Deal alert (Friday only): Fly to Thailand or Vietnam for as few as 30K United miles
Editor's Note
United Airlines is running a week of award flight sales. MileagePlus members can score savings on redemptions to a new destination each day, and United credit card holders can save even more. You'll have to act fast, though, because these deals only last 24 hours.
On Friday, United members can book award flights to Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City via Hong Kong for 35,000 miles one-way, or just 30,000 miles if you hold a United Chase credit card. That price is for economy class, but it's still not a bad deal if you can endure the long journey.
Related: United credit cards add statement credits and higher annual fees — is it worth keeping your card?
Deal basics
Airline: United
Routes: Between airports on the U.S. mainland and Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN)
Fare classes: Economy
How to book: Directly with United
Travel dates: Oct. 26 to Dec. 10
Book by: Aug. 8
Sample flights
On Friday only, you can book one-way tickets between mainland U.S. cities and Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City for only 35,000 miles in economy — or 30,000 miles if you have a United Chase credit card. For your planning purposes, keep in mind that you must fly through Hong Kong to reach either of these destinations on United, and United only serves Hong Kong from Los Angeles and San Francisco.
One of the many reasons to get a United credit card is that cardholders get access to lower award rates. In this case, you can save 5,000 miles per one-way ticket, which could add up quickly. For a two-person, round-trip booking, that shaves off 20,000 miles from your total cost.
These are some of the dates this 30,000-mile cardholder deal is available on the routing from Los Angeles to Ho Chi Minh City via Hong Kong:
You'll still have to pay the taxes and fees on your award ticket(s), but these tend to be quite reasonable on United. For Friday's destinations, United advertised they start at $80.61 round-trip, but we found them for as low as $74.81 round-trip on some dates, even for non-cardholders. (Don't forget to pay the taxes and fees with your United card in order to take advantage of perks like free checked bags.)
This promotional pricing applies only to primary cardmembers (i.e., not authorized users). However, there's no limit to the number of award tickets a cardholder can book. If you're considering jumping on this deal, be sure to have the United Chase cardmember in your family book the tickets.
If you're short United miles, you can transfer them from Chase Ultimate Rewards and Bilt Rewards at a 1:1 ratio. You can also pool United miles with family and friends to redeem for United-operated award flights. However, since pools take at least 72 hours to set up, you won't be able to use this feature for Friday's deal unless you have already set up a pool.
Related: How to get maximum value from the United MileagePlus program
Bottom line
On Friday only, United's final deal of the week is offering award flights to Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City for only 35,000 miles each way in economy, or 30,000 miles for cardholders. If you haven't finalized your fall travel plans, this could be your sign to plan a trip to Thailand or Vietnam. However, be sure to also check paid rates before redeeming your miles, as I found round-trip United fares from Los Angeles to Ho Chi Minh City for just $645 in basic economy or $805 in economy this fall.
Related reading:
- The best credit cards for airport lounge access
- How to get United Club lounge access: From credit cards to paid memberships
- The do's and don'ts of visiting an airport lounge
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- 9 domestic lounges that are worth going out of your way for
- The best credit cards for United Airlines flyers
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.