LAX -> SIN next week. Worth bidding for Business class upgrade during COVID?
 

Flying LAX to SIN next week (Sept 2020, for business). This is my first time flying SQ (usually fly United) and we're flying on an A350-900. I am in economy and was wondering, is it worth bidding for Business at this time? If so, how much should I bid? I can bid anywhere from $1190 - $2895. Plane looks pretty empty. Or should I just bid for Premium Economy ($205 - $480) instead?

I would love to experience SQ at its fullest since I have heard good things about it but I flew KLM business (LAX -> AMS) a month ago and the experience was very disappointing; only bottled water, one cold meal (a sandwich) and one ...... hot meal. Is SQ is any better?

Based on the current load, just lie down 4 across on the middle seats. It's not worth coughing up $ for the upgrade.

Indeed. There was once I saw someone bring a (rolled up) sleeping bag - specifically for this purpose! Clever.

Yes. Except it will be only 3 seats across the middle, but same principle applies. Or it could be 3 seats at the side with the pillow on the fuselage.

It is debatable about paying for upgrade to business, it may or may not be worthwhile (bed is flat and should there be turbulence seat belt is designed to be used in sleeping mode - whereas lying across 3 seats can be a bit lumpy and awkward when there is turbulence) .

But I would not pay for upgrade to premium economy when planes are very empty. The arm rests are fixed (except between the middle 2 seats) so no spreading out by lifting arm rests up.

Hence, the sleeping bag solution! Better padding for the lumpiness... LOL

For empty plane, I'd rather be in economy than premium economy. Premium economy, only the middle two seats can combine, the rest of the arm-rests are not movable.
For econ 3 seat lie flat vs business class. Depends on how tall are you, and how much are you willing to spend for the extra room. I'm 6 feet tall (1.8m), 4 econ seats is just enough for me to lie flat, for 3 seats, I'll have to curl up my legs. I'm comfortable in the SQ A350 business seat.

True! The flight will most likely be extremely empty

Did you end up bidding for the upgrade? I'm curious how this turned out.

It'll be interesting. I have a LAX -> SIN in Y (intend to camp a row of seats) in June and managed to get SIN -> HKG -> SFO in J on the way back. Wonder which I'll get better sleep in!

Interesting.

For some reason, I always thought this was similar to using points upgrade, where you would have option to only bid for the next class up - in this case it would have been Economy > Premium rather than the option to but for J too.

Admittedly, I have not been paying close attention but surprised to see all 3 SFO flights (SQ 32, 34 and 2) scheduled on some days starting in July!

We'll be on one of those flights in early July. Flying all the way back to the USA to get an approved PCR test to fly to Hawaii... sigh.

because SQ have not finalized its schedule for July. Only schedule till Jun are confirmed

In my opinion, bidding for seat upgrades must be valued against the number of points required and calculated this based on the value of the points to determine if it’s a good value using cash for upgrades.

I personally think using miles to upgrade offers the best value for those that have to travel on business trips but would like to upgrade their booking to next higher cabin.