Timeframe for points return
 

Hello --

I have a SQ F booking from MEL-SIN-HKG-SFO. I want to waitlist several MEL-SIN-FRA-JFK F routings, but I can't do that without the necessary points in my account, from what I can tell. So my plan is:

1) Cancel my MEL-SFO booking.
2) Waitlist several flights.
3) Rebook MEL-SFO.

I just called in to process the cancellation, though, and was told that it may take three weeks for the points to return to my account. That seems crazy, so I wanted to ask SQ regulars: is this true given that I have no SQ status?

In my prior experience, online cancellation is usually instant, whereas cancelling over the phone will take some time however this is usually a few days, not three weeks.

I am assuming you are aware

1) There is a cancellation fee (fairly nominal) that can be paid either in cash or miles.

2) There is no guarantee of availability in re-booking your F redemption.?

You can tell the staff that you need the miles to waitlist another booking, so you need an immediate deposit back to your account.

I had them expedite mine (however it was being applied to another ticket) which they said would take 24 hours, however 5 days later, my new ticket has not been issued yet.