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Singapore Airlinesw Frequent Flyer Program - Better Options?

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Frequent Flyer
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Singapore Airlinesw Frequent Flyer Program - Better Options?

Post by Frequent Flyer » Tue, 13 Dec 2011 8:38 pm

Hi,
Thought I would share a letter in Business Traveler Magazine in September. I know Singapore Airlines is looking at changing their frequent flyer program soon - maybe you should wait to check out the changes before you join. It could cost you a lot of free flights if you don't.

From Business Traveler - September 2011:
"I recently had reason to compare SIA's frequent flyer program to comparable airlines flying the same routes as SQ.
I feel compelled to share my finding with fellow travelers.

I looked firstly at free upgrades. United Airlines, Lufthansa and Qantas all provide free upgrades in some form to their top tier frequent flyers.
Singapore Airlines does not.

Next, I looked at how many flights it takes to earn the same business class seat using reward points.

On SIA, a business class flight from Singapore to Sydney earns 4,890 pts. To redeem that same flight I need 90,000 pts.
That is, I need to fly that trip over 18 times, to earn enough points for one redemption flight. On Qantas, I need to fly only 6 times to earn a full Business-class redemption on the same route.

To redeem a business class flight from Singapore to Munich I need to fly 14 times on SIA, and only 9 times on Lufthansa. To redeem a business class flight from Singapore to San Fransisco I need to fly over 11 times with SIA, but only 7 times on United.

So, at least on these major routes, SIA needs three time more flights the Qantas, and at least 50% more than United or Lufthansa to earn a redemption seat. And remember, on all these extra fully paid business class flights you need to fly on SIA, you will never get an upgrade - never. "

ringo100100
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Info not correct

Post by ringo100100 » Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:21 pm

I'm not sure this info is correct. 4,890 sounds quite low for a BC flight, maybe it is oneway. So the comparison is not correct, as 90,000 is a return ticket.

I just went to SFO BC and earnt 25,000 miles. A BC redemption is 120,000 so about 5 times.

The biggest problem is that Sing Air doesn't have many seats on saver for popular routes. The Sing-SFO flight I was on was 100% full in BC.

I have also been upgraded before, but only when economy is full.

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Post by Frequent Flyer » Wed, 14 Dec 2011 1:18 am

The comparison is a one way Business class ticket.
you are correct. The problem is a lack of Business Saver Option on Singapore Airlines.

90,000 pts is what is required for a one way ticket on the A380 from Singapore to Sydney. You earn 4,890 pts flying on the same plane, on the same route.

There is no business saver option for any of Singapore Airlines A380 or B777 flights, which is the majority of their long haul fleet. This seems to be why the redemption requirements are so high on most of their sectors.

ringo100100
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Not true

Post by ringo100100 » Wed, 14 Dec 2011 7:26 am

I just checked and they are available. You can book a BC one way ticket for 45,000 less 15% (if booked online) so for 38,250. I used July 12, 2012 as a date to check and got a hit first time (on an A380).

It is difficult. Also, EC tickets can be found all the time and the comparisons of miles vs redemption are quite good.

But it is a good airline, redemptions will always be tough to get as people are willing to pay the full fare. The worse the airline, the easier and cheaper to get redemptions.

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Post by Frequent Flyer » Wed, 14 Dec 2011 1:46 pm

Hi,
You may be able to see availability for Saver Bus Class on their system but you can not book Saver Bus Class on A380 or B777. you can book it on the B720 to Sydney.

Read the foot notes on the SIA Redemption charts directly off their web site.
http://www.singaporeair.com/pdf/ppsclub ... Charts.pdf

"Only Standard Awards are available for redemption on the Singapore Airlines A380 flights/B777-300ER and A340-500."

That is most of their fleet. That means no Saver Bus class to Paris, London, Munich, Frankfurt, Zurich, and New York (from March). That means double the mileage you used to need on Bus Saver.

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