maxmin

I have an NRT-SIN-LHR award booked in F in March on a single booking. It's a 77W then the 380.

Currently I'm on the 18:40 departure (77W) . Would prefer the 10:00am if poss (not because its the 380, it's just a better time so I can get some rest between flights instead of landing at 2am for a 9am connection).

The 10:00 shows now award availability today but had waitlist a couple of days ago. Meanwhile there are still 2 F revenue seats available (where there was only one a couple of days ago).

Should I just try calling them to ask for a swap, or is that a waste of time given that there are no award seats showing, not even in waitlist? I've had some bad things happen to my awards before when the phone agent rebooks me (lost entire bookings etc, with endless calls to try to get miles back etc).

What about at the airport on the day if there are revenue seats open?

THR

No point trying if there are no awards. And they won’t change it on the day.

SMK77

That's not correct. Once flights are in airport control, the station can do whatever they feel is best for their operations. But without status it's not likely that SQ will do much here.

The OP can call and see whether he can get on a waitlist.

epigram

Yes worth a shot at the airport. I've managed to snag an upgrade award during check-in once; had to fill in a paper form on the spot.

maxmin

I'm arriving at HND at 6am... maybe I'll ask them if I can get on the 8am HND-SIN flight and/or if they can put me on the 10am NRT-SIN flight.
In the meantime I'll call SQ if I see any award space open up on either flight.

THR

I was being practical.

fakecd

no you dont want to go to narita from haneda

commaspace

Indeed. Minimum connection time NRT-HND is 3.5 hours and that is very tight already. If the inbound is delayed then you are pretty screwed.

cyborg

Data point: This morning received multiple messages (email, sms, voiccemail) from SQ informing of delayed departure of SQ 306 into LHR which now retimes my SQ 305 to 10:15 departure. Unfortunately this information was sent about an hour after I went to sleep with a 06:30 taxi booked. Okidoki then. I checked a few things out and discovered SQ 322 had arrived on time wwith a 4+hr turnaround which looked more reliable than the retimed SQ 305 with a less trustworthy 1+ turnaround; rolling delays expected. When I arrived at LHR I inquired about switching to SQ 317 and the very nice and knowledgable agent at the checkin desk worked the matter, calliing the ticketing folks only to find out that my F Saver would not apply to SQ 317 and reticketing would require an additional 100K+ points. Ok fine, so grin and bear it. As I sit in the UA Club (temp SKL during refurb) I now see SQ 305 rolling delays such that it is now departing after SQ 317.

To sum it up after indulging dear readers in the TL post (apology accepted Captain Neda comes to mind) I have the impression that SQ is reluctant to empower front line staff to make changes like this. FWIW: I checked the SQ booking engine online and there are 3 F seats for sale as I post this 2:52 before departure.

Anyway, no sweat. Will enjoy the 777 F, but hanging out in the UA club...

Cheers,

-Cyborg

demue

I agree that getting a ticketed F pax (award / saver or advantage regardless) out on a now likely earlier flight (assuming there is space) would make sense and add to the F experience. God forbid one could enjoy Suites over 77W F. On day of travel with a delay most likely caused by SQ (or at least not a frivolous request by a pax) such empowerment should be a given and not even require prompting, but who am I kidding.

THR

You will find it the case with most Asian airlines unfortunately.

bpk6h

One way to know whether this is a lack of empowerment issue or an issue of SQ being very protective of Suites is to see what the answer would be if the scenario were reversed...pax booked on a delayed A380 asking to be switched to an on time 77W.

cyborg

Copy that; interesting situation presented...

The delayed 777 (SQ305) did in fact depart after SQ317 the a380, but turned to be a lovely flight with the best crew I could have asked for, so all good. My greatest concern was a rolling delay turning into a cancel that would hose my connection. Still if I was doing a short connection, would have really appreaciated some accomadation on their part to make the change.

Cheers,

-Cyborg

maxmin

Great data point. Thanks for sharing!

chris63

That is really poor of SQ & not a First Class experience, you purchased a First Class ticket, how you paid should not matter, they had a delay, the real First Class experience would be asking YOU if you wanted to change to the A380 because we have 3 free Suites

Costs SQ nothing & gives you a great impression of SQ !