Reward seats in First Lhr-Sin

[Mattlovessq]

Hi does anyone know if you can get reward seats in First from Lhr to Sin?

[stargold]

For economy class on any flight: Yes from Krisflyer, Yes from other Star partners.

On 77W flights: First and Business only available through Krisflyer, not other Star partners. Need to redeem Full (3x) or Standard (2x) award.

On A380 flights: Suites not available for redemption. Business only available through Krisflyer, not other Star partners. Need to redeem Full (3x) or Standard (2x) award.

[Mattlovessq]

Many thanks for the info.

[SQ All The Way]

sucks big time for *A members looking to get a reward on this route. When is SIA going to open up F and J reward seats on 77W and J on 380 since all the 744's are going away?

[jjpb3]

sucks big time for *A members looking to get a reward on this route. When is SIA going to open up F and J reward seats on 77W and J on 380 since all the 744's are going away?

I don't think we should hold our breath waiting: SQ hasn't really tried to hide its view that partner and regular KF (non-PPS) award redemptions leech at its revenue base. Awarding discounts to KrisFlyer members off the exorbitant 'standard' and 'full rates seems to be a way of getting around a rule that EGs and below have to be treated the same way in terms of redemptions as other *A FFP members. To me, it seems to be SQ's blunt way of adjusting for the way some other FFPs throw miles their members' way, and the extent to which SQ awards are coveted.

[9V-SIA]

I don't think we should hold our breath waiting: SQ hasn't really tried to hide its view that partner and regular KF (non-PPS) award redemptions leech at its revenue base. Awarding discounts to KrisFlyer members off the exorbitant 'standard' and 'full rates seems to be a way of getting around a rule that EGs and below have to be treated the same way in terms of redemptions as other *A FFP members. To me, it seems to be SQ's blunt way of adjusting for the way some other FFPs throw miles their members' way, and the extent to which SQ awards are coveted.

Very nice and concisely put

I get a bit irritated reading the b*tching about SQ in the aviation forums.

While I recognize that these forums are primarily used by people looking for bargain flights/redemptions ( which SQ tries not to do ), more objectivity would be nice

I mean, anyone who loves civil aviation can't be happy to see:

1. airlines going bankrupt
2. cancelled/deferred orders for new planes
3. grounding of existing planes
4. airlines making huge losses
5. job losses in the airline industry

Sure, at the moment, great time to travel with the suicidal ( for airlines ) fares being asked.

But long term viability....

[trekkie]

deleted

[HUGE AL]

I mean, anyone who loves civil aviation can't be happy to see:

1. airlines going bankrupt
2. cancelled/deferred orders for new planes
3. grounding of existing planes
4. airlines making huge losses
5. job losses in the airline industry

Sure, at the moment, great time to travel with the suicidal ( for airlines ) fares being asked.

But long term viability....

Many of the reasons you've cited are due to poor management and unions -- especially true in the USA.

what you are saying is that the airline will continue to be nice to its customers if it's doing well commercially but that is not true. In fact, its the opposite.

I would be very happy to see SQ struggling and having to lower its prices to SARS level. But thats my view.

SQ will have to open up its inventory eventually on their so called "new business" and suites which essentially is just another version of First.

Agreed.

[SQflyergirl]

See SQ struggling? I don't know. See SQ die - never. I'll tell you why. Every airline that goes bust gives the remainder a chance to grab you by the proverbial gonads.

In my industry, we used to have dozens of major suppliers - all trying to remain highly competitive whilst we squeezed them (as a major buyer) for price reductions. Guess what - all but 2 are left, having gone bust/been bought over/merged.

These two.... have a field day with us these days due to their now near monopolistic model. Imagine a single "world airline" that charged us anything they wanted..

[9V-SIA]

SQ has, in the past, been lucky in that they were able to buy their a/c cheap during hard times for A & B ( plus there was competition in those days from McD and L too ) .

They got their 744s and 777s cheap. This is partly why they are so profitable.

This time round, don't think they were not able to negotiate from such a strong position. Their timing is off...

1. SQ's new fleet of 787/A350s/A380s ordered during boom times ( if they had only waited a while longer before ordering! )
2. Only A & B left to choose from
3. Emerging carriers with deep pockets ( = Middle East carriers ) who are placing much larger orders for a/c than SQ. This makes them more important customers to A & B than SQ

And I hear SQTalkers wanting SQ to match what other airlines are pricing their tickets.

Last 2 quarters, CX lost money. BA and QF are nearly there too. Bad times for airlines when even the strongest and the best are losing $$$

I understand that the fuel hedging losses by SQ will soon have to be booked.

If any experts out there wish to correct any misconceptions I have made, please feel free to do so.

I'm really speaking as an armchair CEO...

[SQ All The Way]

9V-SIA I am not too sure if I agree with your comment "I get a bit irritated reading the b*tching about SQ in the aviation forums".

I am a true die heart SQ fan and hopefully a valuable client of theirs who spends thousands of dollars purchasing several premium cabin revenue tickets on SQ each year. If I have a choice of 2 or more airlines on a route and SQ is one of them, 9.9/10 times I'll opt to fly SQ. That should say it.

That does not change my perspective and I still strongly feel they need to open up premium cabin seats on 77W and a380's (not necessarily suites) to *A partner redemption tickets. They can certainly control on how many they make available for each flight however they need to open these up.

On a side note and with all due respect public forums are to voice opionions, whether it's for or against an airline and that's exactly what I have done respectfully.

cheers.

[9V-SIA]

9V-SIA I am not too sure if I agree with your comment "I get a bit irritated reading the b*tching about SQ in the aviation forums".

I am a true die heart SQ fan and hopefully a valuable client of theirs who spends thousands of dollars purchasing several premium cabin revenue tickets on SQ each year. If I have a choice of 2 or more airlines on a route and SQ is one of them, 9.9/10 times I'll opt to fly SQ. That should say it.

That does not change my perspective and I still strongly feel they need to open up premium cabin seats on 77W and a380's (not necessarily suites) to *A partner redemption tickets. They can certainly control on how many they make available for each flight however they need to open these up.

On a side note and with all due respect public forums are to voice opionions, whether it's for or against an airline and that's exactly what I have done respectfully.

cheers.

B*tching is probably too strong a word.

More like "Wah lau, hard to make a buck from these guys"

I don't think SQ is minting a pile of money

Just trying to survive, like most of us

It is OK to make a profit, right?

[Kyo]

A profit? They've made a killing for the last year at the expense of very profitable and loyal customers that they've alienated.

As has been said umpteen times by various members on this board. The extremely loyal pax they had shouldn't be left hanging out to dry. Instead that's what they've done and refused to revert back, for reasons of, I suspect, mostly pride and not wanting to place the head of whoever made that decision in SQ management on the chopping block in this current economic situation.

Such come-uppance is only karmic, the way I see it. And I don't even believe in karma.


Sorry, I'm feeling a little bit bitter at everything in general as I just got off my last LX BKK-SIN flight today and it was just heartbreaking to see this route on its dying legs (only 117 onboard today). A little sensitive I am today, I'm afraid...

[jhm]

Sorry, I'm feeling a little bit bitter at everything in general as I just got off my last LX BKK-SIN flight today and it was just heartbreaking to see this route on its dying legs (only 117 onboard today). A little sensitive I am today, I'm afraid...

Here, have a tissue (and a sausage)!

I quite agree with the rest of your post. If only we could all "only survive" like SQ has done over the last few years...

[milehighj]

Just trying to survive, like most of us

It is OK to make a profit, right?

Correct. Now they're trying to survive and squeeze out a profit.

Two years ago they told their best, loyal, premium customers that they didn't need them. They launched a product called a "class beyond first", unattainable on redemption and only at 1.5x the price of First Class. They devalued by 50% everyone's currency in the Krisflyer programme...

Running an enterprise is about profit for sure. But in achieving that over the long-term, you have to consider customer goodwill. These guys didn't, and having bet the firm on disappearing corporate travelers, some people deserve to be fired (*).


(*) NB: This is not an impossibility. There is a certain new CEO at a certain sovereign wealth fund that just happens to be SQ's main shareholder. Let's wait and see.