SQ Redemption Devaluation

[dahnoob]

Received the following email from SQ this evening:

Summary:

1. Miles required for a number of regions increased

2. 15% online discount is no longer offered

3. Award tickets no longer has YQ (fuel surcharge)


Overall I'd say it's a devaluation, since the 15% online discount could be quite significant sometimes. However, by removing YQ from their award tickets, SQ is moving in the positive direction and being more aligned with other Star Alliance carriers (UA,NH etc). For certain routes that are YQ heavy, the 15% *could* possibly break even against the original YQ.

Thoughts?

Edit: I had a read at the latest redemption chart, and some changes are highlighted below:

Affected regions are Zone 7 (Japan & S.Korea), zone 9 (Australia excl. Perth & Darwin & NZ) and zones 11-13 (EU&USA)

Miles for all cabins are increased, with the most significant being zones 11-13 F, they have increased by as much as 10k per way.

 

[Spk307]

I guess there's still a hefty surcharge for UK airports? Not SQ's fault though. And they cleverly avoided using London as an example!

 

[dahnoob]

I guess there's still a hefty surcharge for UK airports? Not SQ's fault though. And they cleverly avoided using London as an example!

They did include London in their example at the bottom of the email, which says:

Before 23 March:
80,000 miles (68,000 after discount) + $241 fuel & insurance + Airport taxes/fees

After 23 March:
85,000 miles + Airport taxes/fees

Cleverly avoiding the tax amount since LHR charges a ridiculous APD, especially so for premium cabins

 

[laurent_rio]

Received the following email from SQ this evening:

Summary:

1. Miles required for a number of regions increased

2. 15% online discount is no longer offered

3. Award tickets no longer has YQ (fuel surcharge)


Overall I'd say it's a devaluation, since the 15% online discount could be quite significant sometimes. However, by removing YQ from their award tickets, SQ is moving in the positive direction and being more aligned with other Star Alliance carriers (UA,NH etc). For certain routes that are YQ heavy, the 15% *could* possibly break even against the original YQ.

Thoughts?

Edit: I had a read at the latest redemption chart, and some changes are highlighted below:

Affected regions are Zone 7 (Japan & S.Korea), zone 9 (Australia excl. Perth & Darwin & NZ) and zones 11-13 (EU&USA)

Miles for all cabins are increased, with the most significant being zones 11-13 F, they have increased by as much as 10k per way.

For complete details and also FAQ can be seen here :

http://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/sg/ppsclub-krisflyer/use-miles/redeem-miles/kf-change/

 

[dahnoob]

For complete details and also FAQ can be seen here :

http://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/sg/ppsclub-krisflyer/use-miles/redeem-miles/kf-change/

Q2: How does Singapore Airlines determine the increase in Saver Award mileage levels?

Award levels are a function of supply and demand and are regularly reviewed to ensure that they are kept relevant and updated with market changes.

Something tells me this is because of the 100k miles CSR signup bonus from the US

 

[Suleyman]

Disclaimer: I have yet to crunch the numbers rigorously to be sure so this is largely a few back of napkins number crunching & first thoughts

Overall I don't think it is a devaluation. If you consider a 10k mile increase, at 2c a mile (which is the price you would pay to buy miles from credit card renewal), that can easily account for the YQ charged on US & EU routes.

It does make it a little harder to redeem since you need just a little more, but when you are already dealing in 100s of thousands of miles, what's another 10k or so?

One thing that will change is that without an incentive to self-help, the next time I need to make my redemption, I'm going to hike down to Ion and sit there in comfort and let the lady behind the counter look for available flights for me.

 

[dahnoob]

Disclaimer: I have yet to crunch the numbers rigorously to be sure so this is largely a few back of napkins number crunching & first thoughts

Overall I don't think it is a devaluation. If you consider a 10k mile increase, at 2c a mile (which is the price you would pay to buy miles from credit card renewal), that can easily account for the YQ charged on US & EU routes.

It does make it a little harder to redeem since you need just a little more, but when you are already dealing in 100s of thousands of miles, what's another 10k or so?

One thing that will change is that without an incentive to self-help, the next time I need to make my redemption, I'm going to hike down to Ion and sit there in comfort and let the lady behind the counter look for available flights for me.

We're looking at both a 10k increase as well as the removal of 15% discount. Just did a rough search,

SIN-JFK on Suites saver, return trip

Before 23Mar: 187k miles + $868.30
After 23Mar: 240k miles + $193.70

The difference is 53k miles for $674.60, or 1.2cpm.

SIN-NRT on F saver, return trip

Before 23Mar: 102k miles + $156.70
After 23Mar: 130k miles + $66.70

The difference is 28k miles for $90, or 0.3cpm.

Of course, I'm looking at the extreme end of the affected regions, I'll need to do more calculations on other routes.

Regarding going down to service center, I'll probably still DIY online unless I'm having a complicated itinerary. But at the very least I'll no long be discouraged to call in and get an agent to help

 

[oceanicmanta]

I m converting all my DBS points & booking a redemption before 23 Mar.
Not a points person, so gonna take what I can.

 

[OngHuatHuat]

This one major news for all of us le. I will try to see how much I can convert. Darn!

We're looking at both a 10k increase as well as the removal of 15% discount. Just did a rough search,

SIN-JFK on Suites saver, return trip

Before 23Mar: 187k miles + $868.30
After 23Mar: 240k miles + $193.70

The difference is 53k miles for $674.60, or 1.2cpm.

SIN-NRT on F saver, return trip

Before 23Mar: 102k miles + $156.70
After 23Mar: 130k miles + $66.70

The difference is 28k miles for $90, or 0.3cpm.

Of course, I'm looking at the extreme end of the affected regions, I'll need to do more calculations on other routes.

Regarding going down to service center, I'll probably still DIY online unless I'm having a complicated itinerary. But at the very least I'll no long be discouraged to call in and get an agent to help

 

[ceecookie]

Important Qn:

I have a Business Saver redemption planned for Stockholm next June..

In view of the 24000 miles increase (but saving $550 in fuel surcharge), pls advise if there's any good alternatives in the KF Star Alliance redemption.

 

[OngHuatHuat]

Miles normally more worthwhile to use for sq, coz higher quality hardware, but you spend the same
Miles.

Important Qn:

I have a Business Saver redemption planned for Stockholm next June..

In view of the 24000 miles increase (but saving $550 in fuel surcharge), pls advise if there's any good alternatives in the KF Star Alliance redemption.

 

[dahnoob]

Important Qn:

I have a Business Saver redemption planned for Stockholm next June..

In view of the 24000 miles increase (but saving $550 in fuel surcharge), pls advise if there's any good alternatives in the KF Star Alliance redemption.

Interestingly with the devaluation, redeeming on SQ now costs more (170k) than SA flight (160k). However, the flight duration on SQ is still the shortest. Another possibility would be mixed bookings, with SQ352/SK402, leaving at midnight and arriving 8am the following day. This gives you more time in Stockholm on day 1. The return segment could be on the 7pm LH flight, arriving 4pm the following day.

If you're just looking to just get to the destination, SQ is optimal, although I don't really like the 'new' J seats. However if you're like me, the journey itself is also part of the trip, I would piece together something creative, since mixed carrier/cabin redemption no longer have any downsides. You could probably fly LH on 1 way, upgrade into F and create a longer layover at FRA where you can enjoy the FCT.

 

[chopra]

2 surprises to start our march 17. First is ocbc 360. Now this. Kns. Hope i can still find my sellers

 

[Pandule]

3rd is Citibank can now only redeem in blocks of 10k miles. Sianz

2 surprises to start our march 17. First is ocbc 360. Now this. Kns. Hope i can still find my sellers

 

[chopra]

Im not gg to redeem for low tax places. Paid w cc n earn more miles.

And sell my miles. Simple strategy.

 

[chopra]

3rd is Citibank can now only redeem in blocks of 10k miles. Sianz

Tt one ok. Not like u can redeem w 500miles

Citi miles expire in 5yrs? Tk ur time la.

 

[vince123123]

Hmm I don't know if I should be happy I just ticketed a Business and First recently, but the 15% removal is going to be significant from my POV, not too sure if the removal of fuel surcharges will make up for it.

 

[zumaba]

They did include London in their example at the bottom of the email, which says:

Before 23 March:
80,000 miles (68,000 after discount) + $241 fuel & insurance + Airport taxes/fees

After 23 March:
85,000 miles + Airport taxes/fees

Cleverly avoiding the tax amount since LHR charges a ridiculous APD, especially so for premium cabins

for this case alone and let's roughly put a $0.02/mile, so the cost is increased (85,000-68,000)*0.02=$340 vs. saving of $241 on fuel & insurance?

 

[dahnoob]

Im not gg to redeem for low tax places. Paid w cc n earn more miles.

And sell my miles. Simple strategy.

The taxes charged doesn't change. Only YQ is removed. I would actually start looking at redeeming SA flights with KF miles, since every disincentive has been removed. Was previously doing this with UA miles. A pity you cannot find availability directly on SQ website. Now if only they upgraded their booking engine to reflect all partner and codeshare flights...

 

[laurent_rio]

The taxes charged doesn't change. Only YQ is removed. I would actually start looking at redeeming SA flights with KF miles, since every disincentive has been removed. Was previously doing this with UA miles. A pity you cannot find availability directly on SQ website. Now if only they upgraded their booking engine to reflect all partner and codeshare flights...

Any insight how to find availability on Star Alliance flight without calling Krisflyer ? I only know search from lifemiles/ANA booking but not show all available Star Alliance flight