Reduction in Saver flights for Redemption

[mikevanb]

Recently I tried to book Saver tickets for the sector SIN-AMS-SIN using redemption booking. Other than some dates far into the future, the system tells me there are none available.

I have been booking SIN-AMS-SIN Saver tickets for 15 years using miles, so I have a good sense of availability/dates. I am certain that there has been a change in policy of some sort - either on this specific route or for SIA in general. May be it is tied to the roll out of A350.

I asked Singapore Airlines direct, but they neither confirmed or denied despite repeated requests. They just responded that there are a limited number of seats available, cannot guarantee, etc, etc. But the response sounded evasive because it did not answer my clear question.

Did the quota of Saver spaces change recently? Is it specifically tied to SIN-AMS-SIN? Did anyone else notice a change?

Where can I get a real answer for such a question? I don't mind positive or negative response, I just would like to know what changed.....

[Dickson]

I can't know for sure if the number of Saver awards had been reduced but I'd also found it slightly more difficult than previously, to snag Saver awards.

Anecdotally, I noticed that after SIA becomes a transfer partner for Amex for USA credit card holders (and then expanded to other credit cards in the USA), it seemed to have make things more difficult. So it could be that a larger pool of people now becomes eligible to snag Saver awards. As everyone knows, credit cards in the USA are very generous on points award.

To get around this, if the travel is important, I'll book Standard award, but do a separate booking to waitlist on Saver. Usually, the closer to the date of travel, it may open up. Then I just cancel the Standard award, swop it out of the Saver.

[KC*]

Not sure if you are looking at Y or C but bookings open with 2 saver-C seats per flight....as before.

However, within a couple of days of release, they get snapped up. You should be booking for early April 2017 right now.

My experience with AMS was similar last year. However, it was slightly easier because of the availability of F in the 77W then (2F Saver and 2C saver per flight upon release). Now it is only 2C saver per flight....so effectively halved the number of savers in premium class.

[726]

I always book 10-11 months before the flight. Anything after that would be difficult. I redeem somethong for feb 2017 2 months ago. Now, it is available only for standard awards. Also if you are expecting newer airplane, it will be much more difficult. (I.e. 772 vs 77w). Sq opens quite a lot for 772, but only opens 77w for certain day/days of the week.

[vbarberini]

Anecdotally I would say that in P (first) there has been a tightening up. This is partly due to the rollout of refitted 77W metal with just 4 seats in first rather than 8. It also seems they are being tighter on waitlists in first.

[mikevanb]

Thanks

Thanks to all for taking the time to respond and for the advice!!

In general, it reads as if there might have been a slight reduction in Saver tickets. I am surprised that SIA would not be upfront about it, if it is the case. The people who can apply for the Saver tickets also tend to be their best customers. Being transparent is kind of a golden rule to your best customers.

Anyway, I appreciate the responses and I will make sure I get in earlier to book those Saver tickets.

[ycp81]

Gone also are the 60K miles (before online discount) J Class redemption from 2nd tier European cities, such as AMS and CPH. Now all are standardized at 80K miles.

[schumaster]

I snagged 2 J return savers - AMS - SIN - SUB- SIN- AMS for January 2017 last month. I was charged 51,000 miles (after 15% discount) for each direction

When was the chart changed?

[KC*]

Good for you! It's just been changed.

I'm also thankful for having a late bite in F from AMS - SIN in Dec 15.

[schumaster]

Good for you! It's just been changed.

I'm also thankful for having a late bite in F from AMS - SIN in Dec 15.

Indeed! We managed to score 2x F savers too for SIN-AMS, also in Dec 15


We were the only passengers in F

[tiltonhall]

Noticing a reduction in J-Saver and J-Standard redemption availability.

Was searching SIN-LHR in 2nd and 3rd week of Sep 2016 ... most days, nothing available in J-Saver and J-Standard .... and for many days, only 2 flights show up on the search when there are 4 flights daily.

On a happier note, booked a SIN-AMS J-Saver in May 2017 for 51,000 miles 2 days ago while I still could.

[KC*]

Noticing a reduction in J-Saver and J-Standard redemption availability.

Was searching SIN-LHR in 2nd and 3rd week of Sep 2016 ... most days, nothing available in J-Saver and J-Standard .... and for many days, only 2 flights show up on the search when there are 4 flights daily.

On a happier note, booked a SIN-AMS J-Saver in May 2017 for 51,000 miles 2 days ago while I still could.

I think it is more of a case of people booking much earlier than before. SIN-LHR is very popular esp SQ322. J savers are often snapped up within a few days of release - that's 11+ months ahead!

Glad you manage to snag the AMS flight. It is such an excellent deal. The F saver was even better but it was only available for a while when the 77W was in operation.