I was spoilt for choice where to ask this question whether on a UA, VA or SQ thread but figured this might be best given it relates to an SQ operated flight.
I just booked 2x reward seats on SQ HKT-SIN in whY using UA miles. I have zip status with UA now so I put my VA FF (Gold) details in during booking. As an aside, I was surprised it let me do that (I know SQ is PITA with FF details on reward bookings).
During the booking process, UA let me select seats (well forward in the whY cabin) although they didn’t stick but I was able to go into UA MMB and try again and they stuck (plus I now see the SQ PNR).
Questions:
1. Is free whY seat selection normal on SQ in this scenario?
2. Or maybe my VA status (possibly because the VA-UA & SQ hookup) let me through?
3. I’m probably going to drop to VA Silver before I fly, will that impact anything?
Either myself or SYD+1 might fire off the UA status match before hand (A*G) to get lounge access etc. That might seem a waste, but we’re unlikely to be “going for Gold” in anger with UA anyway. That strategy worked a treat on Copa (probably the last time I used some residual UA miles).