SIA/VA Points and Status Credits

[Steven of Mysore]

Hi,

After spending 30 mins being rolled through five members of VAs 'Help Centre, I am none the wiser...

My partner and I are going to India (Oct/Nov) for my 60th and SIA have some rather well priced Economy fares at the moment $1,000 return. Econ+ are also keen. Nothing shows up on the VA platform (all year unavailable) which makes no sense but the VA res. people couldn't find it either and advised me to contact SIA directly. Happy to do that but to earn Points and Credits, is it just a case of entering my Velocity number? I realise the actual number will depend on fare classification.

Thanks for any help.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Brisbane KF Lounge. Upon entry the lounge entry manually entered my VA number somewhere. WiFi access was available on the flight. Unexpectedly, 2,864 Pts and 30 SC posted to Velocity.. Scoot leg posted to KF as 188 Miles.

Bangkok KF Lounge. Upon entry, Velocity number manually entered by lounge staff. WiFi available. Miles posted to KF.

Singapore KF Gold Lounge. Upon entry, Velocity number manually entered by lounge staff. WiFi available. 2,864 Miles posted to KF.

So, despite putting in your VFF #, in them, the 2nd 2 the points went to KF and not VFF?
So, no VFF SC, and you have to transfer the KF miles to VFF at a 35 % loss, if you wanted to that is.

 

[serfty]

This article seems to not make it clear which one of FQTS/FQTV for earning Status Credits?

It only says
FQTS = get benefits
FQTV = earn miles

free wifi and points earning is nice, but i care more about accruing Status credits in my Velocity membership, so i need to be sure

FQ Frequent

TS Status or Service - This allows for status benefits such as group boarding, premium seating, lounge access.

TV - this is referred to as the "accrual" entry - Velocity number here SHOULD earn into Velocity both SC and points..

SQ now allowing different FF programs to be entered online for status and accrual

According to MilesLion there is now functionality on the SQ website that allows entering different loyalty memberships for points accrual whilst entering KF membership number for status recognition (if applicable) and free on board wifi. A plus if it works correctly, but unfortunately can’t...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[albatross710]

So, despite putting in your VFF #, in them, the 2nd 2 the points went to KF and not VFF?
So, no VFF SC, and you have to transfer the KF miles to VFF at a 35 % loss, if you wanted to that is.

I was wanting my earning to go to SQ's KF. My checkin was benefits and earnings to KF. The lounge door staff were the ones entering the numbers somewhere. Whatever the Brisbane agent did sent my points to VFF. What the BKK & SIN staff didn't.

 

[Dave24]

I am a Virgin Platinum member and I am currently travelling in Europe. I have booked directly with Singapore Airlines. I also have joined the Kris program to receive the free wifi for the flights.

I am flying economy and the service on the flights has been fantastic and I would definitely recommend others to fly with Singapore airlines.

I want to receive Velocity points for my flights - I thought that did everything possible to work out how to do this and I spoke with the Singapore airlines booking phone support to set this up.

When I checked in for my first flight, I mentioned wanting to earn Velocity points and Status, I was told my booking was not correct and they told me they would fix it.

The problem is that it didn’t work, and I have been allocated Kris points. It’s been a very frustrating issue to sort this out and I have had email responses from 5 different Singapore airlines support staff members - often with contradictory information.

The issue seems to be around being a Kris member for the flight service, but a Velocity member for earning points and status. I have no confidence in the Singapore Airlines support staff getting this correct, and I still have no idea how to change my future bookings myself to ensure that this happens.

My advice is that if you want to earn Velocity points and Status, I would recommend not supplying a Kris membership number at any time during the booking process.

 

[AIRwin]

The issue seems to be around being a Kris member for the flight service, but a Velocity member for earning points and status.

Looks like you may not have referred to this?

SQ now allowing different FF programs to be entered online for status and accrual

According to MilesLion there is now functionality on the SQ website that allows entering different loyalty memberships for points accrual whilst entering KF membership number for status recognition (if applicable) and free on board wifi. A plus if it works correctly, but unfortunately can’t...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[bcworld]

The best advice is not to set this up in advance...do it during check in when the option is offered for you to manage this yourself.

 

[Dave24]

Thanks Airwin - I understand what you are saying, however I could not of been any clearer when talking with Singapore Airlines that I wanted to earn Velocity points and credit for the flights and also have access to the free wifi.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

As a last resort:
You can transfer KF miles to VFF points, at a slight disadvantage.
1 KF mile = 0.65 VFF points.

 

[serfty]

As a last resort:
You can transfer KF miles to VFF points, at a slight disadvantage.
1 KF mile = 0.65 VFF points.

Doesn't help with status credits.

 

[SheikYerbouti]

I'd stick with VFF number on the booking to gurantee points and SCs and pay the $20 for whole-flight wifi, seems like an insignificant cost for the certainty.

 

[MattA]

A related question. By booking through SIA and using your VFF to get velocity points and status, you then have to pay for the inflight WI-FI, even if you have a KrisFlyer account, you cannot access the free inflight WI-FI offered to Krisflyer members. At least that's what I found. Is there a workaround?

I don’t know if it’s a recent change, but if anyone is in this situation (want to earn points/SC with VFF, and use VFF status benefits, but also want the free wifi), then you can get a wifi code on the plane just by using your KF login.

Discovered this earlier this week flying SQ Y. Only had my VFF number on the booking.

Basically you connect to the wifi and put in your details in the “complimentary wifi” section:



This will fail, but it then gives you this option:


So just click where it says “click here” and it will prompt you to log in with your KF details.

This will then give you a wifi code, which you just copy, go back to the first screen and paste it in here:



Worked perfectly for me and no issues with points/SCs posting to VFF because it doesn’t touch the booking.

 

[AIRwin]

I don’t know if it’s a recent change, but if anyone is in this situation (want to earn points/SC with VFF, and use VFF status benefits, but also want the free wifi), then you can get a wifi code on the plane just by using your KF login.

Thanks for the tip!

 

[Quickstatus]

is it just a case of entering my Velocity number?

Consider keeping your SQ points in Krisflyer rather than VA.
Use a CC that pays SQ points.
A lot more options for redemptions in SQ.

 

[ccevans]

Hi all,
As a VA WP I wanted points /status to VA
and WP to access lounges on trip SYD - SIN - MNL
and use Kris for WIFI
I as suggested enter Kris # on booking and during checkin ticked credit points to VA. Seemed all ok
At Syd during bag drop was told all good for wifi but no lounge access as no Kris status and boarding group 6 (as per online boarding pass) so took option to drop off Kris# from booking to gain lounge.
Now lounge access and boarding group 3 on printed both BP’s
On entering lounge mentioned adding Kris # for WIFi and retaining VA crediting. Lounge Angel said no problem took details and away I went.
And successful wifi for both flight no problem at Changi as BP had VA status and points arrived 4 days later to VA.

Yet to be seen how I negotiate this in MNL at the end of this week on the way back.

Thinking will leave Kris off and worst case try MattA trick to gain WIFI.

 

[Frankblack]

Consider keeping your SQ points in Krisflyer rather than VA.
Use a CC that pays SQ points.
A lot more options for redemptions in SQ.

Hey Quickstatus,
Sorry to hijack.

I've got a couple of flights MEL-HND in J on SQ code.
I am VFF Platinum, and also KFEG.
Have satisfied Platinum for another year, but won't get the 50,000 Elite Miles to maintain KFEG.

Where should I send points?
SQ gets straight up miles.
No bonus for Platinum on SQ code. So no benefit in miles.
I have lounge and wifi as on J.

As i said, won't get to 50,000 Elite miles for KFEG.

So positive for points to VFF is extra luggage, and extra SC, which i can gift Platinum with.
Only negative is exchange rate on VFF to KF conversion later on.

Have I got anything wrong here, or am i missing anything?

 

[ben95]

points to VFF is extra luggage, and extra SC, which i can gift Platinum with

If you have someone you can gift the membership to and he/she can effectively utilise (trvavels enough but not enough to earn status) it then it's great.

If you only need the 20kg extra luggage on top of the 40kg already came with the J ticket then you can put in your VFF membership for "benefit FQTS" but then switch to use your KF membership for "points credit FQTV".

Only negative is exchange rate on VFF to KF conversion later on.

It's not a simple answer I'm afraid. VFF and KF are different program with different pros and cons and which one works the best for you will highly depend on your redemption plan. They have different earning rate, redemption rate and surcharges let alone the differences in avaiability, partner and routing. Generally speaking for AU based traveler wanting to go to Europe I find VFF the better option in terms of J reward space with the exception of SQ itself. Japan and US is maybe a toss up with both program partners of ANA/UA/AC and surprisingly even VS

If you want to eventually use your points for SQ premium cabins, I would recommend to keep them in KF just because SQ restrict First/Suites space to itself and opens more rewards space in J to KF vs VFF. Also there are some long haul routes that's only open to KF and not open to VFF. KF also gets access to the reward spaces 350 days ahead vs VFF 330 days and a higher cash surcharge for VFF redemption (although a lower native point counts for VFF in certain routes).

 

[Frankblack]

Thanks for your reply Ben95

If you have someone you can gift the membership to

I do. This is also a 2 for one, as they get one year Plat, and then a year of Gold.
If I allocate miles to KF, that is off the table.

If you only need the 20kg extra luggage on top of the 40kg already came with the J ticket

I do need this on my upcoming trip. But yes, could send miles to KF, but the membership gift then goes off the table.

They have different earning rate, redemption rate and surcharges let alone the differences in avaiability, partner and routing. Generally speaking for AU based traveler wanting to go to Europe I find VFF the better option in terms of J reward space with the exception of SQ itself.

From a miles perspective, going on SQ coded flights, I miss out on VA Platinum bonuses anyway. There is a 25% mileage bonus with KFEG, which i also hold.
However, I haven't found VFF redemption to Europe in J anywhere near as cheap as with KF, nor as good availability. Even taking into consideration conversion. VFF redemption in J were crazy figures. So last redemption, i just transferred points to KF and booked direct.

If you want to eventually use your points for SQ premium cabins, I would recommend to keep them in KF

Yeah, SQ is our international airline of choice.
But I can always transfer points to KF to get access, right??

 

[ben95]

I do. This is also a 2 for one, as they get one year Plat, and then a year of Gold.
If I allocate miles to KF, that is off the table.

Then I'd say this trump all other options. Credit to VFF for the SC and gift.

I haven't found VFF redemption to Europe in J anywhere near as cheap as with KF, nor as good availability

VFF is good because you also get acccess to EY and QR going to Europe and possibly even North America east coast cities. KF and *A in general is weaker in this market for AU based traveller. If you compare SQ via KF and to SQ via VFF it's clear SQ is going to prioritise its own program, but EY often releases a decent amount of J space 1 month from deparutre which is accessible to VFF members but not SQ.

But I can always transfer points to KF to get access, right??

You can transfer at a rate of VFF 1.55:1 KF. It's not the end of the world if you have to but generally when people try to maximise the value of points its the first thing to avoid.

Even taking into consideration conversion. VFF redemption in J were crazy figures.

Are you sure? For example MEL-SIN-JFK if redeemed via VFF for J on the more expensive table would cost you 139,000 pts + 250 USD surcharge (not that it's currenlt possible to get SQ J space on SIN-JFK via VFF but for the sake of comparison say it is). Redem the same trip on KF it costs 145,500 + ~95 USD surcharge. It's actually bit more points for less cash. Not sure how you came up with the impression that "VFF redemption in J were crazy figures".

 

[Frankblack]

Hey Thanks again Ben.

In terms of the status gifting, it is a nice bonus. Also the wife travels with the kids after me, so good for her to have lounge access in her own right (in VA and SQ lounges). Somewhat priceless to keep them happy.

VFF is good because you also get access to EY and QR going to Europe

In general, I agree.
But we have sworn off Mid East Airlines, and transiting through Mid East.
Singapore is our stopover, and our airline. This is one thing my wife agrees on. Happy wife/happy life!!

You can transfer at a rate of VFF 1.55:1 KF. It's not the end of the world if you have to but generally when people try to maximise the value of points its the first thing to avoid.

Agreed in principle. A good idea to chop and change. Once Platinum gift reached, will shift my accrual to KF.

In terms of transfer losses, there are plenty of ways to make up VFF points on the cheap in Australia.
Family pooling, which is a huge bonus.
Platinum bonus points on flights.
Credit card points
Credit card sign on bonuses.
7 Eleven for fuel.
Flybuys to Velocity point transfers.
Online shopping partners.

Not so much on KF.

Not sure how you came up with the impression that "VFF redemption in J were crazy figures

Sorry. Was looking specifically at MEL - Europe. Ended up with just over 800k points for 2 of us MEL- LHR for June next year. At the time VFF were asking like 700k+ each.

I really appreciate your input, as it assists with confirming my decisions.
For the pursuing squeezing the most out of every point, and is airline agnostic, what you suggest makes sense.
Cheers