Redeeming VA pts for SQ J award - pros and cons

[AndrewL]

I'm looking at redeeming some VA points for 2 x SQ J awards, BNE-SIN-BKK return. Admittedly I haven't done a lot of background reading on VA/SQ redemptions (sticking predominately to QF) so sorry if these questions have been answered many times before.

If I transfer VA points to KF (1.35:1 ratio) and then book online for the 15% discount with SQ, it should cost me 252450 VA points (110000KF*0.85*1.35*2) + $1338 in taxes. If I book exactly the same flights through VA it should cost me 260000 VA points + $302.80 taxes. That's a saving of $1035.20 at a cost of 7550 points, a no-brainer as far as I'm aware.

However, booking directly with SQ (by transferring to KF) allows me to book a free stopover in SIN in one direction (definitely a plus). Also, when I run a dummy booking through VA it suggests I wouldn't be eligible for lounge access or priority check-in/boarding (see below). Surely that's not correct? Are there any other advantages/disadvantages with booking through SQ direct vs. through VA? I'm predicting things like advance seat selection, dealing with potential booking issues, etc. and I imagine booking through SQ direct would be an advantage here.



Also, the end goal is to get to KBV (Krabi) but as far as I can see I'll need to book BKK-KBV-BKK on a separate ticket (likely with PG/TG) and probably spend a night in BKK either side to allow for flight delays etc. I don't suppose there's a way to ticket BNE-SIN-BKK-KBV return all on the one award redemption?

Any advice would be much appreciated!

 

[aaronm]

I'll try to answer some of your questions:
- you're definitely eligible for lounge access and priority boarding on a reward booking (this is a known glitch - see this thread)
- you can select seats ahead of time, but not on either VA or SQ websites. You need to ask VA for your SQ booking reference (for reward bookings it's usually listed on the confirmation as "airline reservation code", separate from the VA "reservation code"). Then access your booking in the SQ mobile app, where you will be able to choose your seats. You can also call the SQ call centre and they'll select seats for you.
- you will need to book the BKK-BBV legs separately. I don't know about spending a night in BKK each side, I usually just allow 3-4 hours when I have a self-booked connection like that.

 

[JohnK]

Not a big issue but with SQ flight numbers you'd also receive $40 Changi dollars.

Business class would be ok but you would struggle to pre-allocate seats on a VA codeshare in economy.

SQ taxes are ridiculous. I checked BNE-SIN-BKK one way yesterday and it was just over AUD300. Add on another ~AUD260 for the return award. :shock: