availability.

IF YOU VALUE HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOM, PLEASE DON'T FLY WITH THIS COMMUNIST STATE OWNED AIRLINES. IT'S NOTORIOUSLY KNOWN FOR WIDESPREAD CORRUPTION, SEXUAL SCANDALS, DRUG TRAFFICKING AMONG THEIR CREW MEMBERS, WHO ARE SPECIALLY SELECTED AND RECRUITED, MANY FEMALE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS WHO WANT TO BE HIRED FOR THE JOB MUST SUBJECT TO HAVING SEX WITH TOP MANAGEMENTS AND AUTHORITIES. THESE SCANDALS ARE WIDELY REPORTED AMONG OVERSEAS VIETNAMESE (WHO LIVE IN FREE, DEMOCRATIC COUNTRIES LIKE THE U.S., CANADA, AUSTRALIA) NEWS OUTLETS.

Why are you shouting at us?

I’ve flown them couple of times in business class and found them to be pretty good… only reason I avoid them is the visa… it’s so difficult to find a safe and reliable way to get a visa to Vietnam.
Did it once over WhatsApp while at the airport and it cost me $350 and another time over some “shady” site for much less… either way, not a good experience

e-visa should cost far less if done on the official government e-visa website...

Nonsense. Government of Vietnam has their own site, which charges around USD$40 and provides visa online in a few days. This is suitable for travellers who can tell a scam when they see one.

Thank you both! Do u have a link?

Isn't ANA Star Alliance?

It is. That's why it's overlooked (even by Ben). Vietnam Airlines is a non-alliance partner with ANA.

It’s now only $25 for a single entry e-Visa for up to 3 months and takes only 3 days to process on the official Vietnam government site:
https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/
I have done this twice already this year and it’s by far the fastest, safest and cheapest way to apply for a visa to Vietnam.

Just booked two tickets, January 15th. One way, SFO to SGN in business. Perfect tip for me at the right time. Very flexible. Will be there approximately 3 weeks traveling around country. Now I just need to figure out how to get back.

Are you sure about this? Called Aeromexico and they are telling me they can only book award flights on their own metal over the phone. She told me I had to do it online. Not familiar with their program enough to know if I need to hang up try again or if this is not possible. The available flight on Virgin Atlantic website is not bookable on Aeromexico rewards website. Anyone else able to chime in on this?

Hang up and call again. I've booked this route multiple times via aeromexico - in my experience only ~30-40% of their reps actually know how to do it.

Hi AM, I called aeromexico, but they said at the moment they can only book aeromexico award flight, do u have any successful experience? thank you so much