Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer - what's the best use of SQ miles?

I'm starting this new thread as an appendix (of sorts) to the following thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/singapore-airlines-krisflyer/1364713-dreadful-cs.html

I'm feeling that there has to be a better way for my friend to part with his miles than spending 250k +$900 to do SFO-PEK-SFO; he has a nice stock of other currencies that he can use for his transpac needs.

He is planning on moving to Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, or Shenzhen soon. Are SQ miles useful for intra-Asia trips or hotels? In spite of the fact that he prefers to fly in C or F, he can deal with Y on shortish flights.

I promise to spend more time studying their website and the sticky in this forum, but I'm just curious about how you guys use your miles.

Many Thanks.

E

IMHO - SQ / KF miles have real currency when used for two and two only purposes - F and J Saver redemptions - if there is better usage - I would love to hear about it.

....In spite of the fact that he prefers to fly in C or F, he can deal with Y on shortish flights....

Use SQ miles to upgrade longhaul flights. You can waitlist for saver upgrades which usually clear close to departure.

Or using KF miles to redeem on other airlines instead of SQ ..

http://www.singaporeair.com/pdf/ppsclub_krisflyer/charts/StarAlliance_RoundTrip_Mar12.pdf

So USA-China return on 'other airlines' as per chart above would be 175K for Business class return vs SQ's 205K !

Either F/C saver award redemption or saver upgrade to F/C, preferably on long haul.
Rather than a mere return itinerary, 2 one ways (or open jaw) would be better in terms of
value of mileage being spent for the redemption.

I have about 2MM KM from Amex spend. Quick questions.

Can you do a longhaul upgrade from Y to F?

How easy is it book F/J Saver Award on longhaul?

Seems to me like award tickets are not that much more than upgrades. Is this right?

Is it equally easy to book saver upgrades and saver awards?

Thanks in advance.

I think no to upgrade from Y to F

I think not too difficult with J saver on long haul.

Yes not a huge difference in miles required for upgrade vs full award.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think upgrade and saver award comes in the same bucket?

I have about 2MM KM from Amex spend. Quick questions.

Can you do a longhaul upgrade from Y to F?

How easy is it book F/J Saver Award on longhaul?

Seems to me like award tickets are not that much more than upgrades. Is this right?

Is it equally easy to book saver upgrades and saver awards?

Thanks in advance.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think upgrade and saver award comes in the same bucket?

I always thought they were - until last May,
I saw 2 saver seats JFK-FRA online, so proceeded booking an E-class ticket, and then proceeded to try to upgrade online only to discover there was only 1 saver seat. A call to the call centre doesn't help.

Could it be a case of coincidence that another person grabbed the other seat just at about the same time? Or cold it be the inventory is different,

Hmm I wonder if an SQ rep can confirm for us :)