Wait for VA or book SQ

[sf25c]

Hi all,

I'm looking to book J BNE(or SYD) to either LAX or SFO March/April next year. Have just over 500,000 velocity points, no status.

SQ looks like it has availability BNE to SFO, but more points than virgin. Virgin hasn't opened that time frame yet, but checking other times there seems to be zero availability in business or premium.

So, advice on whether I just book SQ now or wait for VA would be much appreciated.

Cheers

Thomas

 

[Moopere]

How many more points are SQ? Given the two programs interchange of points 'tax', ie; 1.35:1, I tend to view SQ points as higher value ... mostly because I warehouse in VFF, so 50,000KF would cost me 67,500VFF. This system is a bit screwy I know, but its an easy/quick way for me to evaluate things.

The way I use my rule of thumb is that if the VA flight cost was >67,500 + an allowance for SQ's surcharge then I'll go SQ ... otherwise, if its essentially 'cheaper' in points and money equivalent to go VA then I'll do that.

You're still a fair way out, perhaps over a year - I imagine you could afford to wait for a few week to see if any seats open up ... I don't do this route ... are the rewards seats generally fully booked 12 months out (or whenever they are released)?

 

[dajop]

The way I use my rule of thumb is that if the VA flight cost was >67,500 + an allowance for SQ's surcharge then I'll go SQ ... otherwise, if its essentially 'cheaper' in points and money equivalent to go VA then I'll do that.

Other than a few extra taxes caused by convoluted or longer routings, you don't need to make allowance for SQ surcharges any more. It's pretty clear cut now to do the comparison.

 

[sf25c]

Other than a few extra taxes caused by convoluted or longer routings, you don't need to make allowance for SQ surcharges any more. It's pretty clear cut now to do the comparison.

Yes, VA is cheaper, but availability seems suspect, whereas SQ seems to have more seats available. So its a gamble of waiting for VA or just booking the SQ.

 

[Moopere]

Other than a few extra taxes caused by convoluted or longer routings, you don't need to make allowance for SQ surcharges any more. It's pretty clear cut now to do the comparison.

Is that right? Perhaps I don't understand what you mean?

I was doing some research for June on SQ rewards J and PER-HKG and PER-PEK and there is still a money component, granted its pretty small, I think about $160 odd for PER-HKG return, but its still there.

 

[sf25c]

Is that right? Perhaps I don't understand what you mean?

I was doing some research for June on SQ rewards J and PER-HKG and PER-PEK and there is still a money component, granted its pretty small, I think about $160 odd for PER-HKG return, but its still there.

Yes,still there,bne to sfo is $652 for 2 people return, thats a lot less than it used to be, but countered with needing a lot more points...

 

[dajop]

Is that right? Perhaps I don't understand what you mean?

I was doing some research for June on SQ rewards J and PER-HKG and PER-PEK and there is still a money component, granted its pretty small, I think about $160 odd for PER-HKG return, but its still there.

The $160 is all airport and government surcharges now IIRC. The Australian component of that should be about $80-90 outbound and I think another $10 or so inbound. I guess VA have their cash free awards.