VA transfer to SQ 1.35:1 VA

[williamsf1]

Re: Singapore Airlines partnership

I like the words a 'world first' - perhaps they are referring to the 35% fee they are taking on the conversions!

What other airline programs in the world allow a direct points transfer ?( ie not via a 3rd party )

 

[a330j]

Now that Life Miles has announced another 100% promo, I might stock up with them rather than transfer VFF points.

Also is it still the case under the new partnership, that neither KrisFlyer or VFF points can be used for upgrades on VA coded flights?

 

[bean]

Yes Bean, the VA sectors to HKT via PER from MEL are good earners- esp. during any VA double SC offer (like last year) as well as for points.

I was thinking about direct via Singa?

 

[bean]

I've found increasingly everyone and their dog just rushes on.

I hate this! At least in America as terrible as their airlines are Ive found them turning away people who are of a class or section not called, in Australia its just a bogan free for all...

 

[anat0l]

Now that Life Miles has announced another 100% promo, I might stock up with them rather than transfer VFF points.

AV LM is useful for most SQ J flights. For SQ F, KrisFlyer is really your only avenue.

I guess the other thing too is that people may just have VA points lying around anyway, i.e. through flying, credit cards, etc. rather than AV LM where they would need to specifically buy them. But each currency has their applications.

Also is it still the case under the new partnership, that neither KrisFlyer or VFF points can be used for upgrades on VA coded flights?

VA coded and operated flights could always be upgraded with VFF points - the mode and eligibility varies by flight type.

As for VA coded but non-VA operated flights, there is no facility as of yet. SQ has its own upgrade system; I don't know off hand if a SQ operated but non-SQ coded flight can be upgraded, but if it could then it would only be upgradable using KrisFlyer miles.

Maybe a tighter integration between the two may result in upgrades being available in either currency for either carrier.

 

[dajop]

Re: Singapore Airlines partnership

What other airline programs in the world allow a direct points transfer ?( ie not via a 3rd party )

Same currency, Avios, different program ... BA and IB do.

 

[cssaus]

Also, from the Velocity announcement email, "As a Gold member you will also enjoy an enhanced travel experience, with your Velocity membership level now printed on your Singapore Airlines and SilkAir boarding pass."

About time!

 

[mikenz]

Also, from the Velocity announcement email, "As a Gold member you will also enjoy an enhanced travel experience, with your Velocity membership level now printed on your Singapore Airlines and SilkAir boarding pass."


About time!

Why is this a good thing? Am I missing something? Don't VFF Gold get access with their membership card already?

 

[cssaus]

Why is this a good thing? Am I missing something? Don't VFF Gold get access with their membership card already?

Yes youdo but it's not obvious to SQ ground staff because of the fact that the status level was not printed on the SQ boarding pass as it has been with the DL boarding passes. Now with the status being printed, it should help avoid any hassles when boarding flights or wanting to access lounges

 

[mel-world]

Easily transferred some points from VA to SQ as soon as I saw the emails yesterday then confirmed 2 x Saver F redemption tickets SIN-MEL in May '15 for a total of around 120k points and S$500 in tax/surcharges. So now have F/R Saver itinerary for the two of us - MEL-SIN-NRT-LAX//JFK-FRA//SIN-MEL. Will book LH F with real money FRA-MEL so we can use the LH F lounge at FRA to see how it compares with other lounges around the world as I have read good reports.

Very happy to have been able to do two RTW itineraries primarily with points all earned by flying rather than ATO, CC or other point accumulation methods.

 

[amp-qld]

I've crunched some numbers on the most popular redemption routes. As you can see in every example its better to transfer your VA points to KF than to redeem them on SQ metal through VAFF.

While I accept your numbers, in my experience, KF fees/charges are much higher than VA which would change the equation.

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[jpk]

While I accept your numbers, in my experience, KF fees/charges are much higher than VA which would change the equation.

Indeed. A quick look at the route I am most interested in, AU-LON, with some rounding in places and VA on EY metal:
MEL-LHR: VA 125k + $100, SQ 81k (=110k VA) + $500
LHR-MEL: same points, VA $500, SQ $820 (obviously cheaper out of other EU ports)

All depends if you value cash or points more...

 

[JohnK]

Can't see it happening JohnK. My plan is to use my 400k for MH J redemptions then it's all Velocity.

Is MH award availability as bad as SQ award availability?

 

[VAG newbie]

Is MH award availability as bad as SQ award availability?

If redeeming from OW partner, it's not that good but I don't think as bad as SQ to *A partner.

If through their Enrich program, are you kidding? It's WIDE OPEN! Any day you want, up to 9 passengers for most days! I've never seen a better availability than MH. In fact it is harder to find a day where the award seats have sold out than try to find availability with KF! This is J we are talking about

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Is MH award availability as bad as SQ award availability?

SQ Bad availability? I would say tight rather than bad.

Now QFF...that is BAD availability.

However MH booked directly is VERy very good.

 

[MH_fan]

MH award availability is fantastic! This is why I'm sticking with Enrich.

 

[JohnK]

If redeeming from OW partner, it's not that good but I don't think as bad as SQ to *A partner.

Apologies for going off topic but the comment regarding MH and SQ award availability was booking with VS miles.

 

[SydneySwan]

Apologies for going off topic but the comment regarding MH and SQ award availability was booking with VS miles.

Still off-topic but I agree with JohnK - booking any airline with Virgin Atlantic points has poor availability as well as having very expensive fees and taxes and has to be done through the call centre. It is a nightmare trying to use VS points on anything but VS.

 

[pauly7]

Yes youdo but it's not obvious to SQ ground staff because of the fact that the status level was not printed on the SQ boarding pass as it has been with the DL boarding passes. Now with the status being printed, it should help avoid any hassles when boarding flights or wanting to access lounges

Not obvious / SQ staff not trained / SQ staff don't care - whatever it is it is a total battle to get anything you are entitled to with VA. Hope this helps fix it but I'll still travel with all my print outs etc as I don't trust VA on this sort of thing.

I'm stoked with being able to get my points out of Velocity though! A huge relief.

 

[bicflyer]

Can someone with SQ experience help me with advice re using points to upgrade to business class on SQ. Is it like on VA where there are only a few upgrade seats available, and you check with the booking centre before making the Flexi booking in case there arent any upgrade seats available? Or can you do it online? I'm thinking of transferring some VA points to KF for the purpose but I dont want to do that then find that there are no points upgrade seats available. Thanks in advance for your advice.