GTR_Skyline - 04/10/2008 16:25 GMT
I have to say that the Executive Club FF programme from BA is still the best in the world...as also reflected in the recent awards...
It is unfortuante that Singapore Airlines can't do more to reach the same levels as BA with their mileage redemption programme. I've been trying relentlessly to redeem my Virgin Flying Club miles on a SIA flight LHR to SIN (120k miles) but at each attempt, I have failed miserably.....as pointed out in other posts on this forum, SIA will not allow mileage redemption on the A380, which means there is only 1 747 flight per day....when I try and book a First Class ticket (160k miles), I am told I can only book 1 of these tickets and not 2......this seems ridiculous...consistently no availability in Business Class.
I'd be grateful for any tips in redeeming miles on SIA....I guess my attempt at trying to redeem Virgin Miles against an SIA ticket doesn't help and probably pushes me further behind the "pecking order".
Thanks in advance.
PS - it wasn't any better with Malaysia Airlines either, although I was able to find some return flights which was more than SIA.
yahoo1000 - 04/10/2008 19:17 GMT
best thing to do is to fly from amsterdam or manchester or cophenhagen to singapore. they still use the 777 200er on these routes, so its not the new seats but the spacebeds, same as on the 747. the ams-sin is daily so best one to try. thats what i am doing in feb. you can check availability for these flights on the net, esier than phoning virgin. join the ana frequent flyer scheme. then log in and check availability on star alliance airlines. very easy. unless you want me to check for you? you can get cheap flights from lhr to ams and then use your points the rest of the way.
GTR_Skyline - 05/10/2008 14:33 GMT
Thanks for this great tip...I hadn't even thought of this..I will also take your advice RE: registering with ANA - thanks again for your offer of help too...I'll see how I get on and may drop you a note if not successful.
Best Regards..
Interesting and very helpful tip! I'm looking to use BMI miles on flights with Thai In Royal Orchid Business Class.....I presume I could use the same method of enrolling in ANA and then using them to check availability before calling BMI to book the tickets?
Boddingtons - 08/10/2008 00:58 GMT
Singapore Airlines will rarely, if ever, release two First Class seats for redemption at any one time. In terms of Business Class award seats, there is often only two seats available at any one time.
The key to success is booking one seat at a time. Whilst it is a chance that you take, once one seat has been confirmed, another award seat will often be released automatically. This is of course subject to availability.
Using this approach, I have in the past been able to secure three First seats on the London to Singapore route within an hour of making the first redemption, and no less than five First seats on a regional Bangkok to Singapore sector.
GTR_Skyline - 08/10/2008 18:47 GMT
Thanks - great tip
AussieM - 12/10/2008 11:40 GMT
Dont bother trying with BMI then!
They state "no seats available", on flights with SQ, Thai, South Affrican, Air Canada, when i know n others have checked on their other Star Accounts, that seats are free. Some flights actually months ahead with NO bsuiness seats taken as paid seats either!
I can get NO seats out of the UK, or into out of Australia with any world airline on flexible dates over 3 months with BMI, even months ahead. Not even 10 months ahead.
It's clearly a policy to withold seats & therefore not have to pay the other carriers. they must come in worst,- no one line reservations possible, & a hopeless Indian call centre, where i know & see more information on my PC at home than they do or are aware of.
Its dire!
KReynolds - 14/10/2008 10:49 GMT
I have just returned from Dublin Manila with Sia via Heathrow in J class on the A380 and had hoped to redeem VS points for such a long trip - Why do they not for the A380??? Thts crazy considering I paid a lot more to travel on the A380 in the first place. What a rip off.
