Credit card for united mileage plus

[Inix]

Oops, this is not a positive sign:

http : // boardingarea . com/frequentlyflying/2013/12/12/united-to-remove-online-singapore-airlines-award-availability/

Suleyman & invisible999, thanks for your views and such solid experience you have on SQ & UA

I am not a frequent flyer to/in US, mainly traveling in AP & SEA and on economy class. The convenience of booking and cheaper cost is the top focus for me to take MP: as I could use UA to book and fly to any city within North Asia (as long as covered by Star Alliance) - with the cost of 30K MPs + approx US$100.... and I could not get the same from SQ... That's the reason though I have 100K+ KF points in my account, I rather let it expiring month by month

This is what I call penny wise, pound foolish. Expired Miles = Wasted. 100K of expired miles can fly you anywhere in Asia. Instead, you choose to burn 30K of UA miles.

 

[ThinkPad70]

This is what I call penny wise, pound foolish. Expired Miles = Wasted. 100K of expired miles can fly you anywhere in Asia. Instead, you choose to burn 30K of UA miles.

Truly agreed

In fact, each trip will do a comparison, take decision based on Points+Cash total.

Anyway it will take years for points be fully expiring, will try to use it for right trip. As you know that SQ disallows ppl to sell KR points to others (except relatives & friends), so no choice mah...

 

[hwmook]

Oops, this is not a positive sign:

http : // boardingarea . com/frequentlyflying/2013/12/12/united-to-remove-online-singapore-airlines-award-availability/

Suleyman & invisible999, thanks for your views and such solid experience you have on SQ & UA

I am not a frequent flyer to/in US, mainly traveling in AP & SEA and on economy class. The convenience of booking and cheaper cost is the top focus for me to take MP: as I could use UA to book and fly to any city within North Asia (as long as covered by Star Alliance) - with the cost of 30K MPs + approx US$100.... and I could not get the same from SQ... That's the reason though I have 100K+ KF points in my account, I rather let it expiring month by month

You kidding me? You have 100K+ KF miles then you can redeem $1000+ worth of flights with no cash outlay, why let it go to waste? I don't get your logic.

 

[invisible999]

Suleyman, I think we do not have a disagreement here, all your points are very valid.

One this also worth to mention is network and an airline. If based in SIN and having frequently flying to States, Japan, Europe and South America SQ and UA come as the only options. Otherwise I'd be very happy with AA...

I mean, if the lounge is worse off than the public area, something is wrong, right?

Agree. However I have to say that SQ's lounge at SFO's international terminal is not that different in terms of quality/offerings. When I was there (at SQ's lounge) last time I went, saw non working coffee machine and two half bite sized sandwiches (there was nothing else, trust me), packed myself up and moved do nice cafe near gate 99.

 

[Suleyman]

Agree. However I have to say that SQ's lounge at SFO's international terminal is not that different in terms of quality/offerings. When I was there (at SQ's lounge) last time I went, saw non working coffee machine and two half bite sized sandwiches (there was nothing else, trust me), packed myself up and moved do nice cafe near gate 99.

Hmmm, how long ago was this? I was there last week. It wasn't as nice as the SKL in Changi, but still decent. There were sandwiches, chips, ice cream, cold cuts, cup noodles and even laksa (even if it wasn't very good laksa). The coffee machine was working and there was also a full bar.

Only 'complaint' would be that it got a bit packed about 30 minutes before boarding.

 

[invisible999]

Hmmm, how long ago was this?boarding.

This May. Plus their wireless did not work either.

P.S. Regarding GS - I know one guy in States who has that status. Rule of thumb - no less than $40K spent, majority (at least 70%) of spent should be coming from full fare international C/F. Domestic F does not count, as well as number of miles - one guy of UA's forum flies 280K-300K yearly last 5 years but never got invitation for GS.

 

[ThinkPad70]

You kidding me? You have 100K+ KF miles then you can redeem $1000+ worth of flights with no cash outlay, why let it go to waste? I don't get your logic.

No kidding.

I traveled with some of my friend to Xi'an recently for visiting Terracotta Warriors (兵马俑).

If book via SQ online: 34K KF points + S$358 SQ Tax/etc (SIN-PEK); In addition, S$420 by CA (for domestic flight PEK-XIY) - so total damage is 34K KF + S$778.

If book via UA online: 30K MP + US$105 for flying on exactly the same SQ & CA flights.

I heard can book Star Alliance partner airlines via SQ but it's a manual process, did not try it.

 

[hwmook]

No kidding.

I traveled with some of my friend to Xi'an recently for visiting Terracotta Warriors (兵马俑).

If book via SQ online: 34K KF points + S$358 SQ Tax/etc (SIN-PEK); In addition, S$420 by CA (for domestic flight PEK-XIY) - so total damage is 34K KF + S$778.

If book via UA online: 30K MP + US$105 for flying on exactly the same SQ & CA flights.

I heard can book Star Alliance partner airlines via SQ but it's a manual process, did not try it.

That's not what i am trying to say. You can book ANY SQ flights using your to offset the cost of the tickets + taxes + surcharges. You could for example get a ticket for bangkok for $200+ and use your miles to fully redeem for it thus it cost only 20+k miles and $0. Why let it expire? I don't get it.

 

[duckyhatezchat]

The last time I redeemed the ticket from SQ, I needed to pay for fuel surcharges and airport taxes. It wasn't $0 cash.

Moreover, the taxes and surcharges charged by SQ exceeds the fees charged by Jetstar or any budget airline for the same destination.

 

[hwmook]

The last time I redeemed the ticket from SQ, I needed to pay for fuel surcharges and airport taxes. It wasn't $0 cash.

Moreover, the taxes and surcharges charged by SQ exceeds the fees charged by Jetstar or any budget airline for the same destination.

SQ now allow you to use miles to offset the cost of a flight at a rate of 98miles to a $1 and you can offset taxes and surchages fully so you don't have to pay cash. Good for some short distance flights which are on promotion.

 

[Inix]

This May. Plus their wireless did not work either.

P.S. Regarding GS - I know one guy in States who has that status. Rule of thumb - no less than $40K spent, majority (at least 70%) of spent should be coming from full fare international C/F. Domestic F does not count, as well as number of miles - one guy of UA's forum flies 280K-300K yearly last 5 years but never got invitation for GS.

I was at SFO SKL in May 13 as well and it was pretty decent as well. Things were working, food and coffee was available. Were you on SQ flights? Otherwise could it be due to their "downtime" where they were open, but not exactly fully open as SQ Pax are not in yet.

 

[Inix]

The last time I redeemed the ticket from SQ, I needed to pay for fuel surcharges and airport taxes. It wasn't $0 cash.

Moreover, the taxes and surcharges charged by SQ exceeds the fees charged by Jetstar or any budget airline for the same destination.

I think people who persist with the argument that SQ's taxes are more expensive than tickets of budget airline should realise that SQ tags themselves as a premium airline and will charge itself as such. If you compare it against the average "premium airline" you will find that its taxes are not actually that far off. In some cases, higher, some cases, lower.

If you are one of those who value $$$ over comfort, no amount of complaining will get you SQ flights that are cheaper as opposed to budget on a typical day. Full Service Airlines who does that, will eventually go bankrupt as their cost structure just does not allow for that.

But if you are like me, who value comfort, and who don't mind paying a certain premium for work and leisure, mileage + taxes are a small price to pay.

 

[KennyBlaze]

I think people who persist with the argument that SQ's taxes are more expensive than tickets of budget airline should realise that SQ tags themselves as a premium airline and will charge itself as such. If you compare it against the average "premium airline" you will find that its taxes are not actually that far off. In some cases, higher, some cases, lower.

If you are one of those who value $$$ over comfort, no amount of complaining will get you SQ flights that are cheaper as opposed to budget on a typical day. Full Service Airlines who does that, will eventually go bankrupt as their cost structure just does not allow for that.

But if you are like me, who value comfort, and who don't mind paying a certain premium for work and leisure, mileage + taxes are a small price to pay.

You didn't get it. Even with same flight on SQ, YQ is a lot less using UA miles compared with SQ. Same level of comfort on SQ. Plus UA miles are a lot more flexible with stopover and open jaw.

 

[Suleyman]

You didn't get it. Even with same flight on SQ, YQ is a lot less using UA miles compared with SQ. Same level of comfort on SQ. Plus UA miles are a lot more flexible with stopover and open jaw.

Try booking any of the long haul flights (US, Europe destinations) in Business (or First) on SQ using MP. Not possible. In fact, try booking ANY SQ flights in any class through their online booking engine. Again, not possible.

If you call, a booking agent (for a booking fee) can help you book SQ flights, EXCEPT for premium class on long haul flights.

It is well known throughout the industry that the only way to get premium class award flights on SQ is on KF, paying YQ.

While it is true that MP is more flexible with stopovers and open jaws but it is generally something that is not a deal breaker for me, but YMMV. And honestly, unless you need a stopover AND open jaw, you can still achieve the same with KF.

Bottom line is that without any card able to feed directly in the MP, the discussion is moot. KF, for better or worse, is still the best option for most of us, since almost all credit cards are able to transfer into it, giving us the greatest option in terms of earning, and obviously, it is the only option for premium class long haul tickets on SQ.

Asia Miles (CX) is another option, but that generally assumes you need to transit HKG, which is not an issue if you are going to the North America, but adds travel time to European, or South America itineraries.

If YQ is such a huge issue, Delta is a better option, since at least the Citibank cards can transfer into the Skymiles program.

 

[Inix]

You didn't get it. Even with same flight on SQ, YQ is a lot less using UA miles compared with SQ. Same level of comfort on SQ. Plus UA miles are a lot more flexible with stopover and open jaw.

Actually I do. UA does not incur YQ indeed, but like what Suleyman says, be prepared to fly non-SQ flights. In fact, be prepared to fly primarily UA flights.

But let me add on something. Its not SQ that isn't playing ball. In fact, I'm damn pissed off about SQ opening inventories to partner airlines without opening Savers to KrisFlyer. It is just United being an Asshole. UA has been, and will continue to be an A*hole airline.

SQ was opened up sometime last year, and people had a field day redeeming on SQ, and gloating about SQ's KF members paying YQ. What they forgot that UA has a famous Starnet block which lasted until only recently, so is anyone supposed to be surprised that UA refuses to give its FFP members access to SQ inventory now?

Is UA all bad? Not really if you put into the perspective that mainland US flyers have limited choice within USA. But I think no one would hesitate to agree that UA, or ANY American & most European Airline for that matter, are rubbish compared to the comforts we are used to on Asian based Airlines.

And now to my favorite topic. SQ's YQ is bloody expensive. All other airlines are much cheaper!!! REALLY??

Let's take SIN - CDG on Business Class as an example;

YQ Prices

SQ = $715.7
Thai Airways - $989.0 - SQ Lower
AirFrance = $925.10 - SQ Lower
Emirates = $1056.90 - SQ Lower
British Airways = $1061 - SQ Lower
Qatar = $644.50 - SQ Higher
Cathay = $576.90 - SQ Higher

And this is just 1 simple search. SQ is never really cheap, in fact they are pretty high up on the pricing game. But to just wack them to say that their YQ is unreasonable isn't fair to them. Everyone else is doing the same.

 

[cscs3]

You don't need KF miles for SQ flights, *A partner airlines also can redeem SQ flight. Done it many times. Anyways, I looked through all the cc's for ff miles and it seems non can credit to UA's mileage plus.

That is correct. Use it many time. Only apply to those UA does not fly there.

One advantage for UA is the point don't get expired as long as you credit some miles within 18 months. vs KF, it always get expired if you don't use it.

 

[cscs3]

Why is that misleading? It is obvious to me it is only star alliance and Asia miles only.

Is misleading as KF need much higher point to redeem same flight. This also means you need to spend much more to qualify for it.

Nothing come free.

 

[Inix]

Is misleading as KF need much higher point to redeem same flight. This also means you need to spend much more to qualify for it.

Nothing come free.

And there will also be flights that SQ will be significantly cheaper than UA. No FFP is equal and in the world that is call Utopia, we have access and plenty of points in ALL FFPs.

But in the world that is called reality, we are often stuck with a few and we just can make do with the one which is most logical to most of us. In this case, typically SQ for people based in SIN.

 

[lcpteck]

And there will also be flights that SQ will be significantly cheaper than UA. No FFP is equal and in the world that is call Utopia, we have access and plenty of points in ALL FFPs.

But in the world that is called reality, we are often stuck with a few and we just can make do with the one which is most logical to most of us. In this case, typically SQ for people based in SIN.

Yeah, no matter how you look at it SQ is still one of the preferred airline for us people who's based in SIN permanently.

Wonder how's the US airlines doing since American/US Air merged? Will tickets be more expensive over there due to lesser and lesser competitiveness?

 

[Leonard_Ong]

Anyone knows estimate quota of SQ's First/Business Saver? It seems only 2 First Saver is available, 2-4 Business Saver in each flight. I'm looking at SIN-NRT on A380.