SGN stay open overnight? UA 6:00 am out / transit hotel
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Chicago, USA
Programs: UA 1MM Gold AA Gold NW Silver Marriott Plat. SPG Plat. Hilton Gold Hertz 5 Star
Posts: 3,218
SGN stay open overnight? UA 6:00 am out / transit hotel
So I may be arriving rather late into SGN. Past 10 pm. If I'm too darn tired, I'd be interested in knowing whether or not the airport stays open and if I can just hang out in airport till check-in for the UA flight at I guess around 4 am ish to Hong Kong.
Also any idea of what *A lounges / showers may be available in the international terminal to UA 1k *G passengers?
Thanks much
Also any idea of what *A lounges / showers may be available in the international terminal to UA 1k *G passengers?
Thanks much
#2
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,245
Even if you can, you definitely don't want to hang out at the airport. There's absoutely nothing there.
If I remember correctly, you have to go through immigration right when you arrive. So it's not like a lot of airports where you can linger. Then you'll be outside the airport and won't be able to get back in until check in opens.
If I remember correctly, you have to go through immigration right when you arrive. So it's not like a lot of airports where you can linger. Then you'll be outside the airport and won't be able to get back in until check in opens.
#3
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 15
Agreed. The airport is definitely sparse, you'll find you are really no longer in Kansas. You are basically pushed out onto the street as you exit. I found it a bit overwhelming as you exit the United plane and a few minutes later you are on a busy sidewalk trying to hail a cab. I'd recommend having a place booked for your wait.
#4
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: UA Premier Exec; AA Platinum; SPG Gold; PC Platinum Ambassador
Posts: 285
Agreed. The airport is definitely sparse, you'll find you are really no longer in Kansas. You are basically pushed out onto the street as you exit. I found it a bit overwhelming as you exit the United plane and a few minutes later you are on a busy sidewalk trying to hail a cab. I'd recommend having a place booked for your wait.
You do need a visa if you are an American citizen. Can be gotten over the internet and then processed as a visa on arrival, but it'll cost you an additional ~$45.
But there is nothing at the airport, and I doubt the *G lounge stays open 24/7- was only there during normal operating hours.
#5
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Diego
Programs: Marriott Rewards Silver Elite, AA Lifetime Plat 4.5M, DL Medallion Lifetime Silver, DL MillionMiler
Posts: 1,263
Not to mention the airport is close to town, so in 15 minutes, you can be staying at a decent hotel for a reasonable price...
You do need a visa if you are an American citizen. Can be gotten over the internet and then processed as a visa on arrival, but it'll cost you an additional ~$45.
But there is nothing at the airport, and I doubt the *G lounge stays open 24/7- was only there during normal operating hours.
You do need a visa if you are an American citizen. Can be gotten over the internet and then processed as a visa on arrival, but it'll cost you an additional ~$45.
But there is nothing at the airport, and I doubt the *G lounge stays open 24/7- was only there during normal operating hours.
I understand most airlines either have lounges at the airport or have a reciprocal agreement that allows club members passage. I'd call UA and ask about this specifically.
Park Royal hotel is two miles from airport and has half day rates. They also have a courtesy shuttle.
Last edited by maltasr; Sep 7, 2009 at 2:45 pm Reason: Deleted run on sentence.
#6
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: UA Premier Exec; AA Platinum; SPG Gold; PC Platinum Ambassador
Posts: 285
SGN Visa on Arrival
The advantages of this is not having to send off your passport or get a money order (also it's cheaper). The disadvantage is that the Visa on Arrival office in HCM is painfully slow, and took almost an hour to process my visa- still faster than going to the embassy...
Taxis at HCM airport are plentiful and very cheap, if the OP wants to go to another hotel.
Friendly
#7
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Hsinchu (Taiwan), Saigon, London
Programs: EVA (diamond), A3, BMI, VN
Posts: 2,960
And during this time your luggage is going around and around the carousel. They no longer check baggage tags on exit at SGN (international).
#8
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,048
I found the process to be quite smooth. Even without my having the secondary form I needed, it took less than 15 minutes to get my Visa. And immigration in the new terminal is quite fast now compared to the old terminal. Even with several wide body aircraft landing at the same time, it rarely takes more than 15-20 minutes to get through.