Virgin Atlantic: business class from the US West Coast to Southeast Asia from 75,000 points

Virgin Atlantic prices partner connections one segment at a time, and ANA's chart makes that a sweet spot. West Coast to Tokyo is 52,500 points and Tokyo to Manila is 22,500, so 75,000 one way in business. Singapore, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City and Kuala Lumpur add 35,000 for 87,500. The only nonstop, Vietnam Airlines from San Francisco to Ho Chi Minh City, is 140,000.

From 75,000 points Starting 75k Availability: Two segments, both need seats

Airlines you will fly

ANA, Vietnam Airlines

Hubs

Tokyo HND/NRT, Seoul ICN, Taipei TPE

Book on

Call Flying Club

Transfer points from

AmexChaseCapital OneCitiBiltWells Fargo

How Virgin Atlantic prices this route

USA West → SE Asia · business, one way

Booking typeWho you flyBusiness one way

ANA partnerPriced USA West ↔ Tokyo ↔ SE Asia

ANATwo segments, priced separately. 52,500 USA–Japan + 22,500 Japan–Manila.

lowestfrom75,000

Vietnam Airlines partnerPriced SFO ↔ SGN

Vietnam AirlinesThe only nonstop. Distance-based, 7,001–12,000 mile band.

140,000

Connecting awards need partner award seats on both segments. Virgin prices each segment separately, and multi-segment partner awards are booked by calling Flying Club.

Connecting itineraries

USA West → SE Asia · business, one way · Virgin Atlantic prices each segment separately

ANA via Tokyo

ToUSA West → TokyoTokyo → destinationTotal

MNLManila52,500 + 22,500

52,50022,500

lowest75,000

SINSingapore52,500 + 35,000

52,50035,000

87,500

BKKBangkok52,500 + 35,000

52,50035,000

87,500

SGNHo Chi Minh City52,500 + 35,000

52,50035,000

87,500

KULKuala Lumpur52,500 + 35,000

52,50035,000

87,500

ANA's published zone prices, not distance-based. ANA-operated flights only.

Korean Air via Seoul

US gateways: SEA/SFO/LAX. LAX–ICN is just under the 6,000-mile edge.

ToUSA West → SeoulSeoul → destinationTotal

MNLManila85,000 + 35,500

85,00035,500

120,500

SGNHo Chi Minh CityJust under the 2,250-mile edge, check it isn't 40,000.85,000 + 35,500

85,00035,500

120,500

BKKBangkok85,000 + 40,000

85,00040,000

125,000

SINSingapore85,000 + 40,000

85,00040,000

125,000

KULKuala Lumpur85,000 + 40,000

85,00040,000

125,000

DPSBali85,000 + 60,000

85,00060,000

145,000

Korean Air is priced by distance on each segment.

China Airlines via Taipei

US gateways: SEA/SFO/LAX.

ToUSA West → TaipeiTaipei → destinationTotal

MNLManila100,000 + 15,500

100,00015,500

115,500

SGNHo Chi Minh City100,000 + 21,500

100,00021,500

121,500

BKKBangkok100,000 + 35,500

100,00035,500

135,500

SINSingapore100,000 + 35,500

100,00035,500

135,500

KULKuala Lumpur100,000 + 35,500

100,00035,500

135,500

DPSBali100,000 + 40,000

100,00040,000

140,000

China Airlines is priced by distance on each segment.

Good to know

Virgin Atlantic awards are one way, so you can book the return with another program.
Book both segments on one ticket so you are protected if the first flight is delayed.
If ANA has nothing, China Airlines via Taipei to Manila is 115,500 and Korean Air via Seoul to Manila or Ho Chi Minh City is 120,500.
Bali is only reachable via Seoul or Taipei on these partners.

How to find seats

1 Find the long-haul ANA flight to Tokyo first. That is almost always the hard part.
2 Search Tokyo to your Southeast Asia city around that flight. The regional segment is usually easier to find.
3 Once both segments show seats, call Flying Club to ticket them together, then transfer your points.

Other programs on this route

AeroplanEVA Air, ANA, Singapore AirlinesAmex, Chase, Capital One, Biltfrom 85,000 Qatar AirwaysQatar Airways, Philippine Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Japan AirlinesAmex, Chase, Capital One, Citi, Bilt, Wells Fargofrom 95,000 KrisFlyerSingapore Airlines, United, ANA, EVA AirAmex, Chase, Capital One, Citifrom 112,500 Flying BlueAir France, KLM + partnersAmex, Chase, Capital One, Citi, Bilt, Wells Fargofrom 115,000

The return trip: SE Asia → USA West

Virgin AtlanticANA, Vietnam AirlinesAmex, Chase, Capital One, Citi, Bilt, Wells Fargofrom 75,000

Questions people ask

Why is a connection cheaper than the nonstop?

Virgin prices ANA with fixed zone prices and adds the two segments up: 52,500 + 22,500 to Manila. Vietnam Airlines' nonstop is priced by distance, and at 7,838 miles it lands in the 140,000 band.

Is booking two segments much harder?

Harder, but workable. Both flights need award seats on the same trip, but the long haul to Tokyo is usually the bottleneck. Once you find it, the regional segment tends to follow. You do need to call Virgin to put both on one ticket.