Redemption Booking; Is First possible on A380?

[TheFergus]

G'day,

I'd like to fly in the first cabin of the A380 and don't much care what date and wonder (i) is it even possible/are seats made available for points and (ii) can anyone offer tips on finding them? I've looked at the leading edge of bookings and even there, there are none?

I assume there isn't a way to search for a flight number rather than a flight date - but if there is, please let me know - it's tiresome checking every single friggin day to check the A380 flights :shock:

Is there a programmer out there who can bang out such a tool? Would be a handy app that I would happily pay for.

TIA.
S.

 

[anat0l]

NOTE: The following advice applies to redemptions on QF A380 F; not SQ! This post can be deleted if necessary.

To answer your questions:

• Yes, there are seats in A380 F available. It is possible to get them, however, it is far from easy. Very far. If you are not a QF Platinum, exponentially more difficult. QF Platinums can try and request seats over the phone if they can't find it online (will cost assistance fee).
  Of course, you could stump up an Any Seat Award, but you'll be hard pressed to find a good deal if there are no Classic Awards left. (Of course, if you find a Classic Award, you should try to find an Any Seat Award on the same time/date at the same price!)
• No real tips, except perhaps try and search as far out as possible, select the middle of the week (IME tends to be the least popular date for leaving). Other than that, be prepared for a slug-a-thon with the online booking engine and/or if you are a Platinum try calling Premium to make a request.

Unfortunately there is no way to tell if a day will have A380 F seats (not 744 F seats) left, so you'll have to keep plugging away.

There is no robot, script or programming that can make this process simpler, and thank goodness there isn't one!

 

[taswegian77]

G'day,

I'd like to fly in the first cabin of the A380 and don't much care what date and wonder (i) is it even possible/are seats made available for points and (ii) can anyone offer tips on finding them? I've looked at the leading edge of bookings and even there, there are none?

I assume there isn't a way to search for a flight number rather than a flight date - but if there is, please let me know - it's tiresome checking every single friggin day to check the A380 flights :shock:

Is there a programmer out there who can bang out such a tool? Would be a handy app that I would happily pay for.

TIA.
S.

Hi, another tip. Even though the flight might be displayed as a A380 when you book there are no guarantees it will be an A380 when you fly. If you are flying SYD-LAX the chances are it will stay a A380 but QF are allowed to substitute if needed. Good luck as the QF F offering on the A380 is awesome compared to a 744.

 

[TheFergus]

Anat01,

Thanks for the Qantas tips.

Do you mean one's colour of membership determines what availability one sees online?

Ughhh. I'll never make it! My points accumulate via spending rather than flying, so I'm Silver and only hanging onto that by my fingernails...

 

[anat0l]

NOTE: The following advice applies to redemptions on QF A380 F; not SQ! This post can be deleted if necessary.

Do you mean one's colour of membership determines what availability one sees online?

Ughhh. I'll never make it! My points accumulate via spending rather than flying, so I'm Silver and only hanging onto that by my fingernails...

In general, QFF members with a higher status can see more seats than those with lower status.

The main difference kicks in at the Gold level and even better at the Platinum level. Even as a Platinum, A380 F seats are very difficult to find (but not F seats in general :-|). And, as I said, Platinums can call QF Premium to put in a request for a seat that they can't see online (it may not always work, but they do have that option).

 

[samh004]

As this thread is in the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer forum, did you want to be in F on SIA or QF?

I believe SIA is a lot harder, as you can’t use points for F, but rather need to book for a B747 and hope that the aircraft is then swapped for an A380. At least I believe that’s the gist, from what I’ve read.

 

[anat0l]

Oy vey! OP, can you please clarify did you mean QF A380 or SQ A380? I'll assume the latter, in which.......

Silly me - I didn't read the forum title.... I guess a lot of what I said should be deleted.

In which case, samh004 is on the money. But specifically, SQ F on A380 is termed 'Suites', and there are no award redemptions on or upgrades to Suites available, at all. Well, traditionally, there wasn't, but see below.......

It is possible to book F on any other equipment apart from the 388, however usually they are restricted to Standard or Full award pricing levels, not Saver. The sole exception is the 744, where F Saver awards can be booked.

Some people have lucked out before by booking an F award on another aircraft (744, 777) and chancing for an equipment swap with a A380, but I don't think that's commonplace any more, but I'm not one to comment on this since I have zilch experience. One forum member did manage to get a SQ Suite seat by equipment swap (booked originally as a 744, then swapped to 388 later); this route was next to be swapped anyway so it was a good calculated guess.

I don't know if SQ KrisFlyer 'tiers' awards similar to how QF does it for their elites, or if SQ*G or PPS/SPPS can access more/better awards, with or without special requests.


UPDATE: The rules have changed slightly for redeeming awards with SQ on the A380 Suites. Apparently it can be done now (i.e. redemptions and upgrades), but it must be done via the KrisFlyer call centre; it cannot be done online (hence you can't save 15% on your points cost).

This FT thread seems to give some insight into the cost. No idea if it is accurate, but it is probably expectedly exceedingly high...

Singapore Airlines Suites: Mileage Required for Redemption - FlyerTalk Forums

 

[serfty]

...
I believe SIA is a lot harder, as you can’t use points for F, but rather need to book for a B747 and hope that the aircraft is then swapped for an A380. At least I believe that’s the gist, from what I’ve read.

AFAIK that is the case.

Revenue "First" on an SQ 388 books into a different class than "First" on other SQ aircraft.

 

[deluxeflyer]

Yes for Suites on the SQ A380 via the call centre only.
(There being no First on SQ A380)
In fact, redemption upgrades are also possible.
No discounts apply.

eg
SYD-SIN: 550,000 miles one way.
Upgrade from J: 325,000 miles o/w.

 

[TheFergus]

Singapore out. Qantas never was in, only Emirates left...

Anyone know if I can transfer Amex points to Velocity and book Emirates via Velocity?

 

[anat0l]

Singapore out. Qantas never was in, only Emirates left...

Anyone know if I can transfer Amex points to Velocity and book Emirates via Velocity?

You can. You'll need to contact the Velocity rewards centre to get the exact price (points & taxes) and also to book your award. But an indication of the costs is given at this link:

Velocity - FAQ

As usual, redemption inventory is limited blah blah blah.... you get the idea.

 

[wile_e]

Hi all, just to add a little more to the discussion... I was sent the link (below).

The gist of the story is that you should hurry up an dbook seats before J/F saver fares go. You'll have a good chance of scoring an A380 (as equipment swaps out on existing 747/777 bookings).

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/premium-services-the-ticket-for-singapore/story-e6frg8zx-1225921436748

 

[cove]

I am booked SIN thru NARITA to LAX on the 747 in FIRST on SAVER Points. Now that is a great deal.Coming back LAX to SIN on the all J 98 seater A340 because it connects better for going on to PER.Both are wonderful!
A380 would only happen if there is an aircraft switch and I am not sure whether you would get the SUITE on KRIS.
On QF you do get A380 First sometimes on points and I am Silver and burning lots of points.

 

[albatross710]

There are 777 F seats on SQ flights SIN Moscow then onto Texas.

They are F seats, not Suites or A380.

 

[Logan^]

Suites is redemable now as well, however call centre only.

To give you a example, I have lifted this from SQTalk:

London -> Singapore

Round trip: 2,000,000 miles
One way: 1,000,000 miles

Round trip upgrade from paid J (A380 only) -> R: 1,200,000 miles
One way upgrade from paid J (A380 only) -> R: 600,000 miles

------------------------

Singapore -> Sydney

Round trip: 1,100,000 miles
One way: 550,000 miles

Round trip upgrade from paid J (A380 only) -> R: 650,000 miles
One way upgrade from paid J (A380 only) -> R: 325,000 miles.

------------------------

If the passenger requires a London to Sydney redemption in Singapore Airlines Suites, the passenger will have to be booked on two separate tickets (e.g.: a one way trip would cost 1,550,000 miles).

 

[cove]

Thank you Logan for correcting me on Suite availability on points by phoning.
MrsCove is a little short so I had better wait for her points to catch up.
Otherwise it could be a bit of a problem.

 

[samh004]

Oh, so it’s just a few more points/miles than Qantas then

 

[cove]

Now we know how to burn off those almost 3 year old Kris points before they expire.
And you'll never never know if you never never go! would apply here I think.
Then if you cannot go back you would become very focussed on making points.

 

[TheFergus]

Thanks everyone for your input on this. All your comments have been helpful.

 

[albatross710]

I think that the SQ offer for Suites redemption is mainly for raising the awareness and perception of how they value their Suites service.

Most of us have seen this same strategy used at restaurants. On the menu are a couple high priced wines, a few high price meals presented on the menu with the meals we are likely to buy. Yes, we do buy the top of the range on special occasions but in the meantime the presences of those on the menu draws up the value perception of the other menu items.

Similar with this is the Suites Redemption value.

Do they seriously expect many people to redeem for them? - No. (They can easily run a report to see how many people have or likely to have sufficient points.)

Do they expect people to debate in awe the value that they see in Suites - yes.

Do they expect that forums will discuss and be amazed at how valuable they must be - yes.

Will they continue promoting it as soon as they can update the website and redemption tables - yes.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Alby