Seating on SQ metal with a VA booking

[straitman]

The following is from a friend who is having seating problems. I'm no expert on the VA/SQ arrangement so seek the help of those who are.

"As discussed, the reason that I booked Virgin (not Singapore even though the latter was cheaper) is because I am a Platinum Virgin Member with lots of points and I was expecting to be able to preselect seats ... as I always have with other Virgin Australia partners (Virgin America etc). However both Virgin Australia and Singapore say they cannot assign seats. I have tried several approaches to both. The Virgin Booking No is xx_xx_ (5664 to Singapore on 16 October then 5542 to Beijing on 17 October). If you know anyway to select seats or to upgrade let me know."

Thoughts please?

 

[rtyuiop]

If this is Y, they might be out of luck. Although having said that, you may sometimes have success if you get the SQ booking number from VA (might be in the booking email, I think they added it a while back) and calling SQ with that, or in times past sometimes it'd work trying it with the SQ mobile app, but I think they fixed the app so that doesn't work anymore.

But generally speaking, this is why I don't book VA codes on SQ, I just book on the SQ flight. The extra bonus points (and the sectors) would be nice, but not enough to take the risk of getting the dreaded middle!

 

[TomVexille]

SQ seat selection in Y is very limited, even when voided directly with SQ. Their best bet is to get the SQ PNR and try and select seats with that.

Also, upgrades won't be possible as they are booked on a VA code.

 

[Lemon_Party]

The following is from a friend who is having seating problems. I'm no expert on the VA/SQ arrangement so seek the help of those who are.

"As discussed, the reason that I booked Virgin (not Singapore even though the latter was cheaper) is because I am a Platinum Virgin Member with lots of points and I was expecting to be able to preselect seats ... as I always have with other Virgin Australia partners (Virgin America etc). However both Virgin Australia and Singapore say they cannot assign seats. I have tried several approaches to both. The Virgin Booking No is xx_xx_ (5664 to Singapore on 16 October then 5542 to Beijing on 17 October). If you know anyway to select seats or to upgrade let me know."

Thoughts please.

As per the others above, When your ticket is booked and you get the 6 character PNR from Virgin, another PNR is generated at SQ. Virgin, or your travel agent if used, should be able to provide this on request. You can use this on the SQ website to check in online in advance (not possible otherwise) and, with some luck, to manage your booking online and select seats.

Like Rtyuiop I have had best success at this using the mobile app on iPhone. If it doesn't work initially try again at T-72, T-48, T-24....

SQ can be pretty bad at opening seats for selection until a few days before flight in economy.

 

[Gianni S]

I'm in the same boat, to seat select I got the SQ PNR(Virgin call centre gave me this at time of booking) and called SQ to seat select. Once that was done you can logon to the Singapore Airlines app(you cannot do on SQ website) and change seats provided there are some available. I did this with all our legs.
The only seats they they won't you select is exit row.
Interestingly seat availability chops and changes daily so might be worth checking every few days to see if any better ones pop up.

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

T-96 is the magic hour on SQ. I always set alarms for all times of day and night to select seats and 90% of the time get first row bulkhead in Y on all aircraft types and even on MI flights. Got the whole first row to myself on recent flight SIN-LHR on the A380 when all other rows taken. I was sure to spread out quick and enjoyed the space - looked like a major DYKWIA.

FWIW I always book direct on the SQ site to avoid all these dramas which I believe are worth the forfeiture of a few bonus VA points.

 

[Jude Starr]

Actually, this raises a question in my mind...if I book flights directly with SQ, do I still get VA SCs or not? Or do I have to book via VA to earn the SCs? *sorry for the hijack - didn think it was worth a topic of its own*.

 

[Lemon_Party]

Actually, this raises a question in my mind...if I book flights directly with SQ, do I still get VA SCs or not? Or do I have to book via VA to earn the SCs? *sorry for the hijack - didn think it was worth a topic of its own*.

You still earn SCs. On occasion you can earn more for booking through SQ for not much price difference. They can have a flexible fare for not much more than saver which VA rarely do.

 

[Rigs]

You still earn SCs. On occasion you can earn more for booking through SQ for not much price difference. They can have a flexible fare for not much more than saver which VA rarely do.

Would you mind explaining the process behind this? I assume it involves putting my Velocity number in with the booking. I got stung doing this with MAS back when I flew with Qantas. Would be great if I could book direct through SQ as I really want to upgrade overnight legs when I am on holiday.

 

[medhead]

Would you mind explaining the process behind this? I assume it involves putting my Velocity number in with the booking. I got stung doing this with MAS back when I flew with Qantas. Would be great if I could book direct through SQ as I really want to upgrade overnight legs when I am on holiday.

Pretty much just about putting you're VA number against the booking, keeping in mind that earning depends on fare class. I guess that's what you mean about MH. Not all fares will earn with partner airlines. start here to investigate https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.com/content/Earn/Airlines/airline-partners/

Having added you're VA number to the booking I'm not sure you have the option to upgrade.

 

[Coops1]

Would you mind explaining the process behind this? I assume it involves putting my Velocity number in with the booking. I got stung doing this with MAS back when I flew with Qantas. Would be great if I could book direct through SQ as I really want to upgrade overnight legs when I am on holiday.

"Economy Flexi Savers" are usually only $50 extra each way, sometimes return. They give you full economy status credits (100%) instead of the half SC's (50%) if you Book "Economy Saver".

Always make sure you check the relevant class your booking in.

Also, I think you need to book flexible economy for a premium/business upgrade

 

[straitman]

The following is from a friend who is having seating problems. I'm no expert on the VA/SQ arrangement so seek the help of those who are.

"As discussed, the reason that I booked Virgin (not Singapore even though the latter was cheaper) is because I am a Platinum Virgin Member with lots of points and I was expecting to be able to preselect seats ... as I always have with other Virgin Australia partners (Virgin America etc). However both Virgin Australia and Singapore say they cannot assign seats. I have tried several approaches to both. The Virgin Booking No is xx_xx_ (5664 to Singapore on 16 October then 5542 to Beijing on 17 October). If you know anyway to select seats or to upgrade let me know."

Thoughts please.

I have edited the thread title as I was wrong and this is a paid booking rather than an award booking.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I have edited the thread title as I was wrong and this is a paid booking rather than an award booking.

I have the feeling your friend is in for a rude shock. It's not just the seat selection problem, it's the whole SQ whY experience. IME they do not show any recognition to VA platinum and cough service at the back of the bus is the best we could muster. I'm perservering with SQ as I want to try the J/F options, which do sound great, but I'd choose other airlines over SQ in whY.

 

[rtyuiop]

I agree with swanning_it that on board recognition in SQ is pretty much nil, but I think the priority check in and lounge access etc. is reasonable.

The main reason I stick with SQ is that their basic Y product is good, and generally very consistent - even if you're not being treated as special on board it's still just about as good a Y experience as you're likely to find IMHO. Assuming you successfully run the seat selection gauntlet and don't get stuck in a middle seat! Although I admit it's been a few years since I've been in long haul Y on any other high quality airline.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I admit it's been a few years since I've been in long haul Y on any other high quality airline.

We were lucky enough (or unlucky enough) to experience UL, EY and SQ whY on the same aircraft type (A330) last year. UL was the winner all hands down. Excellent service, seats, meal ... hard to fault (and I had no partner status at all with them). EY came in second with a pretty solid performance and SQ came in at an abmismal last place with cough service, lousey seats, uncomfortable journey, ordinary meal (as a VA plat). I'm not an expert Int flyer, but SQ certainly did not live up to the hype, which left me thinking that unless you can grab J or F with SQ, then choose another airline!

 

[rtyuiop]

We must want different things in a Y seat - I'm veeeeeerry familiar with the SQ A330 Y seats and they're pretty much my favourite economy option. But admittedly I've never tried UL or other recent competitors.

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

We were lucky enough (or unlucky enough) to experience UL, EY and SQ whY on the same aircraft type (A330) last year.

I think the issue lies in the aircraft type. I am based in BNE and always connect through SYD to specifically avoid the A330 regional product and generally try to avoid the 777-200s as well which are slightly worse than the A330s IMHO. Definitely avoid the A330s for the J product and stick to the 380 when you sample the J and F offerings.

I agree with rtyuiop that SQ's offering is extremely consistent and always customer-centric regardless of status with the status benefits present on the ground where they are most useful. I wouldn't give up on SQ just yet swanning_it.

 

[Lemon_Party]

I agree with swanning_it that on board recognition in SQ is pretty much nil, but I think the priority check in and lounge access etc. is reasonable.

The main reason I stick with SQ is that their basic Y product is good, and generally very consistent - even if you're not being treated as special on board it's still just about as good a Y experience as you're likely to find IMHO. Assuming you successfully run the seat selection gauntlet and don't get stuck in a middle seat! Although I admit it's been a few years since I've been in long haul Y on any other high quality airline.

I'd agree with this - I find their service and seats pretty consistent and massively prefer transiting SIN vs DXB for example. I've had 1 Op-Up as a VA Plat (booked as SQ flight number) to J as well, although on a % conversion rate my success at that is low! Their food is frequently underwhelming, but not awful - which is fairly typical for most economy flights I get anyway. I always get priority bags, moderate lounge access (no access to partner lounges when travelling Y), J check in which is enough to keep me happy.

 

[Comoman]

IME they do not show any recognition to VA platinum .

Agreed - when I was VA Plat no recognition (J or Y class). Now I'm PPS i have a great reception in all classes. However - this is not unique to SQ though. I'm also QF Plat/OWE and get no recognition on BA ever, sometimes only even on QF. I do sometimes on QR.

 

[hazel]

Agreed - when I was VA Plat no recognition (J or Y class). Now I'm PPS i have a great reception in all classes. However - this is not unique to SQ though. I'm also QF Plat/OWE and get no recognition on BA ever, sometimes only even on QF. I do sometimes on QR.

Travelled with my boss last year on SQ & he is VA Club. We were in Y & no seat selection or recognition from SQ apart from Lounge access.