Considering Abandoning Qantas for Singapore Airlines

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ukh

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After many years of loyalty to Qantas, I am seriously thinking about changing over to Singapore Airlines.
We (myself, wife +- youngest child) fly overseas, largely to Europe in A380 in F, three times a year or so. Flights were mostly classic awards in the past, but more recently FASA (thanks AFF) hence we will be platinum next month.

I always thought the above arrangement was good value at about 380,000 points per return flight from Mel to LHR in F.
However, I recently noticed that Singapore Airlines First Suites to Europe are only 240,000 points - a very significant difference.
Earning rates for both airlines is identical i.e. 1.5 point / $ spent using Amex.
Singapore also seems to have an advantage that their taxes and fees are $200 cheaper than Qantas.
I have never been in an SQ Suite, but I understand that it is at least as nice as F in A380 QF (can anyone confirm or otherwise please?)

Qantas does have some potential advantages though. I think the First Check in area in Melbourne is great. The QF F lounge is also great and I understand the SQ lounge is inferior. I understand SQ recently ceased flying A380s out of Melbourne and this would necessitate an irritating Mel - Syd flight to start our journey to Europe. I also like the idea of supporting an Australian business - but only if the competition is not superior value/quality. As we are now QF Platinum, there are some added advantages of staying with Qantas, but with the impending demise of MASA, our status will soon be lost. Naturally, recent QF enhancements have made me consider abandoning Qantas but a part of me still wants to stay loyal.

I would value any comments which may confirm / refute my assumptions above.
 
Not entirely sure which plane SQ is using for MEL, but the new F seats on the 77W aren't too bad. Ok, it's not a suite, but the seat is nice enough. As for check-in and lounges, obviously, SQ can't compete at an outport, but in SIN, TPR is not a bad place to spend some time in. It doesn't have a spa, but it's restricted to F pax only so you don't have to share it with other lowly pax who happen to have a top frequent flyer status.

Given that you fly quite regularly, I would use one of the trips to test out SQ (or another airline). Perhaps take the A380, but also the new 77W as a comparison. As an F pax, status is not of very much use anyway. I don't know how much F fares are for SQ, but you might be spending enough to qualify for the PPS - at which point, SQ will treat you as an emperor.
 
Probably worth enjoying your Plat status first then make the switch.
 
Why not consider getting on board Amex Membership Rewards ?
That was you can transfer to each program as needed. And fly to Europe once SQ, once EY, maybe even a bit of BA, and get to try a bit of everything ? You could even still fly QF through SPG and AA.
Status doesn't matter all that much if you are already flying F.
 
Beware sunk costs. Look to your expected future behaviour and spend and make those decisions accordingly.
 
Interesting ukh - interesting. Only you can decide which carrier you choose. Research and decide - but research thoroughly.

3 x F Saver award tix on SQ not easy task - I have never tried but I do know others who could not achieve this - if you step up to Standard awards your maths goes out window.

You say you have status with QF - with SQ I assume you will have none? That might be a downer.

No 380 ex MEL from Nov isn't it - standard F from then on. F on SQ other than 380 same same - only diff is new F to old F.

As others noted QF F lounges ex MEL / SYD better than SQ F - you need to weigh that up.

Your decision my friend - cold and simple - your decision.
 
Not really, just listened to a podcast on the topic, read this thread and out it came.

I just meant I agree with you ;)

Too often people worry about how much they've already committed to something when really it should be irrelevant.....we should all look forward, not back!

:)
 
Qantas does have some potential advantages though. I think the First Check in area in Melbourne is great. The QF F lounge is also great and I understand the SQ lounge is inferior. I understand SQ recently ceased flying A380s out of Melbourne and this would necessitate an irritating Mel - Syd flight to start our journey to Europe. I a

The clincher for me would be the $200 and 140,000 points difference. F lounge may be great, but I wouldn't pay $200 & 140,000 pts just for that! And have never had to wait more than a couple of minutes for J checkin at MEL travelling SQ, so I imagine the F checkin is just as efficient, albeit it does not have lounge chair waiting area.

As for the 380, as Awesom Andy points out, the 77W isn't too bad, still reasonable seats and service still should be good, and you will still have the A380 for the longer sector from SIN to Europe. Probably not worth the four hour diversion via SYD just to have suites all the way.
 
I just meant I agree with you ;)

Too often people worry about how much they've already committed to something when really it should be irrelevant.....we should all look forward, not back!

:)

Indeed, and all this quoting is very backward looking, should put a stop to it and let the thread get back on track. No one mention LTSC.
 
Qantas does have some potential advantages though. I think the First Check in area in Melbourne is great. The QF F lounge is also great and I understand the SQ lounge is inferior. I understand SQ recently ceased flying A380s out of Melbourne and this would necessitate an irritating Mel - Syd flight to start our journey to Europe. I also like the idea of supporting an Australian business - but only if the competition is not superior value/quality. As we are now QF Platinum, there are some added advantages of staying with Qantas, but with the impending demise of MASA, our status will soon be lost. Naturally, recent QF enhancements have made me consider abandoning Qantas but a part of me still wants to stay loyal.

IMO with the F lounge issue, the poorer quality lounge offering in MEL on SQ is more than made up for it with the onboard service and when you get to SIN and use The Private Room. The SIN lounge is also used on your way back too from Europe, which cannot be said for the QF F lounge.

I must say, I may be a bit biased here because SQ was the first airline I've ever flown on and they've been my benchmark since then (I think I was around 7 at the time, 20 odd years ago), but I currently work in a company where our trips MUST be booked on either SQ or QF J and I don't think twice to make the booking on SQ if the routing is remotely viable (i.e. I would take a SQ SYD-SIN-HKG over a QF SYD-HKG).

SQ as an airline, although they are not perfect (the horrible website for one and recent 'enhancements to PPS' is another), I think they have a good understanding of what premium customers want, especially with things like direct aisle access for all seats, book the cook and the absolutely-no-upgrades-ever policy.
 
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I have replied in the other thread as well.

I do not fly First so apologies I cannot use that as a comparison but walking through the First cabin on the SQ 777 did not leave a lasting impression in my mind. So First aside.

I do not think there is a lot of difference between the 2 airlines apart from Qantas struggling financially at the moment. The service on both airlines is quite OK. The service on both airlines can be inconsistent.

The differences in products offered does not make one better than the other. Some people will prefer one product. Others will prefer the other product.

I am not sure why people rave on about SQ though....
 
The service on both airlines can be inconsistent.

Every now and then, I get reminded about that time when the SQ FA attempted to fill my cup with coke. First attempt, it was 3/4 bubbles, and when she tried to top up, it made it to halfway. She then gave up, handed me the half-full cup, and walked off. QF can be bad sometimes, but at least they don't do that to me.
 
John, because if you are nice to the FA, she will also be your caddy for 18 holes, and let me tell u, she can read greens!

I have replied in the other thread as well.

I do not fly First so apologies I cannot use that as a comparison but walking through the First cabin on the SQ 777 did not leave a lasting impression in my mind. So First aside.

I do not think there is a lot of difference between the 2 airlines apart from Qantas struggling financially at the moment. The service on both airlines is quite OK. The service on both airlines can be inconsistent.

The differences in products offered does not make one better than the other. Some people will prefer one product. Others will prefer the other product.

I am not sure why people rave on about SQ though....
 
Every now and then, I get reminded about that time when the SQ FA attempted to fill my cup with coke. First attempt, it was 3/4 bubbles, and when she tried to top up, it made it to halfway. She then gave up, handed me the half-full cup, and walked off. QF can be bad sometimes, but at least they don't do that to me.

I ordered the American breakfast.

Out came a plate of fruit. Then a tub of yoghurt.

Me "Is this the continental breakfast?"
FA looks at me "Would you like the main now?"

What main? I didn't realise cooked breakfast included fruit and yoghurt. She was a little rude.
 
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