KrisFlyer points redemption/ cash upgrade?

[josh edmondson]

Hey all,

I am booking a return SQ flight SYD - SIN - JHB for this coming October, with a 3 day stop over in Singapore on the way back, using KrisFlyer miles. I am unable to book the flight in First class due to there being no First class cabin on the SIN - JHB leg of the flight, so it reduces the search down to the business class rates.

(It says the following notice : FIRST Class is unavailable for one or more sectors of your flights selection. As you may redeem for one cabin class in a booking, the next cabin class option is BUSINESS Class. Alternatively, you can make a separate flight booking for FIRST Class, subject to availability.)

Because there is a substantial difference in booking the two legs separately and it being an inefficient way of maximising miles, am I able to book the fare as a Business (Saver) redemption, then pay cash for an upgrade for the SYD - SIN leg of the flight? It is also a hassle not having the tickets linked and having to enter Singapore to check in on the way to JHB.

I am only hoping to try the new First Suites on the SQ232 & SQ221 flights - or just one stretch of the flight in the new cabin.

Does SQ accept cash payments for upgrade at the airport? Or do they operate a upgrade offer auction in certain instances?
Can anyone suggest an alternative?

Thanks for your help,
Happy flying,
Josh

 

[JinbaIttai]

It is also a hassle not having the tickets linked and having to enter Singapore to check in on the way to JHB.

Even if you make separate bookings you can still check-in for your SIN-JHB flight in Sydney - and have your luggage routed through.

I've done this many times when flying from Perth to LHR etc, because there's no 1st class from PER-SIN - so I've had separate business class PER-SIN and suites SIN-LHR bookings.

 

[daft009]

SQ221 is a night flight. If you want to try the new suites do SQ232

 

[hossein_au]

Why not try to book it on the phone so that you book the whole thing as a 'first class rewards booking' with some sectors booked in J? Based on your port I am guessing this cannot be done online, but considering the difference in point requirements (booking 1xJ and 1xF itinerary versus 1xF all the way) I would definitely try to book it over the phone.

 

[josh edmondson]

Even if you make separate bookings you can still check-in for your SIN-JHB flight in Sydney - and have your luggage routed through.

I've done this many times when flying from Perth to LHR etc, because there's no 1st class from PER-SIN - so I've had separate business class PER-SIN and suites SIN-LHR bookings.

Awesome, will keep that in mind.
Thanks.

 

[josh edmondson]

Why not try to book it on the phone so that you book the whole thing as a 'first class rewards booking' with some sectors booked in J? Based on your port I am guessing this cannot be done online, but considering the difference in point requirements (booking 1xJ and 1xF itinerary versus 1xF all the way) I would definitely try to book it over the phone.

Sounds like a good alternative to try.
Thanks for the advice.

 

[joeymelb]

You can book over the phone with SQ KrisFlyer call centre to book the mixed F+J cabins. I did it for one of my BKK trip using F on SQ218/SQ217 and J on SQ972/977. Hardly any waiting time on SQ's call centre.

Good luck.