Singapore Airlines - Business class. Help.

[vilhelm]

Hi guys,

I'm new here and this is probably the best place on the net to ask this question so here goes:

I think I will be flying to Australia in November to visit some friends, and if I do, I will be flying Singapore Airlines and the mighty A380 (should be fun), but flying for 24 hours in eco-class is a major PITA.

The only problem is: Regular eco-class is priced at a little under 1k GBP, while business class is 3,8k GBP. It would be worth it if I could get it for 2x the price, but paying 3.8x the price is a bit too pricey.

Any suggestions on how I can get a cheaper business class seat?

Would it be possible to upgrade at a much reduced price when there is a week or so left before the flight?

Thanks guys!

 

[dajop]

Any suggestions on how I can get a cheaper business class seat?

Not sure ex-UK, but ex-AUS the only way to get a substaintially cheaper business class seat is to fly with another airline. Thai & Malaysian are often less expensive than Singapore Airlines. Or go for premium economy on Qantas, BA or Virgin Atlantic.

Would it be possible to upgrade at a much reduced price when there is a week or so left before the flight?

No. Not on SQ. Especially flying on the the A380.

 

[vilhelm]

Not sure ex-UK, but ex-AUS the only way to get a substaintially cheaper business class seat is to fly with another airline. Thai & Malaysian are often less expensive than Singapore Airlines. Or go for premium economy on Qantas, BA or Virgin Atlantic.



No. Not on SQ. Especially flying on the the A380.

Thanks for your answer dajop. If I fly premium economy will I be eligible for upgrade to business if I don't have a FF program with the airline I am flying with? Does it help any that my father has a gold card with SAS?

Also if business is not fully booked why wouldn't they reduce ticket prices for a business class upgrade?

 

[v8Statesman]

Also if business is not fully booked why wouldn't they reduce ticket prices for a business class upgrade?

Many US carriers will do this, as well as a notable Oz based LCC.

But it seems that everywhere else in the world the consensus is that it devalues the product and so it usually only offered to elites (and sometimes not at all).

 

[v8Statesman]

Oh, BTW Welcome to AFF vilhelm!

I hope you have a long and enjoyble relationship with this board like I have. I have found the information on here to be invaluable.

I am now a Top tier member of 1 carrier and 2nd top for another. Before I joined this group I was just a nobody

 

[trooper]

Because Singapore Airlines (SQ) "protects" its Premium cabins?... If folks knew cheap upgrades were available close in why would anyone buy the "real thing"? That's a guess.. but I suggest a decent one....

SQ reportedly charges a surcharge for Business (and First? Dunno) on it's 77W's .. and for Biz on the 380.. (which doesn't even have First.. only "Suites" at a higher cost again).. Doesn't seem quite right to me... but the market seems to accept it.. and I must say their new C on the 77W IS very nice... I have had the good fortune to fly in it once...

Always best to be prepared to travel in the class you paid for.... anything may happen of course - operational upgrades, like lightning, CAN strike.. but I wouldn't rely on it!:mrgreen:

I assume you are talking about a free upgrade? If so the paragraph above applies..

If not then it will depend on the airline.. some DO "upsell" at check in for set prices (good value in some markets) others will only do so on a "pay the full fare difference" basis... which doesn't help you much!!

The bad news is getting into Business class without either paying for it or using "instruments" (certificates/miles/points from the appropriate FF program) is pretty bloody unlikely these days.... even if op-ups are required (unsold seats in Biz, oversold in Economy) they will probably go to folks with status on that airlines FF program... That seems to be policy with many airlines...

The good news is the 380 is about as good as it gets in economy! Make sure you get a seat on the Upper Deck... (Instead of the 3-4-3 config downstairs it's 2-4-2 with nice side storage at the window seats, less people, faster service IME) Only flew SYD-SIN on that beast (bit over 7 hours?) but it flew by... and yes, that was a terrible pun! Sorry..

Enjoy the trip!!!

 

[vilhelm]

Many US carriers will do this, as well as a notable Oz based LCC.

But it seems that everywhere else in the world the consensus is that it devalues the product and so it usually only offered to elites (and sometimes not at all).

I see. Thanks for your answer.

Any other suggestions (if there are any left) are welcome

 

[vilhelm]

Oh, BTW Welcome to AFF vilhelm!

I hope you have a long and enjoyble relationship with this board like I have. I have found the information on here to be invaluable.

I am now a Top tier member of 1 carrier and 2nd top for another. Before I joined this group I was just a nobody

Thank you for your welcome. I always like to ask people that know a certain field better than 99.999% of others, and that's why I love these different forums. So much good and accurate information.

Because Singapore Airlines (SQ) "protects" its Premium cabins?... If folks knew cheap upgrades were available close in why would anyone buy the "real thing"? That's a guess.. but I suggest a decent one....

If you don't book in advance you are not guaranteed a seat in business. The people that travel in first/business would not take that chance when the company is paying for their trip anyways. I know I wouldn't.

But the prices are just too high for anyone else, if you don't have a solid yearly income, and can spend the extra 2.8k GBP on some addition comfort.

SQ reportedly charges a surcharge for Business (and First? Dunno) on it's 77W's .. and for Biz on the 380.. (which doesn't even have First.. only "Suites" at a higher cost again).. Doesn't seem quite right to me... but the market seems to accept it.. and I must say their new C on the 77W IS very nice... I have had the good fortune to fly in it once...

Always best to be prepared to travel in the class you paid for.... anything may happen of course - operational upgrades, like lightning, CAN strike.. but I wouldn't rely on it!:mrgreen:

I assume you are talking about a free upgrade? If so the paragraph above applies..

Nothing usually comes free. I expected to pay for it. The price in Eco-class is 1k, the price in business is 3.8k. I would be willing to pay an additional 1k for business class, but from the looks of it, it doesn't look like it is possible?

If not then it will depend on the airline.. some DO "upsell" at check in for set prices (good value in some markets) others will only do so on a "pay the full fare difference" basis... which doesn't help you much!!

The bad news is getting into Business class without either paying for it or using "instruments" (certificates/miles/points from the appropriate FF program) is pretty bloody unlikely these days.... even if op-ups are required (unsold seats in Biz, oversold in Economy) they will probably go to folks with status on that airlines FF program... That seems to be policy with many airlines...

The good news is the 380 is about as good as it gets in economy! Make sure you get a seat on the Upper Deck... (Instead of the 3-4-3 config downstairs it's 2-4-2 with nice side storage at the window seats, less people, faster service IME) Only flew SYD-SIN on that beast (bit over 7 hours?) but it flew by... and yes, that was a terrible pun! Sorry..

Enjoy the trip!!!

Thanks It will be very cool to fly in the A380, and thanks for your suggestion about the upper deck

 

[Evan]

Some CX flights i do J is 8 times more expensive than Y !!!! so no chance i would pay it.
The norm seems to be 3 to 4 times the price of a reasonable discount Y ticket.

If people pay it why should an airline accept less... they are in business to make money.

The money paid for the comfort, well thats only a decision only you can make ! or you company.... my company travel is all Y, but when i travel myself i try to ensure i can afford a better class of travel

E

 

[vilhelm]

Some CX flights i do J is 8 times more expensive than Y !!!! so no chance i would pay it.
The norm seems to be 3 to 4 times the price of a reasonable discount Y ticket.

If people pay it why should an airline accept less... they are in business to make money.

The money paid for the comfort, well thats only a decision only you can make ! or you company.... my company travel is all Y, but when i travel myself i try to ensure i can afford a better class of travel

E

Well keep the prices like they are, but there are several flights where lots of business class or first class seats are wide open. Maybe they could incorporate the discounted rate at check in, nothing "cheap", but cheaper then what the prices were to start with. That's just my opinion on it though.

Most Business travels and the regular business/first class customers won't take the change of being put in eco because they wanted to save 1k GPB on a 24 hour flight

 

[Evan]

Well keep the prices like they are, but there are several flights where lots of business class or first class seats are wide open. Maybe they could incorporate the discounted rate at check in, nothing "cheap", but cheaper then what the prices were to start with. That's just my opinion on it though.

Most Business travels and the regular business/first class customers won't take the change of being put in eco because they wanted to save 1k GPB on a 24 hour flight

I see your point, but SQ just dont do it, neither do QF, on the other hand BA do have checkin upgrades available for $$$ and even onboard.
SQ is nice in J, but similar to a few others (but there prices are also high).
Maybe try BA if thats what your after.

E

 

[vilhelm]

I see your point, but SQ just dont do it, neither do QF, on the other hand BA do have checkin upgrades available for $$$ and even onboard.
SQ is nice in J, but similar to a few others (but there prices are also high).
Maybe try BA if thats what your after.

E

Ohh, ok, thanks Evan.

 

[Evan]

Not trying to be negative... just observations from the many thousands of kms i do in economy seats.... but as a frequent traveler i can often get seats beside me blocked (and you should try asking for this at check-in just incase they decide o allow it for non regular travelers) and sometimes upgrades but most of them are using my miles.

And for me i would prefer an economy seat on say SQ and a business on some other airlines since the money paid is just not worth it.

btw. SQ A380 in economy is really nice as far as economy seats go.

BA is worth a try, and on routes say London to China you see lots of business seats for sale at the counter in my expereince but to Singapore, Hong Kong etc i think its usually totally booked out. Qantas is usually very full and any upgrades are for points/miles generally.

E

 

[vilhelm]

Not trying to be negative... just observations from the many thousands of kms i do in economy seats.... but as a frequent traveler i can often get seats beside me blocked (and you should try asking for this at check-in just incase they decide o allow it for non regular travelers) and sometimes upgrades but most of them are using my miles.

And for me i would prefer an economy seat on say SQ and a business on some other airlines since the money paid is just not worth it.

btw. SQ A380 in economy is really nice as far as economy seats go.

BA is worth a try, and on routes say London to China you see lots of business seats for sale at the counter in my expereince but to Singapore, Hong Kong etc i think its usually totally booked out. Qantas is usually very full and any upgrades are for points/miles generally.

E

I appreciate your answers Thanks for taking your time to answer my questions.

Looks like I will fly SQ then. The 380 is a pretty cool plane and I have heard good things about SQ even though it won't be business class, with a 3.8k GPB price tag

 

[trooper]

It IS nice to be "up front".. that's a given... but for many of us here there was a LOT of travel "down the back" before reaching the status/miles holdings that made upgrades feasible.

(I have NEVER purchased a Biz fare.. too $$$ for me too!.. ALL my time up front has been on "supported" upgrades. I am a purely recreational traveller)

... and I enjoyed MOST of those trips too... except SYD-LAX vv on QF.. (and I hope on this "QF heavy" board I don' get shot for that.. )

Careful seat selection (even if you have to CALL and request it) is something most travellers don't do or even think of... so you're ahead of the game straight away... and I can only emphasise that the 380 UD is damn nice for an economy cabin...

I arrived rather early at check in for my "whale" flight... and was even offered an exit row seat on the UD.. Who knows why? I am *Gold through NZ.. and I am clearly more than "fit" enough for the "job".. but ??? (Didn't take it cos I had a companion.. IDIOT!!!) Can't hurt to ask when you check in!

(But call and get a good seat anyway....):mrgreen:

 

[Keith009]

Don't need status to request for an emergency exit row seat on SQ in YCL, they're pretty much first come first served.

 

[mdroc1]

Hi there,

Hope this helps:

1) As someone else said, another airline might be your best bet. I would check out the cost of flying to Amsterdam and then flying to Australia on a KLM / Malaysian Airline flight. They have "World Class" or something like that which is a business/first fusion, but is actually cheaper than a lot of business class seats on big international carriers.

2) Medication and seat selection: If you fly economy and you're going to be stuck there for 24 hours, two things will help. First, check in early and ask the girl at the counter for a good seat. Try the door way isle so you have heaps of leg room and if there is a group of you, try and sit together and/or see if there is some way to get a seat where the seat next to you is empty, though i have had more success with this on late check-ins rather than early check-ins. Also, get some medication that will knock you out. Doctor is ideal, but even a couple of cold and flu or panadol with codeine medications will often do the trick.

3) Don't rely on random upgrades. I've taken about 16 flights in the past three years and not one random upgrade. I've even checked with my travel agent who confirmed that business was only half full and then I rolled up in a suit with a my silver-level frequent flyer card. When no offer was tabled, I gave in and asked if an upgrade was possible, but was turned down. I have only met one person who magically got a business class upgrade for a two hour flight when he checked in and that was simply because he was late, the flight was overbooked and ... well... he "chatted up" the girl at the check in counter and is very good with women.

3) SAS Gold card - this can be invaluable for lounges, but won't help you get an upgrade. However, I ask that you check whether you can use your dad's card to get into lounges. IF you can, you have free food, drinks (incl. alcohol), wifi, comfortable environment...etc... while you wait at the airport. Admittedly, I find the lounges to be a bit over-hyped and often, there are a handful of people who have businesss conversations on their mobile at the top of their voice, clearly hoping that other people in the lounge will look at them and think "gee - he must be important."

In any event though, club sandwiches, fresh coffee and a nice couch beats the hell out of a wooden bench outside KFC.

4) Pay attention to the class of ticked you are buying. Economy is economy... however to the airline, there is a like a sub-class of economy tickets. I J C V X D ...etc... If you find a special price on a ticket, chances are that it will be the most restricted type of ticket you can buy and they won't upgrade you ahead of other passengers on 'higher-class' economy tickets. Example: I had enough points for an upgrade and when i called up to double check, the told me i needed to by a B-class economy ticket as that's the only one i can upgrade using points. I'm actually lucky i checked as i nearly bought another type of ticket. In any event, it only cost me another $70-$80 (so about 30 quid) but I get all these extra benefits like ease of changing return dates, option to upgrade..etc..

IF you go for the cheapest possible most restricted tickets, the airlines will ultimately prefer to upgrade someone else.

5) Perhaps go business on one leg. UK to Melbourne is a two leg flight - usually London -> Singapore and Singapore->Melbourne. If it doesn't blow out the cost too much, perhaps go business between Singapore and Melbourne. That way, you'll get a mix which helps.

The only other suggestion i can make to you, if you can't buy business or upgrade in any way, is to insert a stop over. It usually costs you nothing to insert one into your ticket and/or the cost is insignificant. For example, perhaps you want to fly Thai Airways and insert a 24 hour stop over in Bangkok. It will cost you some to spend the night there, but at least you 'break up' the flight which makes the journey a little bit easier.

Otherwise, good luck. Make sure that you sign up to a Frequent flyer program on star alliance as well. Aside from potentially improving your upgrade chances, a flight to Australia and back will give you a nice starting bank of points. YOu can build on that in coming years and you'll eventually get enough points to upgrade every now and again.

 

[vilhelm]

Thanks for all your suggestions guys. Much appreciated. Will look into it further, and tell you what I ended up with.

 

[vilhelm]

What benefits does the Flexi have compared to the Flexi Saver? The Saver is £150 cheaper, but I can't see any benefits with the regular Flexi. Does it give you a better chance of being upgraded? Is it worth the extra cost considering I have 0 FF miles with SA?

Thanks once again guys,
Vilhelm