SQ Tips, Trips and Tales

[legroom]

That has also been my experience with SQ.

If earning points paying SQ taxes is your (additional) goal, just break the trips into ex Australia (paying AUD) and then book the return trip ex Somewhere Else (e.g. MXP, CDG...) and pay in EUR (or whatever non-AUD it may be).

IME I have never been charged anything other than AUD for flights (revenue & KF) ex OZ.

SQ, like the vast majority of other airlines, will charge the fare (and any taxes / surcharges) in the currency of the point of origin... This has been the case for as long as I remember.

The one exception is some manually written tickets as they are created ex-SIN... This is absolutely not the norm.

 

[vitagen]

 

[Plutonus]

It's for a Per-Sin-Lhr mixed class redemption that had to be done on the phone.

Maybe your manually processed redemption is why? As in, had human intervention and mixed class.

 

[seanpodge]

All my SQ trips originating from PR China had to be paid for in RMB. Lost a few dollars in conversion fees the first time I paid with my ANZ card. Now I've figured out how to use my Chinese bank account to pay online, so it's all good.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

quick question if you do a mixed redemption J and F if the F on the J leg opens up any chance of being moved up? What about an onboard/checkin upgrade? Would they even know you where on a first class redemption?

OK so I assume you mean you have actually spoken to KF call ctr and have a confirmed mixed rdpt F on one sector and J on another sector correct? The reason you have J is because no F availability showing at time you made booking right?

If this is the case the rep should have advised you at the time you made booking that they can add a waitlist for that F sector to your confirmed and ticketed booking. Should the F waitlist clear pre dep then you will be advised it is available - you pay the extra pts and taxes - and new tix will be issued - this is quite easy and straight forward and you should have been advised of this at time you made booking.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

It's for a Per-Sin-Lhr mixed class redemption that had to be done on the phone.

Hmm interesting - I have done mixed class rdpts on phone several times and always priced in A$s - but clearly yours wasn't. Monica is my new girl in KF I will call her tomorrow morning and see if I can get some definitive answer to this.

As sean podge has written ALL flts ex PRC will be priced in RMB - just standard for pricing / payment to be in currency of origination country.

Never a dull moment in the world of International travel huh guys? Keep flying good people - keep safe.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

If earning points paying SQ taxes is your (additional) goal, just break the trips into ex Australia (paying AUD) and then book the return trip ex Somewhere Else (e.g. MXP, CDG...) and pay in EUR (or whatever non-AUD it may be).

Not only for earning pts - much MUCH better to always book 2 x o/w awards IMHO as it gives much more flexibility. Only downer is that you will need to pay extra AS$100 to add a stopover on one sector if you desire - but again each to their own - what suits me won't suit others etc etc

 

[penegal]

All of my AAward bookings originating outside of the US (Oz, LHR, SIN) have had the co-payment charged in USD..

I did say most, not all...

United allows you to book in different "local" currencies, and look how well that worked out for them

It's for a Per-Sin-Lhr mixed class redemption that had to be done on the phone.

The key part is on the phone...

 

[legroom]

I'd second this approach.

Much easier to cancel / modify one leg without upsetting the cart.

No disadvantage in miles !

Not only for earning pts - much MUCH better to always book 2 x o/w awards IMHO as it gives much more flexibility. Only downer is that you will need to pay extra AS$100 to add a stopover on one sector if you desire - but again each to their own - what suits me won't suit others etc etc

 

[Cruiser Elite]

OK kids update on charged currency for SQ bookings. Many would know I previously had fabulous contact in SQ/KF call ctr - Crystal who assisted quite a few other AFF members - but unfortunately she sought greener pastures and moved on. I thought I was cultivating another star by the name of Monica - she may still turn out to be so.

Just off the phone with Monica and this is what she informed me:
- ALL SQ bookings both Commercial and Redemption made via SQ web site will 100% be charged in currency of originating country.
- ALL SQ bookings both Commercial and Redemption made via SQ/KF call centre will 100% be charged in Singapore dollars.

Come to think of it - how logical is that? Back to Monica - she is easy to understand on phone and on previous 4 or 5 contacts has been exceptional - until today - she totally stuffed up a straight forward waitlist which was nothing like I wanted. So I called back and she is busy - other dude I spoke to cleared it up in like 2 secs but he was so difficult to understand - might be back to the drawing board.

 

[MrForgetful]

Come to think of it - how logical is that? Back to Monica - she is easy to understand on phone and on previous 4 or 5 contacts has been exceptional - until today - she totally stuffed up a straight forward waitlist which was nothing like I wanted. So I called back and she is busy - other dude I spoke to cleared it up in like 2 secs but he was so difficult to understand - might be back to the drawing board.

Are you able to request a certain team member at the beginning of the call?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Are you able to request a certain team member at the beginning of the call?

Absolutely - provided you have their name / ext no. / if they are on duty / if they are not busy on a call - then you just request to be transferred and you are good to go.

 

[MrForgetful]

Thanks Cruiser, that was my biggest issue deal with the call centre. Hard to understand them sometimes and the volume for some reason isn't very loud.

 

[Eggsbenedict]

Thanks Cruiser, that was my biggest issue deal with the call centre. Hard to understand them sometimes and the volume for some reason isn't very loud.

Thought this might have just been me. The operators seem to act like its not normal although I guess calls from AUS are only a very small part of their daily conversations

 

[cove]

Chloe was helpful to us at their call centre.

 

[diningdecadence]

Hometime... I'm guessing this view is pretty standard most of the day!

Very happy to have been moved forward to an earlier flight via a request at the airport (my WL didn't clear but R=3)

 

[yohy?!]

Cruiser with your flying patterns and loyalty to SQ you should definitely be learning mandarin I'm sure the cabin crew would help you practice on board!

 

[hummel]

Cruiser with your flying patterns and loyalty to SQ you should definitely be learning mandarin I'm sure the cabin crew would help you practice on board!

People have always said to me that I should learn Mandarin/Cantonese(more appropriate) with travelling to/from China... that's what translators are for!

Of course I really should look into it so as to make sure I'm getting the best deal in negotiations etc

 

[Cruiser Elite]

yohy I have been travelling to China for 16yrs now - I speak maybe 10 words of Mandarin - TBH that's plenty.

I guess I am very loyal to SQ - but that is borne out of the regularity, reliability, suitability and availability of service bw MEL and PEK and PVG. Yes I travel many sectors on SQ annually but on many occasions I am changing / adjusting schedules only a day or so out - SQ so far allows me to do this quite easily. That's the basic reason why I am so often in contact with KF call ctr.

I also fully understand what a privileged travel pattern I have been able to develop courtesy of FF pts - I also understand that this fabulous process might at some point in time come to a halt God forbid - until then I will attempt to make every $1 spent work as hard as I can - I love being able to give info back to other members of AFF who have contributed info that has changed my life.

 

[Kimster]

You Sir - don't have to be modest about that. We all have learnt a fair few things and benefitted from the advice here on AFF. At least for me, I have benefitted a lot from your posts and information.

yohy I have been travelling to China for 16yrs now - I speak maybe 10 words of Mandarin - TBH that's plenty.

I guess I am very loyal to SQ - but that is borne out of the regularity, reliability, suitability and availability of service bw MEL and PEK and PVG. Yes I travel many sectors on SQ annually but on many occasions I am changing / adjusting schedules only a day or so out - SQ so far allows me to do this quite easily. That's the basic reason why I am so often in contact with KF call ctr.

I also fully understand what a privileged travel pattern I have been able to develop courtesy of FF pts - I also understand that this fabulous process might at some point in time come to a halt God forbid - until then I will attempt to make every $1 spent work as hard as I can - I love being able to give info back to other members of AFF who have contributed info that has changed my life.