No SQ availability but ANA says "Yes"

[albatross710]

I am putting together an itinerary for a trip BNE to IAH next year. I have carefully plotted some dates and flights which will give me award redemption availability on NZ flights across the Pacific.

When I go to SQ to book the Star Alliance one way redemption they do not have the same availability on their system. In tonight's case it was the final AKL-BNE sector.

Anyone got any experiences to share. I'm just down to recalling on a different shift for a more experienced agent.

My main issue is how accurately ANAtool availability and SQ availability will match.

 

[cove]

Alby can you go QF on that leg? Are there downsides in doing that?

 

[albatross710]

Alby can you go QF on that leg? Are there downsides in doing that?

Good idea. Plenty of available seats on QF AKL-BNE. Timing not so good. I think of keeping QF for our domestic redemptions.

Downsides. If I can stay with the KF Star Alliance redemption, then this sector is included in the North America - Southwest Pacific redemption. So if I only get the *A J redemption across the Pacific it is still the 70k points with the connecting sectors.

So at this stage, I think it is worth persevering with SQ to get everything on a contiguous itinerary in each direction.

I can configure an available itinerary IAH-PHX-LAX-AKL-BNE. I'll look forward to trying to get this one past SQ.

Alby

 

[cove]

Ok I see what you are doing.
Tuesday I am taking Mrscove to USA thru Singapore and Narita to Los Angeles.
Should be fun in First and I really wanted Mrs to do the A345 J to get home as I thought it was really excellent.
This year I have redeemed almost 4 million points in both QF and SIN for our family and you have to hope points creation never stops.
We do J to SYD or MEL for lots of long weekends which I tie in with a business meeting or two.
The value is there from my perspective.

 

[penegal]

At a guess (see the timestamp). Are you seeking availability for BNE/AKL v.v. in J on A320s?

If so, that may be your problem. From Oct this year AirNZ is refitting it's Tasman A320s with an all-Y cabin. Business across the Tasman from the eastern seaboard is still available, but only on the handful of flights operated by 777s.

If this is the case you should still be able to get a redemption in J for the same miles/price, but that sector will book into Y, but you should get a space+ seat at the front of Y. SQ may be trying to book a seat in the non existent J cabin. Easiest way to check: plug your dates into the AirNZ booking engine and check the aircraft type/config.

 

[albatross710]

At a guess (see the timestamp).
If so, that may be your problem. From Oct this year AirNZ is refitting it's Tasman A320s with an all-Y cabin. Business across the Tasman from the eastern seaboard is still available, but only on the handful of flights operated by 777s.

Good point. I searched on Airnz. On the day I am seeking they are still operating 777-200 and selling J seats.