Singapore Airlines or Thai J?

[calgarychris]

Hi,

I'm looking at flights that would see me potentially booking either Singapore or Thai in J class and I was wondering what folks here would recommend between those two? I have only ever flown J once before, on Singapore 10+ years ago and it was fantastic, but I don't really have anything to compare it to.

Given the choice, what would you pick?

Also, if I may, how is United's J?

Thanks

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi,

I'm looking at flights that would see me potentially booking either Singapore or Thai in J class and I was wondering what folks here would recommend between those two? I have only ever flown J once before, on Singapore 10+ years ago and it was fantastic, but I don't really have anything to compare it to.

Given the choice, what would you pick?

Also, if I may, how is United's J?

Thanks

There are a couple of things to consider here.

If Thai and Singapore are offering the same product (ie both have full flat beds) - no comparison. Singapore wins hands down. Thai has ok service, but the food is essentially economy class served on crockery. And the lounges in BKK are basic (little more than somewhere to sit in a comfy chair).

If Thai has full flat beds, compared to Singapore's angled (you will find this difference on some flights ex Australia), the flat bed will almost certainly win.

United's business class is actually ok. It is usually competitively priced (often thousands of dollars cheaper than say QF). If that's the case you get a full flat bed on United, and the service ain't half bad. Paying thousands of dollars extra for QF/NZ/CX/SQ isn't worth it.

Of course if you snag a QF saver deal, and the difference between QF and UA is in the hundreds, go with QF. More bells and whistles.

 

[Jousams]

SQ, hands down.

 

[subichow]

What's the route you intend on flying? Will give us a better idea of the aircraft to expect and the assess the potential different products available (even from the same carrier).

 

[SuzieQ68]

+1 for SQ J (or Y for that matter). Cannot fault SQ on any of the flights we've taken with them, especially in J.

 

[subichow]

Cannot fault SQ on any of the flights we've taken with them, especially in J.

Sadly my family and I have had a pretty bad run with SQ in recent times. Constant IFE problems, broken seats, dirty seats and storage compartments and on an A380 flight water somehow gathered in my side storage (upper deck) and my items in there got wet (Phone, wallet etc..)

 

[Austman]

+1 for SQ J (or Y for that matter). Cannot fault SQ on any of the flights we've taken with them, especially in J.

I would say SQ is the most overrated airline on earth.
F is very good. Crew are always excellent.
J is par for the course. Crew are always excellent.
Y is not bad if it all goes well. Crew are variable. Mostly good but sometimes downright awful.

In J or Y I prefer QF any day.

 

[Austman]

And it can depend on the aircraft of course!

But, if it's SQ long-haul J or TG long-haul J, with similar hard products, I'd tip to SQ.

 

[calgarychris]

What's the route you intend on flying? Will give us a better idea of the aircraft to expect and the assess the potential different products available (even from the same carrier).

Well, the starting point is MEL and ending in ROR (Koror Palau). I'm running a couple of scenarios and my mind is spinning:

1. ROR is really hard to get to - it looks like United is the best option (although I think Delta goes through Guam)
2. Based on the above, and the 75% points bonus United is running, I can do MEL-BKK-MNL-ROR for ~$5,500 for 2pax in J (MNL-ROR in Y) - this is using Thai for MEL-BKK-MNL

That got me thinking, maybe get United to book SG from MEL-SIN-MNL and then the final leg with UA.

Another option that I thought of tonight, was maybe I get the Amex Platinum 120K card, flip the points to Thai and then can I book Thai MEL-BKK-MNL using their awards? Are they able to book MNL-ROR (it's not available on their website). It totally confuses me, as the Star Alliance chart I was looking at has Australia and Palau under "Australia" making J tickets 45K points - does that make sense??? EDIT: I'm thinking the charts that are on Thai's website are for travel on Thai only since they reference calling to enquire. It's still weird though, as they treat Palau as "Australia" but SG has it in Asia South 2 I think.

At the end of the day, I was looking for a reasonably priced flight in Y MEL-ROR and they're super expensive, so I've gone down the route of looking at points and it's doing my head in!

Any thoughts on the above and much thanks!

 

[SuzieQ68]

I would say SQ is the most overrated airline on earth.
F is very good. Crew are always excellent.
J is par for the course. Crew are always excellent.
Y is not bad if it all goes well. Crew are variable. Mostly good but sometimes downright awful.

In J or Y I prefer QF any day.

Guess I've just been lucky & that's the best thing about the AFF forum - we all get the opportunity to express our opinion rated on our experience.

 

[dajop]

Guess I've just been lucky & that's the best thing about the AFF forum - we all get the opportunity to express our opinion rated on our experience.

Agreed. SQ or QF is a very personal preference. I would say QF are often overrated, and in Y or J I prefer SQ any day. The opposite of what Austman indicated in response to you. It really is each to their own.

Now back to topic at hand, my preference SQ long haul J > SQ regional J (day flights only) > TG long haul J > SQ regional J (overnight flight) > TG regional J .... where long haul J = fully flat bed, regional J = angled lie flat.

However also need to look at times and connections. From what I can tell, UA travel to ROR from MNL T1 and TG still use MNL T1. Whilst SQ use T3. If an overnight or >5hr connection between flights SQ would be alright, but if involving a shorter connection it may be easier and less stressful to avoid the sh$$fight that makes up the T3->T1 transfer at MNL by just using TG.

 

[SuzieQ68]

Sadly my family and I have had a pretty bad run with SQ in recent times. Constant IFE problems, broken seats, dirty seats and storage compartments and on an A380 flight water somehow gathered in my side storage (upper deck) and my items in there got wet (Phone, wallet etc..)

That's really disappointing. I've always found SQ to be of a high standard. Get the occasional glitch, but in the big scheme of things, cannot complain. Hopefully if you decide to take another flight with them, the standard will improve.

 

[subichow]

Hopefully if you decide to take another flight with them, the standard will improve.

I really hope it does as my family and I prefer to fly SQ and used to be excellent previously, just this recent run has been terrible. Anyway, not boycotting them or making those 'I'll never fly them again' type of comments, just mentioning that personally I've had sub-par experiences recently and they weren't isolated incidents.

Now back to topic at hand, my preference SQ long haul J > SQ regional J (day flights only) > TG long haul J > SQ regional J (overnight flight) > TG regional J .... where long haul J = fully flat bed, regional J = angled lie flat.

+1 to this!

 

[N860CR]

I find Thai service to be quite good, however I usually fly first as the seat is good. I wouldn't pay for business out of Sydney with their average sloped seat. As mentioned, you have to make sure you don't end up on a SQ regional plane with a sloped bed as well.

I find service on SQ/TG/CX to be about the same. The staff are rarely proactive (better in first though) however respond quickly to requests. I guess some argue that QF are a little better at preempting your needs, however that means if you have a bad crew you'll often be left without (try pushing the call bell a few times to see the response you'll get!). On SQ and CX in particular, pressing a call bell gets an almost frighteningly instant response (I did once spill water on myself when somebody appeared from behind me literally 3 seconds after pressing the button).

I'd take SQ if you're in the flat bed, otherwise I wouldn't worry too much - just pick the most convienient

 

[calgarychris]

I find Thai service to be quite good, however I usually fly first as the seat is good. I wouldn't pay for business out of Sydney with their average sloped seat. As mentioned, you have to make sure you don't end up on a SQ regional plane with a sloped bed as well.

How can I tell whether it's a sloped bed or not?

I think I can book either Thai or SG through United's Mileage Plus program correct? Alternatively, am I correct in thinking that I should be able to book via Thai's FF program? I was going to call them tomorrow to ask what the points cost would be as their website really confuses me - any ideas what MEL-BKK-MNL-ROR costs through Orchid?

Thanks guys, I didn't consider the sloped bed thing...so much to think about!

 

[travelislife]

If you can do it through United. The miles and extra charges cost will be much lower.

When are you looking at travelling? TG has stated that both their double dailys will be upgraded to the A350 which will have flat beds but the aircraft haven't been delivered yet so will wait and see if it comes true!

 

[calgarychris]

If you can do it through United. The miles and extra charges cost will be much lower.

When are you looking at travelling? TG has stated that both their double dailys will be upgraded to the A350 which will have flat beds but the aircraft haven't been delivered yet so will wait and see if it comes true!

At the moment I'm playing with dates, but I'm looking at Jan/Feb 2017. It's a case of working through the flights and making sure there's availability on the dive boat (well, and choosing the dive boat!). I have spoken briefly to United but pulled the plug before I wasted too much of her time. I gather most folks suggest SQ which is also a lot more direct, but makes me a little nervous that I can't actually see the flight online. I don't want to buy $5K worth of MileagePlus points and get stuck with them!

 

[travelislife]

As a tester if you can the SQ flights on Lifemiles online system you should be able to book them using United.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

At the moment I'm playing with dates, but I'm looking at Jan/Feb 2017. It's a case of working through the flights and making sure there's availability on the dive boat (well, and choosing the dive boat!). I have spoken briefly to United but pulled the plug before I wasted too much of her time. I gather most folks suggest SQ which is also a lot more direct, but makes me a little nervous that I can't actually see the flight online. I don't want to buy $5K worth of MileagePlus points and get stuck with them!

There are restrictions on booking SQ through UA. The availability doesn't show on line, and I think there is no redemption possible on 'luxury' SQ aircraft - which includes 77W and A380s. If you can redeem it is limited to 'regional' aircraft. You'll need to google what the exact restrictions are in place atm.


What you could also do is fly Australia to Manila - fares in January on Qantas economy start in at around AUD1100, Philippine Airlines has fares starting at AUD1000.

From MNL, United has award space available on selected days - MNL to ROR (some non-stops and some via GUM). Those are pricing at 22.5K each way for economy, 35K each way for business 'saver' and 60K each way for standard business. Flights are on a 737 (same as Qantas domestic 737s in both economy and business class)

That would probably shave a considerable amount of time off your journey.

 

[calgarychris]

There are restrictions on booking SQ through UA. The availability doesn't show on line, and I think there is no redemption possible on 'luxury' SQ aircraft - which includes 77W and A380s. If you can redeem it is limited to 'regional' aircraft. You'll need to google what the exact restrictions are in place atm.


What you could also do is fly Australia to Manila - fares in January on Qantas economy start in at around AUD1100, Philippine Airlines has fares starting at AUD1000.

From MNL, United has award space available on selected days - MNL to ROR (some non-stops and some via GUM). Those are pricing at 22.5K each way for economy, 35K each way for business 'saver' and 60K each way for standard business. Flights are on a 737 (same as Qantas domestic 737s in both economy and business class)

That would probably shave a considerable amount of time off your journey.

That's definitely quicker (which was the original attraction to SQ). The weird thing is, if I read the United points website correctly, I can do MEL-BKK-MNL-ROR on TG (using United) for 80,000 points pp??? That seems cheap, given economy MNL-ROR is a minimum of 45,000 plus the cost to get to MNL on another carrier...Am I wrong?