SQ Award Routing

[mrtupperware]

Hi

Has anyone ever tried routing LAX - SYD, but instead of going LAX - SIN- SYD, you go via LAX - PVG (China Air) - SIN - SYD? Will that be allowed?

Thanks!

 

[dajop]

That route is 70% more than LAX-SYD point to point distance, so is extremely likely to be considered backtracking, so not likely to be allowed. They tend to be more strict on star alliance awards with backtracking than with Singapore Airlines only awards.

 

[Mattg]

That route is 70% more than LAX-SYD point to point distance, so is extremely likely to be considered backtracking, so not likely to be allowed. They tend to be more strict on star alliance awards with backtracking than with Singapore Airlines only awards.

Do you know if there is a maximum permitted mileage for these kinds of awards? Or does it come down to the discretion of the agent?

 

[dajop]

Do you know if there is a maximum permitted mileage for these kinds of awards? Or does it come down to the discretion of the agent?

I’ve heard two versions, and don’t know which, or if either are correct. One that anything over x% of the point to point distance is considered backtracking, with 50% being the most commonly mentioned value for x, but some routes not allowed less than 50% and others more (but IIRC the ones more being SQ only). The other version is based on MPM for published (commercial) fares.

Who knows, does seem to be a “black art”. In either case not up to agent, more a “computer says no” (or “yes”) situation.

The other thing, people tend to think of backtracking as an east/west thing. But with SQ awards they also consider north/south as well. So SYD-ICN-BKK might be treated as backtracking even though travelling in a continuously westerly direction.

Irrespective, doesn’t hurt to ask, worst case scenario is a waste of 10-20mins on phone if they say no.

 

[mrtupperware]

Will call and find out

 

[dajop]

Will call and find out

Do let us know if you are successful or not. Useful to have another data point!

 

[mrtupperware]

So turns out you can't route this way. On partner airlines you're not allowed stopovers and on SQ youre backtracking...

 

[dajop]

So turns out you can't route this way. On partner airlines you're not allowed stopovers and on SQ youre backtracking...

Yes, on one way partner bookings you can't do stopovers (I think you can add one on return), and it also would be backtracking. And as SQ doesn't fly LAX-PVG, you couldn't do SQ booking so is not relevant.

The closest you could do to this is either SFO-HKG-SIN-SYD or LAX-NRT-SIN-SYD (with stopovers permitted @ $100USD/stop on saver awards).

 

[mrtupperware]

Yes, on one way partner bookings you can't do stopovers (I think you can add one on return), and it also would be backtracking. And as SQ doesn't fly LAX-PVG, you couldn't do SQ booking so is not relevant.

The closest you could do to this is either SFO-HKG-SIN-SYD or LAX-NRT-SIN-SYD (with stopovers permitted @ $100USD/stop on saver awards).

I'm now looking at Air China F LAX-PVG, will save me 8 hours but not sure if AC F is any good vs SQ J