SQ First vs Upper for Australia

I'd like some opinions on the following options I've got for boyfriends 30th birthday which is next September. He has to go to Australia then anyway for a wedding, and he's asked if I'd like to go with him and spend 3 weeks or so there. Tying into his 30th is a good idea and I'd like for it to be a spectacular trip. He's flown Singapore Airlines a number of times and would be happy to fly them again, though he also knows about Virgin now flying to Sydney. Naturally I'd like him to have a great 30th so have said I might be able to get us flights on miles, which he's happy about. I said they'd be in Economy, but I'd keep that ruse up until we got to the airport....

Now, with all the good things I've heard about SQ's First Class, I'm very tempted to go ahead and have that - it is a big birthday after all. However, that means blowing 220,000 miles on his ticket, and shelling out around £5100 for myself

SQ First does look fantastic though. But is it worth the extra? I'm currently Silver and will requalify in April. So regardless of which way I went I'd be getting near the point where I'd wonder about going for Gold. Part of me does think that status chasing is a waste of money though - I don't ordinarily fly on VS that much to think that requalifying would be easy, and would cost me more in the longer run. Then again, for 1 year it wouldn't be too bad, with a guaranteed soft landing to Silver if I didn't requalify anyway.

We'd also have liked to do Hong Kong for a few days, perhaps on the way back. Using SQ doesn't give that as a direct option of course, though we could do Singapore - Hong Kong if we really wanted.

I guess my main aim is to find out people's opinions on both of the options. If anyone has some good advice for reducing the cost of the tickets that'd also be appreciated! Is there any sales times for Singapore Airlines that I could make use of rather than booking now? We're not looking at doing a RTW trip as such, but I will phone and get a price just in case, but I think it's going to be more money, time and travel than both of us wanted to do.

My comparison table...

SQ

220,000 miles for BF's ticket
£5,100 for my ticket
30000 ish miles earned
20 TP's
Via Singapore


VS

180,000 miles for BF's ticket
£3,100 for my ticket
40000 ish miles earned
28 TP's
Via Hong Kong


Some assumptions I've made ( please feel free to comment )

- Use of "but look at our Clubhouse" at Heathrow on way out in both cases
- Use of Revival's at Heathrow if using VS, also if we're doing SQ322 in First I believe we gain entry
- If we come back from Sydney using SQ next October, it's possible that we may get to be on the A380

[fozzyo]

SQ does look AMAZING and one day I would love to try it.

However, personally I would go VS for a trip like this for a few reasons. 1) More miles for your next trip. 2) TP's if you want to reach Gold. 3) You get to visit HK. 4) You can use the 2k towards making your HK stay even more memorable.

The £2,000 you save I would then use to stay at one of the Mandarin Oriental properties in HK ... the Landmark is amazing. Stay there for a few nights, book into the most amazing spa for one of the best treatments going - at least a 2hour Time Ritual. I would feel that would give me more value for money, you get the benefits of comfort flying etc. And you get to have the most amazing hotel stay, which lasts longer then the flight and is a time when you aren't quite so knackered by being stuck in a metal tube.

Then just to add, since you are on a reward flight depending on how far your have to travel when you get back to the UK spend an extra 10k miles on a car to take you home.

Mat

[mitchja]

If you are going to use VS miles to book SQ flights, I'd really think about doing it ASAP as from next year SIA are increasing the number of miles required to redeam F and J reward fares on flights that have their new F and J seats. This increase will no doubt filter though to Flying Club as well at some stage.

Not sure if or when the LHR>SIN>SYD SIA flights get the new seats but I would think the LHR>SIN flights will be pretty high on the list.

Regards

How about VS out and SQ back - best of both[8D]

VS.

[HighFlyer]

Originally posted by VS045
How about VS out and SQ back - best of both[8D]

That would be lovely, but costly. One way partner flights cost the same amount of miles as a return, and revenue one way flights have to be booked as flexible fares. Sometimes you can get good deals through travel agents with this though. A colleague of mine has booked a flight to BGI, out in PE with VS and back in CW with BA and it only cost him a few hundred extra.

Thanks,
Sarah

Originally posted by mitchja
Not sure if or when the LHR>SIN>SYD SIA flights get the new seats but I would think the LHR>SIN flights will be pretty high on the list.

I heard that the SQ 744s won't get a refit to the new seats, definitely in J and likely in F, unless there are further delays to the first A380s for SQ.

LHR will continue on the 744 fleet until the A380 arrives.

Mike

I heard that the SQ 744s won't get a refit to the new seats, definitely in J and likely in F, unless there are further delays to the first A380s for SQ.

LHR will continue on the 744 fleet until the A380 arrives.

Mike

That was my comment too - only the new 777s on SQ are getting the new seats (?) and then when the 380 comes in there's talk of a different product again. You may have to go via Paris to guarantee that new product. Given the 380 delays there's no certainty you would get the new seats or a 380 at all.

So ... I'd go with what you know you will get, and that means VS UC. And I definitely agree with Fozzyo on spending the difference at the MO in Hong Kong, being driven around in a Phantom, and generally acting lush! After all, UC is pretty damn good too [y].

Then, for a year after hitting Gold, you'll be able to take advantage of the 'but look at our Club House' marketing!

Thanks all for the information. It's a bit of a tricky question, as given the choice I'd go for SQ First just for the hell of it [}:)]

Thinking about it, 180,000 miles for the price of the ticket is actually poor value on a miles/£ basis. 220,000 miles is better value for the price of the SQ F ticket.

Mat - SQ First will get me VS TP's, 28 in total for the round trip. That would put me within 2 points of Gold. The following February I may well be looking to do Oz again, probably on VS, so that would get me close to requalification and with Gold it would be even better from a miles earning perspective.

I don't think a partner award is going to be viable if you can't do one way redemption - it's a very good idea though and I'll check it out with Flying Club. The BF's ticket must be on miles though.

Thanks,

David.

Mat - SQ First will get me VS TP's, 28 in total for the round trip. That would put me within 2 points of Gold.

You will need 40tps to reach Au,30 is for renewal.I would blow the cash and go SQ F,now where is Blackcat to tell us about his last SQ F trip?

FWIW, I agree wth fozzyo. SQ has amazing service, but there's a lot you could do with the extra money in Hong Kong! Make some memories of both Australia and Hong Kong - and for about the same amount as the SQ flight alone.

Look at it this way: every airline sometimes has hiccups - even SQ. If you spend the money on the flight and something goes awry, will you regret the extra cash spent on it? At least in Honkers you can have some fun!

I vote go VS and take a serious look at fozzyo's suggestions! They sure sound good to me [y]

I am of the opinion that once in a lifetime everyone who can should travel in SQ F at least once. Also, there is a much smaller chance of one regretting spending the money flying SQ than VS;)

VS.

[Scrooge]

Just a silly thought, why not go for two great escapades ? HighFlyer is really the person to ask on this one but the last time I looked the prices were pretty "cheap" and if I am remembering correctly you can pay to upgrade one of the legs to F.

I may of course be talking out of my a** on this, it's been a very long day and as I said Highflyer will correct me if I am wrong.

[HighFlyer]

Hello

IIRC, the Great Escapade in J is now £3996. YOu can choose to fly VS or SQ, or chop and change legs as you desire. You can upgrade legs to F if you wish too, you simply need to ask the agent booking it for you, and of course pay the difference. Its certainly an option, especially if you have the time to extend your trip to take in a few more places, want to try F for a few legs or want to stop off in LAX or SFO on the way home.

Would i ever correct you Dave? You've got more dirt on me than my life is worth

Thanks,
Sarah

Without doubt I'd be on that SQ Connolly leather bed, sipping Dom poured at my seat, sampling caviar, a proper steak, nice desserts, on full size crockery with real flatware, watching my 11inch monitor, reclining in my Givenchy pyjamas and snuggling under a sumptuous duvet.

I might freshen up with a full shaving kit, use my free full size Bvlgari aftershave, and pop on my slippers...

...I'd like to wake to freshly made scrambled eggs, freshly squeezed juice, toast and marmalade. I might even enjoy a mid flight fresh noodle snack, or perhaps the Krug this time ...

Maybe I will enjoy the fact that there are no more than a dozen people, probably, in my cabin - and more likely less. Maybe I'll like being called by my name all the time - and the constant supply of refreshment, pristine, discrete service and all round pleasantness.

That's exactly how it was when I flew SQ F from Sin to LHR last year, and (some might say a little over the top...) JFK - FRA - SIN - PVG - SIN - FRA - JFK last month.

Unbeatable and totally worth it.

(it's all Singapore money in the end too eh?)

Originally posted by Jonathan S
Without doubt I'd be on that SQ Connolly leather bed, sipping Dom poured at my seat, sampling caviar, a proper steak, nice desserts, on full size crockery with real flatware, watching my 11inch monitor, reclining in my Givenchy pyjamas and snuggling under a sumptuous duvet.

I might freshen up with a full shaving kit, use my free full size Bvlgari aftershave, and pop on my slippers...

...I'd like to wake to freshly made scrambled eggs, freshly squeezed juice, toast and marmalade. I might even enjoy a mid flight fresh noodle snack, or perhaps the Krug this time ...

Maybe I will enjoy the fact that there are no more than a dozen people, probably, in my cabin - and more likely less. Maybe I'll like being called by my name all the time - and the constant supply of refreshment, pristine, discrete service and all round pleasantness.

That's exactly how it was when I flew SQ F from Sin to LHR last year, and (some might say a little over the top...) JFK - FRA - SIN - PVG - SIN - FRA - JFK last month.

Unbeatable and totally worth it.

(it's all Singapore money in the end too eh?)

Are you on commission for SQ by any chance? Your description is great, and to be honest I am of the opinion that I should do SQ First while I have the chance.

Thanks for all the other opinions. To be honest spending any more than the already high-price SQ First ticket isn't really an option with regards to 2 x Great Escapade tickets. The situation is now a little more complicated as friends are organising a break in Hong Kong, so it might be convenient to do SIN-HKG for that weekend on the way back, time permitting. That makes VS more convenient but we'll see. May also give the extra TP's required to hit Gold ( JP - I'm doing Dubai in April so that's how I calculated I'd be up to 38 by end of these flights.

I'm pretty sure of my other questions, that SQ First gets us Clubhouse access and Revivals ( if on SQ322 SIN-LHR ) - can anyone confirm?

Thanks,

David.

[mcmbenjamin]

David: May I suggest BD to CDG then SQ to SIN to Australia? Singapore Air operates the new Boeing 777-300 between Singapore and Paris, Hong Kong, Milan, Barcelona, Zurich, Seoul, San Francisco and Frankfurt. The B773 has 23-inch AVOD TV and beds ment for two...(well fit two in the picture).

[preiffer]

Originally posted by mcmbenjamin
David: May I suggest BD to CDG then SQ to SIN to Australia? Singapore Air operates the new Boeing 777-300 between Singapore and Paris, Hong Kong, Milan, Barcelona, Zurich, Seoul, San Francisco and Frankfurt. The B773 has 23-inch AVOD TV and beds ment for two...(well fit two in the picture).

Careful with the expectation management there, Ben - SQ seem to have put HEAVY restrictions on premium mileage redemptions since the introduction of the new Business/First Class 777's.

And it's not all folklore - check the ANA mileage tool - NO reward redemptions on the new 777 routes at ALL for the next 12 months. They've zero'd it all out [n]

B*stards.

Yup - introduce a new cabin, and ensure everyone in there has PAID to be there.

[mcmbenjamin]

Very correct Paul. I ment to go on to say that David and his partner could buy a HKG-SIN F ticket on the B777-300 one-way and Raffles one the return (to avoid the surcharge for Business on the B773). Now buying a F SIN-HKG would make more sense as it would allow access to the KrisFlyer First Lounge in Singapore. I am losing my mind I think.

For those interested in anything similar, asking about the fare prices over at Flyertalk turned up an interesting option from Cairo which would be around £2000 cheaper than an ex-UK fare:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=636920

I'm rather tempted by this - would enable me to try BA FIRST also!

Regards,

David.