SQ F/Suites JFK-SIN A380-800 Rewards tickets

[AnnaB]

I cant believe it, I am so excited I can hardly wait!! I actually managed to get rewards tickets for F class/suites, from JFK-FRA-SIN. 2 tickets for 187,000 SQ points plus about $700 taxes and fees.
It could never have been done if it wasn't for the tips and tricks from the members on AFF, and I need to send out a special thanks to Cruiser Elite for telling me to be patient (a thing I need to learn I think).

As we are travelling as a couple I have booked the only two adjacent seats available, would that be preferable or is single seats better as its right next to the galley? Also, how do I know if it is F or if it is the new Suites? The booking merely states A380-800, one mails says First and the other one Suites. Really doesn't matter to me at this stage, but it would be interesting to know.

Are there any perks that I need to know of before hand? I know Etihad has a chauffeur, some get priority lanes through customs and security etc. Anything I cant miss?

Also, is the stopover in FRA just a refuelling stop or do we embark the airplane?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Great result RoseAnna - great result - you are in for such a treat.

The 380 does indeed only have 12 Suites and not First Class seats so you definitely have Suites - rdpt bookings will mostly show First (O) regardless of Suites / First Class so don't panic - only thing you need keep in mind is 380 = Suites.

380 has 2 sets of seat pairs - 2C/D and 3C/D - did you secure either of these pair? Forget about galley noise - 4A/F are closest seats to galley and next to no noise ever experienced in either of these.

Definitely no Chauffer ride but you will be given express pass / access where possible - yes you will de-plane in FRA for your layover. Have fun - enjoy and pls report back with pics post flt.

 

[AnnaB]

Thank you for the reply Cruiser Elite. I am very much looking forward to this journey. It would be one of the first times the flight itself would be a part of the trip, rather then a way to get there.

Too bad the stopover in FRA isnt longer as it is merely 1,5 hrs. Hopefully we will be able to do more then just run from gate to gate.

I have secured seats 3C and D, the only pair available on the flight. I am not really fuzzed with a view, I will be far to busy with what is happening on the plane to be bothered with what is happening outside of it. :mrgreen:

 

[tizey]

Great work! I hope to be able to do that flight in F one day. When do you fly? I have managed a ZUR-SIN-MEL in First Suites on the A380 for late January in 3C & 3D with my fiance and I am keen to hear feedback on what you loved, and what you'd do differently if you had the chance to fly it again.

 

[AnnaB]

Great work! I hope to be able to do that flight in F one day. When do you fly? I have managed a ZUR-SIN-MEL in First Suites on the A380 for late January in 3C & 3D with my fiance and I am keen to hear feedback on what you loved, and what you'd do differently if you had the chance to fly it again.

I booked a year in advance... its high season and I didnt want to take a chance.

Started with the tickets PER-SIN-NRT-LAX in J, flying out June 8th 2017. Booked those on the 24th of June 2016.

Return tickets I wanted to try for F flying out of JFK on the A380. I looked ahead for quite a while, the backup plan being flying out of anywhere in North America in J. Was on the computer one afternoon, got a hunch to try and they popped up on the second try. Booked the F tickets JFK-FRA-SIN then J for SIN-PER (they dont have F), flying out on the 18th of July 2017, tickets were booked on the 30th of July 2016.

I would love to hear your feedback You will probably be able to give me the tips and the tricks for what to do before I go.

 

[tizey]

Wow-wee, thats organised! Sounds like an excellent trip you've got lined up - we're very similar in the sense we're in J for MEL-SIN-ZUR, then F for ZUR-SIN-MEL. Only booked a few weeks ago - I couldnt believe my luck that we got the F at Saver Rate - was less points than the J booking to get over there at Standard Rate!

Will report back to you on experiences both ways - and what a newbie would do different 2nd time around in F.

 

[AnnaB]

Wow-wee, thats organised! Sounds like an excellent trip you've got lined up - we're very similar in the sense we're in J for MEL-SIN-ZUR, then F for ZUR-SIN-MEL. Only booked a few weeks ago - I couldnt believe my luck that we got the F at Saver Rate - was less points than the J booking to get over there at Standard Rate!

Will report back to you on experiences both ways - and what a newbie would do different 2nd time around in F.

That sounds fantastic
Thankfully I am usually organised, it helps when planning trips like these, getting the most out of the points we have.

From the start we were quoted over 2 million AMEX points for a return trip in J to the US, I managed to get J and F for about 700,000 AMEX points (half for SQ points). I have enough to do another trip just like this or better, now that I have learned how to work things

 

[tizey]

Nice work. It is a mystery how all this works until you have that 'click' moment when it all comes together.

650,000 VF Points got us in J & F to/from Zurich. A few recent churns is getting that balance back up to do it again eventually. Now if only there was a way to churn credit cards and end up with more annual leave!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Too bad the stopover in FRA isnt longer as it is merely 1,5 hrs. Hopefully we will be able to do more then just run from gate to gate.

I have secured seats 3C and D, the only pair available on the flight. I am not really fuzzed with a view, I will be far to busy with what is happening on the plane to be bothered with what is happening outside of it. :mrgreen:

it's the same gate, so you'll have the best part of an hour to deplane and wander around before boarding at 30 mins prior. You may wish to board earlier as there's not a lot to write home about in Frankfurt. For lounge access you have the Senator Lounge, not the First Lounge, not a 'destination' to spend any deal of time in (although you can have a shower if you fancy it).

3CD is good for a couple. If there are spare window seats you might want to consider moving to those for the take-off and landing.

 

[Pumbaa]

I booked a year in advance... its high season and I didnt want to take a chance.

Started with the tickets PER-SIN-NRT-LAX in J, flying out June 8th 2017. Booked those on the 24th of June 2016.

Return tickets I wanted to try for F flying out of JFK on the A380. I looked ahead for quite a while, the backup plan being flying out of anywhere in North America in J. Was on the computer one afternoon, got a hunch to try and they popped up on the second try. Booked the F tickets JFK-FRA-SIN then J for SIN-PER (they dont have F), flying out on the 18th of July 2017, tickets were booked on the 30th of July 2016.

I would love to hear your feedback You will probably be able to give me the tips and the tricks for what to do before I go.

Hi RoseAnna, I managed to snag an F JFK-FRA-SIN for the end of January next year as well! I only booked last month! I was looking at return flights PER-SIN-SFO-SIN-PER after I read that the A350 flights were wide open, but thought I'd "just check" if there was any F flights back from New York as my wife and I only need an excuse to visit the big apple! Low and behold there was 2 tickets at saver level and after a word to the wife, I booked it on the spot! The only problem I have is there are currently no flights SIN-PER, so I had to waitlist a whole heap and hope it opens up closer to the date.

Supposedly we will have access to the Virgin Clubhouse lounge in JFK which is meant to be incredible! You can pick my brain about the flight after we get back late Jan!

 

[AnnaB]

Since we are flying to Perth, they do not have an F class on that route and we ave to fly J the last bit. But does it mean that we will be allowed into the F lounge in Singapore when we are waiting for our flight or will it be the Silverkris Lounge as we are moving on from F to J?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Since we are flying to Perth, they do not have an F class on that route and we ave to fly J the last bit. But does it mean that we will be allowed into the F lounge in Singapore when we are waiting for our flight or will it be the Silverkris Lounge as we are moving on from F to J?

Provided it's a straight through connection you'll be allowed into the Private Room - which is the lounge above the F lounge and reserved for SQ's first and suites passengers.

 

[AnnaB]

Provided it's a straight through connection you'll be allowed into the Private Room - which is the lounge above the F lounge and reserved for SQ's first and suites passengers.

Thank you for that. We are considering a stop over, but nothing is set as of yet.... perhaps that Private Room will make me reconsider *lol*

 

[MEL_Traveller]

.... perhaps that Private Room will make me reconsider *lol*

Absolutely not! The lounge is nice enough, but lacks any 'wow' factor found in some of the other great F lounges like Lufthansa, Qantas, Cathay, Thai. Certainly not worth giving up a stopover.

 

[AnnaB]

Absolutely not! The lounge is nice enough, but lacks any 'wow' factor found in some of the other great F lounges like Lufthansa, Qantas, Cathay, Thai. Certainly not worth giving up a stopover.

The only reason I am considering it is the fact that this is on our way back from a 5 week road trip in the US. Real question is, do we want to sit back and relax for a few days or do we just want to get back home. Sometimes getting back home is all you want.

 

[boomy]

We are doing similar route in a few weeks (JFK-FRA-SIN-MEL) and also selected seats 3C/D for the suites leg. It wasn't easy to find two award seats ex-JFK even 10 months out and was even worse availability when searching SIN-JFK. Must be very popular routes!

We both enjoy visiting SIN but I've never made it a destination, only stoping there on the way to/from somewhere so I've added stopover on this trip as well to brake the journey.
A visit to TPR is always nice but I agree it's not a good enough reason for stopover. Nice lounge to spend couple of hours but definitely not one of the most exciting F lounges out there.

 

[tharaka]

Nice work RoseAnna!!

We did the A380 in June from CDG-SIN in suites and SIN-MEL in F. Suites is an experience on its own! Our flight was basically empty in F. only two others other than the two of us. If there's space, they'll let you use a separate combined suite as your bedroom So, there you go Etihad, your own apartment with Singapore!!

Remember to book the cook online. If you find anything better on the menu on the day you can always change it! Be prepared to put on a few kilos on the flight

I'd lower expectations on the "Private Suite" lounge. Thought it was over-promised and under-delivered. Their service though, in lounge or in air was absolutely flawless! When I need customer focused people in the future I know where to snatch them from.

The longer JFK-SIN is next on my list, then the A350 J. I've heard good things about the new SIN-SFO A350. Will have to wait till Oct to read the reviews.

Enjoy your flight!!

 

[AnnaB]

Nice work RoseAnna!!

We did the A380 in June from CDG-SIN in suites and SIN-MEL in F. Suites is an experience on its own! Our flight was basically empty in F. only two others other than the two of us. If there's space, they'll let you use a separate combined suite as your bedroom So, there you go Etihad, your own apartment with Singapore!!

Remember to book the cook online. If you find anything better on the menu on the day you can always change it! Be prepared to put on a few kilos on the flight

I'd lower expectations on the "Private Suite" lounge. Thought it was over-promised and under-delivered. Their service though, in lounge or in air was absolutely flawless! When I need customer focused people in the future I know where to snatch them from.

The longer JFK-SIN is next on my list, then the A350 J. I've heard good things about the new SIN-SFO A350. Will have to wait till Oct to read the reviews.

Enjoy your flight!!

Yes, I have opted to book a few days stay in Singapore on the way back, I feel I would rather have that then wait for another flight. As you say, a lounge is just a lounge.

Is there any perks on the check in process in JFK? Is there a dedicated counter, escorts or anything I need to know? I have never flown F before so this is all new to me.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yes, I have opted to book a few days stay in Singapore on the way back, I feel I would rather have that then wait for another flight. As you say, a lounge is just a lounge.

Is there any perks on the check in process in JFK? Is there a dedicated counter, escorts or anything I need to know? I have never flown F before so this is all new to me.

yes - most airlines offer dedicated check-in counters for first and business class, these will be clearly marked. Any additional ground services will be offered to you at the check-in counter. Some airlines regularly offer F class passengers escorts through selected US airports (CX, for example, being one of those). According to this report on onemileatatime it doesn't look like SQ usually offer this service, but YMMV: Which Airlines Offer Escorts Through Security In The US? - One Mile at a Time

 

[diningdecadence]

we got an escort through at JFK, but only after waiting an hour at the check in desk for them to fix a redemption ticket and allow us onto the plane. she did push us in front of the screening line a little and walked us from the clubhouse to our seats, but i think that was a service recovery rather than a normal practice.

personally i didn't find the clubhouse that fantastic - although it did clear out and allow some serenity for about 15 mins before SQ boarded.