Last week, Singapore Airlines premium cabin award space suddenly popped up on Star Alliance partner redemption websites. Was this an error a new trend?
First, note the space is gone as of this morning. I just spent 20 minutes combing the Aeroplan and United websites for a single date with economy or business class nonstop space from Singapore to Los Angeles. There is none, at least that I can find.
The question then becomes whether the space all sold out or whether Singapore offered it in error and has pulled it.
This would not be the first time Singapore has offered premium cabin award space in error. I got to experience Singapore Airlines first class, suites class, and business class thanks to a similar “glitch” in 2013 when the floodgates were suddenly opened and I used United miles to confirm the trip.
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I was initially hopeful that releasing longhaul award space was a deliberate move reflecting added capacity on new routes like the A350 nonstop services between Singapore and Los Angeles or Newark. Singapore has discounted redemptions on these flights using KrisFlyer miles and reasonably-priced revenue tickets are also available.
But based on the space totally disappearing, I tend to think Singapore said, “Oops, we didn’t mean to do that.” Singapore Airlines, at least in the past, has stated that it would rather send out premium cabins empty than dilute the product with upgraders and mileage redeemers. That seems a foolish business model for its new ultralonghaul service, but that is its prerogative.
CONCLUSION
We’ll have to pay this one by ear. As of this morning, my guess is that Singapore did not actually intend to release the space. Let’s see if it pops back up, though.
I booked LAX-SIN round trip in business on SQ for 180k United miles. Not the best value redemption, but looking at the cash tickets I’m still getting 2cpp.
This has been happening off and on for awhile on the LAX/SIN route. I don’t think it’s a mistake-they simply fill a partner award “quota” and pull availability. We’ll probably see it again for April/May/June in a month or so. It does make me wonder, however, if the LAX/SIN is having sales issues, especially given all the U.S./SIN non-stop capacity that is becoming available on both UA and SQ.
Wow yes i did take advantage of this by getting a Singapore to Sydney flight with a 18 hours layover in Auckland new Zeland for only 65000 United points that comes about to $1200 following current point valuation for a $8400 one way ticket what a steal to enjoy one of the best products in the sky plus i get to know another city. Only problem was that only one seat was open with points even as Krysflyer shows 10 open seats i did waitlisted with them for the second seat but it was more expensive at 80000 points. Finger cross what a deal.