Jan 29, 2024, 8:50 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This is an archive thread, the active thread is Singapore Airlines (SQ) award booking experiences using United miles
SQ awards can be booked online but SQ generally does does not release to its *A partners all routes or all cabins -- especially the more premium cases
Old information
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The fee for non-premier to book awards through the call center will NOT be waived as per:
This is currently the policy
Update: SQ's statement on the recent change:
SQ awards can be booked online but SQ generally does does not release to its *A partners all routes or all cabins -- especially the more premium cases
Old information
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Hi everyone,
I wanted to give you an early heads up about an upcoming change to the Star partner award availability you see displayed online. Singapore Airlines and United have agreed to remove Singapore Airlines inventory from our award flight search results on united.com and on the United Mobile App. This will take effect starting tomorrow, December 13, You will still to be able to book and change award reservations involving Singapore Airlines by calling our reservations lines.
Please let me know if you have any clarifying questions, and Ill do my best to answer them.
Aaron Goldberg
Sr. Manager - Customer Experience Planning
United Airlines
I wanted to give you an early heads up about an upcoming change to the Star partner award availability you see displayed online. Singapore Airlines and United have agreed to remove Singapore Airlines inventory from our award flight search results on united.com and on the United Mobile App. This will take effect starting tomorrow, December 13, You will still to be able to book and change award reservations involving Singapore Airlines by calling our reservations lines.
Please let me know if you have any clarifying questions, and Ill do my best to answer them.
Aaron Goldberg
Sr. Manager - Customer Experience Planning
United Airlines
As most have you has suspected, unfortunately we're not waiving the booking fee. The simple reason--and this is a consistent policy across all airlines which are not yet online--is that there is substantial additional work required to price and ticket these awards in our contact centers.
Aaron Goldberg
Sr. Manager - Customer Experience Planning
United Airlines
Aaron Goldberg
Sr. Manager - Customer Experience Planning
United Airlines
Update: SQ's statement on the recent change:
Originally Posted by SQ
Each Star Alliance member carrier may choose how to fulfill such redemptions differently, which we have no influence over.
For example, some Star carriers may choose to allow their respective frequent flier programme members access to redemption online or offline, depending on their respective platforms.
For example, some Star carriers may choose to allow their respective frequent flier programme members access to redemption online or offline, depending on their respective platforms.
Singapore Airlines (SQ) award booking experiences using United miles {Archive}
Dec 12, 2013, 11:35 pm
#166
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SJC, SFO, YYC
Programs: AA-EXP, AA-0.41MM, UA-Gold, Ex UA-1K (2006 thru 2015), PMUA-0.95MM, COUA-1.5MM-lite, AF-Silver
Posts: 13,437
Classic.
Reading FlyerTalk prior to today, you'd think no one has ever have been able to book an SQ award flight on United's site. Yet remove the functionality and there's hell to pay.
And yes, I know I'm exagerrating...people have been able to book SQ award flights. Just find it all a bit amusing...
Reading FlyerTalk prior to today, you'd think no one has ever have been able to book an SQ award flight on United's site. Yet remove the functionality and there's hell to pay.
And yes, I know I'm exagerrating...people have been able to book SQ award flights. Just find it all a bit amusing...
It has also been about award ticketing glitches, which is not something specific to SQ.
SQ on the old gauge is nothing special. However for Australia to Asia it is the about the only *A game in town, so combined with UA dropping BKK, this is a major devaluation of the program.
Dec 12, 2013, 11:47 pm
#167
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,751
"Major" devaluation is thus perhaps something of an overstatement. Particularly since this is not (so far as we know, at least) a reduction in availability, but merely in ability to search and book online.
Dec 12, 2013, 11:56 pm
#168
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Japan
Posts: 5,578
It is "major" for us who live in Japan. The local UA MP office is not available after hours and limited on Saturdays, unlike in the U.S. where it is a 24 hr operation. The only option to call is using Skype or Google Talk and dial the U.S. number. Since we can't see it on the website any longer, it sure is a major headache. I use them to NZ all the time and then connect to Oceania. NZ in J out of NRT has very limited availability.
Dec 12, 2013, 11:58 pm
#169
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,751
It is "major" for us who live in Japan. The local UA MP office is not available after hours and limited on Saturdays, unlike in the U.S. where it is a 24 hr operation. The only option to call is using Skype or Google Talk and dial the U.S. number. Since we can't see it on the website any longer, it sure is a major headache. I use them to NZ all the time and then connect to Oceania. NZ in J out of NRT has very limited availability.
How many award tickets per year do you book on SQ?
Dec 13, 2013, 12:08 am
#170
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SIN
Programs: United, SQ
Posts: 164
I live in SIN and put my weekly SQ flights into my UA account...ouch. Was already bidding farewell to the 30k R/T intra-Asia awards, now this...
Dec 13, 2013, 12:11 am
#171
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow
Programs: Airline Free Agent, Bonvoy Platinum, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,817
Seems like this is part of UA's plan to generate revenue from fees while doing their $2B in cuts. Wouldn't surprise me if UA takes LH off their website next year.
Definitely keeping your customers loyal, Jeffy
Definitely keeping your customers loyal, Jeffy
Dec 13, 2013, 1:48 am
#173
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 609
Anyway you slice it this is UA's fault. Either:
1) This originated with UA. Obviously UA's fault.
2) This originated with SQ. UA's fault for having a contract with SQ that allows SQ to dictate which distribution channels UA uses.
1) This originated with UA. Obviously UA's fault.
2) This originated with SQ. UA's fault for having a contract with SQ that allows SQ to dictate which distribution channels UA uses.
Dec 13, 2013, 1:54 am
#174
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
UA has decided to make more bookings cash and miles bookings and increase the cash cost charged to customers redeeming miles.
LM shows SQ. I just booked 7 tickets there. And 1 with NH.
Last edited by iluv2fly; Dec 13, 2013 at 5:58 am Reason: merge
Dec 13, 2013, 2:45 am
#175
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: LAS
Programs: DL PM, UA PS, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,904
Just realized my upcoming Singapore Airlines award was booked through SQ ... website couldn't find the flights I wanted (found them separately but not together). Called in, didn't get charged a phone fee, and even got the 15% mileage discount that is reserved for online bookings. Thank goodness for Krisflyer.
As for SQ awards available to UA ... I've booked many SQ awards with UA/US miles, some in economy, some in business, some in first (and all after the merger). None during the systems changeover in July 2012 (all those tickets were flown by July 2013 btw). This is an unfriendly move.
As for SQ awards available to UA ... I've booked many SQ awards with UA/US miles, some in economy, some in business, some in first (and all after the merger). None during the systems changeover in July 2012 (all those tickets were flown by July 2013 btw). This is an unfriendly move.
Dec 13, 2013, 3:15 am
#176
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Programs: Flying: VA; Buying: AA, AS, AV, BA, UA!
Posts: 2,349
Dec 13, 2013, 5:39 am
#177
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ, UA, Delta, BMI(RIP), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond (Thanks Amex) Hyatt Discov
Posts: 1,943
All due respect, but if you give us no other options then it isn't really our fault that it costs you more to process the transaction. If I choose to use a rep when I have other options I can understand (sortof) penalizing me. But when your website no longer supports the valid and legitimate options permitted by your rules then than's not my fault. Making me pay in that case is pretty crappy.
Dec 13, 2013, 5:40 am
#178
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Between AMS and BRU
Posts: 8,852
There was plenty of SQ availability for me when searching with LM the last weeks, even for the 2 seats I was looking for in C.... then 2 days ago nothing but economy.
Dec 13, 2013, 5:58 am
#179
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SIN
Programs: UA 1K MM, SQ PPS, CX Silver, Accor Platinum, Marriott Gold, SPG Silver
Posts: 679
Ugh. SQ's *g program stinks enough in terms of bonus miles I was thinking of just sticking with UA point depositing despite my move to SG.
Those intra-Asia and Asia to Europe flights were the ones I wanted. I should really just go to another quasi-functional 'alliance', as most of my travel could be well served by OW or Skyteam.
The award redemption might be crap with skyteam, but if I need to call the US and sit on hold to try to find something on SQ, forget it. Especially since as of Feb, I get to burn a lot more miles for the privilege.
How is it that in an increasingly technological world phone reservations only makes sense to anyone?!?!
Perhaps I make a bold move and collect on ANA?
Those intra-Asia and Asia to Europe flights were the ones I wanted. I should really just go to another quasi-functional 'alliance', as most of my travel could be well served by OW or Skyteam.
The award redemption might be crap with skyteam, but if I need to call the US and sit on hold to try to find something on SQ, forget it. Especially since as of Feb, I get to burn a lot more miles for the privilege.
How is it that in an increasingly technological world phone reservations only makes sense to anyone?!?!
Perhaps I make a bold move and collect on ANA?
Last edited by Singapore_Schwing; Dec 13, 2013 at 5:58 am Reason: Further ramblings...
Dec 13, 2013, 5:58 am
#180
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: back to Europe
Programs: FB Plat for Life & Marriott lifetime Platinum
Posts: 236
Beyond the award chart devaluation, one might also mention :- End of NRT to BKK and NRT to HKG routes
- No more RPU for intra asian flights (they just vanished overnight, zero warning)