A reason why SQ don't treat VA platinums special...

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dajop

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I know a lot of people bemoan that Platinums are not treated very special by SQ and why they don't get access to the "good" lounges in SIN. Well perhaps one reason why, is they are not materially different to SQ golds, in SQ's eyes.

I was just analysing my SQ flights in last 12 months. On SQ I have earnt just shy of 47,000 miles on SQ flights , not enough to retain gold (although, I don't really bother as I get access to much better privileges through a supplementary Solitaire PPS card via my partner). I worked out if I accrued to VA I would have had 805 status credits - enough to retain (but not initially achieve) platinum if I'd found the 8 VA sectors.

So I can sort of get why SQ don't treat VA's WP's very special - due to the relative ease at which they can accrue status vs SQ's own customer base. SQ only preferentially treats it's own business class big spenders .

What this means to me personally, when eventually my partners loses Solitaire - I would be better off (ignoring star alliance benefits, which really aren't that significant for me, as my * travel is mainly SQ) be pursuing VA gold. Would be a cinch compared to SQ gold status!
 
I know a lot of people bemoan that Platinums are not treated very special by SQ and why they don't get access to the "good" lounges in SIN. Well perhaps one reason why, is they are not materially different to SQ golds, in SQ's eyes.

I was just analysing my SQ flights in last 12 months. On SQ I have earnt just shy of 47,000 miles on SQ flights , not enough to retain gold (although, I don't really bother as I get access to much better privileges through a supplementary Solitaire PPS card via my partner). I worked out if I accrued to VA I would have had 805 status credits - enough to retain (but not initially achieve) platinum if I'd found the 8 VA sectors.

So I can sort of get why SQ don't treat VA's WP's very special - due to the relative ease at which they can accrue status vs SQ's own customer base. SQ only preferentially treats it's own business class big spenders .

What this means to me personally, when eventually my partners loses Solitaire - I would be better off (ignoring star alliance benefits, which really aren't that significant for me, as my * travel is mainly SQ) be pursuing VA gold. Would be a cinch compared to SQ gold status!
When Va and Sq first formed their alliance, it was thought likely that Va Plats will get access to Sq Krisflyer lounges in Sin...alas :( Having used the Sq Silver Kris J lounges in T2 and T3 in Sin a few times in the last 2 months, it is not surprising given how crowded they are esp. in the evenings.
 
Having used the Sq Silver Kris J lounges in T2 and T3 in Sin a few times in the last 2 months, it is not surprising given how crowded they are esp. in the evenings.

Thanks to my partner, I don't have to slum it with the plebs in the J lounge (;):) given that I would be normally below such plebs), but the F lounge is usually blissfully quiet - except at the times you mention (particularly late evenings, when their is a confluence of Australian, European, North Asian and non-stop US flights) in T3. (Probably better at that time of night to head to T2, where they are mainly just supporting the LH and LX flights).
 
What this means to me personally, when eventually my partners loses Solitaire - I would be better off (ignoring star alliance benefits, which really aren't that significant for me, as my * travel is mainly SQ) be pursuing VA gold. Would be a cinch compared to SQ gold status!

I did the maths last year and realised I could have easily had gold VA for all these years rather than my measly silver SQ for all the flying I was doing on SQ. In reality, I did better than that - I reached VA platinum.

It seemed a bit too good to be true when I switched, but I have no regrets. Whether they treat me nice or not, at least I have lounge access and priority check in etc. My only real gripe is that they charge us for seat selection on budget Y when SQ status holders get the fee waived.
 
Why not just forget the lounges at SIN

Just go Best Fare Of Day (BFOD). SIN has a swimming pool. Airside hotels, shops, restaurants. The whole airport is a massive lounge. And BTW it’s also easy to hop into town on a day trip.

Regular lounge lizards forget there is a whole other world outside of lounges where the experience may be better

A good example was at MSP. I had lounge access, but chose to go eat at one of the various eclectic restaurants in the airport.
 
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pursuing VA gold. Would be a cinch compared to SQ gold status!

Very true. I see it this way - It always pays to earn status in an airline that's based in your country. Assuming you're based in Australia that'd be QF or VA. This gives more flexibility, more options/places to earn points from and more importantly, you get to use all the benefits offered by the status. Example : upgrade to a better car when booking with Avis/Hertz, or getting bonus QF/VA points on utilities, other transactions

Also, in this case, it's relatively easy to earn status with VA. Have a mate of mine, who was a VA Plat for a few years and fell back to red because of virtually NO travel. Got back to VA Gold with a status run and only A$1000 :) Now, one can't (or very difficult) to do it with QF. But you get my point, eh ! :)

Besides, I believe that you'd be treated better in your home country airline FF program :)

As an example, when I was in India, I used to be a JetPrivilege Platinum - enjoyed all it's benefits, perks and what not. Then when I moved to Australia, signed up for QF and happy about it.

Now, had I only knew more about VA before joining/flying a lot of QF :D that's a different topic :p
 
The 'top' tier in the Krisflyer program is Gold and so then offer the same benefits to Virgin's Platinum and Gold members. Only PPS members get access to the real Krisflyer lounges and you only earn PPS status by spending on Business or First class fares on Singapore Airlines.
 
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Why not just forget the lounges at SIN

Just go Best Fare Of Day (BFOD). SIN has a swimming pool. Airside hotels, shops, restaurants. The whole airport is a massive lounge. And BTW it’s also easy to hop into town on a day trip.

Regular lounge lizards forget there is a whole other world outside of lounges where the experience may be better

A good example was at MSP. I had lounge access, but chose to go eat at one of the various eclectic restaurants in the airport.
This is true. If I’m going to have a long transit anywhere, I want it to be Singapore. I’ve done a few short day trips into the CBD on longer layovers. Closer by, there’s also the waterfront and Changi Village Hawker Centre for great food. It’s not expensive to catch a Grab or Taxi to Changi village.
 
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Why not just forget the lounges at SIN
I take your point and have had friends decline me guesting them into the lounges to do shopping else where but the big difference is its all all free in the lounges with usually less crowds and more comfortable seating .:cool:
 
Regular lounge lizards forget there is a whole other world outside of lounges where the experience may be better
I regularly eat elsewhere in SIN then head to the KF Gold lounge for a quiet drink. Far more enjoyable than whatever warmed up leftovers they have on offer.
 
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