Why are Singapore Airlines Award Redemption Taxes/Charges so HIGH?

[one9]

I transferred points to SQ to book an award flight today. Luckily at the last minute before booking I double checked Qantas again and an award flight has been released today on the day I want to travel

Flight was one way flight: SYD > BKK

With SQ it stops for 2 hours or so in Singapore so obviously should have a bit higher taxes. But the difference between charges and taxes is huge:

Qantas: AUD $126
Singapore Airlines: AUD $253

Are all Singapore airlines award booking taxes/charges this high? I don't usually book award flights with them.

[edison]

I transferred points to SQ to book an award flight today. Luckily at the last minute before booking I double checked Qantas again and an award flight has been released today on the day I want to travel

Flight was one way flight: SYD > BKK

With SQ it stops for 2 hours or so in Singapore so obviously should have a bit higher taxes. But the difference between charges and taxes is huge:

Qantas: AUD $126
Singapore Airlines: AUD $253

Are all Singapore airlines award booking taxes/charges this high? I don't usually book award flights with them.

It is my only gripe with SQ. Whilst their award is pretty cheap, their taxes on SQ awards are hideously high. taxes for SYD-SIN-HKG SQ award return could be like $550AU!!!

However, if you book award that is not singapore airlines (eg *A awards) you may end up not paying any fuel surcharge at all, just like my return SYD-AKL-PPT with NZ on J. $145AU for the taxes.

So maybe the best strategy is to redeem non SQ awards through Krisflyer.

[one9]

It is my only gripe with SQ. Whilst their award is pretty cheap, their taxes on SQ awards are hideously high. taxes for SYD-SIN-HKG SQ award return could be like $550AU!!!

However, if you book award that is not singapore airlines (eg *A awards) you may end up not paying any fuel surcharge at all, just like my return SYD-AKL-PPT with NZ on J. $145AU for the taxes.

So maybe the best strategy is to redeem non SQ awards through Krisflyer.

Not being very familiar with booking SQ awards - can you please tell me how good is their award booking engine on their website? Can you view and book awards from most *A carriers? Or do you need to phone them?

[diesmile]

So maybe the best strategy is to redeem non SQ awards through Krisflyer.

sorry if this is a noob question, but how do you do this exactly?

[QF009]

However, if you book award that is not singapore airlines (eg *A awards) you may end up not paying any fuel surcharge at all, just like my return SYD-AKL-PPT with NZ on J. $145AU for the taxes.

That's only because most awards on NZ do not attract fuel fines, regardless of what program you book them through. I had a MEL-xAKL-PVG return booked with LH miles that was only $70 in +++s.

[pblackm]

I'm in Chennai at the moment and had been booked to fly MAA/SIN/SYD tonight, but due to a change in plans, am flying from SIN to BKK for a couple of meetings, then back to SIN and onwards to SYD (on an A380 at last). Trip report coming.

I decided to do this side trip using Krisflyer points. Taxes are Govt SGD59 and "Carrier surcharges" SGD84.

All booked online with a critical waitlist to enable the connection out of SIN. I was on the waitlist for about 5 hours and then the magic email came though. Was quite happy about that, given that finding a reasonably priced paid flight BKK/SIN on a Friday afternoon was impossible.

[auriga]

Not being very familiar with booking SQ awards - can you please tell me how good is their award booking engine on their website? Can you view and book awards from most *A carriers? Or do you need to phone them?

The website only shows SQ flights.
For other *A carriers, will need to phone, so no online discount!

[auriga]

sorry if this is a noob question, but how do you do this exactly?

It does not work for all situations, but if the route you want to fly is served by other star alliance airlines, then booking an award flight on those airlines MAY result in lower fees/ fuel surcharges.

Have to call up.

[kdser]

Based on my experience, SQ surcharge is higher than QF.

[dajop]

More discussion on this over at FT. General opinion seems to be fuel surcharge still high to cover poor hedging position.

It's a points/surcharges trade off. A recent redemption I made - MEL-SIN 1 way - choices were QF in Y+ (45K pts) and SQ in J (33K pts) , but SQ tax was about $120 more. If I'd transferred those points from 1:1 credit card the choice would be clear, $120 for J over Y+? Yes for sure. However, as the points on both programs were from flying, and due to my status that worked out to be QF flying 22,500 miles, and SQ 26,400 miles .. the extra miles & dollars still seemed reasonable for business class.