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

[potm]

Another data point booked MEL - BKK - SGN.
Called up to try to change from Thai to SQ.
Agent was more than happy to look but the only one available had a 9 hour stopover.
Checking myself on SQ website with my Krisflyer account the one that had 1.5 hour was waitlisted and the one with 4 hours was available. So it seems availability on SQ does not match United's partner availability exactly. Never been on Thai business before so don't really mind. They should have the new A350s on the route by then, hopefully.

 

[calgarychris]

Another data point booked MEL - BKK - SGN.
Called up to try to change from Thai to SQ.
Agent was more than happy to look but the only one available had a 9 hour stopover.
Checking myself on SQ website with my Krisflyer account the one that had 1.5 hour was waitlisted and the one with 4 hours was available. So it seems availability on SQ does not match United's partner availability exactly. Never been on Thai business before so don't really mind. They should have the new A350s on the route by then, hopefully.

I believe availability on Air Canada (aeroplan.com) provides the best view of partner availability...that's what I used.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So it seems availability on SQ does not match United's partner availability exactly. Never been on Thai business before so don't really mind. They should have the new A350s on the route by then, hopefully.

In theory SQ's 'premium' offerings ('luxury business and first') should not be available to partners through star alliance. 'Regional' aircraft should be available. This could account for the difference in availability between SQ and what UA sees.

What's been the recent data points for redemptions to/from Australia? Has anyone had luck with the A380 and 77W (777ER) for business class?

 

[clifford]

What's been the recent data points for redemptions to/from Australia? Has anyone had luck with the A380 and 77W (777ER) for business class?

I was able to book 3 tickets for 77Ws a few months ago, SIN-MEL x 2 and SYD-SIN. However that was before the drastic changes UA made to the booking and routing of award tickets. Haven't really looked since, as it's all a bit too much trouble now. But expertflyer is quite reliable in showing SQ biz seats for UA awards, as is the ANA booking engine.

 

[clifford]

As an update, a couple of days ago I purchased a business class FF ticket CBR-SIN-BKK for late March on SQ for 30,000 miles and taxes of $111. Regional 772, but better than the alternative TG 747 ex SYD, IMHO.

I also checked for Mileage Plus SQ award availability ex SYD/MEL and there was absolutely nothing for late March. Seems to be the new norm.

 

[annielee]

did you call the US no or the AU no for the booking ?

As an update, a couple of days ago I purchased a business class FF ticket CBR-SIN-BKK for late March on SQ for 30,000 miles and taxes of $111. Regional 772, but better than the alternative TG 747 ex SYD, IMHO.

I also checked for Mileage Plus SQ award availability ex SYD/MEL and there was absolutely nothing for late March. Seems to be the new norm.

 

[clifford]

did you call the US no or the AU no for the booking ?

I called the Australian number (and got the Singapore call centre, of course). They were very helpful.

 

[annielee]

thanks for that..

I called the Australian number (and got the Singapore call centre, of course). They were very helpful.

 

[Franky]

I called the Australian number (and got the Singapore call centre, of course). They were very helpful.

Good afternoon Clifford - new to this thread, and have read a lot of it re booking SQ flights to Australia. June next year wife and I will be looking for a J seat each SIN-PER. EF shows availability on 4 of the 5 flights on the route including the one we want. Have the necessary points, but the UA web site is trying to route us thru BKK which doubles the length of the flight. Is it a given asking their call centre to make the bookings, or is it a case of getting the right operator? The aircraft don't seem to be in the class that are said not to be available for such bookings. The flight we are after is SQ215 on 27JUN18.

 

[travelislife]

Good afternoon Clifford - new to this thread, and have read a lot of it re booking SQ flights to Australia. June next year wife and I will be looking for a J seat each SIN-PER. EF shows availability on 4 of the 5 flights on the route including the one we want. Have the necessary points, but the UA web site is trying to route us thru BKK which doubles the length of the flight. Is it a given asking their call centre to make the bookings, or is it a case of getting the right operator? The aircraft don't seem to be in the class that are said not to be available for such bookings. The flight we are after is SQ215 on 27JUN18.

United site doesn't show any SQ availability even if it is there. It is a written rule that they don't show. Have to call.

 

[potm]

SQ J is generally only available on the 330. Even then it's a lot of effort to book on the phone. Not all know how to do it.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Good afternoon Clifford - new to this thread, and have read a lot of it re booking SQ flights to Australia. June next year wife and I will be looking for a J seat each SIN-PER. EF shows availability on 4 of the 5 flights on the route including the one we want. Have the necessary points, but the UA web site is trying to route us thru BKK which doubles the length of the flight. Is it a given asking their call centre to make the bookings, or is it a case of getting the right operator? The aircraft don't seem to be in the class that are said not to be available for such bookings. The flight we are after is SQ215 on 27JUN18.

As other have said, you need to call UA once you have found flights. And UA can only book select SQ flights... usually those designated as 'regional'. You can find those flights via Air Canada's aeroplan search tool. This only lists flights eligible for booking by partners. Makes the job a lot easier.

 

[Franky]

United site doesn't show any SQ availability even if it is there. It is a written rule that they don't show. Have to call.

Thanks for that travelislife - I have no issues calling them, but wasnt 100% sure if availability is there though not shown, that bookings would be made with no problems.

 

[I love to travel]

UA call centre agents are usually ok. Just give them dates and specify SQ. Ring Saturday morning after 10am with the Aus phone no from their website

 

[Franky]

UA call centre agents are usually ok. Just give them dates and specify SQ. Ring Saturday morning after 10am with the Aus phone no from their website

Thanks to all for your assistance. The aircraft on our preferred flight is a 333, so that would appear to be a help. Will make the call as soon as I get back from golf in the morning.

 

[Franky]

Good afternoon all - have successfully made the bookings that we were chasing with no fuss. The UA call centre person's name was Angel, and she couldn't have been more helpful. Spelt out all the conditions without making it sound like a drag, and unlike the AA call centre she provided us the SQ PNR along with the UA reference without being asked. Fllights have been ticketed in less than an hour.

Thanks to you all for your tips and advice.

 

[potm]

Good to hear. Just in case you were not aware Perth to Singapore is only 32.5k SQ points so you can book directly with them much easier if you have the points.

 

[Franky]

Good to hear. Just in case you were not aware Perth to Singapore is only 32.5k SQ points so you can book directly with them much easier if you have the points.

Certainly did know thanks potm, we are travelling to Europe separately about a fortnight apart but are returning together. We booked my outward travel using my wife's 40K SQ points PER/SIN, and we are about to book her outward travel thru BKK to BRU on Thai using what's now left of her brand new UA points. This is all personal travel. My next task today is to book her some work travel Perth - Xian - Nanjing - Wenzhou - Taipei - Perth in October. Having access to EF to plan out itinerairies like this, along with the excellent advice from AFF people, is invaluable.
VMT once again.

 

[PatMcrotch]

I'm new to UA...Is there a pattern to the amounts they charge for taxes?
From what I have seen(MEL-BKK) they charge $234....then $181...then $86 as you look out further. I want to book and leave within a couple of days but it seems like the taxes are the most expensive in that timeframe.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm new to UA...Is there a pattern to the amounts they charge for taxes?
From what I have seen(MEL-BKK) they charge $234....then $181...then $86 as you look out further. I want to book and leave within a couple of days but it seems like the taxes are the most expensive in that timeframe.

There's a USD75 charge for booking through any channel within 21 days of departure (cheaper if you have status). Otherwise the base taxes should be the same for all tickets. Variances can occur if you connect (intermediate airport taxes).