Singapore Airlines - Business class. Help.

[vilhelm]

Hi guys,

I'm new here and this is probably the best place on the net to ask this question so here goes:

I think I will be flying to Australia in November to visit some friends, and if I do, I will be flying Singapore Airlines and the mighty A380 (should be fun), but flying for 24 hours in eco-class is a major PITA.

The only problem is: Regular eco-class is priced at a little under 1k GBP, while business class is 3,8k GBP. It would be worth it if I could get it for 2x the price, but paying 3.8x the price is a bit too pricey.

Any suggestions on how I can get a cheaper business class seat?

Would it be possible to upgrade at a much reduced price when there is a week or so left before the flight?

Thanks guys!

[dajop]

Any suggestions on how I can get a cheaper business class seat?

Not sure ex-UK, but ex-AUS the only way to get a substaintially cheaper business class seat is to fly with another airline. Thai & Malaysian are often less expensive than Singapore Airlines. Or go for premium economy on Qantas, BA or Virgin Atlantic.

Would it be possible to upgrade at a much reduced price when there is a week or so left before the flight?

No. Not on SQ. Especially flying on the the A380.

[vilhelm]

Not sure ex-UK, but ex-AUS the only way to get a substaintially cheaper business class seat is to fly with another airline. Thai & Malaysian are often less expensive than Singapore Airlines. Or go for premium economy on Qantas, BA or Virgin Atlantic.



No. Not on SQ. Especially flying on the the A380.

Thanks for your answer dajop. If I fly premium economy will I be eligible for upgrade to business if I don't have a FF program with the airline I am flying with? Does it help any that my father has a gold card with SAS?

Also if business is not fully booked why wouldn't they reduce ticket prices for a business class upgrade?

[v8Statesman]

Also if business is not fully booked why wouldn't they reduce ticket prices for a business class upgrade?

Many US carriers will do this, as well as a notable Oz based LCC.

But it seems that everywhere else in the world the consensus is that it devalues the product and so it usually only offered to elites (and sometimes not at all).

[v8Statesman]

Oh, BTW Welcome to AFF vilhelm!

I hope you have a long and enjoyble relationship with this board like I have. I have found the information on here to be invaluable.

I am now a Top tier member of 1 carrier and 2nd top for another. Before I joined this group I was just a nobody

[trooper]

Because Singapore Airlines (SQ) "protects" its Premium cabins?... If folks knew cheap upgrades were available close in why would anyone buy the "real thing"? That's a guess.. but I suggest a decent one....

SQ reportedly charges a surcharge for Business (and First? Dunno) on it's 77W's .. and for Biz on the 380.. (which doesn't even have First.. only "Suites" at a higher cost again).. Doesn't seem quite right to me... but the market seems to accept it.. and I must say their new C on the 77W IS very nice... I have had the good fortune to fly in it once...

Always best to be prepared to travel in the class you paid for.... anything may happen of course - operational upgrades, like lightning, CAN strike.. but I wouldn't rely on it!

I assume you are talking about a free upgrade? If so the paragraph above applies..

If not then it will depend on the airline.. some DO "upsell" at check in for set prices (good value in some markets) others will only do so on a "pay the full fare difference" basis... which doesn't help you much!!

The bad news is getting into Business class without either paying for it or using "instruments" (certificates/miles/points from the appropriate FF program) is pretty bloody unlikely these days.... even if op-ups are required (unsold seats in Biz, oversold in Economy) they will probably go to folks with status on that airlines FF program... That seems to be policy with many airlines...

The good news is the 380 is about as good as it gets in economy! Make sure you get a seat on the Upper Deck... (Instead of the 3-4-3 config downstairs it's 2-4-2 with nice side storage at the window seats, less people, faster service IME) Only flew SYD-SIN on that beast (bit over 7 hours?) but it flew by... and yes, that was a terrible pun! Sorry..

Enjoy the trip!!!

[vilhelm]

Many US carriers will do this, as well as a notable Oz based LCC.

But it seems that everywhere else in the world the consensus is that it devalues the product and so it usually only offered to elites (and sometimes not at all).

I see. Thanks for your answer.

Any other suggestions (if there are any left) are welcome

[vilhelm]

Oh, BTW Welcome to AFF vilhelm!

I hope you have a long and enjoyble relationship with this board like I have. I have found the information on here to be invaluable.

I am now a Top tier member of 1 carrier and 2nd top for another. Before I joined this group I was just a nobody

Thank you for your welcome. I always like to ask people that know a certain field better than 99.999% of others, and that's why I love these different forums. So much good and accurate information.

Because Singapore Airlines (SQ) "protects" its Premium cabins?... If folks knew cheap upgrades were available close in why would anyone buy the "real thing"? That's a guess.. but I suggest a decent one....

If you don't book in advance you are not guaranteed a seat in business. The people that travel in first/business would not take that chance when the company is paying for their trip anyways. I know I wouldn't.

But the prices are just too high for anyone else, if you don't have a solid yearly income, and can spend the extra 2.8k GBP on some addition comfort.

SQ reportedly charges a surcharge for Business (and First? Dunno) on it's 77W's .. and for Biz on the 380.. (which doesn't even have First.. only "Suites" at a higher cost again).. Doesn't seem quite right to me... but the market seems to accept it.. and I must say their new C on the 77W IS very nice... I have had the good fortune to fly in it once...

Always best to be prepared to travel in the class you paid for.... anything may happen of course - operational upgrades, like lightning, CAN strike.. but I wouldn't rely on it!

I assume you are talking about a free upgrade? If so the paragraph above applies..

Nothing usually comes free. I expected to pay for it. The price in Eco-class is 1k, the price in business is 3.8k. I would be willing to pay an additional 1k for business class, but from the looks of it, it doesn't look like it is possible?

If not then it will depend on the airline.. some DO "upsell" at check in for set prices (good value in some markets) others will only do so on a "pay the full fare difference" basis... which doesn't help you much!!

The bad news is getting into Business class without either paying for it or using "instruments" (certificates/miles/points from the appropriate FF program) is pretty bloody unlikely these days.... even if op-ups are required (unsold seats in Biz, oversold in Economy) they will probably go to folks with status on that airlines FF program... That seems to be policy with many airlines...

The good news is the 380 is about as good as it gets in economy! Make sure you get a seat on the Upper Deck... (Instead of the 3-4-3 config downstairs it's 2-4-2 with nice side storage at the window seats, less people, faster service IME) Only flew SYD-SIN on that beast (bit over 7 hours?) but it flew by... and yes, that was a terrible pun! Sorry..

Enjoy the trip!!!

Thanks It will be very cool to fly in the A380, and thanks for your suggestion about the upper deck

[Evan]

Some CX flights i do J is 8 times more expensive than Y !!!! so no chance i would pay it.
The norm seems to be 3 to 4 times the price of a reasonable discount Y ticket.

If people pay it why should an airline accept less... they are in business to make money.

The money paid for the comfort, well thats only a decision only you can make ! or you company.... my company travel is all Y, but when i travel myself i try to ensure i can afford a better class of travel

E

[vilhelm]

Some CX flights i do J is 8 times more expensive than Y !!!! so no chance i would pay it.
The norm seems to be 3 to 4 times the price of a reasonable discount Y ticket.

If people pay it why should an airline accept less... they are in business to make money.

The money paid for the comfort, well thats only a decision only you can make ! or you company.... my company travel is all Y, but when i travel myself i try to ensure i can afford a better class of travel

E

Well keep the prices like they are, but there are several flights where lots of business class or first class seats are wide open. Maybe they could incorporate the discounted rate at check in, nothing "cheap", but cheaper then what the prices were to start with. That's just my opinion on it though.

Most Business travels and the regular business/first class customers won't take the change of being put in eco because they wanted to save 1k GPB on a 24 hour flight