Which Singapore Airline Flight to Pick?

[kcoulson]

HI, I am currently organising a surprise holiday for my Mother-in-law's birthday next year. She has never been overseas before. Anyway, I have organised a great tour and secured flights to Madrid (Qatar J class). I am now preparing to secure the flights home for 3 people. We are flying out of Barcelona.

So, I am trying to decide whether to take J-class Barcelona to Melbourne on Boeing 777-300ER on Singapore Airlines. I'll be able to get 2 Saver tickets and the 3rd will have to be a Standard ticket. The advantages: simple and easy, and no 'add on costs' (extra accommodation).

Alternatively, I can catch a cheap flight to Zurich (plus a nights accommodation in Zurich) then fly First class X 3 on the A380. Based on the current patterns, I'll be able to get 3 people to Singapore on the same flight. Then from Singapore to Melbourne, it will either be 2 first class tickets, and the 3rd person on business. Alternatively, the Singapore to Melbourne leg might mean putting my MIL and daughter together on a flight (1st class), and catching the next 1st class flight (4 hours later) by myself. I will of course waitlist the 3rd ticket, in the hope we could be together.

Anyway, there is no point asking friends and family for opinions - they don't understand. Plus, I'm the one who collects the points (and does the hard work)

I think this could be my MIL only opportunity to fly 1st class in her life.

How big a difference are the flights? Is it worth me paying for the connection to Zurich to fly Singapore Ist class? Or should convenience win?

 

[Buzzard]

Whilst I have never done SQ F I am wait listed for a few flights.
Definitely go with First Class if you can. If you see availability grab the flights without thinking or they will be gone in a flash!

 

[Denali]

Ive not flown F before but Im going to say if she has never been overseas, a quick trip to Zurich and then F would be wonderful.

SQ J is nice but I noticed on my last flight it seemed more like a service by numbers but with bigger seats. Still good and I was happy with the flight but if I wanted someone to have a one off wonderful experience, I would be doing F. And heck, she gets to say she went to Zurich.

If the flights are there and you have the points, grab them.

 

[ermen]

If points / money no object, I will go with F class tbh especially suits on the A380.

Qn: does your MIL like Krug

 

[Dr Bob]

kcoulson,it has to be a no brainer. SQ suites or even F is so special & as ermen says there is the Krug. I haven't meet a MIL yet who won't drink Krug. Then there is BTC for the experience & when you get to Singapore there is The Private Room & of course PD Rare to compare with the Krug. If you have the points then grab the tickets.

 

[Pumbaa]

Hi kcoulson

My 5c for what its worth

How easy is it for you to generate more points? I'd rather fly more business rather than first and some economy if I was points poor. Also business class for an economy traveler would definitely feel like first class!

But in saying that, first class on Singapore A380 is amazing and I've said to my wife that we will always fly first class if its avaliable. My logic is first class is becoming an endangered species as more and more airlines eliminate their first class offering. Also it's becoming increasingly more difficult to redeem first class tickets. Lucky for me I don't usually have problems generating points each year.

I could be wrong in this general hypothesis, but I believe seasoned travellers appreciate first class more than the regular economy traveler. If I was booking tickets for friends/family, I'd always book them in business. When its my wife and I, its first if its avaliable!

 

[RoMambai]

Just so it's not all one way. SQ J on the 777-300ERs are the equivalent of many cariers' first class. Your MIL is unlikely to know the difference - and even more so if she hasn't experienced the original article. The marginal benefit may be lost on her in which case you may be better off flying together as a family and enjoying the memories together. F is grand but it's a lonely gig when doing it solo and I know I'd rather be with my nearest and dearest enjoying what might be a once off opportunity.