Singapore on Velocity points

[IrishPete]

I understand the difference in points, but why the difference in $$$?

 

[AIRwin]

You can even fly SYD-SFO-SIN on UA for around the same or less

 

[IrishPete]

You can even fly SYD-SFO-SIN on UA for around the same or less

Not setting foot in Trump's USA, sorry. In fact I've been avoiding that failed state since the 1990s.

 

[Noah Count]

@IrishPete I cannot add that much, I was once a VA proponent but not any more. Looking at your image more points = less $$ and the other way around I would conclude not much has changed. I used to post that getting any flight on VA was easy, go for min points and a few extra bucks and VA would accomodate. looking at what you posted things have not changed much, IME VA would sell their grandmother for less.

 

[IrishPete]

@IrishPete I cannot add that much, I was once a VA proponent but not any more. Looking at your image more points = less $$ and the other way around I would conclude not much has changed. I used to post that getting any flight on VA was easy, go for min points and a few extra bucks and VA would accomodate. looking at what you posted things have not changed much, IME VA would sell their grandmother for less.

But one flight is Virgin codeshare and the other is straight Singapore Airlines. On the same airplane. The $$ is supposed to be things like airport charges. It's nonsensical.

 

[Human]

I understand the difference in points, but why the difference in $$$?

To answer your question, the difference in $$$ is simply because Velocity imposes carrier charges on reward flights on Singapore Airlines. The second flight in your screenshot is a reward flight and so includes carrier charges of USD 120. The first flight is an "any seat" award which costs more points, but for which there are no carrier charges.

So for that flight you have a choice: an "any seat" for more points and less money, or a reward ticket for fewer points and more money.

 

[AIRwin]

The first flight is an "any seat" award which costs more points, but for which there are no carrier charges.

And earns points and status credits?

 

[IrishPete]

To answer your question, the difference in $$$ is simply because Velocity imposes carrier charges on reward flights on Singapore Airlines. The second flight in your screenshot is a reward flight and so includes carrier charges of USD 120. The first flight is an "any seat" award which costs more points, but for which there are no carrier charges.

So for that flight you have a choice: an "any seat" for more points and less money, or a reward ticket for fewer points and more money.

Those are definitely all words, but they aren't describing anything logical.

 

[Human]

And earns points and status credits?

Sorry, Velocity calls them "Points + Pay".

Yes, I believe they earn points and status credits. Details here.

 

[Human]

Those are definitely all words, but they aren't describing anything logical.

With Velocity and most (all??) other frequent flyer programs, it's possible to use points for flights in two ways: Reward flights, or "Points + Pay" or whatever the airlines call them.

The two ways of using points have different T&Cs, require different amounts of points, and different amounts of money.

In the case of Velocity, Reward flights require fewer points but more money. "Points + Pay" flights require more points but less money.

To further complicate matters (in the case you've cited), Singapore Airlines flights also are Virgin codeshares, so each flight has multiple flight numbers (in this case, an SQ flight number and a VA flight number). Reward flights on partner airlines are only available on the partner airline's flight number (in this case SQ242). "Points + Pay" tickets need to be booked on VA's flight number (VA5540).

I personally wouldn't call any of the above "illogical", but nor do I have any inclination to argue with you if that's what you want to call it. If you want to describe this as "illogical", that's your prerogative!

 

[burmans]

Since when was being logical a requirement for a FF program? They set the rules, they can essentially do whatever they want!

 

[IrishPete]

Okay, incomperehensible?

I thought Points plus Pay used a slider on the booking page to choose different combinations of money and points.

 

[AIRwin]

I thought Points plus Pay used a slider on the booking page to choose different combinations of money and points.

Yes there is still the option to adjust the combination on the payment page

 

[serfty]

Okay, incomperehensible?

I thought Points plus Pay used a slider on the booking page to choose different combinations of money and points.

There's the slider for an award booking which is effectively buying points by using $ to reduce your points cost

Points plus pay is using points to offset $ cost on a revenue booking.