GwailoSIN

I have a relatively last minute redemption need in J from SIN to HKG (must be J or F as I am recovering from a surgery so Y is out).

SQ J bizarrely is wide open every Friday except the one I need to fly (Feb 19). Tomorrow (Feb 5) was super open last night = 2 days before departure (multiple saver seats on nearly every flight) but has dried up now (= 1 day before departure).

Does SQ usually open up J 2 days before departure on this route? If yes, I could book a standard award to be on the safe side and then cancel/ switch to a saver award.
Looking to fly out of SIN any time after 1300 (can’t be earlier).

Alternatively CX 712 is available but that’s via BKK so much longer and not so convenient (no direct CX flights available).

Awesom Andy

SQ does open up reward seats on this route a few days before departure, but it would obviously depends on loads and yields as well. It can be a bit of a hit and miss but it has worked well for me so far, having done 3 last minute J redemptions on this route last year.

Tokyoite

chinese new year....dont have your hopes too high

GwailoSIN

Chinese New Year ends Feb 12 so Feb 19 should have no issues I thought?

Awesom Andy

Just had a look now, for flights after 1400 hours, only SQ863 has standard awards. For the other flights, since it's showing as unavailable, it's unlikely it will open up.

However, with SQ863 operated by the A380, rather than securing the standard J award, I would secure the saver suite award for less points.

FlyerEC

Huh ?
CNY is 15 days !!

GwailoSIN

Thanks but I am looking in the other direction (SIN-HKG, not HKG-SIN).

GwailoSIN

You are correct of course, I meant public holidays are over even in China (Singapore and HK even earlier on Feb 9/10). So while technically CNY is still going on in the week of Feb 15, travel-wise this should have no impact I thought?

I don't know anyone who is taking the week of Feb 15 off (I know many people in both SIN and HKG). Is this common?

warakorn

CNY usually stretches over a period of 3 weeks.
It is the Golden Rule to avoid travelling through Asia during this period of time.

FlyerEC

Yes , I know many who are travelling , including my family 13 -20 February . Also others to ski , even to Europe or CA , Whistler , etc .
Some travelling within Asia & Australia / NZ .

I didn't have a problem SIN - HKG , but HKG SIN was ok but only one seat left for me on SQ1 . Even commercial sold out just about till March

fimo

Official public holidays may be limited to 8-9 Feb, but HKG and TWN also schedules school winter break during the same period so even if the average working joe is back to work by 10-11th, many families take advantage of winter break for holiday travel.

hclee01

There is Singapore Air Show during the week of 16-21 Feb 2016. Not too sure if this adds to the demand for air tickets, for those who leaves after the first 3 days of the show:

https://www.singaporeairshow.com/

GwailoSIN

Thanks everyone. I didn't think about school holidays. We don't have children so blissfully unaware of such things

tango3

Seems that a waitilist for SQ866 is available for J saver, otherwise SQ860 suites is available at the F saver rate.