Block bookings to negotiate fares?

[AsiaCommuter]

We use a well known corporate travel agency, and they have negotiated a 7% discount on published SQ fares out of Barcelona.

Considering fare increases as of April, is there a realistic possibility SQ would negotiate further on their fares in the event I was to block-book in advance a series of flights for the next 9 weeks (10 Barcelona > Asia/OZ return flights in J?) From a revenue perspective I just qualified Solitaire (250K SGD spend) in around 19 months with their new model. My gut feeling is SQ will not be interested.....? Anyone else managed to negotiate fares?

Thanks

[TerryK]

I thought block bookings refer to booking 15 or more tickets on the same flight.

You can get a discount for block bookings, however, I have never heard of it for C tickets. It will be hard to booking 15 C tickets on the same flight anyway.

[AsiaCommuter]

...symantics, when I refer to block booking I mean purchasing a series of tickets at the same time for different flights, i.e. block booking my travel plans in advance, not for many different passengers on the same flights.

Our corporate travel agency is still waiting for the answer from SQ, I am not holding my breath for a discount.

Cheers

[LionCity]

...symantics, when I refer to block booking I mean purchasing a series of tickets at the same time for different flights, i.e. block booking my travel plans in advance, not for many different passengers on the same flights.

Our corporate travel agency is still waiting for the answer from SQ, I am not holding my breath for a discount.

Cheers

You did the right thing in not holding your breath. But still worth the try. The past eight flights I taken were pretty filled up.

[Kyo]

Wonder if I told TG I'd buy 10 J tickets (or less, if possible), they'd give me a discount. I'd also consider doing this for SQ Y. For all those non-urgent weekends...

[MAN Flyer]

Considering fare increases as of April, is there a realistic possibility SQ would negotiate further on their fares in the event I was to block-book in advance a series of flights for the next 9 weeks (10 Barcelona > Asia/OZ return flights in J?) From a revenue perspective I just qualified Solitaire (250K SGD spend) in around 19 months with their new model.

I suppose it doesn't hurt to ask, but as you say, chances are they won't be interested. Even though they have lost some of their arrogance since the recent economic downturn, as the aircraft are filling up again now it won't be long before we are back to normal again. Having said that, SDG 250K PPSV in 19 months is pretty good going, so they should take notice of you. I also can't imagine there are many Solitaires in Barcelona yet.

[AsiaCommuter]

Our corporate travel management company finally got the answer from SQ this morning. No surprise.... no movement to discount if we purchase 10 seperate J tickets at the same time.

Basically looking at the response they kinda say I should be greatful for the existing 7% negotiated rate our corporate travel management company has been offered, and furthermore they always offer us the most competitive fares.

Still was worth a try

[LionCity]

Our corporate travel management company finally got the answer from SQ this morning. No surprise.... no movement to discount if we purchase 10 seperate J tickets at the same time.

Basically looking at the response they kinda say I should be greatful for the existing 7% negotiated rate our corporate travel management company has been offered, and furthermore they always offer us the most competitive fares.

Still was worth a try

Well, glad it is no minor or major shock to you and that you are realistic in your dealing with SQ. SQ corporate fare structure from what little I know is a backwards looking model i.e. how much you spend in the past year to determine the level of corporate discount now. You might want to find out more how the corporate discount structure works from your corporate travel management company.

But it is obvious that you are a sizeable purchaser of SQ Tickets for yourself alone. It took me 7 years to get to TPPS!!!