We live in interesting times do we not? SQ realign their award chart requiring increased pts to redeem flts - albeit at greatly reduced Ts & Cs - and the banks are heading down the path of greatly reduced FF pts earn rates on CC spend - the stars are hardly aligning are they?
For me this means a complete reassessment of my flying pattern. For years I have been totally spoilt with ease of availability and relative cheap cost of SQ R/F Saver rdpts to / from China. The availability won't change but ability to create the annual bank of pts that permit these activities is now my greatest challenge.
As with all endeavours - before a plan can be hatched we need to look closely at the problem that confronts us. In a nutshell listed here is what I have been / will now be confronted with if I desire to continue the same flight pattern to / from China:
- SQ Comm R/F Ticket - May 5 MEL-SIN-PVG / May 14 PEK-SIN-MEL $7,340.59
- R/F Saver Rdpt (Old Rate) – MEL-SIN-PVG 78,625 KF Pts + AUD460.99 / PEK-SIN-MEL 79,625 KF Pts + CNY1,992 = Total 157,250 KF pts + ~AUD845.58
- R/F Saver Rdpt (New Rate) – MEL-SIN-PVG 98,000 KF Pts + AUD86.39 / PEK-SIN-MEL 98,000 KF Pts + CNY229 = Total 196,000 KF Pts + ~AUD130.61
For 8-10 return journeys each year the $ savings look very attractive - but that bank of pts will be my challenge given the changing CC pts earn landscape. We live in interesting times.
Note: The 3 pricing levels I have quoted are for a ret journey I am undertaking MEL-SIN-PVG / PEK-SIN-MEL in R/F May 5 to May 14.
