Booking all SQ operated flights: To codeshare or not?

[CPMaverick]

I'm flying MEL-CDG and would like to go through SIN (hate AUH and the 10-wide 777).

I'm trying to understand the benefit to booking a VA codeshare (price is about the same). It appears that either SQ or VA will book into classes that earn 'Full Fare' economy SC, so as far as I can tell earnings is the same.

My situation:
Red Status with VA but trying to attain status with VA (so priority is earning SC)
Platinum Status with DL (Gold partner status on VA)
Star Alliance Gold status with Avianca Brasil (O6)

I don't think my DL status does me any good flying on SQ metal. I believe I can earn VA SC flying SQ and still get lounge access with my Avianca status (show them the card), but this may not work if it is VA ticketed.

So I think SQ ticketed helps my lounge access, and I always prefer to book with the operating carrier. Am I missing anything by not getting the VA codeshare?

Thanks

 

[aaronm]

As Velocity Red you're not missing out on any points bonus by booking through SQ. Just be careful to double check your fare code against those listed on the Velocity website (https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.com/content/Info/StatusEarnFareClass/) before booking to make sure you get the flexi points and status.

As a bonus for booking through SQ, you'll also be allowed to pick your seat ahead of time, a feature that is annoyingly unavailable on VA codeshares.

 

[eastwest101]

Yeah - agree with the above comments - if you don't like good seats or being able to choose your seat at all then go ahead and book through the VA web site onto VA codeshare.

Some people have reported that if the flights are booked through VA that its possible to phone VA and get the Singapore Airlines PNR or reservation number and then it may be possible to select seats on the SQ web site but I wouldn't rely on this. Once people have the SQ booking number they have found that they have had to call the SQ call centre to allocate a decent seat, sometimes the SQ call centre operator may say that this isn't possible as its a VA codeshare booking so other posters have recommended the HUCA (hang up and call again) approach until you get a different call centre operator whom is willing to do it.

Another trap is that if you have a domestic VA connecting flight to your SQ metal VA international codeshare quite a lot of people have found that you cant select any seats online for the VA domestic flights either - so its a bit of a dogs breakfast really.

There have been a few threads on this issue that are worth reading:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....tralia-velocity/all-i-want-sq-seat-67542.html
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-seat-selection-singapore-airlines-69753.html
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....eat-allocations-code-share-flights-59507.html

 

[CPMaverick]

Thanks all. Yes I read the threads about seat allocation, but could not find anything directly comparing flying benefits. Sounds like the only flying benefit is bonus points if you have VA status.

Things typically get messy with codeshares, and worse when the airlines aren't part of a broader alliance. Hence my preference to always book with the operating carrier (particularly since this itinerary has zero VA operated flights). Calling for SQ PNR, trying to get seats, it is a hassle. But when flights get delayed or cancelled you can have even more issues.

Very glad booking with SQ doesn't cost me any SC. Thanks again

 

[Cryptarcadian]

Are you in need of eligible sectors as well as SCs? VA flight numbers will give you eligible sectors, while SQ ones won't.

 

[CPMaverick]

Are you in need of eligible sectors as well as SCs? VA flight numbers will give you eligible sectors, while SQ ones won't.

I am not, but that is a good point to remember about codeshares. I fly domestically a fair amount so that isn't a problem for me.

 

[tea&coffee]

I'm VA Plat and always book the VA Codeshare, primarily to get the points bonus.

I fly SQ via this method frequently (as recent as last week) and never have any issues getting seat assignment and book the cook via calling SQ. I also haven't had issues being able to allocate seats for the domestic connecting sectors online.

the only issue I have had is when you have an issue with the SQ flight they are quick to say you're a VA passenger and pass you back to VA to handle the situation.

 

[davidsilver]

I am also VA WP and I've had issues selecting seats on VA codeshare in both J & Y. I just get the PNR from VA and use the SQ iphone app, there is not a huge amount of seats available for preselection & this is also the case when booking SQ directly, but can book & pay for exit row seats. I've also had issues selecting seats being *A Gold

I'm not entirely sure you can credit to VA but use your O6 card to access the SQ lounges, I didn't think airlines allowed this essential double dipping of benefits? How did you get a card? I thought they only issued them after taking 5 flights?

As a red Velocity there is no real benefit to book with VA. The codeshare will be more expensive for the same SC and points that you would earn by booking direct with SQ

 

[CPMaverick]

I'm not entirely sure you can credit to VA but use your O6 card to access the SQ lounges, I didn't think airlines allowed this essential double dipping of benefits? How did you get a card? I thought they only issued them after taking 5 flights?

It depends on the airline policy. I don't see it as double-dipping. I'm not getting double benefits, such as crediting to two accounts.

The star alliance lounge policy is below.

As a Star Alliance Gold customer, you have access to any member airline lounge that displays the Star Alliance Gold logo. You will need to present your boarding pass for a Star Alliance flight departing from the local airport. If your boarding pass does not carry the Star Alliance Gold indicator, you will need also to show your valid Star Alliance Gold card

VA lounge policy is the same, I show the my DL platinum card when I am crediting to VA (and BP shows me as a "red' member) and they have never given me a problem whatsoever.

Now will it work? We'll see

 

[davidsilver]

Hmm well there you go. Learn something new everyday.

But VA codeshare won't count as *A flight though will it?

 

[CPMaverick]

But VA codeshare won't count as *A flight though will it?

Most likely not, which is why I said in the original post that I preferred booking direct with SQ.

 

[davidsilver]

That being the case then there is no benefit of booking VA codeshare

 

[Cryptarcadian]

According to http://www.staralliance.com/en/lounge-access-policy:

Star Alliance Gold customers: Customers holding valid proof of their Star Alliance Gold level status and a boarding pass for a Star Alliance member airline operated flight in any class departing from the local airport

It says "operated" and makes no reference to the marketing carrier. In theory, VA-coded flights operated by SQ would then still qualify as "Star Alliance member airline operated" flights?

Anyone tried this in practice?

 

[davidsilver]

I just looked at my last BP and it says "Codeshare with VA", I was flying J so just has my VA number, I'm sure my previous Y flight showed Partner Priority

 

[CPMaverick]

According to http://www.staralliance.com/en/lounge-access-policy:



It says "operated" and makes no reference to the marketing carrier. In theory, VA-coded flights operated by SQ would then still qualify as "Star Alliance member airline operated" flights?

Anyone tried this in practice?

I haven't tried it in practice with Star Alliance.

However I flew a KLM coded Etihad flight, and VA said it did not allow me VA lounge access with my DL status or with VA status (if I had it). So despite them being in an alliance with Etihad, and allowing lounge access if it was an Etihad flight number, the small print with the KLM flight number kept me out.

I think it will be hit or miss, but you might get in sometimes.

 

[Cryptarcadian]

Just thought of another reason in favour of SQ rather than VA -- Changi Dollars only on a SQ ticket, but not VA, right?

 

[davidsilver]

Yes that's another reason to book SQ

 

[CPMaverick]

Just thought of another reason in favour of SQ rather than VA -- Changi Dollars only on a SQ ticket, but not VA, right?

What does this mean?

 

[maxwell]

What does this mean?

SQ give you two $20 SGD vouchers to use at Changi if you fly return with SQ or SilkAir. I have a 5 hour stopover there later this year and will be using one voucher to access the Ambassador lounge to shower as the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge doesn't have any toilets/showers.

 

[CPMaverick]

Just to follow up on my experience, I booked through SQ. Everything went as well as I could have hoped.

- I still got SQ lounge access by presenting my O6 (Avianca Brazil) Amigo number. No questions asked, it seems they can type in the number and see my status level. I didn't need to credit to O6 to get lounge access
- I was also able to use my O6 status for priority check-in and boarding, although I didn't always do this because it is a bit of a hassle and I was worried they would put my O6 number on the reservation at check-in
- I was able to get Changi dollars in SIN
- The Velocity points posted 10 days after travel

Thanks for all your advice