SQ to Vietnam connection options

[a330j]

I have finally saved up enough VA points to qualify for an SQ F trip to Vietnam, well SIN really and then J to HAN and return. This would be my first ever F trip and first overseas J for that matter. I will be travelling probably March 2016.

I have read the other posts that mixed bookings can be booked with KF over the phone. I have a question about connections in SIN.

Is there a timeframe on what is considered a connection? I am looking to get a daytime flight to SIN probably from MEL (as SYD is waitlisted) to maximise daytime hours while in F. However while the SQ website shows award availablity MEL-SIN F (SQ238 arr 1610 or SQ228 arr 2120)) and SIN to HAN J (SQ176 dep following day 0920) it doesn't show it as a connection. Would it be possible to book this as a connection when calling KF.

Also I start in BNE so would make my way to MEL with VA separately. Would it be possible to book the BNE to MEL leg with SQ as part of a BNE-MEL-SIN-HAN award. I would like to return via SYD if I can get a suite and at this stage return flights are not an issue.

Hope that makes sense.

 

[albatross710]

Is there a timeframe on what is considered a connection? I am looking to get a daytime flight to SIN probably from MEL (as SYD is waitlisted) to maximise daytime hours while in F. However while the SQ website shows award availablity MEL-SIN F (SQ238 arr 1610 or SQ228 arr 2120)) and SIN to HAN J (SQ176 dep following day 0920) it doesn't show it as a connection. Would it be possible to book this as a connection when calling KF.

Anything less than 24 hours is a connection and not considered as a stopover. Do consider that if you are doing an F redemption that you are permitted a stopover in each direction.

Also I start in BNE so would make my way to MEL with VA separately. Would it be possible to book the BNE to MEL leg with SQ as part of a BNE-MEL-SIN-HAN award. I would like to return via SYD if I can get a suite and at this stage return flights are not an issue.

Hope that makes sense.

I've researched the distances previously and I recall that Sydney is actually slightly further to SIN and therefore more time in F. Do make sure that the flight you are going on is an A380 service.

For the BNE-MEL leg you could do this as a separate redemption direct with VA. I'm guessing you are concerned about guaranteeing the connection. Redemptions with SQ tend to be point to point. so they wouldn't route you via Mel if you are departing BNE. . When I did my connection (via QF J) from BNE to MEL to connect to Suites, I allowed more time, which meant a very leisurely walk from DOM to INT and a great relaxing start to our journey.

Enjoy HAN and enjoy some of the local ice cream if you get a chance.

Alby

 

[a330j]

Many thanks alby. I wasn't aware of the stopover ability for an F redemption.

I would like to take the A380 from Syd but the flights when I want to travel are waitlisted; ok on the way back. From reading the threads securing a seat from being waitlisted is a bit hit and miss and I have no status with SQ to increase the odds.

MEL has the advantage as you say of a leisurely walk to the INT terminal rather than switching terminals a la Sydney, although in the past while SYD is inconvenient transfers haven't been a problem. No A380 services from MEL however.

Will definitely enjoy an ice cream by the lake.

 

[mooingchicken]

You have to call and ask for them to marry the sectors, this however is not always possible, but you have a better chance calling up and asking for it to get done, mixed class you have to call and book, make sure they give you the 15% discount as this is not able to be done online

 

[albatross710]

Will definitely enjoy an ice cream by the lake.

Here is a youtube of the ice cream place that I am recalling. It's on the north-west side of the lake, maybe about 100 metres along a road. Incredibly popular.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYqDz777uww&feature=youtu.be

Spot the aussie kid that really is out of his depth.

We were taken there by a local friend.

Enjoy

 

[a330j]

Ha ha, brings back some memories. I don't know if it was this place but I fought and bought some type of ice cream in cardboard wrapping. I had no idea what it was but everyone was buying them so I thought I would try. It was delicious.

 

[a330j]

Is there a preference among the experienced here between the SQ228 (shown as 777-300ER) and SQ238 (777-300) out of MEL. Is there any difference between the two birds? From a timing perspective SQ238 would be preferable but I would like a newer fitout too.

 

[ozmouse]

great question A330j ... as i am looking at SQ238 next march on my way to vietnam.

Vietnam came up on the radar for us, because of SQ flights/connections for melbourne pax. If i remember correctly, the award redemption was the same for SIN or SGN?! In addition we flying direct DAD (danang) to SIN on silk air on the return (paid), overnight back into melbourne on QF award.

We flying business class though. Is the business class product different between the 2 flights SQ228 SQ238?

 

[MrForgetful]

Love to know the answer to ozmouse too! We're planning on a J flight to Ho Chi minh in May, and returning from Da Nang to Brisbane. Wondering if it's worth heading to Sydney or Melbourne to fly out from instead of BNE as we have the old planes...

 

[a330j]

Having read through a number of SQ related threads trying to find an answer, it seems to be a bit of a lottery as to the layout because there are a range of layouts within SQ on the 777 and there doesn't seem to be an obvious way to tell. In addition, more than once SQ has substituted the aircraft you may have booked making layout choice redundant. Other more knowledgeable AFFers may be able to provide a more in depth response.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Is there a preference among the experienced here between the SQ228 (shown as 777-300ER) and SQ238 (777-300) out of MEL. Is there any difference between the two birds? From a timing perspective SQ238 would be preferable but I would like a newer fitout too.

It's not a particularly long flight, and neither are overnighters so you'll be more than comfortable whichever way you go.

But, if your J seat is important to you, you definitely don't want the 773 (SQ238). These have the 2-2-2 Weber layout, so not everyone gets aisle access. The seats themselves are great, but just no match to the mini-suites you get with the 77W (seen on SQ228).

You can tell this just by the seat map: you want the 1-2-1 layout.