Using Virgin Points for LHR-SIN on SQ (Economy)

[chiraagnt]

Hi all,

I was just wondering in light of the recent HfP article on redeeming Virgin Points for airline partners if anyone has ever had any luck with redeeming their Virgin Points on SQ Economy long haul; particularly their flights from Heathrow/Gatwick to Singapore?

I have seen data points of redemptions for internal Asia flights but must admit, not seen any for their flights from London, even in Economy (yes, I’m aware their business and FC/Suites can’t be redeemed long haul). Thanks!

[Froggee]

I have not booked these but have seen reports of a number of people who have done so.

My experience is United Airlines fairly accurately reflects what you should be able to get with Virgin.

It is tricky for the telephone agents to book these so if you get an inexperienced agent then they might say there is no availability without checking (I believe they need to enter passenger names first to allow them to request the seats).

If you do book, make sure to get the SQ booking reference as well as the Virgin one as otherwise managing your booking is a pain.

[chiraagnt]

Froggee wrote:

I have not booked these but have seen reports of a number of people who have done so.

My experience is United Airlines fairly accurately reflects what you should be able to get with Virgin.

It is tricky for the telephone agents to book these so if you get an inexperienced agent then they might say there is no availability without checking (I believe they need to enter passenger names first to allow them to request the seats).

If you do book, make sure to get the SQ booking reference as well as the Virgin one as otherwise managing your booking is a pain.

Thanks Froggee – my data points are in fact mainly your posts in this forum regarding inter-Asia travel on SQ with Virgin points so this is definitely helpful! United often does show availability on SQ between London to Singapore so will have a look and give the call centre a call! Hopefully I get a good agent!

[Froggee]

Here’s one on HfP for Manchester to Singapore.

Note first agent’s “no availability” response.

There used to be a FlyerTalk thread but canny findit.

https://www.headforpoints.com/forums/topic/using-vfc-miles-on-singapore-royal-brunei/

[pdw8]

I’m thinking of trying this, LHR – SIN for next November when they become available. This works out well as we are going on a one way cruise so single flight prices are high. I have 130,000 Virgin points available. Coming home will be from Hong Kong so the cash saving can be used for BA PE I hope.

[Froggee]

pdw8 wrote:

I’m thinking of trying this, LHR – SIN for next November when they become available. This works out well as we are going on a one way cruise so single flight prices are high. I have 130,000 Virgin points available. Coming home will be from Hong Kong so the cash saving can be used for BA PE I hope.

Hopefully that is a redemption with BA also?

It sounds like your cruise is from SIN-HKG?

If so, then you wouldn’t be looking at two one-way flights but an open jaws return which is basically priced in the middle of a return LHR-SIN and a return LHR-HKG.

You may well know this in which case, ignore!

[pdw8]

Froggee wrote:

pdw8 wrote:

I’m thinking of trying this, LHR – SIN for next November when they become available. This works out well as we are going on a one way cruise so single flight prices are high. I have 130,000 Virgin points available. Coming home will be from Hong Kong so the cash saving can be used for BA PE I hope.

Hopefully that is a redemption with BA also?

It sounds like your cruise is from SIN-HKG?

If so, then you wouldn’t be looking at two one-way flights but an open jaws return which is basically priced in the middle of a return LHR-SIN and a return LHR-HKG.

You may well know this in which case, ignore!

Yes, Sing – HK cruise.

Sadly no BA redemption as only likely to have around 40k avios by the time we need to book in a few weeks time. I’ve never heard of an open jaws booking before. I am assuming there is no way I can use virgin point via SQ outbound and then a BA or QR booking home with maybe an avios upgrade? These would need to be separate one way bookings.

[Froggee]

If the below link works that should show you an open jaw on Google flights for random dates in September.

https://www.google.com/travel/flights/search?tfs=CBwQAhoeEgoyMDI1LTA5LTAyagcIARIDTEhScgcIARIDU0lOGh4SCjIwMjUtMDktMDlqBwgBEgNIS0dyBwgBEgNMSFJAAUgBcAGCAQsI____________AZgBAw

Generally a one way flight is considerably more expensive than half a return so paying cash for HKG-LHR might not be your best option.

If you are flying on an off peak date with BA then you should be able to upgrade an economy booking to premium economy for 15,000 Avios each plus an extra amount of cash (maybe). Hong Kong is a funny route for taxes so they might just charge you the Avios and no extra money but you would have to call to find out.

Make sure you don’t overpay for a cash flight as they tend to be very expensive when released and then drop in price.

Spend some time looking at various combinations of flights etc as you might be better off saving your Virgin miles and just paying cash for an open jaw return. If you were doing this then you would want to wait for a seat sale. November is not peak travel season so no rush booking immediately for a cash fare!

You could also look at buying Avios (or boosting them if you have not done that?) or upping the cash component on a redemption. A redemption from Hong Kong to London with BA has very low taxes so is a veritable bargain.

With 40,000 Avios, assuming you are a couple, you could book a redemption – see price choices below. I am pretty sure even using the lower Avios, higher cash options will be much better than paying cash.

Premium Economy on an off peak day is:
50000 Avios + £ 34.00
43000 Avios + £ 64.00
39000 Avios + £ 94.00
30000 Avios + £ 174.00
23000 Avios + £ 264.00
15600 Avios + £ 324.00

Economy is:
35000 Avios + £ 34.00
25000 Avios + £ 84.00
19500 Avios + £ 149.00
15000 Avios + £ 184.00
10000 Avios + £ 219.00
6850 Avios + £ 249.00

[Froggee]

Thinking about the above it doesn’t specifically say:

Yes – you should be able to use your Virgin points to book SQ to LHR-SIN in economy and your Avios to book HKG-LHR in premium economy.

You will be booking Virgin at T-330 and BA at T-355.

This means if your holiday is less than 25 days long then you will be looking to book the BA flights first.

Good luck!

[pdw8]

Thank you for all the advice Froggee, I will see how things look in a few weeks. I know BA usually have a sale just after Christmas so as you said, just weigh up the options and go from there.

[phantomchickenz]

Just a thought – why SQ? You might find it much easier finding seats from Singapore on KLM or Air France, possibly in J.

[pdw8]

phantomchickenz wrote:

Just a thought – why SQ? You might find it much easier finding seats from Singapore on KLM or Air France, possibly in J.

I am booking for our friends who are also coming on the cruise, I am the only one with any kind of airline status so looking to use that to save on things like seats and extra luggage (in the case of BA/OW) and I currently have BA Silver / *A Gold. / Skyteam Elite Plus thanks to status matches.

The aim is to keep things simple, albeit my wife and I will be flying PE if we can use points. We are all open to a layover so thats not an issue.

Can I use Virgin points to upgrade a cash SQ booking?

[Froggee]

pdw8 wrote:

phantomchickenz wrote:

Just a thought – why SQ? You might find it much easier finding seats from Singapore on KLM or Air France, possibly in J.

Can I use Virgin points to upgrade a cash SQ booking?

No.

(sorry)