Important changes to the KrisFlyer Programme from 1 February 2007

[JohnK]

Some "enhancements" to Kris Flyer.

• To simplify award charts, the number of zones will be reduced from the current 23 to 14
• The redemption levels for some of the routes have also been changed more importantly ADL-SIN will be 55,000 miles up from 40,000 miles and Australia (SYD, MEL, BNE) & New Zealand to Singapore will be 55,000 miles up from 50,000 miles
• Currently unrestricted awards vary between 1.25 to 2 times that of the Saver awards. From next year, the number of miles required for unrestricted awards is all cabin classes will be 2 times that of the miles required for saver awards
• Companion awards will no longer be available
• Members can continue to redeem award tickets in Economy class (for both saver and unrestricted awards) on the B777-300ER aircraft. Only unrestricted awards will be available for redemption in First or Business Class

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Grrrrrrrrrr

 

[simongr]

Sounds like an enhancement to me Campanion awards not available? Surely that doesnt mean that you can only get yourself an award ticket?

 

[JohnK]

Campanion awards not available? Surely that doesnt mean that you can only get yourself an award ticket?

No quite. Companion awards are where you purchase a first class or business class ticket and then you are able to redeem miles for a companion ticket. The companion must be on the same flight and in the same class of travel.

 

[simongr]

Interesting - so you can spend the points you earn on the earning flight for the rewards flight? Do other programs do this? GIven I have mrssimongr on a RTW next year that might link into my DONE4 that would be handy :/

 

[oz_mark]

Wow, talk about being enhanced. The redemption rate rise from Adelaide rise is pretty steep!

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Upgrades to europe from NZ/Oz unchanged unless you have a 77W a/c.

 

[oz_mark]

Upgrades to europe from NZ/Oz unchanged unless you have a 77W a/c.

Actually I was meaning to ask, what is the whole thing with the 777-300 ER with the restriction of awards about?

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Actually I was meaning to ask, what is the whole thing with the 777-300 ER with the restriction of awards about?

High demand since arguably the best business class anywhere, and limited seats to upgrade to. F & J are both smaller than 744, which it replaces on some routes. 77W will be deployed, at least initially, exclusively on high yielding flights, so SQ is maximising its return.

BTW paid fares on these routes have gone up, and for RTW/Circle products a sizeable surcharge has been added for SQ's 77W flights.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

744 has 12 F, 50 J, 313 Y config
772ER has 30 J, 255 Y config (note SQ has several layouts for 772ER but this is the 2-class spacebed in business config which is replaced by 77W on BCN/MXP route)
773ER (aka 77W) has 8F, 42 J, 228 config

So, most 77W flights replace 744 with significant reduction in capacity in all cabins.

 

[simongr]

Are the 77W the new business class?

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Are the 77W the new business class?

Yes and new first and new economy

 

[simongr]

I guess that explains the resons for the additional "costs". Those seats really are impressive. I can see a justification for differing charges - you are buying a different product. I guess the one shame (this is an ssumption on part) is that you cant choose different products on the same route.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I guess that explains the resons for the additional "costs". Those seats really are impressive. I can see a justification for differing charges - you are buying a different product. I guess the one shame (this is an ssumption on part) is that you cant choose different products on the same route.

You can on HKG-SIN, and for other routes there is indirect option (eg SIN-FRA-CDG).

 

[NM]

BTW paid fares on these routes have gone up, and for RTW/Circle products a sizeable surcharge has been added for SQ's 77W flights.

I wonder of we will see similar surcharges on A380 operated services as well?

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I wonder of we will see similar surcharges on A380 operated services as well?

Maybe, although the small cabin in very high demand rationale shouldn't apply. So I hope not.

I recently posted a thread on FT complaining about the proliferation of surcharges (more than just fuel surcharges) - a poorly planned RTW could rack up USD1000 on top of fuel surcharges and real taxes (as well as fare), which I don't think is fair.

 

[NM]

Maybe, although the small cabin in very high demand rationale shouldn't apply. So I hope not.

But the same product should cost the same no matter which aircraft the airline chooses to operate on the route.

Sounds like they may be creating some new classes for the ATW fares:
Economy Class
Premium Economy Class
Business Class
Premium Business Class
First Class
Premium First Class

I wonder if the surcharge will be removed when the new seats are rolled out through the whole fleet, or if they will just roll more flights/services into the surchargeable classification?

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

But the same product should cost the same no matter which aircraft the airline chooses to operate on the route.

Sounds like they may be creating some new classes for the ATW fares:
Economy Class
Premium Economy Class
Business Class
Premium Business Class
First Class
Premium First Class

I wonder if the surcharge will be removed when the new seats are rolled out through the whole fleet, or if they will just roll more flights/services into the surchargeable classification?

It is worse than that. Currently SQ has:

Economy
Executive Economy (A345 only) - surcharge for RTW on SIN-EWR & SIN-LAX vv nonstops
Business - regional product on some a/c type, with or without avod
Business - longhaul product 772ER and 744
Executive Business (A345 only) - surcharge for RTW on SIN-EWR & SIN-LAX vv nonstops
First - regional product on some a/c type (+ 1 rogue 744), with or without avod
First - longhaul product 744

Once the 77W starts (only a few days away), SQ will also have another variation of economy, business and first product - with surcharge for RTW on all routes

AFAIK the new seats will not be rolled out to the entire fleet, in keeping with current practices. There is some sense to this given the rapid replacement rate SQ operates. The A380 first class will be yet another variation - not sure whether business and economy will be the same as on the 77W or different.

As you have gathered - the aircraft type is crucial in determining the seat and IFE you get with SQ (plus rego for the rogue 744).

 

[simongr]

I guess that is not much different to any of the carriers. QF has domestic and int'l business class and the odd 743/763 - all very different products. BA has WT, WT+, Club EUrope, Club World and First. I guess though that the new SQ product is so dramatically different to the existing product.