A pleasant surprise - PPS benefits enhancements!

[MEL-World]

I got the bonus Reserve Value too as a TPP 15. I think I just scraped in then since 12 years did not get any.....

TPP 15 must have been the cut-off as I did not get anything as TPP 14 . I generally like the rest of the enhancements although, as other have mentioned, I would like the waitlist and easier access to saver redemptions extended to J as that is what PPS is really all about.

Mind you, I still prefer SQ after all these years if everything else is equal and they are starting to get more competitive with Earlybird J Class ex MEL for next summer. I manage all my business and personal bookings so still interested in the price.

[SMK77]

I still like knowing what I'm supposedly paying for.

And your point is?

You pay for a ticket and with SQ you get a premium product and experience.

PPS Club is the cherry on the icing and I am now in the Club for six years. There is very little SQ wouldn't do to keep me happy. Published benefits are non-existent so only 'insiders' know and appreciate what the Club can do for you.

[milehighj]

PPS Club is the cherry on the icing and I am now in the Club for six years. There is very little SQ wouldn't do to keep me happy. Published benefits are non-existent so only 'insiders' know and appreciate what the Club can do for you.

(bolding is mine)

Ah an insider. Good on you.


Oh btw, given that at 6 years you are effectively a newbie to this gig... SQ was once a helluva lot better at playing this PPS game. Just so you know.

[CarbonMan]

SQ was once a helluva lot better at playing this PPS game. Just so you know.

Sure, Milehighj. And they also used to have a lounge/library on the upper deck of the 747 as well. That was a different era. Today's environment is very much determined largely by $100+ fuel cost. One, IMHO, needs to compare with what other airlines offer today.

Yes, I'm far less informed than you are, as I fly mainly SQ, UA and BA. My one big need as far as possible is a direct flight. I don't fancy spending a few hours in Doha or Dubai. Hence I only compare with what I have experienced. From the basis of my limited experience and my needs, I do think that SQ is comparatively better. My business is good and hence I don't drill down to price comparisons too much - it's not my priority in choosing who to fly with.

So what does money buy in PPS? Simply put, IMO, two things: priority and attention.

When I call their helpdesk to get something done, I get through without any wait. I get to speak to someone who knows her stuff - conversations are sweet and simple. Yes, I don't always get my redemption waitlist confirmed quickly but I know they are trying their best. When the shit hits the fan and the plane can't take off, I know SQ will take care of me, even when I travel on Y. When I'm late for a connection onto an SQ flight, I know they will do their best to get me onboard - twice in the US, the check-in crew escorted me to the plane, helping me cut queues at security.

Forget the invitations to special events, I've seldom gone to them, in fact only once. The SKL lounge is nice but I don't eat much but I do appreciate the better coffee available.

[Kyo]

With 24,000 PPS members, I am surprised that they still lower the bar and make it easier for members to stay on. :-)

Be careful, the god-like service might soon vanish if everyone thinks this way

Krisflyer gold benfit is declining.

Hear, hear! New thread...

[travelbizpro]

The lounge access on arrival is interesting, but if it only applies to Singapore the benefit is minimal. Hopefully this will be extended to other lounges like London, Sydney, Narita, LAX. That's where I need it more.

[milehighj]

Sure, Milehighj. And they also used to have a lounge/library on the upper deck of the 747 as well. That was a different era. Today's environment is very much determined largely by $100+ fuel cost. One, IMHO, needs to compare with what other airlines offer today.

I don't disagree with that at all. The marketplace is tough.

How does a company deal with that? As a cost-cutter? Or by investing a little more in retaining customers who spend $25k and more a year with them?

[crazycrab955]

Hopefully this will be extended to other lounges like London, Sydney, Narita, LAX.

In many if not most overseas locations, this will not be possible. In most airports, arriving international passengers are kept physically quarantined from the departures area of the airport, and are routed straight to immigration and customs after deplaning.

In fact, I would guess that Changi is amongst a relative minority of airports that routes arriving international passengers through the departures area of the terminal on their way to immigration. Note that I am not talking about transit passengers, but rather those who are arriving at their destination airport (whom, it seems, are the target population for this new TPP/QPP benefit).

[SMK77]

How does a company deal with that? As a cost-cutter? Or by investing a little more in retaining customers who spend $25k and more a year with them?

Why would you want to discuss this? You don't spend 25,000 SDG (anymore) per annum. At least not in Business and First. Others do and they do it consciously with Singapore Airlines. Looks like their doing something right.

The good old times have been better and I can tell you there are tougher times ahead: 'profitability' is the new marching order. How much are you spending with the airline and much money are they making bottom line?

How much are you spending per mile flown? You want cheapest prices and the highest numbers of perks. Maybe you can realize for yourself why this can't work.

[milehighj]

Why would you want to discuss this? You don't spend 25,000 SDG (anymore) per annum. At least not in Business and First. Others do and they do it consciously with Singapore Airlines. Looks like their doing something right.

The good old times have been better and I can tell you there are tougher times ahead: 'profitability' is the new marching order. How much are you spending with the airline and much money are they making bottom line?

How much are you spending per mile flown? You want cheapest prices and the highest numbers of perks. Maybe you can realize for yourself why this can't work.

Oh do we really need to compare how many inches?

My boarding passes still print with QPPS, and SQ's best, most experienced agents still say "Hello Mr. milehighj, how can we help you?" when I dial 62244122.

Nice, but I don't think that's good enough for me as a customer, or for this airline which I still love to compete.

[HUGE AL]

It seems a little strange to offer Priority Access to Economy Saver Awards when in order to qualify for QPP and TPP you need to fly in J or F.

That was the first thing that caught my eye as well.

It's probably a Sir StarG only programme....

Pretty cool how this thread has brought back some wise old members. Now...where's that CGK guy???

[cplh]

Sure, Milehighj.

So what does money buy in PPS? Simply put, IMO, two things: priority and attention.

Yes, I don't always get my redemption waitlist confirmed quickly but I know they are trying their best. When the shit hits the fan and the plane can't take off, I know SQ will take care of me, even when I travel on Y.

i wish that SQ flew everywhere but sadly they don't and so far this year i have had to try PAL, swiss, tap, lufthansa, air canada, bangkok air, UA, jetblue, AA and ANA - perhaps i am just unimaginative but i do not prefer these alternatives to SQ at all

what does worry me is that the economics of high jet fuel prices and lower fares from competitors forces SQ to jointhe race to the bottom

[cplh]

Wonderful news!

Looks like Reserve Value is only valid for six years for new value earned in 2013 and forward, the previously earned Reserve Value is still only valid for three.

not exactly

"if you have Reserve Value in your account, that Reserve Value is used first in the PPS Value count for membership renewal. If more PPS Value is then still required to achieve $25,000, that amount is taken from your current PPS Value. Any remaining current PPS Value is subsequently credited as Reserve Value for that membership year. Reserve Value expires 3 (now 6) years from month of credit"

my reserve value has always been rolled forward and would appear to keep accumulating until times get really bad

[StarG]

As I wrote in my original post, I think these are excellent moves in the right direction.
Does this make PPS programme perfect? Nope.
I want easier access to J/F Savers as a TPP. But so far my waitlists for Saver awards have been mostly cleared. Of course by using Saver awards, I am usually more flexible in flight time/date choices. So far, their waitlist clearance have been quite reasonable.

From what I have been told, there may be some changes coming. What those are, I don't know yet. I like that they are listening to our feedbacks nowadays (YQ PPS value inclusion, arrival access to lounges, extension of Reserve Value validity, etc), rather than the genius bean counters who made them cut costs everywhere to survive.

For me, the only TPP benefits I can remember still missing from the 'golden era' are:
- Anytime SKL access (when flying other airlines -- with no guest allowance)
- Unpublished benefits like birthday gifts, which is a nice touch to remind SGD25k annual spenders that they are appreciated.

Things that I think will help to make us feel more loved :
- More consistent onboard recognition (CX is very good at this -- although with not so sociable crew-in-charge, we risk having to endure a lame conversation at the beginning of the flight )
- Complimentary upgrades for special occassions. Okay, if upgrades during/near birthdays are too many and too costly, maybe do that for some PPS milestones? Every five years in the club perhaps? I am quite happy with the way SQ 'protects' the premium cabins, upgrading only when operationally necessary.

[SMK77]

Oh do we really need to compare how many inches?

My boarding passes still print with QPPS, and SQ's best, most experienced agents still say "Hello Mr. milehighj, how can we help you?" when I dial 62244122.

Nice, but I don't think that's good enough for me as a customer, or for this airline which I still love to compete.

Sigh.

So what does EK for Golds? And CX for Emeralds? I am both and still prefer SQ. Why? SQ is the only airline I can approach and there are people with brains looking into my requests. Are they perfect? No. But they score higher than any other airline taking into account what I am looking for.