SQ or VA?

[mushez]

Assuming the Virgin page is the better one to plant it - but tossing up between crediting to VA or SQ - on the hunt to get gold with one - with EK pulling out of the Tasman.

So what is the pro's and cons of crediting miles on VA vrs SQ - with someone looking to fly SQ BNE-PVG as well as VA on the Tasman BNE-AKL?

Looking at a juicy J ticket BNE-PVG departing on Tuesday, and stuck as to which way to start crediting to get up to Gold and being recognized again.

 

[AIRwin]

You can family pool with Velocity in order to reach Platinum? Another consideration in case you ever need a top up status run in the future is that Velocity has double status credit promotions which may apply only to VA flights...

 

[odysseus]

Depends how often you redeem, but I think SQ has a hard points expiry date. Whereas Velocity you can extend with activity.

 

[TomVexille]

And VA flights don't count as elite miles on SQ

 

[Pleb Status]

Earning and retaining VFF status will be far easier over the longer term.

One whinge however from some here is VA SG/WP do not get access to SQ partner lounges when travelling in Y/PE. For example, PVG is a partner lounge. SQ KFG should get you in however. This may be something to remember if you travel regularly to somewhere off the SQ operated lounge list...

 

[mushez]

Earning and retaining VFF status will be far easier over the longer term.

One whinge however from some here is VA SG/WP do not get access to SQ partner lounges when travelling in Y/PE. For example, PVG is a partner lounge. SQ KFG should get you in however. This may be something to remember if you travel regularly to somewhere off the SQ operated lounge list...

That is an interesting point.

So SQ partner lounges is only a factor in China? Or other places or airports have the same issue? Guess it will crop up as an issue if the SQ lounge is closed for renovations also at a given airport.

Yes - been to a number of lounges in China - and often partner ones - and they tend to leave a lot to be desired.

 

[TomVexille]

That is an interesting point.

So SQ partner lounges is only a factor in China? Or other places or airports have the same issue? Guess it will crop up as an issue if the SQ lounge is closed for renovations also at a given airport.

Yes - been to a number of lounges in China - and often partner ones - and they tend to leave a lot to be desired.

It's a factor anywhere SQ doesn't have their own lounge.

Certainly easier to gain status with VA, but the benefits probably aren't as good

 

[mushez]

It's a factor anywhere SQ doesn't have their own lounge.

Certainly easier to gain status with VA, but the benefits probably aren't as good

So what benefits are not as good?

Looking at SQ - I would have to do 4 x J BNE-PVG return to get to gold (or 5 x Y) - vrs VA. From what I see you almost can get to gold with 1 x J BNE-PVG return flight as it is. Or am I wrong in that calculation?

Given I do 3 x BNE-PVG trips a year - to get Gold with SQ, I am going to have to get inventive to get more SC .... and for me the question then comes if the cost of getting inventive to get SC is worth it with VA / NZ on the Tasman.

So very interested in what benefits someone is giving up going VA than SQ.

 

[CPMaverick]

I think the SQ partner lounges are the main thing. That is a real drag. It isn't just China, SQ only has about a dozen of their own lounges. Good coverage in Australia, but not so much elsewhere. Everywhere else you are locked out. Including Tokyo, Paris, etc.

Star Alliance is pretty strong and SQ would give you status benefits on all those airlines.This would mean better benefits on all NZ flights, although VA has this covered across the Tasman at least.

Yes, a single BNE-SIN-PVG round trip would earn 400SC, almost enough to earn Gold and enough to requal for Gold. VA status is very very easy to achieve if flying international J.

 

[Jack_OC]

Definitely agree that getting/retaining status is much easier with Velocity. Just bear in mind that you also need to fly 4 eligible sectors with VA (flights with a VA flight number) to get Gold, and 8 for Platinum. Sounds like you should have that covered anyway, but just make sure you do.

FWIW, I had SQ Gold for a couple of years and found it to be barely worth having. It's much harder to get than Velocity Gold (or even Velocity Platinum), yet the benefits from SQ itself are almost negligible other than lounge access, and even then you don't get access to their J lounges in Changi (just the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge, which is pretty ordinary to say the least).

The only reason I got SQ Gold in the first place was because I was doing a fair bit of travel with UA and LH, and I had to credit the points somewhere. SQ seemed like the most logical option as they service Australia well and have good award redemption availability. That's not really a major factor when choosing between Velocity and KrisFlyer though, as you can transfer points between the two programs. You do lose out on the 1:1.35 conversion, but the earn rate when crediting to Velocity is often higher, plus there are more earning opportunities in Australia, so I would say that pretty much evens out.

 

[mushez]

So extra baggage allowance is the same for SQ or VA Gold?

 

[CPMaverick]

I know on VA it will be the same for Gold or Partner Gold.

On SQ, this is what VA Gold members get. Don't know how it compares to SQ, I'm sure you can find out.

• One piece of additional checked baggage when travelling to/from the USA and Brazil
• Additional checked baggage of up to 15kg when travelling to other international destinations

 

[mushez]

Went the VA route, with SQ J booking.

With B777-200 & B777-300, I was left disappointed with SQ. Will see if my A380 & A350 on the return changes that on the 8th.

Strongly considering maintaining EK Gold just for China flights, and gaining VA Gold for Tasman.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

You can fly BNE - MEL/SYD and then HKG with VA's own aircraft (certain days), and then HK Airlines or Hainan (not sure which one would go closest to PVG), and earn all the FF points and SC that will get you to VFF SG/WP.
Also BNE - NZ you can fly with VA's own metal and earn bonus FF miles for having VFF status.
Plus if you a lot of groceries, you can be in FB and earn up to 120 VFF SC or more per year.
Can also pump up your VFF points when you fill up petrol at BP.
While SQ has its benefits, you really have to fly premium classes with them many times a year, and be able to earn points in that 3 years to make it worth it with them.
KF miles expire no matter what every 3 years, which is a downside, where as if you have constant activity, VFF miles don't expire.
If VFF didn't exist, I would say put all your flights to SQ as against QFF, but with VFF on the scene, keep with VFF.
If you love your wines, you can also top up points with Virgin Wines (what a name!).
Edit: ah, just noticed you went with VFF points earn for this upcoming trip.

 

[dajop]

Went the VA route, with SQ J booking.

If doing this 3x a year may be worthwhile joining Krisflyer and ensuring that you accrue miles to VA but get PPS $ (based on value of ticket) to SQ. Depending on price you are paying may or may not get close to the accrual of PPS status on SQ. But only close - not quite there.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

On a slightly different tangent, Hong Kong Airlines does fly to and from the OOL Gold Coast.
From there can connect to PVG.
On the higher classes, the earn rate for VFF is not that bad. 2 VFF points in J for HX vs 1.25 in J for SQ.
On the lower fares, earning under VFF is 0.5 points per mile flown, but if on the SQ lower cheaper fares, KF earning can be 0.10 points per mile flown.