First Time Redeeming KF (MEL - SIN)

[stig_aus]

Hi all,

My wife and I have been madly saving up Velocity points to travel J to Europe in 2020/2021. With the recent devaluation we dumped our balance into KF and have approx. 400k points. Following a bit of a rough start to this year we are considering dashing over from MEL to SIN for 4 or 5 nights for the Formula 1 in late September (planned travel dates approx. Wed 18th - Mon 23rd with flexibility for a day or so either side pending availability).

It looks like there are plenty of seats in Y and PY, with a few options that could work in J also. I think J is probably the sweet spot in terms of value, but I'm not sure whether I want to use more than 60% of my balance on a short trip.

Are there any tips or alternative routes that might we might be better off using? Can we get a better deal booking with a partner *A airline?

Given it's my first time redeeming are there any pitfalls I need to watch for? What is wait listing and is it a viable option?

Thanks in advance for all your help!

 

[dajop]

I think J is probably the sweet spot in terms of value, but I'm not sure whether I want to use more than 60% of my balance on a short trip.

If that is a a concern, you could always go one way in business and one way in economy. If doing that, depending on whether you want to fly business to enjoy the service or to try to sleep, I'd choose the longer sector MEL-SIN in J and the shorter sector SIN-MEL in Y.

 

[stig_aus]

If that is a a concern, you could always go one way in business and one way in economy.

That's a great idea. Could probably mix classes to get the total spend about right. Spreadsheet time

Those would need to be on separate bookings to mix classes right?

 

[MathNerd]

Those would need to be on separate bookings to mix classes right?

Yes, that's right. With KF it doesn't matter anyway, no problem in having two one-ways on two PNRs.
That's how a lot of us here book award tix (book the outward trip as soon as that availability opens up and then the return trip as soon as that availability opens up). It's just leaving too much to chance to book the sought-after premium redemptions as a return, the outward journey would have long long gone.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Hi all,

Given it's my first time redeeming are there any pitfalls I need to watch for? What is wait listing and is it a viable option?

Thanks in advance for all your help!

A few out of the box options:

- Blow the miles on First Class to SIN, and buy a separate Biz class fare SIN-EUROPE
- Use miles on one person and cash on the other. With Amex Plat Charge/Shangri la offer, you would get KF Gold status in one trip (handy for VA travel too)
- Thai first class :thumbs up emoji:

Sadly, waitlists on KF come to an end in April. It's the single best benefit of their program and will be sad to see it go.

 

[dajop]

Sadly, waitlists on KF come to an end in April. It's the single best benefit of their program and will be sad to see it go.

That's not correct. It's last minute waitlists that are coming to an end. That is a bit sad, as I have used these a number of times.

According to SQ website

Certainty for waitlisted redemptions

To give you greater certainty for your waitlisted flight redemptions, you will be informed of the outcome of your waitlist 14 days before the flight.

At least two weeks prior to the flight, all successful waitlist redemptions will be confirmed, and unsuccessful ones cancelled.

This change is aimed at removing the uncertainty of being on a redemption waitlist, and to give more time to make alternative travel plans should your waitlist not be successful. It will come into effect in the second quarter of 2019.

 

[MathNerd]

That's not correct. It's last minute waitlists that are coming to an end. That is a bit sad, as I have used these a number of times.

According to SQ website

Thanks! I was wondering where the news broke that waitlists are outright stopping!

 

[trippin_the_rift]

That's not correct. It's last minute waitlists that are coming to an end. That is a bit sad, as I have used these a number of times.

According to SQ website

You're right. I was thinking that waitlisting for most folks within that timeframe won't be worthwhile.
If you waitlist 3-4 months out and don't know until 14 days prior to departure - cash fares on all airlines would have increased in that period, and thus for those who plan ahead - waitlisting is not the best option.

Last minute waitlisting on the other hand........ A++++++

 

[dajop]

If you waitlist 3-4 months out and don't know until 14 days prior to departure - cash fares on all airlines would have increased in that period,

Where it can come in handy is if you confirm into Y and waitlist into higher cabin. Still a cost with cancelling the Y ticket, but can be worthwhile. Not always the case that cash fares would have increased all airlines. Depending on route and seasonality, I've seen good price drops closer to travel, and if not drops, still acceptable fares.

 

[stig_aus]

So we decided to just use points for a Y redemption and keep stockpiling for a trip to Europe in J in a few years.

Obviously I have to book through the SQ website, but can I link my Velocity account (I have Gold status until Aug 2020) to a KF points booking?

 

[ninja-tim]

So we decided to just use points for a Y redemption and keep stockpiling for a trip to Europe in J in a few years.

Obviously I have to book through the SQ website, but can I link my Velocity account (I have Gold status until Aug 2020) to a KF points booking?

You can link it to your Sq account in your profile section.

 

[dajop]

and keep stockpiling

Sounds like a good plan, just don’t forget the 3 year hard expiry of Krisflyer miles!

 

[Mr H]

I would look at flying in R one way (via SYD in necessary) and paid Y on the way back. Better in my experience to do the higher class outbound as you are full of holiday excitement - the return trip tends to be a more subdued affair. And for heaven's sake do a daytime flight. There is no point doing a once in a blue moon flight in F and sleep through it.

 

[deka2]

Our last SQ flight in January, SYD-SIN-MNL was booked in J 11 months prior. 5 days before our flight SQ232 , new suites,was showing as 2 suites available for waitlist. Added it as a mixed class booking over the phone.

Going to bed the night before our flight I had given up the waitlist clearing, only to find when I got up at 5am that it had cleared, and Expertflyer was still showing 1k/2k open.

Ended getting it ticketed as we were getting in the taxi and seat allocation completed at the airport.

 

[Oxy]

You have clearly outlined your goal and say you have been madly saving points. So from personal experience it sounds like you might be getting hooked and seeing that J to EU is realistically achievable, setting your targets higher again
You haven't mentioned your points earning capacity, so before you burn too many points on what is a secondary goal, please make sure you don't sell yourself short for your primary goal, remembering SQ redemptions have changed again recently. If you want 2 x J return on SQ you will now need 464k and if you do a * award instead (just use at least one other airline eg TG) it drops it down to 420k.

So if you have points to spare, go for it. Plenty of time to organise a CC sign up bonus to get you over the line too if needed. Personally I would look at you GP trip using VA points, as they are a lot easier to come by and keep the SQ balance stocked for EU.

 

[Dannyism]

You have clearly outlined your goal and say you have been madly saving points. So from personal experience it sounds like you might be getting hooked and seeing that J to EU is realistically achievable, setting your targets higher again
You haven't mentioned your points earning capacity, so before you burn too many points on what is a secondary goal, please make sure you don't sell yourself short for your primary goal, remembering SQ redemptions have changed again recently. If you want 2 x J return on SQ you will now need 464k and if you do a * award instead (just use at least one other airline eg TG) it drops it down to 420k.

So if you have points to spare, go for it. Plenty of time to organise a CC sign up bonus to get you over the line too if needed. Personally I would look at you GP trip using VA points, as they are a lot easier to come by and keep the SQ balance stocked for EU.

I second this. Whilst I can't truly put myself in your shoes, I would suggest paying cash for a short break to SIN and continue saving those points for a sooner J trip to Europe. You are basically there. Another 150-200kish points and you could do return to Europe in suites award saver.

So refund the Y award, book yourself a quick getaway with scoot or jetstar and keep working towards your goal. You can do it!