SQ website blocking award searches for accounts with zero KrisFlyer miles

[kpc]

Went to see what Aaron of MileLion (who knows everything about Sq's KrisFlyer) had to say about this:

Singapore Airlines adds new restrictions on award searching - The MileLion

KrisFlyer members now require a minimum balance of 1,000 miles to search for awards, as SIA seeks to clamp down on automated queries from award search tools.

milelion.com

 

[anat0l]

Won't this all just backfire on them? Their call centres will be flooded by people wanting to confirm seat availability before transferring points over.

Who the <insert word here> calls the call centre to inquire about seat availability?

If it is you specifying the date and flight, fair (fare?) enough. If you're just expecting the agent to do the legwork for you, especially if your balance doesn't meet a threshold, I think you'll be told to go jump.

Reducing redemptions and, in the long run, reducing overall engagement in the program!

The reduction in engagement might just be that from the type of people that they may feel comfortable in jettisoning. For all we know, their PPS and PPS Solitaire members may be thinking the same thing.


I have zero miles right now, so I won't be able to search a thing. But I can respect this decision by SQ. I wonder if they were contemplating something similar to a recent QR change which requires someone to credit one flight to its programme before you can search for multiple seats (let alone do any searches).