Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer - are many SQ routes mispriced (too low)?

I would never have been in a position to say this a few years ago, but now that I do a fair bit of business travel and have become somewhat price insensitive:

I find that even a week out, many routes I search on SQ are already sold out in coach. This happens on a regular basis. I would often be willing to pay more than what the flights go for normally (on days that they are available).

Are SQ pricing their routes too low, such that they sell out so quickly? My examples of this are SFO-HKG-SIN, MEL-SIN, and a few others. I would have thought they would price high enough to have a few seats left generally...

(Also, I wonder if SQ doesn't use fare buckets in the same way that other airlines do -- given how a certain price seems to apply to all flights on a day in the selection screen, if you know what I'm referring to).

Interesting comment. First post ever complaining about fares being too low.:p Have you tried waitling? :confused: Waitlist often clears if you have status.

How does one waitlist?

I would be open to this, but equally, if it's something that is a frequently successful option, you would think they'd want to communicate that and show it as a normal option on the website...

SIN uses SQ as a marketing tool sometimes for their tourism, as quite a few pax from overseas are likely to stay in SIN for a few days before continuing on their journey.

Also, the shortfall is made up for the mispriced (too high) fares from SIN, which most people there would happily pay for blindly.

FYI SIN is the airport, Singapore is the city. I don't imagine there's a huge amount of tourism to SIN.

FYI SIN is the airport, Singapore is the city. I don't imagine there's a huge amount of tourism to SIN.
Airport codes and full city names are basically interchangeable on this forum.

Airport codes and full city names are basically interchangeable on this forum.

:rolleyes: humour bypass?

FYI SIN is the airport, Singapore is the city. I don't imagine there's a huge amount of tourism to SIN.

I don't know, it's a pretty snazzy airport...

I don't know, it's a pretty snazzy airport...

I know of people deliberately flying via the airport to take advantage of some shopping offers too.

How does one waitlist?.....

You should be able to waitlist by phone or via travel agent.@:-) I don't know if the new website allows waitlisting.

Thanks for the info.

I also think, however, it would be a more rational approach for SQ to price according to demand than to rely on people waitlisting...

:rolleyes: humour bypass?
It would've helped if you added the ":D" in your previous post. You don't know how many people ask these questions here...

Thanks for the info.

I also think, however, it would be a more rational approach for SQ to price according to demand than to rely on people waitlisting...

Waitlisting gives preference to status flyers.

They prefer leaving revenue on the table and rather give lower priced seats to elite fliers? That would seem to go against my whole perception of their operating model as "you pay for the seat you want".

SQ is reknowned for their service and comfort inboard and people would want to fly with them no matter what the fares are. Most people still book thru their travel agents and are able to wait list for flights. SQ also offers great fares using SIN as a transit point. Hence their fares are better for ex-EU to Asia or Australia and v.v. than say Qantas or BA. But I know many people will specifically ask to go with SQ in economy on fares that do not earn miles, just so they know that they will have a consistently good product.

And yes, SQ has many fare brackets for economy class. Many don't earn miles.

SQ is reknowned for their service and comfort inboard and people would want to fly with them no matter what the fares are. .

And or pax originating SIN, this can be the case too, especially in the corporate market on flexible E fares (or business class). For those routes where QF, TG, CX and EK compete these carriers are seen as formidable competitors (but SQ often have the edge, particularly amongst the locals). However for routes to India/China and places like MNL, CGK, SGN etc, SQ is probably (wrongly or rightly) preferred to the mainland Chinese carriers, Air India, Garuda, PAL, Vietnam Airlines etc. Gotta ask - if you're employer is paying and isn't too strict (or you can get aroudn BFOD by picking appropriately timed flights) - who will you chose a China Eastern narrow body, or SQ 777?

Hence their fares are better for ex-EU to Asia or Australia and v.v. than say Qantas or BA.

Strangely this never happens to me. When I booked Ex-FRA, Ex-AMS in the past SQ was usually closer to the Top-End with their fare.


And or pax originating SIN, this can be the case too, especially in the corporate market on flexible E fares (or business class). For those routes where QF, TG, CX and EK compete these carriers are seen as formidable competitors (but SQ often have the edge, particularly amongst the locals). However for routes to India/China and places like MNL, CGK, SGN etc, SQ is probably (wrongly or rightly) preferred to the mainland Chinese carriers, Air India, Garuda, PAL, Vietnam Airlines etc. Gotta ask - if you're employer is paying and isn't too strict (or you can get aroudn BFOD by picking appropriately timed flights) - who will you chose a China Eastern narrow body, or SQ 777?

Flexibility is for my employer the main-issue why they book SQ. We have quite a lot of changes, sometimes last minute and our experience with SQ is that this things work generally quite well and mostly without any charges. Availabilty becomes sometimes an issue.

Strangely this never happens to me. When I booked Ex-FRA, Ex-AMS in the past SQ was usually closer to the Top-End with their fare.

I also am of the same view for flights ex-Europe to Asia. Compared to other European airlines (e.g. AF, LH, TK, KL), SQ has always more expensive, particularly the premium fares.

I also am of the same view for flights ex-Europe to Asia. Compared to other European airlines (e.g. AF, LH, TK, KL), SQ has always more expensive, particularly the premium fares.

I refer to EU to Australia/NZ and v.v. SQ is also usually as expensive as the home carrier when flying direct from say AMS, CDG, FRA to SIN only, vs to HKG, BKK, TPE , CGK..

I also refer to (mainly) coach/economy class fares...

I found SQ to be the most expensive ex SIN to more popular destinations with many competitors on this route. (SIN-HKG)

On duopoly routes like SIN-PVG, you know the answer. :)

I found SQ to be the most expensive ex SIN to more popular destinations with many competitors on this route. (SIN-HKG)

On duopoly routes like SIN-PVG, you know the answer. :)

ex-SIN will be most expensive for SQ. And other airlines' competing through their hubs will offer less eg CX, MH, TG...

Similar situation happens when flying ex-KUL with MH - who costs more than SQ? And ex-HKG with CX...who is most expensive.

On duopoly routes like SIN-PVG, you know the answer. :)

An ex-SIN does anyone seriously expect SQ operating 777's to undercut MU and their 763's. I am sure many would pay a premium to fly on SQ. We're not talking SQ vs CX here. And then there's the home carrier advantage on top of this.

There are frequently good (ie. relatively cheap) fares on the BCN - GRU flights. You could get something cheaper if you don't mind a 20 hour flight via ZRH or use Coconut Airways. But if you want a direct flight from Spain (11 hours) and a decent airline, then SQ has the best price! (Usually).

I always wondered this too when I was SIN based. I'd say >80% of my SQ itineraries were waitlisted initially - often for 3-4 months if I had the luxury of booking so far in advance, often only clearing day of departure. Sometimes not at all.

I was flying S/E/Y/B corporate fares, but availability was always a challenge. It did indicate either demand was consistently extremely high, or that SQ was potentially leaving revenue on the table - or they preferred to make SIN-xxx sectors more available to long haul passengers.

I always wondered this too when I was SIN based. I'd say >80% of my SQ itineraries were waitlisted initially - often for 3-4 months if I had the luxury of booking so far in advance, often only clearing day of departure. Sometimes not at all.

I was flying S/E/Y/B corporate fares, but availability was always a challenge. It did indicate either demand was consistently extremely high, or that SQ was potentially leaving revenue on the table - or they preferred to make SIN-xxx sectors more available to long haul passengers.

That's why CX in many ways is better than SQ...

Cos if you're CX Gold , you will get instant confirmation - even on some of the cheapie seats.. up to 72 hours prior departure. Great benefit during holiday seasons..

I would never have been in a position to say this a few years ago, but now that I do a fair bit of business travel and have become somewhat price insensitive:

I find that even a week out, many routes I search on SQ are already sold out in coach. This happens on a regular basis. I would often be willing to pay more than what the flights go for normally (on days that they are available).

Are SQ pricing their routes too low, such that they sell out so quickly? My examples of this are SFO-HKG-SIN, MEL-SIN, and a few others. I would have thought they would price high enough to have a few seats left generally...

(Also, I wonder if SQ doesn't use fare buckets in the same way that other airlines do -- given how a certain price seems to apply to all flights on a day in the selection screen, if you know what I'm referring to).

I think the air transport agreement is too inflexible to allow airlines to add capacity to match demand.

I notice that fares from HKG to Europe and SFO are mispriced! Too low to be precised. And it's on W class! W class is always open with 100% miles to Krisflyer and almost every STAR account.
So I flew to HKG from Phuket with TG, stay a few days then flew HKG-SIN-EUR-SIN-HKG with SQ, 3 times in 12 months, then I've got my Star gold card ;)

I would also add that some EU flights to Australia seem underpriced. I just flew ATH-SIN-SYD rt in C on SQ (including A380 SIN-SYD rt) for around EUR 2400 all in, which is less than some high level Y fares (and most Y+ fares) to SYD. Given that the ATH-SIN legs were on a Spacebed (not the latest equipment), it still seems like a bargain. IST-SIN-SYD is only a few hundred EUR more I think.

I combined with a cheapie TLV-ATH return in Y, and it worked out similar in cost to a TLV-SYD rt in economy!

And the ATH airport experience was surprisingly pleasant, would rate it better than most EU hubs.

I refer to EU to Australia/NZ and v.v. SQ is also usually as expensive as the home carrier when flying direct from say AMS, CDG, FRA to SIN only, vs to HKG, BKK, TPE , CGK..

I also refer to (mainly) coach/economy class fares...

it depends, from time to time i hear there are good deals ex-HKG to Europe and Australia

Actually its not underpriced.....its the fact that airlines operate in competition from one another and typically routing/timing is one big consideration for passengers.......... For many (who only think straight lines) the least number of connections and direct flights is their preferred choice, so to entice people connecting, they lower their fares.

For premium cabins, the product type might be a consideration too

Its all about the market and market share.