Maria’s Note:
This is the second leg of my journey from New York to Asia in Summer 2025. After flying Etihad First Apartment from New York JFK to Abu Dhabi (a last-minute booking just before my miles expired), I continued on toward Fukuoka Japan where I’d reunite with my family.This next stretch, from Abu Dhabi to Singapore, to Ho Chi Minh City, and finally to Japan—wasn’t the most extravagant routing. But it was built with strategy and purpose. A real-time puzzle solved using programs I trusted: American Airlines AAdvantage, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, American Express FHR credits and World of Hyatt.
If you missed how I booked the Etihad First Apartment, you can find the full story here:
Part One: Flying Etihad First Apartment with Expiring Miles →
What happens when you blend smart redemptions, real-life travel pacing, and a little bit of luxury? This solo journey (before joining my family) from Abu Dhabi to Fukuoka wasn’t the most extravagant, it was intentional…
After flying one of the most luxurious routes I’ve ever experienced, Etihad First Class Apartment from New York to Abu Dhabi, I found myself quietly reflecting in the Grand Mosque and Etihad First Class Lounge. Alone, unhurried, and I was deeply grateful. (Check out here how I plan my layover in Abu Dhabi.) But the journey wasn’t over. Not even close.
The next part of my trip would take me through the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and into Japan, using multiple airline loyalty programs and award tickets. All carefully stitched together to meet my needs, my timing, and my available points. Let’s walk through what I booked the award tickets, how I booked them, and how you can do the same.
Why This Route Made Strategic Sense
The flights that followed from Abu Dhabi → Singapore → Ho Chi Minh City → Fukuoka were stitched together for the strategy.
This wasn’t the most aspirational routing by Instagram standards, but it aligned with what I needed: a manageable solo segment, and smart redemptions using the points I had available. It also gave me time to recalibrate before joining my family in Kyushu, Japan. Each leg of this trip was designed around practicality and purpose:
- Etihad First Class Apartment from Abu Dhabi to Singapore (50K AA miles)
- Vietnam Airlines Business Class from Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City (15K Virgin points)
- Park Hyatt Saigon stay using Amex FHR credits and Hyatt points
- Japan Airlines Business Class from Ho Chi Minh City to Fukuoka (30K AA miles)
Abu Dhabi to Singapore in Etihad First Class Apartment (Again)
After my 13-hour New York to Abu Dhabi (JFK – AUH) flight burned through 200,000 Etihad Guest miles (just before expiration), I still needed to reach Asia. Etihad’s dynamic pricing on its own site was steep, and I wasn’t eager to transfer more flexible points into a program that had recently imposed one of the harshest cancellation policies around. So I turned to American Airlines AAdvantage (AA miles).
While American Airlines charges 40,000 AA miles for Etihad’s Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur route on the 787 Business Class, the Abu Dhabi to Singapore segment on the A380 First Class Apartment runs 50,000 AA miles. It was wide open.
I had more than enough AA miles, and I couldn’t resist one more First Apartment ride. I booked the aisle seat I could get, 2H this time. While it didn’t quite match the magic of the 13-hour transatlantic, it still delivered quiet elegance and solid service. The onboard lounge wasn’t as vibrant as the JFK–AUH route. No snacks this time, just dim lights and quiet. But the caviar service returned, and I leaned into the solitude especially after spending most of the day exploring Abu Dhabi and relaxing in the extravagant lounges.
The Latest fact: As of July 27, 2025, American Airlines is now a Citi ThankYou transfer partner, so routes like this may become even more accessible for those holding Citi Strata Premier or Citi Strata Elite card.
Layover in Singapore: Practical, Not Just Beautiful
Singapore Changi Airport is consistently ranked among the best airports in the world for good reason. But this wasn’t just about enjoying The Jewel. I had to transfer from Terminal 3 to Terminal 2 to connect to my Vietnam Airlines flight. Etihad Airways and Vietnam Airlines were not in the same alliance with no interline agreement, which meant reclaiming my luggage, rechecking in, and navigating security again.
Still, it was smooth. I took the SkyTrain across terminals, admired the waterfall, and prepped for my next segment. This part of the journey showed how a well-timed award flight, despite some logistical hurdles, can still run like clockwork.
Vietnam Airlines Business Class to Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam holds special meaning for me. Some of my readers were Vietnamese-American families with strong family ties to Ho Chi Minh City. I’d heard stories for years and now I had a chance to visit. This stop was personal.
I had planned to use the Amex Business Platinum Card 35% rebate to offset the cost of the ticket. But my procrastination got the best of me and the price jumped. So I pivoted and ended up booking a last-minute business award through Virgin Atlantic for 15,500 points. (The good news? There were always enough seats for families in both Economy and Business Class. The catch? Patience is rule #1 like gold-medal-level patience!) The Virgin Points are easy to accumulate, thanks to frequent 25–40% transfer bonuses from the bank partners and occasional buy points sale promotions as low as $1.13 cents per point.
The flight was underwhelming. An older aircraft was with only 8-10 Business Class seats and worn interiors. Nothing was impressive on this regional short haul flight. But it got me there. This is a good reminder that distance-based programs like Virgin Atlantic can be gold mines for short flights especially in premium cabins.
Park Hyatt Saigon: A Restful and Rewarding Stay
Park Hyatt properties are known for their luxury hotels and timeless elegance. I’ve had mixed experiences at others, but this one lived up to its reputation like Park Hyatt Niseko, Park Hyatt Milano. My stay at the Park Hyatt Saigon deserves its own spotlight. I’ll share that in a future post but this was easily one of my favorite redemptions of the summer.
Related reading: Family Luxury In Summer: Park Hyatt Niseko Review
I used two different methods for the three-night stay:
- The first two nights were booked using the American Express Platinum $200 hotel credit through Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts, which got me a complimentary suite upgrade. This stay also came with US$100 hotel credit.
- The third night was a last-minute Hyatt award booking, 17,000 points earned through Chase Sapphire Preferred Card for a standard room, but the hotel graciously let me stay in the suite.
While I couldn’t get a 4 PM late checkout due to full occupancy, the staff went above and beyond to offer a courtesy room from 1 to 4 PM and even set up a workspace for me at their business center until 6 PM. That gave me access to the spa shower, which felt like a final gift before my overnight flight.
Breakfast each morning was a highlight. As solo these three days, I took my time enjoying Vietnamese dishes, preparing coaching materials, and writing reflections that would eventually become my future post. (Ho Chi Minh City and the Park Hyatt Saigon deserve a post of their own. Stay tuned for a full review of the Park Hyatt Saigon and a 3-day itinerary for Ho Chi Minh City coming soon!)
Japan Airlines Business Class: Ho Chi Minh City to Fukuoka
Getting from Vietnam to Kyushu Japan wasn’t as simple as I’d hoped. To meet my family in Fukuoka, I needed a flight that worked with our reunion schedule. Vietnam Airlines had a direct option, but it was sold out on the day I needed. Starlux via Alaska Airlines mileage was tempting, but the timing didn’t work out.
I eventually used 30,000 AA miles, thanks to the welcome offer of Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum (currently the card have the highest offer of 80,000 AA miles) and AAdvantage Business Card (Now is offering 65,000 AA Miles), for a red-eye on Japan Airlines. While the A350 Neo Business Class seat was a tilted shell, not lie-flat, it gave me priority check-in, lounge access, and a smoother overall experience.
Photo Credit: Maria Fung
Photo Credit: Maria Fung
Photo Credit: Maria Fung
Photo Credit: Maria Fung
Photo Credit: Maria Fung
Upon arrival in Tokyo, my OneWorld Emerald status let me fast-track the connection to a domestic flight to Fukuoka. From there, the family adventure began. For that part of the journey, you can find the full breakdown on TripPlus blog here: How To Plan 9-Day Itinerary For First Time Families In Kyushu, Japan
(Maria’s Note: Some older posts are currently missing images due to a technical issue. I’m working on re-uploading and fixing them one by one—thank you so much for your patience and understanding!
If you’d like to support me in the meantime, here’s the same post on my own blog.)
What I Hope This Shows You: It Is Actionable
This trip wasn’t about chasing the most luxurious seat or stacking the flashiest perks. It was about booking the award tickets and hotel what made sense with the points and credits I had, the time I had, and the destinations that meant something to me. I didn’t burn 500,000 points for this stretch. I made the redemptions work by:
- Choosing the right travel programs at the right timing (Etihad, AA, Virgin, Hyatt, AMEX FHR)
- Planning around real life (“me” time, reconnect with my family, my own pacing)
- Diversifying my points so I could adapt quickly.
And sometimes, the simplest decisions, like picking Singapore over Kuala Lumpur, or using Hyatt points for one more night, make the biggest difference in how a trip feels. This was a solo stretch of my journey, but it felt anything but lonely.
Related Reading:
Booked: Off To Hong Kong – Thanks To Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan!
How To Make Family Award Travel Simple In 4 Steps
Final Thoughts
There’s no one “perfect” way to redeem points especially when you’re traveling before reuniting with family. What mattered most on this stretch wasn’t booking the fanciest cabin or maximizing every point, but staying flexible, knowing what tools I had, and building an itinerary that matched real-life needs.
If you find yourself between destinations, between seasons, or simply between phases of a bigger family trip, I hope this shows you how even a short solo stretch can be strategic, meaningful, and deeply rewarding.
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Further tips:
