VA/SQ booking experience

[QF21]

Hi,

I have recently booked a VA ticketed SQ metal flight SYD-BKK. Found the management of the booking complex and opaque.
No online management possible (changing flights, seat allocation etc).
The customer centre told me to call SQ AU number to allocate seats.

I tried using the SQ website to manage the booking, after gleaning the SQ booking reference number (different to VA booking reference number)
from the support centre staff. I could not find the SQ ticket number (starting with 618).

It would appear to get maximum online management on a SQ metal flight, its best to book a SQ ticket, as VA integration/online capability is rudimentary.

 

[Fruitcake]

It would appear to get maximum online management on a SQ metal flight, its best to book a SQ ticket, as VA integration/online capability is rudimentary.

I agree with this. The only advantages from booking a VA ticket on SQ metal is that you earn a status bonus where applicable, there's less chance of inadvertently booking into a non-earning earning fare class, and a VA flight number counts as an "eligible sector" for purposes of Velocity status qualification.

 

[dajop]

I could not find the SQ ticket number (starting with 618).

If VA ticketed, you would not have an SQ ticket number, only a VA ticket number. SQ website is not that good for managing any non-SQ ticketed flights (even those on SQ code on SQ metal, but ticketed by another carrier). SQ apps (eg on i-pxx_'s), or SQ mobile website are marginally better. SQ call center vastly superior. Unless wanting to make lots of changes over the life of the booking, usually a call sorts everything out.

 

[QF21]

Thanks for the feedback and tips; I managed to get some access to seat selection from the SQ i-pxx_ client.

 

[pblackie]

Wait until you try to get your miles/status credits! I'm still waiting for mine from a flight on the 19th of Jan. I bought a ticket and then upgraded using miles, this appears to have confused SQ as they are only looking at the upgraded ticket and not the original cash ticket and as a result are saying it is not eligable to earn. VA on the other hand can see the ticket is eligable and are fighting with SQ to get the points.