Credits on Qatar and Emirates airlines advise

[Winston1997]

I have credits issued by Qatar and Emirates airlines since April 2020 do to Covid restrictions.

The credits are about to go belly up

There was talk of VTL for both of these airlines into Singapore but it never happened.

If I use either airline to go to USA or another VTL via connecting flight via DBX or Doha I think that is fine. The problem is the return to Singapore via connecting in Dubai or Doha.

Do I just use the outbound portion from Singapore and throw the return portion away? In other words book a one way from VTL country to Singapore
for my return.

If I use the round trip tickets what is the current quarantine policy? Would that be exempted because it is a connection and not a stop over?

United was to start a VTL flight from the USA in January. That too has not happened. I have enough points for that.

Today January 31 if you wanted a USA VTL to Singapore it is only on Singapore airlines. Is there other destinations that are VTL only on Singapore air?

[PNGMK]

I would see if you can sell the points. I know people who have done that successfully.

It looks like they are worth about USD0.01 each (1 cent).

Emirates seems to have a lower value.

[Winston1997]

Only points on United Qatar and Emirates are cah value voucher

How about using outbound portion from Singapore. Then buy a separate one way fr VTL back to Singapore?

[PNGMK]

You've misunderstood. There seems third parties who will buy your points for cash.

Google "we buy airmiles"

The points trader bought a friends Miles for a good price. There are others out there.

[PNGMK]

Or yes. Buy a one way vtl return.

Nothing says you have to go out on SQ to come back on SQ VTL

[Winston1997]

If I take an outbound from Singapore and connect in Doha then go USA does that void my option of VTL from USA back to Singapore?

Does anyone know why Qatar and Emirates VTL were put on indefinate hold?

[PNGMK]

1. If you have a one way ticket (not return) and it is from USA to Singapore and is a VTL then you are ok. Don't buy a return Singapore - USA - Singapore and not use the first leg as that will invalidate the entire booking!

1. you will need a one way ticket on Qatar or Emirates to the USA and then a one way VTL back to Sing from the USA.

2. Because the Singapore govt is the majority shareholder of SIA, not Qatar or Emirates airlines and there has been a significant cost on the part of Singapore in developing the VTL infrastructure.

A quick search shows SQ37 and SQ11 as being VTL return flights from LAX to SIN. About $850. You can use your points to get out and buy one of these (or similar on SQ) as a return. I would opt for a direct flight (no stop over) for VTL as there are risks transiting countries (rule changes, vaccination status issues).

[Winston1997]

Singapore airlines operates its own equipment on a roundtrip to DXB daily but they did not make it VTL and they could have since it is nonstop both ways.

I was hoping to see the World Expo in Dubai before it closes at the end of March

That is why I was wondering why a VTL deal was not struck

Emirates operates 1 daily flight from Changi to DXB and so does Singapore Airlines. I could have used my Emirates ticket to DUBAI BEFORE IT TANKS.




I

[sundaymorningstaple]

"I was hoping to see the World Expo in Dubai before it closes at the end of March"

That is probably exactly the reason why. Massive influx of people at a venue that probably will be overcrowded and asking for a new wave of infections. Makes sense to me.

[Winston1997]

CNA ran an interview with a Singapore government official at the Singapore pavilion.

Maybe the closing date might be extended do to Covid or maybe things will change from Singapore come March.

Everyday things evolve.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Just don't hold your breath! Masks are hard enough to breath through to start with! LOL

[ProvenPracticalFlexible]

CNA ran an interview with a Singapore government official at the Singapore pavilion.

Maybe the closing date might be extended do to Covid or maybe things will change from Singapore come March.

Everyday things evolve.

it's already been announced that UAE, Qatar and Saudis will be VTL countries starting on 24th Feb, so you can start booking. And it is nothing to do about SQ flights, there's all the time been other airlined operating VTL flights too as long as they followed the rules and had a direct flight from VTL country to Changi. Though you still need to follow the rules for 14 days etc if you do any side visits to non VTL flights.

https://safetravel.ica.gov.sg/vtl/requi ... #countries

For all other VTLs too, from 21st Feb onwards only one ART test needed, no more 7 days of testing and going to those messitup test centers on 2nd and 7th day.

Of course things may change, but I doubt it that there will be much turning back any more.

[Lisafuller]

Wait, no more PCR tests upon arrival? Even when back from the UK? I thought the most recent rule revision just exempted SGeans from COVID testing when traveling into the UK.

[PNGMK]

LF - Singapore is rapidly falling behind the rest of the world. I'm supposedly heading to Spain for work next week and have been told there's no arrival testing and no need to work a mask. The only issue I'm at all concerned about is having a +ve test and having trouble getting back

[Lisafuller]

You don’t have to tell me. It’s amazing how fast and far we’ve fallen, seems like everyone else is getting their bearings except us. I’d keep my mask on in spite of Spain’s liberal approach, just to avoid getting stuck as you’ve mentioned.