SYD-IST RTN J Class June/August 2014

[Liski]

So I've wait listed 4 different dates in June for SYD-IST and 4 dates different date in August for IST-SYD, all in J class about a week ago - how long does it take it actually confirm?

 

[albatross710]

So I've wait listed 4 different dates in June for SYD-IST and 4 dates different date in August for IST-SYD, all in J class about a week ago - how long does it take it actually confirm?

That is an excellent question one which has been discussed in the forum many times. There is no definitive answer. I'll link you to some previous discussions. Can you please keep up updated on how your flights.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....er/sq-waitlist-clearance-timeframe-41311.html
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....d-waitlist-being-converted-booking-31902.html
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....nes-krisflyer/waitlisting-question-40211.html
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....isflyer/new-kf-redemptions-q-about-22218.html

By the way, any 'confirmed' sectors will lapse after four days if not ticket while the waitlists can remain.

Alby

 

[Liski]

Thanx Alby.

It's my first J booking so wasn't sure what to expect, how far ahead to book and how many different dates to wait list. Once SQ is done I can book my ongoing flight to SKP with TK.

 

[Liski]

Just a little update.

So I have gotten 2 out of the 4 sectors confirmed. SQ have advised they have removed the possibility of the confirmed sectors getting cancelled and will stay confirmed up until 3 hours before the flight.

SQ232 - SYD-SIN - Thu, 19 Jun 2014 - ConfirmedSQ392 - SIN-IST - Sat, 21 Jun 2014 - Waitlisted
SQ391 - IST-SIN - Mon, 01 Sep 2014 - Confirmed
SQ211 - SIN-SYD - Wed, 03 Sep 2014 - Waitlisted

SQ also advised they only have 1 Standard J Savers showing for the Waitlisted sectors.

Now the waiting game! This is my 2nd time ever booking with Miles and will be my first flying in SQ J class - have only ever flown J class with Austrian/Lauda.

 

[melbmem]

Good luck , Its one of the best airlines to fly .
do you know what planes you are flying A380 ? 77W ?

That can really make the difference

 

[Liski]

I've flown Y in SQ many times but never in J so really excited and hoping it all works out!

Aircraft are:
SYD-SIN is A380
SIN-IST-SIN is 772ER (Refitted)
SIN-SYD is 773 (Refitted)

 

[uiopui]

I was looking at this route last year, and i had a flight locked in later than i wanted to return and jumped on the wait list for an earlier flight. I got confirmed about 1 week before the flight was to return.

One bonus of flying out of IST is the business lounge. While its very busy, its great for a meal before you get on the plane as they have a bakery inside making really good turkish pizzas which pop out of the oven about every 10-15 minutes.

 

[prozac]

I was looking at this route last year, and i had a flight locked in later than i wanted to return and jumped on the wait list for an earlier flight. I got confirmed about 1 week before the flight was to return.

One bonus of flying out of IST is the business lounge. While its very busy, its great for a meal before you get on the plane as they have a bakery inside making really good turkish pizzas which pop out of the oven about every 10-15 minutes.

Yes, make sure you attend the lounge, a real eye opener. Lots of great Turkish foods.....also yoghurts, lollies, turkish delight, pastries, refreshing lemon drinks, coffee, and it's like being in a bazaar. If your connecting flight (in J) is greater than 5 (or 5.5) hours you can book a day room for a nap if one is available. They are a bit noisy but it is nice to get your head down and eyes shut when doing long transits. Plane SIN-IST last Dec 2012 was tired, but I have been told they now have the new interiors.

 

[Liski]

I do plan too! I read a review about it on the SQ-Talk website and it looks amazing. Fingers crossed I get all my J's confirmed.

Anyone have any experience with transfers between IST and SAW?

 

[prozac]

I do plan too! I read a review about it on the SQ-Talk website and it looks amazing. Fingers crossed I get all my J's confirmed.

Anyone have any experience with transfers between IST and SAW?

Leave enough walking time. Some gates are a real trek which I don't mind...thinking DVT avoidance.

 

[uiopui]

What time are you arriving at SAW airport? If its during peak hour expect or at least plan for a long travel time between there and istanbul centre / onto the other airport.

Its on the Asian side of istanbul and took us a good hour+ to get into the city as we landed at 5PM. Normally the drive from the centre to the IST airport is very quicl and 25mins as they drive like lunatics to that airport

I can give you a good recommendation on a restaurant or two if your staying in Istanbul for a few nights..

 

[Liski]

What time are you arriving at SAW airport?

The flight into SAW arrives at 1355 and I don't depart IST (heading to SIN) the following day at 1330 so no rush just wanted to know how it was.

At least at the start of the trip I will be spending 4 days visiting some friends in Istanbul before I head to SKP (flying with Pegasus from SAW).

 

[dajop]

We flew into SAW last May. IIRC there were several options, taxi of course, express bus to Taksim Square, or public bus to ferry terminal on Asia side. Taxi was quite expensive, we ended up just missing the express bus so to took the public bus, and then ferry ... then tram. Took about 1.5 hrs though, but was interesting. Again to IST, taxi, bus or train are options, it's closer and easier.

 

[Liski]

Thanx for the info dajop - should be a fun/crazy few days.

Should I be worried that the 2 sectors that are wait listed now show as Not Available in Saver on the SQ website booking engine?

 

[Duffa]

One bonus of flying out of IST is the business lounge. While its very busy, its great for a meal before you get on the plane as they have a bakery inside making really good turkish pizzas which pop out of the oven about every 10-15 minutes.

Good to know! Have 2x J for IST-MEL in October. First ever visit to Turkey.

 

[Liski]

From my daily checking it seems the SIN-IST has lost the "waitlisted" tag this morning and now not showing wait list or confirmed, could that mean that it might get confirmed today?

SQ232 - SYD-SIN - Thu, 19 Jun 2014 - Confirmed
SQ392 - SIN-IST - Sat, 21 Jun 2014 -
SQ391 - IST-SIN - Mon, 01 Sep 2014 - Confirmed
SQ211 - SIN-SYD - Wed, 03 Sep 2014 - Waitlisted

 

[Liski]

From my daily checking it seems the SIN-IST has lost the "waitlisted" tag this morning and now not showing wait list or confirmed, could that mean that it might get confirmed today?

SQ232 - SYD-SIN - Thu, 19 Jun 2014 - Confirmed
SQ392 - SIN-IST - Sat, 21 Jun 2014 - Waitlisted
SQ391 - IST-SIN - Mon, 01 Sep 2014 - Confirmed
SQ211 - SIN-SYD - Wed, 03 Sep 2014 - Waitlisted

Re: Singapore Airlines And Turkish Airlines To Expand Codeshare Agreement

The expanded codeshare ties are expected to take effect from 1 May 2014, subject to regulatory approvals. Singapore Airlines’ increase in frequency on the Singapore-Istanbul route to six flights per week is due to take effect from 26 May 2014.

Would anyone know when we could expect to see these flights show up on their website or when I should call SQ to see if the new flight could help my SIN-IST flight confirmed?

 

[Liski]

What's the best way to escalate an issue within SQ?

When I tried to make the booking on 26 Dec, the website kept having errors so I made the booking with the call centre, and the guy confirmed it will be 126K Miles to get to IST in J return with a stopover in SIN both ways. I have yet to fly in J with SQ or do a stopover when doing a KF booking.

On my latest call to request them to do a chaser for the two sectors yet to be confirmed I was told that I will lose the benefit of the 15% discount as I had chosen to have two stopovers and be charged a USD 100 fee for the stopover on the return flight - both of these were not mentioned on the initial booking call or many calls after.

They found the original call and they confirmed that the guy did state it would be 126K which is the amount of Miles required with the 15% discount and no extra fee was discussed, but they will again request higher management authorisation to allow the 15% discount = I don't mind paying the USD100 fee but I can't even remove the return flight stopover as all the waitlists have closed for the SIN-SYD flights for the start of September.

It also looks like the possibility of the SIN-IST flight not being cleared as SQ themselves have advised June/July are busy flights to IST on Saver/Standard.

Would anyone know when June 2015 bookings become available online in order to avoid being waitlisted again? Also since the return flight would be in September, would I need to wait for September to appear as well in order to make a complete booking thus getting a better Miles deal as return flights a cheaper? Plus this June my previously extended Miles start to expire (which I did in order to make sure they would be available for this trip).

Any tips? ideas?

 

[albatross710]

What's the best way to escalate an issue within SQ?


Would anyone know when June 2015 bookings become available online in order to avoid being waitlisted again? Also since the return flight would be in September, would I need to wait for September to appear as well in order to make a complete booking thus getting a better Miles deal as return flights a cheaper? Plus this June my previously extended Miles start to expire (which I did in order to make sure they would be available for this trip).

Any tips? ideas?

The bookings for a year out open up for SQ about 250 days in advance. So for a JUL-SEP 2015 booking you will need to be waiting until September to do it all as a single return booking and get the free stopover.

What I have done previously is do the one way booking for July and then when the return dates become available convert it to a return. These days this can be done via the SQ website.

SQ don't always open up the award inventory from day 1. They seem to release/withdraw inventory during the year depending upon commercial demand.

It seems that your schedule and available dates are reasonably constrained. That limits your available travel choices and chances of saver awards. can you consider alternate destinations in europe and taking internal flights.

For you other discussion points it may help for you to check the rules about the 15% 'online' discount and the stopover allowances are covered in the program rules. The rules are your friend.

Have you also considered StarAlliance partner redemption? maybe there are seats available via an *A partner.

Alby

 

[mitwg]

Slightly off topic but please do comment on the lounge at IST when you do visit it.

I got a AUH/LHR holiday planned for later this year (F1!) flying OW but we're thinking of doing a little detour to IST on the way (never been to Turkey) and contemplating whether to fly QR or TK. If the TK J lounge is as fantastic as everyone seems to say, I'll probably end up booking this leg on TK (I'm SQ QPP).

Obviously there are lots of reviews of the lounge out there but still, there's nothing like a recent visitor commenting on the quality.

Btw, have you tried using the SQ mobile app? It sometimes works better than the website for award redemptions, especially when you are having issues getting the stupid website to work. If this works, saves the trouble of trying to work around the 15% issue with the call center.

Best of luck with the redemption.