SQ reward VA different availability to *A partners

[henrus]

Hi All

I'm trying to book a redemption from Brisbane to Bangkok (via Singapore) using Velocity points.

The Virgin website shows nothing, however, Star Alliance partners United, ANA and Air Canada all show available seats in the X class economy reward class.

Normally I'd just transfer points to SQ and book that way however only Advantage seats are remaining so it would end up being 74,250 points per person (after the VA->SQ transfer) instead of the 35,000 points per person that Virgin would normally charge.

Now I thought that Virgin had access to the same X class space on SQ but the phone reservations insists there is no space on the flights I'm seeing on either UA, HN, AC or even SQ (albeit as an Advantage on SQ).

Has anyone had any luck in a similar situation or does Virgin actually have completely different reward space to both SQ and all their star alliance partners?

 

[theblank]

Has anyone had any luck in a similar situation or does Virgin actually have completely different reward space to both SQ and all their star alliance partners?

On VA, I usually see the same rewards seats as I see on SQ, I dont remember seeing any differences.

 

[dajop]

SQ itself has different availability to other star alliance carriers. It’s not worth even trying to understand why or how.

I’ve seen SQ savers unavailable, yet available on star alliance carriers. I’ve seen SQ savers unavailable, and unavailable on most star carriers, but available on LH’s Miles and More program. I’ve even seen star alliance carriers with awards available but no awards in M class - the awards that draw from commercial fare bucket - for Solitaire PPS members of Krisflyer.

Bottom line - it varies between SQ and star alliance and even within star alliance. If VA aligns well with Krisflyer then what you are seeing is although not normal, is definitely possible.

The black art of yield management.

 

[henrus]

Bottom line - it varies between SQ and star alliance and even within star alliance. If VA aligns well with Krisflyer then what you are seeing is although not normal, is definitely possible.

Seems odd. A bit annoying as it's going to end up costing almost 2x the points.

 

[CPMaverick]

Did you call VA? I would definitely be checking directly with them, not just relying on their website to get availability right.

 

[henrus]

Did you call VA? I would definitely be checking directly with them, not just relying on their website to get availability right.

Yep I called twice. Did even ask for the specific flight and was told 0 seats left.

I'm still a bit confused as VA books into SQ/MI's X award category and many other SQ partners are definitely showing 2 X class award tickets.

 

[theblank]

Yep I called twice. Did even ask for the specific flight and was told 0 seats left.

have you checked for redemption availability for each segment seperately?

I have had success with VA linking two segments that were available seperately, but not as one.

 

[woodyren]

have you checked for redemption availability for each segment seperately?

I have had success with VA linking two segments that were available seperately, but not as one.

Yes. I did this a few days ago. Booked Beijing-Singapore-Sydney on Singapore Airlines J through Velocity.

Initial search showed zero availability but when I checked the individual segments there were a number of flight options. Called Velocity with the dates and flight numbers and they booked them over the phone and waived the phone booking fee.