VA transfer to SQ 1.35:1 VA

[deka2]

I just transferred all but of my VA points to KF

Logged into SQ and the transfer was already there

There may be value for some in VA, but mine have just been ticking over for the last two years.

More use for me in KF

 

[bean]

Can someone confirm that to upgrade from economy to buinsess from Melbourne to Singapore on Singapore Airlines it takes 50,000 points each way? Thanks

 

[tinkybelle]

if you have expiring SQ then to me its a great deal​

 

[777]

A reminder to those who are rushing to convert their velocity points to SQ is that if you are thinking about booking redemptions on SQ metal you might want to wait and see what the consequences of the second part of the promise are:

The new conversion capability will be available to members of both programmes from November as well as an improved online booking capability for Velocity Frequent Flyers to redeem flights on Singapore Airlines and SilkAir.

By my (rough) back of the envelope maths it will be cheaper to book the SQ redemptions i've looked at directly through velocity than to convert the points and then book them on SQ. YMMV and it may be good to get in quick if you want to score something available now. Personally i'm on no hurry so I will wait and see what happens with SQ redemptions on the velocity site before moving my points across.

 

[rtyuiop]

Seems to be technical problems with linking from the KF side for me - the error message has changed a few times, makes me think they are working on it.

Edit: called Krisflyer, they couldn't fix it on the spot but have 'submitted a defect'... We'll see if they manage to fix it before a bunch of my KF points expire in June 2015!

 

[smit0847]

I've crunched some numbers on the most popular redemption routes. As you can see in every example its better to transfer your VA points to KF than to redeem them on SQ metal through VAFF.

Route​	Current Velocity points required for SQ metal redemptions (through VA)​	Velocity points required for SQ metal redemptions (through SQ), converting at 1.35:1​
MEL/SYD-SIN​	37,500 (Y)​ 80,000 (J)​ 100,000 (F)​	28,687 (Y)​ 63,112 (J)​ 86,062 (F)​
MEL/SYD-SIN-HKG​	45,000 (Y)​ 95,000 (J)​ 135,000 (F)​	28,687 (Y)​ 63,112 (J)​ 86,062 (F)​
MEL/SYD-SIN-NRT​	65,000 (Y)​ 140,000 (J)​ 197,500 (F)​	43,031(Y)​ 88,931 (J)​ 109,012 (F)​
MEL/SYD-SIN-LHR​	75,000 (Y)​ 175,000 (J)​ 250,000 (F)​	45,900 (Y)​ 97,537 (J)​ 131,962 (F)​
MEL/SYD-SIN-FRA -JFK​	75,000 (Y)​ 175,000 (J)​ 250,000 (F)​	63,112 (Y)​ 123,356 (J)​ 157,781 (F)​

Notes: All figures are for one-way flights only booked as Saver awards on SQ metal with the 15% online booking discount. Some SQ flights (assume 77W and A380 J and F) are unavailable for redemption through VA (first column)

 

[777]

I've crunched some numbers on the most popular redemption routes. As you can see in every example its better to transfer your VA points to KF than to redeem them on SQ metal through VAFF.

I need to get a new envelope!

 

[rtyuiop]

There's some slight inefficiences given transfers have to be multiples of 5000 points, but that's damn good. Especially if you compare to redemptions on Etihad - although I guess the taxes and charges will be higher.

 

[yohy?!]

this is really nice, defacto SQ earn on domestic at good rates with much enhanced international burn options (truly enhanced!)

i was pretty unimpressed with VA redemption options for international but now my VA Amex is looking quite nice

 

[moa999]

I've crunched some numbers on the most popular redemption routes. As you can see in every example its better to transfer your VA points to KF than to redeem them on SQ metal through VAFF.

Great analysis.
How do the surcharges compare. In my experience SQ is relatively high.

Am interested why so many people have immediately jumped on the transfer wagon.
Personally given the 36-mth SQ expiry window I will keep points in Velocity and only transfer when I'm looking to book.

 

[cove]

SQ expiry of points is 3 years plus the booking can be made out about a year so really you have almost 4 years.

 

[dajop]

Can someone confirm that to upgrade from economy to buinsess from Melbourne to Singapore on Singapore Airlines it takes 50,000 points each way? Thanks

It takes 45000. But you have to be on a high fare - flexi fare in E, B, Y or S class- to be able to upgrade.

 

[rtyuiop]

If anyone else runs into problems linking accounts, I think I sorted mine out with some fiddling around. Linking from the VFF end left the KF side not properly linked, and unable to be re-done from the KF side. Unlinking from the VFF side and then relinking from KF seems to have both sides sorted out, and it seems to have let me transfer some orphan KF points over (although they haven't appeared at the other end yet, hopefully I haven't spoken to soon!).

Cheers,

Danny

 

[cove]

When booking on SQ points it is best to do it once to get into the cabin of your choice. If you book on points in economy it is more likely you will have to cancel and re-book into J,F or Suites which can be inconvenient.

 

[knasty]

Great analysis.
How do the surcharges compare. In my experience SQ is relatively high.

Am interested why so many people have immediately jumped on the transfer wagon.
Personally given the 36-mth SQ expiry window I will keep points in Velocity and only transfer when I'm looking to book.

I am thinking for those with relatively easy access to low/no cost points earning the VA option may still be superior as your cash outlay is significantly less.

 

[serfty]

Great analysis.
How do the surcharges compare. In my experience SQ is relatively high....

see post #138 ... :shock:

 

[JohnK]

If you live in Australia VA points are valuable no matter how they are earned.

Valuable if you have a need to go to the USA.

Not very valuable if you want to travel SYD-BKK or even BNE-BKK.

 

[serfty]

Valuable if you have a need to go to the USA.

Not very valuable if you want to travel SYD-BKK or even BNE-BKK.

Dunno - one can get to SIN and then can go SIN-BKK very cheaply ...

 

[bean]

Dunno - one can get to SIN and then can go SIN-BKK very cheaply ...

Yes but is still goign to be on SIA if you book through VA anyway?

 

[rtyuiop]

Well, my small transfer of orphaned points came through nicely.

I have to say, points for getting this (presumably custom) integration working, but man, VA should be embarrassed that we still don't have online availability checks for SQ rewards...

Danny