Westpac Singapore KrisFlyer Credit Card

[Logan^]

From the information I read on SQTalk, they mention that a lot of award seats get opened 48 hours before departure as well.

Granted not handy if your looking to book something in advance, but if your flexible it can be utilised.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

From the information I read on SQTalk, they mention that a lot of award seats get opened 48 hours before departure as well.

Granted not handy if your looking to book something in advance, but if your flexible it can be utilised.

Thanks for that. However I am well aware on how the SQ system works. Last minute bookings do not suit me as I normally book for upto 5 for holidays which need to be arranged well in advance. My work is such that I cannot disappear for 3/4 weeks at minimal notice. Late bookings also tend to go to those with status and to not occur much at busy times.

My question however is whether people are finding it easier or harder now to redeem advance bookings compared to a year ago.
I am finding it significantly more difficult now and so was curious as to how others were finding it.

 

[kamchatsky]

Thanks for that. However I am well aware on how the SQ system works. Last minute bookings do not suit me as I normally book for upto 5 for holidays which need to be arranged well in advance. My work is such that I cannot disappear for 3/4 weeks at minimal notice. Late bookings also tend to go to those with status and to not occur much at busy times.

My question however is whether people are finding it easier or harder now to redeem advance bookings compared to a year ago.
I am finding it significantly more difficult now and so was curious as to how others were finding it.

I would say if necessary, try Thai or Asiana to Europe using *A awards. They usually have more availability but of course no 15% discount.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I would say if necessary, try Thai or Asiana to Europe using *A awards. They usually have more availability but of course no 15% discount.

Sorry if my original query was in some way not clear.

While I appreciate your reply, I am aware how SQ *A bookings work, and have already redeemed with Thai in the past for example. *A can be preferable for example if you want a J award to London or Paris as they are both non-saver detinations and so hence are a cheaper option even without the 15% discount than a SQ Standard Award.

However my question is soley about whether or not people were now finding it more difficult, or not, in redeeming well in advance Saver J Awards on SQ metal compared to about a year ago.

Thanks.

 

[cove]

Yes I see less Saver seats now than 9 months ago but I am happy with 2 parts of SQ redemptions to keep me happy.
If Saver seats are not there I still book the Standard seat straight away and make sure the lay over time in Singapore is the shortest possible especially in their humid months.
The fees charged have kept F and J in plentiful supply so I haven't even had to try a second city to depart from to get the seats so far like with QF.
Last year on QF I sent my 2 thru from Perth to Sydney to pick up F seats to London otherwise they would only get Y.

 

[albatross710]

It would make sense that there are more people competing for the SQ redemptions given that 18 months ago very few and now quite a few. I'm not sure how we would get the exact numbers unless the Westpac execs whom read this forum would post the figures. This thread with 45 pages of posts is indicative.

The released award seats out of each city would also be hard (not impossible) to determine. I'm thinking some monitoring of award availability through expertflyer might provide some indication.

At the moment it is probably a transition period with passenger numbers building post-GFC and accumulated KF points increasing. Competition and consumer migration will eventually lead the system to a position of

sustainable redemption pain - how few SQ award seats can be released to appease Krisfklyer members expectations of how difficult it will be to redeem points. the pain of staying is less than the pain of changing.

For the informed FF consumer, Qantas probably went too far when they forced everyone to the sweep card creating the opening for the sweep Krisflyer. My understanding of how to apply each SQ manager's conventional MBA is to work the award release/accumulation ratio to maximise retention of members while making it difficult for a new entrant. Qantas let KF in and I have a feeling that SQ will be good at keeping the position.

In summary, market economics will ensure that it becomes more difficult to redeem KF miles but not up to the point of difficulty of QF.

Cheers

Alby

 

[Flashback]

I have to say though, it's still much, much easier than redeeming QF miles. I couldn't get QF in whY to London at all. SQ... had multiple options for F, and only 13,000 miles more!!

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I have to say though, it's still much, much easier than redeeming QF miles. I couldn't get QF in whY to London at all. SQ... had multiple options for F, and only 13,000 miles more!!

While I agree that it is much easier redeeming SQ than QF, I am curious as to why only a 13,000 point gap?

One way redemptions:

Y on QF = 64,000
F on SQ as a Standard (as no savers on this route) - 195,500

oodles of Y savers though at 40375 though with about $290 in fees.

C standard is 127500.

 

[Flashback]

While I agree that it is much easier redeeming SQ than QF, I am curious as to why only a 13,000 point gap?

One way redemptions:

Y on QF = 64,000
F on SQ as a Standard (as no savers on this route) - 195,500

oodles of Y savers though at 40375 though with about $290 in fees.

C standard is 127500.

Was about 66,000 in whY on QF to FRA. 78,625 on SQ in F saver.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Was about 66,000 in whY on QF to FRA. 78,625 on SQ in F saver.

Thanks. Though your original post stated London rather than Frankfurt, and so hence my question.

 

[kamchatsky]

Was about 66,000 in whY on QF to FRA. 78,625 on SQ in F saver.

But how long will SQ keep its 744s to FRA? Surely sooner or later that will go A380 or 77W ......

 

[cove]

Hey Flashware,that is a really great redemption.
Well done.
I still have not done the Europe run on SQ and I was thinking MRS COVE would like to do a run while I am slaving at work in the run up to XMAS.
F trip would be nice especially if she goes with a girlfriend!

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Hey Flashware,that is a really great redemption.
Well done.
I still have not done the Europe run on SQ and I was thinking MRS COVE would like to do a run while I am slaving at work in the run up to XMAS.
F trip would be nice especially if she goes with a girlfriend!

Yes I redeemed F for my daughter this last July from FRA as I could not find any J Savers.

However while 1 seat often pops up on this route I am not sure how easy it is to get two.

When she flew there was only 4 people in the first cabin.

 

[Sethor]

But how long will SQ keep its 744s to FRA? Surely sooner or later that will go A380 or 77W ......

They will be gone when they have 19 A380's, SQ pushed back some deliveries so I think they have at least 18-24 months of service left. SQ are also reinstating the 744 to MEL this summer replacing a 77W service, so get cracking with those F saver redemption's.

 

[ellein]

Called yesterday to WP relating to the annual fee. Only managed to reduce to $125. Better than nothing..

 

[Oneworldplus2]

In summary, market economics will ensure that it becomes more difficult to redeem KF miles but not up to the point of difficulty of QF.
Cheers
Alby

I have to say though, it's still much, much easier than redeeming QF miles. I couldn't get QF in whY to London at all. SQ... had multiple options for F, and only 13,000 miles more!!

Very, very good points. I was looking at redeeming points on QF yesterday.
SYD-xx_-BUD/TXL. System came up with nothing until late Jan/early Feb. And that was only in whY, 1 pax (me)!
Whats the point of collecting frequent flyer points if you can't redeem unless you want to wait 6+ months? Sure, you can do a QF Any Seat award, but it was over 350k in whY, dream on QF!

 

[Foreigner]

Very, very good points. I was looking at redeeming points on QF yesterday.
SYD-xx_-BUD/TXL. System came up with nothing until late Jan/early Feb. And that was only in whY, 1 pax (me)!
Whats the point of collecting frequent flyer points if you can't redeem unless you want to wait 6+ months? Sure, you can do a QF Any Seat award, but it was over 350k in whY, dream on QF!

This reminds me of advice on one of many blogs I keep up with, that I should be participating in both major groups...OW and *A.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

This reminds me of advice on one of many blogs I keep up with, that I should be participating in both major groups...OW and *A.

It is just a pity that there is no good way (yes I know about SPG, but the transfer rates are not as good as to Krisflyer) for Australian residents of getting CC points to say AA, otherwise it would be great to say pick the best out of *A via SQ and OW via AA.

Those that earn a lot of points by flying can of course be able to do this.

However I am keeping QFF ticking along with points going to it that I can't get to Krisflyer.

 

[Dr Ev]

Just spoke to Westpac re credit back on annual fee.

I have close to a million points and they would not take a single dollar off the annual fee.

I am pretty p@#* off, but there is no other krisflyer card alternative.

 

[NM]

I am pretty p@#* off, but there is no other krisflyer card alternative.

And they know that there are no alternatives, so they have you locked in and no need to offer fee discount.

Unless they believe you are about to close the account and take the business somewhere else they have no incentive to offer a fee discount.