Singapore F redemption downgraded!

[drcam]

Dear people,

Just received a nasty surprise that my F redemption for July 2026 has been partially downgraded for the section from SIN-MEL.
So I believe I remain eligible to visit TPL in SIN on arrival.... but would I get any refund in either cash or points?
What would you do?

I know this is a first world problem, but I am VERY angry! Especially as this will probably be my last major SQ redemption, I am moving away from Krisflyer due to poor conversion rates from credit cards.

There remains availability from SIN to both SYD and MEL in F on the other flights on that day, but only in Advantage rewards.

Many thanks for your help
Cam

Changes to your cabin class and seat selection Booking Reference ------ ​

[td]Dear ---------------- ​ [td] Due to the change of aircraft, your cabin class has been changed from First Class to Business Class. As a result, we are unable to provide you with the original seat you have selected, and a refund of the fare difference between the different cabin classes will be accorded to your original form of payment. We will be contacting you to assist with your booking, and we seek your patience as we are progressively contacting all affected customers.​ ​ ​

​

[td]

If your ticket has been issued, and a new seat number is indicated in the 'Seat Number' column, you have been successfully reassigned to a seat of the same seat type at no charge. If you would like to change this reassigned seat to another seat of the same seat type, you may do so at no cost by logging into our Manage Booking webpage. For more information, please click here.​

[/td]​

[td]

If your ticket has been issued and ‘NIL' is indicated in the 'Seat Number' column, you may visit our Manage Booking webpage to select a new seat of the same seat type for the affected journey at no charge. Should you choose not to select any seat, one will be assigned randomly to you closer to departure. You may also approach our ground staff at the airport to make any changes to your seat and this will be done subject to seat availability.​

[/td]​

[td]

We will be contacting you to assist with your booking, and we seek your patience as we will be contacting all affected customers. Should you require assistance on urgent requests to bookings made directly via the Singapore Airlines website, mobile app, reservation hotline or local office, please contact Singapore Airlines. For bookings made through a travel agent or partner airline, please contact them directly for assistance.​

[/td]​

[td]

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.​

[/td]​

[td]Flight[/td] [td]Depart[/td][td]Arrive[/td][td]Class/Seat Number[/td] [TR]
[td]

Original Seat(s):

​

[/td]

​

[TR]
[td]SQ 217[/td][td]SIN 11:10
14 Jul 2026
Singapore
Changi[/td][td]MEL 20:35
14 Jul 2026
Melbourne
Melbourne Intl[/td][td]First Class
1D (SIN - MEL)
[/td]

​

[TR]
[td]

Reassigned Seat(s):

​

[/td]
[/TR]
[TR]
[td]SQ 217[/td][td]SIN 11:10
14 Jul 2026
Singapore
Changi[/td][td]MEL 20:35
14 Jul 2026
Melbourne
Melbourne Intl[/td][td]Business Class
15D (SIN - MEL)
[/td]
[/TR]

​

[/td]
[/TR]

[td]

Yours sincerely,
Singapore Airlines​

[/td]​

[/td]
[/TR]

​

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Simply move to another flight where there is F availability. You don’t have to rely on award seats being available. Just talk to them

 

[drcam]

Simply move to another flight where there is F availability. You don’t have to rely on award seats being available. Just talk to them

I have heard of nightmare stories that they don't honour that kind of thing. If you call up they say that there are no flights available on the alternative flights, they are available for "new bookings only". And hours wasted. If you have experienced precedent for a better outcome, let me know.

 

[kamchatsky]

Simply move to another flight where there is F availability. You don’t have to rely on award seats being available. Just talk to them

Agree, and on top of it, you can even ask them to move you to SIN-SYD on Suites if necessary.

I don't think you get points back for moving from F to Mixed class tickets.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I have heard of nightmare stories that they don't honour that kind of thing. If you call up they say that there are no flights available on the alternative flights, they are available for "new bookings only". And hours wasted. If you have experienced precedent for a better outcome, let me know.

I think you might be confusing another airline with Singapore Airlines?

See the advice, immediately above from Kamchatsky.

 

[drcam]

The only Suites flight from SIN-SYD occurs at an inconvenient time (0045) arriving in the morning, meaning I end up wasting another day of my limited lifespan.

Looks like, if they agree, I'll just be moved onto the evening flight to MEL in plain old F.

 

[drron]

Simply move to another flight where there is F availability. You don’t have to rely on award seats being available. Just talk to them

Not always. Pre Covid I had a SIN-FRA F award downgraded to J. There were 3 F seats still available on another flight but they point blank efused to change up I did the Huaca 4 times with no result.
There were also the cheaper F award seats on a SIN - CDG flight but told they couldn't change destination.

The other problem there was going to be no return of the extra points for f over J.
Ended up cancelling and buying an EK business light fare insted so got a full refund.

So all though you have many positive stories there is no quarantee that they will change you.

 

[lovestotravel]

SQ217 had great flight timings, the other 2 flights with F have disgusting times

Singapore Airlines NS26 Service Changes – 16AUG25 — AeroRoutes

Published at 0500PDT / 1200GMT 16AUG25 Singapore Airlines in this week’s schedule update filed initial aircraft changes on selected routes for Northern summer 2026 season. Planned adjustments as of 16AUG25 includes the following. Singapore – Auckland eff 01MAY26 777-300ER replaces A350-900, 1

www.aeroroutes.com

Singapore – Melbourne 01JUL26 – 30AUG26 SQ217/218 253-seater A350-900 service maintained, instead of 777-300ER

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Not always. Pre Covid I had a SIN-FRA F award downgraded to J. There were 3 F seats still available on another flight but they point blank efused to change up I did the Huaca 4 times with no result.
There were also the cheaper F award seats on a SIN - CDG flight but told they couldn't change destination.

The other problem there was going to be no return of the extra points for f over J.
Ended up cancelling and buying an EK business light fare insted so got a full refund.

So all though you have many positive stories there is no quarantee that they will change you.

True, there’s some more information in this thread: F award downgrade - SQ242 downgraded from B777 to A350

Seems you were unlucky

 

[azza007]

MEL_Traveller linked with what happened to me.
I had a syd-sin-lhr F saver redemption with syd-sin downgraded to J.
Took me 2 calls to get put in F on an earlier flight.

Unfortunately you won't get any points back for the downgrade to J on the sin-mel sector.
You should call them & ask to moved to the later departure.

 

[drcam]

Earlier departure is not an option.
The only realistic options are to be moved to
(i) the overnight flight to MEL later that day (sleeper service with ONE meal)
(ii) the daytime flight to SYD
(iii) attempt to get on the Suites to SYD at 0145 the following day, but the scheduling is truly bad.