Washington, DC - SIN using UR - Tips?
Jul 10, 2019 | 2:12 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: STL
Posts: 91
Washington, DC - SIN using UR - Tips?
Hello all,
I have about 410,000 UR points that I have been accumulating for the past few years. I hold a CSR.
I am looking to fly myself and a companion to Singapore from Washington, DC (DCA/IAD/BWI) early next year (Feb/March). I was hoping to use my points to fly First or Business.
I've been looking at the award availability of the transfer partners (BA, UA, SQ) and it seems I won't be able to use points to afford two business or first class tickets.
Can anyone offer any tips or advice? Is 2 premium cabin tickets to SIN for ~400,000 UR points out of the realm of possibility? Am I better off buying full fare economy and trying to use points to upgrade?
Thanks in advance for any tips of help you can provide.
I have about 410,000 UR points that I have been accumulating for the past few years. I hold a CSR.
I am looking to fly myself and a companion to Singapore from Washington, DC (DCA/IAD/BWI) early next year (Feb/March). I was hoping to use my points to fly First or Business.
I've been looking at the award availability of the transfer partners (BA, UA, SQ) and it seems I won't be able to use points to afford two business or first class tickets.
Can anyone offer any tips or advice? Is 2 premium cabin tickets to SIN for ~400,000 UR points out of the realm of possibility? Am I better off buying full fare economy and trying to use points to upgrade?
Thanks in advance for any tips of help you can provide.
Jul 10, 2019 | 3:22 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Lifetime Platinum,Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,239
You have enough points.....finding availability at saver fare rates will be the challenge. (UA has IAD-SIN r/t saver business fares starting at 180K miles.)
If you can't find business saver award availability to SIN directly from IAD, you might consider checking for availability to nearby Asian capitals like BKK, SGN, or HKG. It's relatively inexpensive to fly intra-Asia on some pretty decent low cost carriers like AirAsia or Bangkok Airways. Just get yourself nearby and then hop on a cheap two or three hour flight to SIN.
Another way to approach it would be to check for business saver award availability from LAX or SFO; if you find it, you book that and then just work out the transportation from DC to the West Coast separately. (You could check ORD also but I wouldn't want to use that option in February.)
Feb/Mar is considered high season in SE Asia so finding the exact match may be a challenge. Good luck.
If you can't find business saver award availability to SIN directly from IAD, you might consider checking for availability to nearby Asian capitals like BKK, SGN, or HKG. It's relatively inexpensive to fly intra-Asia on some pretty decent low cost carriers like AirAsia or Bangkok Airways. Just get yourself nearby and then hop on a cheap two or three hour flight to SIN.
Another way to approach it would be to check for business saver award availability from LAX or SFO; if you find it, you book that and then just work out the transportation from DC to the West Coast separately. (You could check ORD also but I wouldn't want to use that option in February.)
Feb/Mar is considered high season in SE Asia so finding the exact match may be a challenge. Good luck.
Jul 10, 2019 | 3:39 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,807
No. Many airlines block off upgrade inventory as they anticipate the premium cabin will be full. Unless you are certain that your upgrade can be clear instantly. Buying full-fare with the uncertainty of upgrade clearing is a waste of money.
Jul 13, 2019 | 7:30 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: NYC
Programs: DL Platinum, UA Platinum, AA Plat Pro, Bonvoy Titanium & Lifetime Platinum, Amtrak Select
Posts: 982
I was able to get saver fares flying from DC to Singapore via United. Used 110k United miles for Air China F routing IAD-PEK-SIN and one routing using 80k United miles for ANA J routing SIN-NRT-IAD.
If it's in the cards, you can always fly to Tokyo (7 hours from Singapore) and try to fly back from there, where you may have some more luck.
Another option is trying options from NYC, including the direct from EWR
I've found availability fluctuates often on this route, but it's very doable with your mileage balance.
If it's in the cards, you can always fly to Tokyo (7 hours from Singapore) and try to fly back from there, where you may have some more luck.
Another option is trying options from NYC, including the direct from EWR
I've found availability fluctuates often on this route, but it's very doable with your mileage balance.