Complicated F waitlist question - 2PAX on separate PNR

[thompo]

My partner and I are confirmed SYD-SIN-CDG in F later this year and are very excited to be putting our points to good use.

SYD-SIN SQ242 18:05 00:20+1
SIN-CDG SQ336 00:15+2 07:35+2 (Yes that's a long layover!)

We'd like to reduce the layover from 23h55m to either 3h (or up to 10h). This would required earlier SYD-SIN flight such as SQ222 at 15:00, SQ232 at 11:00 (9K-SVU new Suites!) or even SQ212 07:00. Followed by moving onto SQ336 on the second day of travel (+1) rather than the third (+2).

This is fairly simple, Waitlist the earlier flights and wait.

However!

Our bookings are separate PNRs because we each only had enough points in SQ to book our own F Saver but not enough to book together. Points came from a combination of CC transfers (we have 5 between us), hotel transfers and VA transfers. The 1.35:1 VA:SQ prevented us from not having enough points to join together and would've taken to long to earn with. Also SQ forbid transfers between accounts so we were left with no option but to book separately.

In hindsight we would've made all the Waitlist bookings at the time of original booking for the earlier flights but alas the excitement of it all got the better of us.

So my questions are, 1) How likely is it for SQ to make a new (waitlisted) booking for 2 PAX on an earlier flight? I can see online that there is Waitlist space for 2 PAX on SYD-CDG on our date. Then assuming it clears, would SQ cancel our old bookings and join us together on the new? Would this involve a refund of points and immediate booking of new?

I've tried explaining this over the phone to SQ staff and HUCA but can't get a clear answer. Given we now, post booking, don't have enough points to buy a breadcrumb might explain why they're reluctant or confused.

2) Are we better off individually waitlisting, and upon opening up of one PNR (who knows when) asking kindly to also clear our travelling companion?

Unfortunately I just lost my Elite Gold whilst partner has no status with SQ so chance of chasers on Waitlist are low.

I'll preempt the answers of "move the dates" since we're locked into these dates by leave approval and a wedding in Paris. We also have friends who have confirmed J flights on the 15:00 that we'd love to travel with (I shouldn't be so modest, we'll farewell them by turning left).

Thanks!

 

[Mattg]

Hopefully I've understood your question...

I would say that if the waitlist is approved for one of you, it will also be approved for the other passenger too. And even if it's not, bear in mind that you don't have to book just because your waitlist is accepted.

If you do go down this path, I would say you're unlikely to get the waitlist approved for SQ232 with the new F suites. More likely for SQ222.

But, I believe you need to have the required miles in your KrisFlyer account before you can place a waitlist request. If that requires you to cancel your existing bookings, don't do it! It's not guaranteed that the waitlist will go through, and you may be left without any tickets at all. Just enjoy the extra day in Singapore IMHO.

 

[LadyC]

Waitlisting with SQ is a black art, there doesn't seem to be any clear rules to it (that I can find anyway). So I would just waitlist individually and hope it comes through for both of you. From my experience, they will approve waitlists on Advantage/Full awards before Savers, so part of the luck will be depending on how popular your travel dates are.

 

[thompo]

I would say that if the waitlist is approved for one of you, it will also be approved for the other passenger too.

You were right! It did happen this way

Just over a month out my waitlist for SQ222 became available for confirmation then a very kind and competent SQ Call Centre agent left it available for a whole month, with the expiration set to 7 days out from flight date (next week).

Following one call every 2-3 days (we alternated calling, all healthy relationships share the burden) asking for a chaser on partner's waitlist succeeded at 10 days out - partner's SQ222 became available too.

So I called up and asked to confirm both, after 2x HUCA the agent suggested they can set the first flight to "Reserved" instead of "Confirmed" because "Confirmed" would require immediate reticketing since the stopover was now 27h this would count as true Stopover rather than the usual sub 24h connection - very kind of them to save use ~$200pp. They also put the SQ336 onto Waitlist for both of us, and then 8 days out I got two text messages in quick succession saying that had opened! With the connection now only 3h no additional costs were charged and we're ready to go!

I'm amazed that this worked and can only think the likelihood of lightning striking twice is very low, but I'll take it!

We are now 6 days out from flying and absolutely fizzing about the opportunity for fly F on SQ as a couple.

Even got 2C & 2D for the SYD-SIN leg, which will be a great way to enjoy all the luxuries. The night flight is 1F & 2F with a 7.35am landing in CDG hence we're not soooo put out by having to enjoy a full 8h sleep independently.

Some friends are flying to the CDG with us by they are "slumming" in upstairs in J, we might take our Dom up to see them, or even invite them to enjoy the double suit with us, if the cabin crew allow it.

Hopefully my tale of luck (and perseverance) will motivate everyone in this great community to not give up and really push for those unicorn reward seats.

This will be the first (no pun intended) time either of us fly F on SQ, and unless we come into some serious money, will likely be the last.

 

[zenyattamondatta]

Some friends are flying to the CDG with us by they are "slumming" in upstairs in J, we might take our Dom up to see them, or even invite them to enjoy the double suit with us, if the cabin crew allow it.

Please don't try bringing them into the First cabin.