Will SQ let me take an earlier flight?
Feb 4, 2017, 7:28 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,904
Will SQ let me take an earlier flight?
Hello -
I have an "I" class business award issued on UA 016 ticket stock DPS-SIN.
The flight departs at 9:45pm.
There is no "I" available on the earlier 8:05pm.
If I am at the airport in DPS and there are unsold seats in business (any fare bucket such as J), will the SQ staff at DPS let me go on the earlier flight?
Thanks.
I have an "I" class business award issued on UA 016 ticket stock DPS-SIN.
The flight departs at 9:45pm.
There is no "I" available on the earlier 8:05pm.
If I am at the airport in DPS and there are unsold seats in business (any fare bucket such as J), will the SQ staff at DPS let me go on the earlier flight?
Thanks.
Feb 4, 2017, 11:25 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: SQ KrisFlyer Elite Gold
Posts: 362
Occasionally, at outstations, some people have reported SQ letting passengers take earlier flights when they show up to the airport early enough.
SQ doesn't appear to have formal policies on this, which makes it up to the discretion of the SQ staff handling check-in.
SQ doesn't appear to have formal policies on this, which makes it up to the discretion of the SQ staff handling check-in.
Feb 4, 2017, 12:57 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,846
Highly unlikely. SQ has no "standby policy" that the OP may be used to from the US (hence the Q about taking earlier flight).
But give it a try, but don't expect anything - it can not be excluded that you will be positively surprised, but if you expect to be allowed to get on the earlier flight, you are very likely to get disappointed.
But give it a try, but don't expect anything - it can not be excluded that you will be positively surprised, but if you expect to be allowed to get on the earlier flight, you are very likely to get disappointed.
Feb 4, 2017, 7:28 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Singapore
Programs: QF LTG, SQ EGTP, Bonvoy LTG
Posts: 4,847
It could be a possibility. SQ definitely allow it at some short haul stations. i've flown on earlier flights at BKK, CGK and MNL. Once at MNL they even did at gate because checkin was closed (hand luggage only), and at BKK on one occasion it was suggested to me not to bother waiting around to see if I could get on as there were 12 people ahead of me on standby for that flight. These were all E booking class in economy.
Not sure what the situation is at Bali or for I class, but worth trying.
Not sure what the situation is at Bali or for I class, but worth trying.
Feb 5, 2017, 2:58 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Enroute to ? & likely flying in ' A ':)
Programs: TPPS, UA, EK ...; Marriott BONVOY , HH, GP, GC..
Posts: 4,217
They have if seats are available . Also last minute no shows ( even after online check in ! ) which happens more frequently in some destinations .
But may have to pay difference in fare depending on ticket type .
But may have to pay difference in fare depending on ticket type .
Feb 5, 2017, 3:28 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Programs: KrisFlyer Elite Gold
Posts: 113
I got to the airport much earlier than I planned, noticed an earlier flight about to go, so I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask. Check-in woman had to go and consult first, but it was OKed.
Feb 5, 2017, 6:02 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,846
The issue is here that the OP is on a UA award; carriers hesitate/refuse to touch award tickets, in particular when on other ticket stock than their own. Most likely the OP will be referred to contact UA for rebooking if he/she want's to get on the earlier flight.
Had this been a revenue ticket (on SQ ticket stock) the prospects were far better.
Had this been a revenue ticket (on SQ ticket stock) the prospects were far better.
Feb 5, 2017, 4:15 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,904
I asked at the check in desk. The agent smiled, made a quick phone call, and put me on the earlier flight.
They told me they couldn't guarantee a meal and asked me to sign a waiver but onboard it was no problem.
Guess I got lucky especially as previous poster indicated it was a 016 UA issued ticket and there were J but no I seats open.
I won't count on this happening again. I was glad it did though. The relatively new DPS lounge is already is already pretty beat up.
They told me they couldn't guarantee a meal and asked me to sign a waiver but onboard it was no problem.
Guess I got lucky especially as previous poster indicated it was a 016 UA issued ticket and there were J but no I seats open.
I won't count on this happening again. I was glad it did though. The relatively new DPS lounge is already is already pretty beat up.
Feb 5, 2017, 5:29 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Singapore
Programs: QF LTG, SQ EGTP, Bonvoy LTG
Posts: 4,847
Once the airport has control of the flight, and you are at the airport, anything is possible, there is no need to go back to original reserving agent to move you, it all depends on airline policies. It is worth noting from other discussions I've read over the years, this sort of thing seems more problematic and more difficult to do at SIN, than at outstations.
Feb 6, 2017, 4:57 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,846
Thanks for the feedback. Wow, I'm surprised that you got on the earlier flight. Sorry for being pessimistic in earlier posts, but I was pretty confident that your request would be denied in line with SQ policy.
Feb 6, 2017, 5:51 am
#14
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SIN (LEJ once a year)
Programs: SQ, LH, BA, IHG Diamond AMB, HH Gold, SLH Indulged, Accor Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,739
Glad it worked, certainly not a given. The DPS lounge was beat up a few weeks after the airport opened, now it is just gross and we don't even use if even id entitled. Roaches scurrying around (near the massage room), super stained seats and some questionable food items - no thanks.
Feb 6, 2017, 11:32 am
#15
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Titanium, Bonvoy Lifetime Gold
Posts: 220
Out of curiosity, does anyone know whether SQ would allow a passenger travelling in Suites SIN-SYD to board an earlier flight in the same cabin if there happened to be availability? This hypothetically would offer a chance (however remote) of switching off of the redeye flight SQ231 to something a little bit earlier. Thanks in advance!