Using UA Miles especially on SQ : Is there a paid expert service?

[ChrisFlyer]

Just made a phone call to United . Australia phone number . Not sure if the agent actually check but she told me that SQ dont release J ticket only Y on United System .

TG only have 2 seat , What chance do i have for booking 2 seat first and wait for another seat to release on TG via United website .

The Australian team is useless - it's best to call the US number during US opening hours if you're very keen to fly SQ.

If you have ExpertFlyer and use its award search, I've found that the availability through that pretty much matches what United can access (EF searches SQ 'partner awards' rather than what KrisFlyer members can book)x

 

[I love to travel]

The Australian team is useless - it's best to call the US number during US opening hours if you're very keen to fly SQ.

If you have ExpertFlyer and use its award search, I've found that the availability through that pretty much matches what United can access (EF searches SQ 'partner awards' rather than what KrisFlyer members can book)x

You can most definetly book SQ on UA with the parameters outlined above - I would call back

 

[clifford]

T Rule of thumb all SQ Australia/NZ-Sin flights show zero J inventory to partners until 14 days before flying.

Very interesting Joel. Not my experience at all. I have a J seat booked (via Mileaage Plus) SIN-CBR next March, and have flown SIN-MEL a couple of times on SQ 77W recently.

 

[HTG2016]

The Australian team is useless - it's best to call the US number during US opening hours if you're very keen to fly SQ.

If you have ExpertFlyer and use its award search, I've found that the availability through that pretty much matches what United can access (EF searches SQ 'partner awards' rather than what KrisFlyer members can book)x

Thank for the info , almost loose my hope with redeem via United after the phone call . Just done quick check with ExpertFlyer and SQ have a few seat on the date i want , I will even keen to Fly SQ via the new route SYD-CGK-SIN have check via AirCanada website and it show avail . Will give US Team a call soon

 

[clifford]

Thank for the info , almost loose my hope with redeem via United after the phone call . Just done quick check with ExpertFlyer and SQ have a few seat on the date i want , I will even keen to Fly SQ via the new route SYD-CGK-SIN have check via AirCanada website and it show avail . Will give US Team a call soon

Might be worth noting there is no "Australian Team", as calls from Australia are handled by the UA call centre in Singapore. My experience is that the SIN call centre has some good agents as well as some bad ones, but that most agents in the US are fairly clueless. YMMV.

 

[potm]

Is there anyway I can fly Mel - Syd - Two South Asian Destinations - Sydney - Mel for 80k points return. I want to try out the first class and they don't seem to have it from Melbourne.
Cheers. If not possible, how about only one destination in Asia?

 

[Mattg]

Is there anyway I can fly Mel - Syd - Two South Asian Destinations - Sydney - Mel for 80k points return. I want to try out the first class and they don't seem to have it from Melbourne.
Cheers. If not possible, how about only one destination in Asia?

Yes, this would probably be possible although you wouldn't be able to get a domestic connection between Melbourne and Sydney added on because there are no Star Alliance airlines flying this route. From SYD you could fly to somewhere in SE Asia via Singapore, stopover there, then take advantage of the so-called "Excursionist Perk" to get a free one-way within Asia. Then return from the second Asian destination.

 

[yaksha98]

Hi folks,

Trying to get one-way from SYD to BKK and can utilise some United miles on J for 30k.

I see availability on United's site for a direct flight on TG but also keen to fly SQ (SYD-SIN-BKK) if available.

I've checked the Krisflyer site for redemptions, and the flight is available.

Double checked on Virgin Australia and they also show availability for redemption.

Wondering if it's possible to:

- Book the TG flights (SYD-BKK) now confirmed given availability for the 30k points
- Call United's helpline to ask them to change itinerary to SQ metal (SYD-SIN-BKK) with the flight numbers found on Krisflyer/Virgin's site

Any idea if this is possible, and will cost any extra?

cheers!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi folks,

Trying to get one-way from SYD to BKK and can utilise some United miles on J for 30k.

I see availability on United's site for a direct flight on TG but also keen to fly SQ (SYD-SIN-BKK) if available.

I've checked the Krisflyer site for redemptions, and the flight is available.

Double checked on Virgin Australia and they also show availability for redemption.

Wondering if it's possible to:

- Book the TG flights (SYD-BKK) now confirmed given availability for the 30k points
- Call United's helpline to ask them to change itinerary to SQ metal (SYD-SIN-BKK) with the flight numbers found on Krisflyer/Virgin's site

Any idea if this is possible, and will cost any extra?

cheers!

there are restrictions on the sq flights available through UA, generally to 'regional' designated aircraft (ie no a380s or 77W)

provided er you meet the eligibility, just call UA straight out and book. no need to book at TG first and swap.

 

[yaksha98]

there are restrictions on the sq flights available through UA, generally to 'regional' designated aircraft (ie no a380s or 77W)

provided er you meet the eligibility, just call UA straight out and book. no need to book at TG first and swap.

Cheers! Given all of SQ's flights from SYD-SIN are on the A380 or 77W I believe - does this mean chances are UA won't have availability despite VA showing a redemption available?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Cheers! Given all of SQ's flights from SYD-SIN are on the A380 or 77W I believe - does this mean chances are UA won't have availability despite VA showing a redemption available?

Correct. Just check they are all 77W, some of the supposed 'non-refurb' 773s actually have the square (full-flat) beds and are ok for redemption. A call to UA will let you know. Availability as a saver on SQ, and via VA will give a good indication that a seat is there, you just have to ask UA if they can book it.

 

[potm]

Booking on the phone would incur a $25 charge, is that correct?

 

[I love to travel]

Yes. Also be aware, that with the new award rules SQ only works Oz to Sin with no other connecting flights

 

[yaksha98]

So that would rule out a Syd-Sin-bkk on one ticket on SQ then even if there might be availability for other partner redemptions?

 

[I love to travel]

So that would rule out a Syd-Sin-bkk on one ticket on SQ then even if there might be availability for other partner redemptions?

Ye - they changed the rules. When you ring, try and book it, but most agents know the rules

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yes. Also be aware, that with the new award rules SQ only works Oz to Sin with no other connecting flights

I must have missed this.. why is connection onward on another star carrier not available (without stopover)?

 

[I love to travel]

I must have missed this.. why is connection onward on another star carrier not available (without stopover)?

You only get the published award rate on the itinerary's they give you on their website. Anything else ithat you put together s counted as separate awards. Have a look at flyertalk for more info it has been extensively discussed there

 

[MEL_Traveller]

You only get the published award rate on the itinerary's they give you on their website. Anything else ithat you put together s counted as separate awards. Have a look at flyertalk for more info it has been extensively discussed there

Oh, yeah. I'm having a disconnect this morning. Calling makes the difference.

 

[clifford]

You only get the published award rate on the itinerary's they give you on their website. Anything else that you put together s counted as separate awards.

I don't think that's the full story. I recently booked CBR-SIN-BKK as a UA award on SQ via the call centre, as it can't be booked online. However, there needs to be SQ availability on all sectors. So it might work if you asked the call centre to book SYD-BKK on SQ, without specifying the individual flights.

 

[calgarychris]

Just another data point. I called UA today to change DPS-BKK-MEL on TG to DPS-SIN-MEL on SQ. I was told that because the agent couldn't see it and I couldn't see it on UA's website it was impossible to book. I asked how people can book SQ given that it never shows up and was told that it's not possible. HUACA. Second agent, Tanya found the flights I fed her and booked my SQ flights no worries. Total cost difference $9.20. Happy with that.