Help needed for star alliance points

[Sprucegoose]

Guys,

I have 500k in SAA star alliance points, there are three of us. Ideally I would like to book SYD/MEL to JFK on SIA next Sept school holidays.

I cant seem to get three seats in J togather. Should I get two and request a third to be released?

I would much prefer SIA, through FRA although admit that maybe difficult. They also SIN-JFK last time I looked.

Other options are ANZ and UA (although not a patch on SIA really)

You are all great ideas types, can I ask you to mull over this? I have to March beofre these points start expiring.

Much appreciated and Merry Christmas

SPRUCE

 

[trooper]

Are you sure you can GET J redemptions on SQ next year? With the number of routes now operating A380/77W I thought it was getting really, really difficult?

Anyway... Whilst ALSO difficult to get I'd have to recommend you have a second look at NZ... I've flown in SQ's "new" J (the big bed!) as well as NZ's "Business Premier".. and I would certainly NOT describe NZ's product as "not a patch on SIA" ...:shock:

I found them quite comparable actually... slightly better food on SQ.. bigger seat sure (but too big to be fully usable IMO) ... Better cabin crew on NZ... (they show initiative and real warmth... not my experience of SQ I'm afraid...YMMV!!!)

Good luck whichever way you decide! 3 is reportedly a tough "get" in premium classes...

 

[Sprucegoose]

Are you sure you can GET J redemptions on SQ next year? With the number of routes now operating A380/77W I thought it was getting really, really difficult?

Anyway... Whilst ALSO difficult to get I'd have to recommend you have a second look at NZ... I've flown in SQ's "new" J (the big bed!) as well as NZ's "Business Premier".. and I would certainly NOT describe NZ's product as "not a patch on SIA" ...:shock:

I found them quite comparable actually... slightly better food on SQ.. bigger seat sure (but too big to be fully usable IMO) ... Better cabin crew on NZ... (they show initiative and real warmth... not my experience of SQ I'm afraid...YMMV!!!)

Good luck whichever way you decide! 3 is reportedly a tough "get" in premium classes...

Agree i may have been a bit tough on ol kiwi. Agree good crew, not robots like the other, so I am prepared to amend that statement!!

IFE does let them down a bit on LH.

Agree will be hard ask.

 

[dajop]

Other options are ANZ and UA (although not a patch on SIA really)

Have you considered Asiana or Air Canada? When I flew Asiana they were quite good.

 

[trooper]

Yes.... but... OZ are let down by their Biz seat IMO....

So far (SQ/NZ and even UA) all options discussed have true lie flat in C...as does AC of course.... (but inferior seat... food... service IMO!!!!:mrgreen

 

[dajop]

Yes.... but... OZ are let down by their Biz seat IMO....

So far (SQ/NZ and even UA) all options discussed have true lie flat in C...as does AC of course.... (but inferior seat... food... service IMO!!!!:mrgreen

I found the OZ seat comparable to SQ's space bed (ie. angled lie flat) - and that's all that's achievable on SQ with star alliance awards currently - as you point out they don't book onto 77W & A380s (the true lie flat SQ products).

 

[trooper]

DOH! You got me there!:mrgreen:

.. and whilst I was rather critical of AC... the fact that it IS truly flat weighs in their favour!

Hopefully SQ will stop playing silly buggers with 380/77W awards sooner rather than later....

 

[dajop]

Hopefully SQ will stop playing silly buggers with 380/77W awards sooner rather than later....

+1 to that....... no ....


+1000 to that :!:

 

[albatross710]

I cant seem to get three seats in J togather. Should I get two and request a third to be released?

I would much prefer SIA, through FRA although admit that maybe difficult. They also SIN-JFK last time I looked.

You are all great ideas types, can I ask you to mull over this? I have to March beofre these points start expiring.
SPRUCE

I'd be trying frequent searches on SQ website for seat availability. The data does seem to change frequently and you might be lucky given your flexibility. My brother runs the theory of searching just after 00:00 GMT as he says that is when new seats come available and previous day changes are reflected.

Sometimes when I am searching for Saver awards it will say none available and a search to refresh the screen will show availability.

I am chasing three seats myself on a BNE-SIN leg in late March. I will get two at Saver rates and request a waitlist on the third on the hope that the Waitlist gods come through for me. If not at Saver rates then I will have to gulp and go for the Standard award seat.

 

[bkkrop]

Hi sprucegoose, if you have your heart set on SQ, go via ADL, and in most cases your request will be positive. Leaves @12.50 arriving SIn @1740, leaves @ 2340 arrives FRA @ 630, leaves @ 830 arrives jfk @ 1045. The only hassle is the return where you arrive in SIN at 630am and dont leave till midnight. Failing that the story is that TG will have the 345s back onto the New York run by then, so out of SYD you would have the 346, or MEL the 773. The 345/6 are beautiful birds to fly, only problem will be they are direct and you will miss out on Europe

 

[Keith009]

You could try breaking up the SQ segments with a stopover in FRA, there tends to be more availability that way though the award might become more expensive.

I had a good experience on OZ when I flew them - seats were like the Spacebeds, delightful service, and they serve Cattier NV which is a rather reasonable drop.

NZ often opens up more award seats closer to travel, if you like to live life on the edge you might want to wait till the week prior to travel. 3 seats on the transpacific would be a bit of a stretch though. But I'd go NZ if I can - they're my fave carrier in *A and I actually do find them better than SQ in most aspects of Business Class.

 

[Sprucegoose]

thanks all - very good suggestions

I will let u know how i get on

Merry Christmas

SPRUCE