Upgrade Dilemma

[deka2]

We are about to book a trip SYD-SIN-SYD in October. First SQ flight

Both A380.

SYD-SIN SQ232 Daytime flight
SIN-SYD SQ231 Night Time flight, leaves at 00.35

There are saver awards Y to J available.

We only have the points to upgrade one flight.

I am in conflict.

Which one do I upgrade?

Day time at the beginning of the trip.

Night time at the end of the trip

 

[mella2007]

I would definitely upgrade the return flight. Nothing worse than flying Y and trying to rest, and being stuck in a bad configuration. I'm usually also a bit flat flying home after a trip, and flying J does make it feel a bit better while coming home!

 

[deka2]

That was my first thought, as we would be able to access the lounge in SIN before the flight.
I'm unsure though what meals you get on that evening flight.

 

[mella2007]

You normally get what they call a "Supper" ...which is still 3 courses and excellent quality and service

 

[deka2]

Do you know if the supper is part of the "book the cook " menu?

 

[mella2007]

That I don't know! Perhaps give them a call before upgrading? Otherwise I am sure someone else here will comment and know if they do or not!

 

[mickto]

If you are planning to do some shopping in Singapore, perhaps upgrading the return flight will give you a lot more baggage allowance?

 

[deka2]

That would help some, but we usually travel with carryon.

I looked at a video of the J cabin.
There doesn't appear to be any overhead storage above the centre seats.
Where do you out your bags?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Maybe I shouldn't contribute cause I am in MEL and never depart SYD - but IMHO it's a no brainer - I have done MEL-SIN / SIN-MEL 100's of times on SQ in Y, J and F.

IMHO if you get a chance to experience SQ premium cabins DEFINITELY take the daytime flight - enjoy the food, the drinks and the general ambience and spaciousness of the J cabin in an awake state.

Personally would not BTC - SQ meals great choice and quality usually excellent - do not worry about storage space as there is always plenty - FA's will help you out if there is any issue

Anybody can sleep on a plane in Y - drop a pill if necessary - or just don't worry too much about sleeping at all in this life time - remember all too soon you are going to sleep forever.

If you can experience J then go ahead and do so - enjoy every precious second of what will be a fabulous experience for you - and please report back with your thoughts.

 

[wafliron]

Personally I'd also upgrade the daytime flight.. If J isn't a common experience then I'd want to be awake to enjoy it

 

[Pushka]

Wow, difficult question. It would be nice to enjoy the full service during the day, but looking forward to the upgrade on the way home might soften the "end of holiday" disappointment.

 

[deluxeflyer]

Maybe I shouldn't contribute cause I am in MEL and never depart SYD - but IMHO it's a no brainer - I have done MEL-SIN / SIN-MEL 100's of times on SQ in Y, J and F.

IMHO if you get a chance to experience SQ premium cabins DEFINITELY take the daytime flight - enjoy the food, the drinks and the general ambience and spaciousness of the J cabin in an awake state.

Personally would not BTC - SQ meals great choice and quality usually excellent - do not worry about storage space as there is always plenty - FA's will help you out if there is any issue

Anybody can sleep on a plane in Y - drop a pill if necessary - or just don't worry too much about sleeping at all in this life time - remember all too soon you are going to sleep forever.

If you can experience J then go ahead and do so - enjoy every precious second of what will be a fabulous experience for you - and please report back with your thoughts.

Personally I'd also upgrade the daytime flight.. If J isn't a common experience then I'd want to be awake to enjoy it

Definitely Definitely Definitely the daytime flight.
Because:
1) SQ232 = 2 meals, SQ231 = only the mini meal they call supper.
2) SQ232 is a longer flight than SQ231 = more to enjoy (up to an hour more!)

I've done both these flights more times than I can count,
and SQ231 is not worth upgrading on.

You can BTC the supper meal or have it for breakfast, big whoop NOT.

You will not regret it.

 

[deka2]

I am now leaning towards the daytime flight.
Thanks to all for the advice.
Hopefully the points transfer from Amex comes through tomorrow, and availability is still there.
I'll decide then.
Have only travelled QF J before.
Really looking forward to SQ.

 

[deka2]

Just in case the A380 is not available by the time my points transfer, for a daytime flight what is the 777-300 (refitted) (departs 08.05) like in business?

I see the seats are not as wide and not lie flat, but that wouldn't matter on a daytime flight.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Just in case the A380 is not available by the time my points transfer, for a daytime flight what is the 777-300 (refitted) (departs 08.05) like in business?

I see the seats are not as wide and not lie flat, but that wouldn't matter on a daytime flight.

100% correct - and YES it is fine for daytime flt = not the best to sleep in / on - but daytime it's just fine.

 

[k3nnis]

Some people actually prefer the 777-300 refitted J seats for day flights compared to A380 J seats...

100% correct - and YES it is fine for daytime flt = not the best to sleep in / on - but daytime it's just fine.

 

[haydensydney]

Go for the night flight. As others have suggested, coming home after a holiday is depressing as it is - let along flying back in Y after a gorgeous J flight on the way over. Your expectations would be unmatchable after the daytime in J.

That, and if your going to be doing those big J seats you might as well be sleeping in them (i'm told they aren't the most comfortable in seated / upright mode).

Also, the meals and piss are good but you can get these anywhere on the ground (and most restaurants can deliver better meals than those provided by an airline). Therefore your left with the seats and as mentioned above, your more than likely to get a better ROI with a comfortable night ride.

 

[rechoboam]

Go for the night flight. As others have suggested, coming home after a holiday is depressing as it is - let along flying back in Y after a gorgeous J flight on the way over. Your expectations would be unmatchable after the daytime in J.

That, and if your going to be doing those big J seats you might as well be sleeping in them (i'm told they aren't the most comfortable in seated / upright mode).

Also, the meals and piss are good but you can get these anywhere on the ground (and most restaurants can deliver better meals than those provided by an airline). Therefore your left with the seats and as mentioned above, your more than likely to get a better ROI with a comfortable night ride.

For medical reasons 6hrs sleep minimum is essential for me and a night flight is for sleeping only- no food, no movies, as good as that all is you can usually get that flying the other leg. Personally taking a pill and sleeping 10 hrs as was the case on the A380 J is as good as it gets. Sleeping sitting up is just a nightmare for me.

As suggested above restaurants on tr ground are usually better. In fact I have a drinks selection at home to rival most airlines.

 

[cove]

Yes the night flight is the one I would pick.
Then after that flight concentrate on making credit card points so it does not have to be the either or question.

 

[penegal]

Flight:
This really depends on your personal preference. For me personally it's an easy decision: upgrade the red-eye. (Take the lesser of two evils in economy).

Day flights in J are very nice, and you are well fed, and can really enjoy the service... But a day flight in economy is also acceptable. You get fed, and arrive in one piece. Take a book, or use the IFE, or talk to your seat mates.

However a red-eye in economy is very uncomfortable. Yoy may arrive in one physical piece, but I find it hard to sleep and often need to immediately find a bed. Whereas J on that product is extremely comfortable and very easy to sleep on. I find my biggest problem is being disciplined to turn down the service on SQ red-eyes in J, so you can get enough sleep in the fully flat bed.

You will get lounge access in SIN and the food is quite reasonable, so you can have dinner and/or a big snack in the lounge in SIN. (And it's a much better lounge than SYD).



Hand Carry: Don't worry about the lack of overhead bins above the middle of the cabin. Everyone shares the bins above the window seats. Remember, the size of the seats and s p a c e of the cabin means those bins are being shared between fewer pax.

There are also a few cubby holes for smaller items. Finally there is an alcove on the floor, which can take a reasonable size bag without disrupting your legroom.

As always, ask the FA for help if you have difficulty.