Originally Posted by
truncated
That's wrong — SQ is infamous for blocking a ton of seats* until about T-72 when the seat maps open up — see the very many threads on here and SQtalk for more info. OP already said EF shows the seats as blocked (and not occupied) and EF is usually right with this. Just keep checking close in (T-96, 72, 48 etc) and you'll probably be able to get an aisle.
*To answer OP's question there are a few rows reserved for selection for PPS members and a few for *G but they've probably all been taken, the rest of the blocked seats will open up a few days before departure.
Also not true — got a booking in Y and have my OZ *G number on it and I'm allowed to pick seats reasonably close to the front of the plane that are showing as blocked on EF (and thus unavailable for selection for GMs and probably reserved for *G and above). So I think SQ doesn't really discriminate between their own *Gs and other alliance members' (and treats them equally badly lol).
And again regarding priority boarding — that's not true, *G does get priority boarding on SQ (although how well it's executed can vary — there are some reports of *G boarding with J and at other stations *G boards first in the Y lane, and other threads even mention a separate line for KF G and *G). And even UA boards *G in Group 2 with the CC holders flying Y and not with the premium cabin pax in Group 1.
I have not used EF before so wasn't aware that blocked and occupied are identified differently. Nevertheless my experience on SQ2 as a *G is that there is rarely much difference in seat choice even as one gets close to the departure date. I have had to travel in a middle seat more times that I like as a lot of my travel is booked less than a week before, and quite often on a Friday evening.
On my last two SQ2 flights, one of which was last Friday, *G were in the same lane as Y passengers so I certainly didn't experience any preferential treatment. My boarding pass was labelled Group 3 but there were no calls by group. And even if there were I very much doubt it would be respected or enforced.
I'll be on it again later this week and will take note to see if this is 3 in a row.