I think all you can do is keep pushing the point that Alaska is not Star Alliance but a separate partner and they need to look accordingly. Given that the awards are not visible on SQ's website, even when you select 'Partner Airline', there may be a bit more to it than that.

I could see award space on the flight I wanted was available for OneWorld customers via British Airways. I don't know if SQ partner availability comes out of the same pot though.

As to chat timing, as I said before I had success right when they first opened which meant middle of the night where I am. Tried for several days before that later in the day Singapore time but the chat attempts just eventually timed out. Sounds like it may have got worse since.

I have to say I'm rather unimpressed with Krisflyer. Earned my miles in Feb 2020, including a substantial top-up from Amex MR rewards for use on an SQ redemption booked and cancelled by them twice during the pandemic. That has forced me to try to find other uses for them, which have proven extremely difficult to book. It doesn"t look like they will be extended, even though people who have miles earned nearly three years earlier now expire after mine. And to cap it all they've just devalued what I have left.

Once I've managed to use what I can the account, as well as my wife's, will be cancelled.