*A awards vs SQ-only awards
Aug 8, 2017, 8:49 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: UA, QF, VS, AA, US, HH, SPG
Posts: 974
*A awards vs SQ-only awards
Since SQ revised their award chart (eliminating 15% discount for online bookings and increasing mileage required but eliminating fuel surcharges) - I am wondering if using SQ points to book *A awards is better value (less miles required).
I have the following questions:-
1. Do *A award incur fuel surcharges ?
2. Do SQ segments on a *A award have the same availability as an SQ-only award?
3. Can I book an online SQ only award then change it to a *A award by calling and adding one addition *A segment; e.g. book SYD-SIN-FRA then call and add FRA-xxx on LH (say) - I should then get a refund of 15,000 points (and pay any additional taxes).
4. I've noticed a number of post where people have reported difficulty booking *A awards as the SQ call centre does not seem to "see" available award seats on other *A airlines - is this a real issue or just a case of inexperienced staff?
I have the following questions:-
1. Do *A award incur fuel surcharges ?
2. Do SQ segments on a *A award have the same availability as an SQ-only award?
3. Can I book an online SQ only award then change it to a *A award by calling and adding one addition *A segment; e.g. book SYD-SIN-FRA then call and add FRA-xxx on LH (say) - I should then get a refund of 15,000 points (and pay any additional taxes).
4. I've noticed a number of post where people have reported difficulty booking *A awards as the SQ call centre does not seem to "see" available award seats on other *A airlines - is this a real issue or just a case of inexperienced staff?
Aug 9, 2017, 3:41 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 856
I don't have much experience booking *A awards, but here's what I've gathered from this forum
1) If the operating carrier charges fuel surcharge
2) It should
3) You'd risk incurring the change fee, or even re-ticketing (ie cancel fee).
4) No one really knows, until one need to call a few times and get the "seen" award space. I did once that agent 1 sees the space, then when I want to book, agent 2 does not see them. Calling back immediately, agent 3 does see the award space, not *A, just partner award. Reports are that different airlines get different inventories, thus what you "see" might not be available to KF members.
1) If the operating carrier charges fuel surcharge
2) It should
3) You'd risk incurring the change fee, or even re-ticketing (ie cancel fee).
4) No one really knows, until one need to call a few times and get the "seen" award space. I did once that agent 1 sees the space, then when I want to book, agent 2 does not see them. Calling back immediately, agent 3 does see the award space, not *A, just partner award. Reports are that different airlines get different inventories, thus what you "see" might not be available to KF members.
Aug 12, 2017, 2:50 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: UA, QF, VS, AA, US, HH, SPG
Posts: 974
I have the following questions:-
1. Do *A award incur fuel surcharges ?
2. Do SQ segments on a *A award have the same availability as an SQ-only award?
3. Can I book an online SQ only award then change it to a *A award by calling and adding one addition *A segment; e.g. book SYD-SIN-FRA then call and add FRA-xxx on LH (say) - I should then get a refund of 15,000 points (and pay any additional taxes).
4. I've noticed a number of post where people have reported difficulty booking *A awards as the SQ call centre does not seem to "see" available award seats on other *A airlines - is this a real issue or just a case of inexperienced staff?
1. Do *A award incur fuel surcharges ?
2. Do SQ segments on a *A award have the same availability as an SQ-only award?
3. Can I book an online SQ only award then change it to a *A award by calling and adding one addition *A segment; e.g. book SYD-SIN-FRA then call and add FRA-xxx on LH (say) - I should then get a refund of 15,000 points (and pay any additional taxes).
4. I've noticed a number of post where people have reported difficulty booking *A awards as the SQ call centre does not seem to "see" available award seats on other *A airlines - is this a real issue or just a case of inexperienced staff?
SYD-SIN-MLE on SQ (stopover) MLE-IST-STR (Stuttgart on TK) // STR (LH)-MUC-SIN-SYD (SQ) for 380,000 points and $AUD1600 in taxes (for 2 persons).
I found the following:-
1. Clearly the taxes are very high - more than I expected but alternatives (using 3 one-way awards) would have cost many more points.
2. SQ segments on a *A award had the same availability as SQ-only award
3. I could not change my previous SQ award to a *A award - needed to cancel the old one.
4. Agent was very knowledgeable about booking *A award and had no issue finding award seats.
Thought others might find this useful as there's not much information on this forum about using SQ to book *A awards.