Changes to SQ J seat selection on Lite and award fares

[kerfuffle]

First reported on Reddit

https://www.reddit.com/r/singaporeairlines/comments/1tlh3rz/changes_to_award_flight_business_class_seat

with Mainly Miles confirming that this is indeed the case: Singapore Airlines restricts most Business Class seat selection on Lite fares and awards

 

[lovestotravel]

Wow and wow - SQ are really cutting corners..

"Only the last two rows of the Business Class cabin remain available for advance selection on restricted fare types and awards on the A350 Medium Haul, for basic KrisFlyer members."

"Just the final three rows can be pre-selected in Business Class on the A350 Long Haul, in the smaller rear cabin section, which is also where the A350 LH’s only Business Class bassinet positions are located."

The 777 allows about half of the rear J cabin to be selected which is fair.

 

[Beer_budget]

Yikes. Frustrating that you have to get all the way to PPS to get any status benefit around seat selection, too.

 

[whughes3]

There is a note on Mainlyniles.com just now saying this has been reversed, at least for now,

 

[dajop]

Reversal nowithstanding, I can understand the logic here. Those travelling last minute in are probably on the highest commercial fares and get very little choice as all the perceived “good” seats are often taken.

 

[lovestotravel]

While this has been reversed, for now, I expect it to come back, probably when they announce the new J product and all the new F&B etc.....

Small print will say, no savers in the new J and seat selection is enhanced

 

[Xtrap2.0]

Would be a bit of a dog act if they start restricting seat selection in J like this. You pay so much to sit there, whether in cash or miles, seat selection should be included for what you pay. And if they are going to go down this route, then please at least exempt KFEGs and not just PPS, getting a bit tiring the longer I’ve kept that status (KFEG) the more you realise you’re just a cute afterthought to SQ whereas other Star Alliance treat and reward their standard Gold members a lot better.

 

[dajop]

Would be a bit of a dog act if they start restricting seat selection in J like this. You pay so much to sit there, whether in cash or miles, seat selection should be included for what you pay.

Yes, but not everyone pays as "much to sit there" as others. What happens, early bookers on the lowest fares take the "good seats" (except the bulkheads reserved for PPS/Solitaire) whilst the late bookers, usually on high cost revenue tickets get left with the dregs. Often these fares can be 2x or more the cost of early bookers.

It all depends on your point of view.

 

[Beer_budget]

Yes, but not everyone pays as "much to sit there" as others. What happens, early bookers on the lowest fares take the "good seats" (except the bulkheads reserved for PPS/Solitaire) whilst the late bookers, usually on high cost revenue tickets get left with the dregs. Often these fares can be 2x or more the cost of early bookers.

It all depends on your point of view.

I mean, that's largely how seat allocation works everywhere, especially in business class where included seat selection is fairly commonplace.

I also suspect there'd be a large overlap between pax paying top dollar for last minute J fares and PPS Club members with access to the best seats anyway.

 

[fkcn]

I changed an award flight date afew days ago and was presented with that seat map. I chose 20A - is it a decent seat anyway? Beside window, in mini-cabin. But now have option of switching to main cabin seat, so has been reversed for now.

 

[anat0l]

Would be a bit of a dog act if they start restricting seat selection in J like this. You pay so much to sit there, whether in cash or miles, seat selection should be included for what you pay. And if they are going to go down this route, then please at least exempt KFEGs and not just PPS, getting a bit tiring the longer I’ve kept that status (KFEG) the more you realise you’re just a cute afterthought to SQ whereas other Star Alliance treat and reward their standard Gold members a lot better.

Newsflash: you are a cute afterthought to SQ.

SQ really only care for PPS members and above. You even get your own inferior lounge in SIN.


If SQ don't start charging for seat selection in some of these cases (a la BA, QR and others), then maybe at best the seat selection range won't be loosened until closer to departure, and how far out from departure may well hinge on status.

I imagine part of these changes may have been raised by angry PPS members, probably seething at those who game the system to grab much of the award inventory, especially Savers. Not sure why they are putting Advantage redemptions to the sword... they aren't exactly cheap cheap.

 

[PERLHR]

I changed an award flight date afew days ago and was presented with that seat map. I chose 20A - is it a decent seat anyway? Beside window, in mini-cabin. But now have option of switching to main cabin seat, so has been reversed for now.

To close to screaming kids potentially. Id move front cabin if and when able.