J Redemption (SIN-AMS/ MUC-SIN )

[sabian]

Finally, I have a reason to search for available J redemption. I am planning a Europe trip and this will be my first J redemption, if it goes through at all.

SIN-AMS (20/9)
MUC-SIN (5/10)

No saver J redemption available for either leg. Only standard/ full awards are available even after switching the arrival and departing airports around. And it seems really insane to redeem a standard/ full award.

Does it make sense to go for an upgrade-able revenue Y and waitlist for a miles upgrade to J? Being able to upgrade on either leg would BE good enough as I have never been in J and this would be a treat.

[SMK77]

As long as you can waitlist your saver redemption, you are still good.

MUC-SIN is easily available in F for only very few miles.

[sabian]

Thank you SMK77.

You are referring to wait listing a saver J seat rather than wait listing a Y-J upgrade?

[SMK77]

Thank you SMK77.

You are referring to wait listing a saver J seat rather than wait listing a Y-J upgrade?

Correct. I think that redeeming a J ticket is usually cheaper as well.

[sabian]

Correct. I think that redeeming a J ticket is usually cheaper as well.

Would I be pushing my luck if I attempted to waitlist for 2 J tickets to and fro?

[KC*]

Why don't you wait-list for J redemption and then give KF a call or two (or three). If you ask nicely (and persistently), you may get your wish.

However, if the travel is critical, then it is better to get your Y ticket and then waitlist for upgrade. At least you won't be left stranded.

[sabian]

Thank KC*

I will take that route.

Add: I did the booking. Just curious, are seat maps displayed during seat selection really showing the actual seats sold?

SIN-AMS, there are only about 7 seats available and not one of them are aisle or window!
Ditto for the MUC-SIN!

Have their loads improved that much or is this another recent SQ "enhancement"?

[9V-JKL]

SIN-AMS, there are only about 7 seats available and not one of them are aisle or window!
Ditto for the MUC-SIN!?

??? How can any J seat not have aisle access?

[sabian]

??? How can any J seat not have aisle access?

Apologies.

I went with KC*'s suggestion and booked flexi-Y and waitlisted J upgrades.

According to the seat maps (SIN-AMS/ MUC-SIN), Y is packed to the rafters...

[KC*]

I notice that large segments of Y cabin is always blocked out months ahead. I suspect these are reserved for travel agents and some choice seats for passengers with status. I don't think they are actually taken.

Having said that, on a recent SIN-AMS flight, my J cabin had only a few empty seats! I didn't check the Y cabin, though.

[SilverChris]

I notice that large segments of Y cabin is always blocked out months ahead. I suspect these are reserved for travel agents and some choice seats for passengers with status. I don't think they are actually taken.

It's normal for about half of the Y seats to be blocked for airport assignment, to make it easier for the check-in agents to keep travel parties together.

[SQueeze]

On expertflyer, one can see which are the blocked ones.
For the above flights, most seats are blocked. Flights are not full.
I also learnt another reason for blocking from a check-in agent 2 weeks ago. The term is 'aircraft trimming'. My flight was very full in business and very empty in Y. So they blocked most of the first section of the Y cabin so the heavy front of the plane is then balanced by the rear. The first section of the Y cabin has barely more than 30 pax.

[sabian]

On expertflyer, one can see which are the blocked ones.
For the above flights, most seats are blocked. Flights are not full.
I also learnt another reason for blocking from a check-in agent 2 weeks ago. The term is 'aircraft trimming'. My flight was very full in business and very empty in Y. So they blocked most of the first section of the Y cabin so the heavy front of the plane is then balanced by the rear. The first section of the Y cabin has barely more than 30 pax.

Thanks SQueeze for the look-in.

Hope that, if J upgrade is not possible, more Y seats are available for selection as my wife and I are not even seated together as there are no 2 consecutive seats available.