While perhaps not the world’s most aspirational airline, there’s a good opportunity to redeem miles for nonstop travel between the United States and Southeast Asia…
In this post:
Vietnam Airlines business class awards between SFO & SGN
Vietnam Airlines operates a single route to the United States, which is a 4x weekly service between Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) and San Francisco (SFO). The flight operates with the following schedule:
VN98 Ho Chi Minh City to San Francisco departing 6:30PM arriving 6:40PM
VN99 San Francisco to Ho Chi Minh City departing 10:50PM arriving 4:30AM (+2 days)
The 7,838-mile flight is operated by an Airbus A350-900, and is blocked at 14hr10min eastbound and 15hr40min westbound, so it’s quite a long trip.
Historically award availability on this flight hasn’t been great, but as flagged by @findflightsforme, award seats in business class are readily available at the moment (if you’re not following this account, I’d highly recommend doing so, as they share all kinds of great award opportunities).
Between now and the end of the schedule, there’s pretty consistent availability in both directions, including for multiple people. There are two best ways to book this this in business class (and in both cases there are around $240 in total taxes and carrier imposed surcharges per person per direction):
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue charges 100,500 points one-way in business class
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club charges 140,000 points one-way in business class
Both Flying Blue and Flying Club partner with most major transferable points currencies. Furthermore, at the moment, Citi ThankYou is even offering a 25% transfer bonus to Air France-KLM, so you could book this for just 81,000 Citi ThankYou points.
The best way to search award availability is through the Virgin Atlantic website, since there’s a calendar view that shows you availability for a month at a time. If you see the award availability for 140,000 points, that means this flight is available. 
However, I’d then of course recommend booking through Air France-KLM, and you can do so directly through the Air France-KLM website. As a reminder, Flying Blue charges €70 to cancel an award and redeposit the points.
Is this award space worth taking advantage of?
Vietnam Airlines is hardly the most exciting Asian carrier. I’ve reviewed Vietnam Airlines’ A350 business class, and it’s perfectly pleasant. So this isn’t Singapore Airlines, or EVA Air, or Starlux Airlines.
However, there’s of course a huge convenience to being able to fly nonstop to Southeast Asia. Vietnam Airlines operates the only nonstop flight between the United States and Vietnam, so if that’s convenient, I absolutely wouldn’t hesitate to book with the airline.
Now, I probably wouldn’t position too far out of my way to take advantage of this, but if you’re flying from the West Coast and your final destination is somewhere in Vietnam, I think this is an exciting opportunity. The fact that there’s availability throughout the year and for multiple people makes this even better.
Vietnam is a great country to visit, with delicious food, bustling cities, and some great beach resorts, including some popular luxury points properties.
Bottom line
At the moment, there’s a large amount of business class award availability between San Francisco and Ho Chi Minh City on Vietnam Airlines. If this fits your travel plans, this can be a great opportunity. I’d recommend booking through Air France-KLM Flying Blue, since it has the best pricing, and the points are easy to come by.
Do you plan on taking advantage of this Vietnam Airlines business class award space?
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.
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?
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.
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.,...
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?
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Also, for a RT in J KE are charing 155K plus taxes & fees - before being SkyPeso'd by their controlling partner the Premium Airline.