More expensive service fees for all :(

[EWR]

Effective Apr 08. Most charges apply to Elite Gold, PPS etc etc as well

https://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_...Fees_Apr08.pdf

For example, it costs a total of US$100 or 10,000 miles to refund fully a ticketed redemption award

[jjpb3]

I suspected the next round of scrooginess was around the corner, but I must say I didn't expect this. Current SQ *Gs who want to insure against the last item in this table should order their replacement tags by 31 March.

[TerryK]

It is disappointing that no concessions is made for Elite Gold or PPS members.

[EWR]

I just noticed one thing to smile about though... You don't have to pay to change your list of redemption nominees anymore (if you do it online that is, for members below Gold). Looks like they are putting the program on automation - buy tickets and accrue miles yourself online, check account balance yourself online, redeem miles online, manage your subscriptions online, manage your redemption nominees online... Maybe we can look forward to printing our renewal cards online in the future......

[SQflyergirl]

That 300/200/100 USD no show fee - is that for redemption tickets? :O

[Savage25]

Yikes! I'm so glad my KrisFlyer balance has been steadily worked down to 21K-odd miles.

More lovely PPS benefits, I see

SQ may be raising its prices, but its sounding more like a bird to me nowadays....cheep cheep!

[EWR]

On a related note, does anyone know where I can find a schedule of fees for regularly purchased tickets? Do these charges differ between countries or are they all assessed in USD?

[UMD]

It is disappointing that no concessions is made for Elite Gold or PPS members.

Major double disappointment will be for Solitaire members. There is practically no difference now between Elite Gold and Solitaire aside from clearing wait list (maybe).

It is amazing that SQ management thinks it can get away with continuously reducing benefits for its elite members.

[LionCity]

There is also not much differences between Krisflyer Silver and Solitaire. There seems to be a lot of push for SQ to trim costs no matter how insignificant the cost incurring items are in the overall scheme of things.

Unfortunately, most cost items bear no direct relationships to customer satisfaction including leather PPS luggage tag holder, good champagne in SKL F, birthday gifts etc.

However, they do contribute to the overall image and overall service experiences. Previously, SQ have done well in Business Traveler AP survey (top) in every category, but noted the past two or three seasons have indicated that the category SQ has dropped to second is the Frequent Flyer Program with CX taking over the reins.

The problem I do find with SQ are the cost cutting exercises are starting to show in various areas in absolute terms. It is sad indeed that the cost reduction exercises are still rolling on despite the drastic increase in margins and revenue. During a downturn, I guessed I will be more sympathetic on a need to reduce cost and keep staff employed but not when the profits are record levels.

[Singapore_Air]

on despite the drastic increase in margins and revenue. ...but not when the profits are record levels.

I can understand the sentiment but it still remains that SIA is not earning its cost of capital and its return on equity is still relatively low.

Regarding the new service fees, well, I'll watch the debate from afar!

[MAN Flyer]

It is disappointing that no concessions is made for Elite Gold or PPS members.

Quite. Disappointing but somehow rather predictable I'm afraid. More exclusive indeed....

I have to say, for some bizarre reason, I'm beginning to find all these cutbacks rather funny.

[LionCity]

I can understand the sentiment but it still remains that SIA is not earning its cost of capital and its return on equity is still relatively low.

Regarding the new service fees, well, I'll watch the debate from afar!

Low Return on equity is based on the large equity base of SIA. The good performance of SQ allows it to accumulate the large equity base of SQ. Note that SQ does have a large cash hoard of probably 4 Billion SGD.

SQ does not have much debt. SQ have been involved in share buyback and reducing the equity. I will considered this as not knowing what to do with your surpluses and not optimizing the financial strength of the company. It is hence not a passenger issue but rather that of the management. Look at the poor investments in Air NZ and not fantastic returns from Virgin Atlantic.

To improve return on equity, she will need to reduce the equity base and increase debt.

It is actually a good problem to be in particularly with a sub-prime recession happening.

Frankly, these cost cuttings with an equity base of SGD 15 Billion and profit of say around SGD 1.8 Billion per annum, for example a saving of SGD 10-20 Million is not very visible and actually many in SQ privately agreed with this point.

[SQflyergirl]

I have to say, for some bizarre reason, I'm beginning to find all these cutbacks rather funny.

Ah my friend..... what to do? Someone hits you so many times till you get numb - everything after that just don't hurt anymore.

[fimo]

Does the online redemption system now allow members to book flexible awards? It didn't used to and you had to call KF in order to not qualify for the 15%. I would be really pissed if I have forego the 15% and pay the offline redemption fee.

[StarG]

Did they decide not to go ahead with the new fees?
I can only find this page on SQ website as of today:

https://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_...rvice_fees.jsp

Please note that there is no change to the current KrisFlyer Services fees until further notice.