SimpliFlying » Singapore Airline

Five clever ways to earn frequent flier miles for upgrades

admin — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:21:10 +0000

Image by msmail via Flickr

Some of us have jobs important enough to fly business class frequently. Are the rest of us destined to be packed into cattle class unless we pay an arm and a leg for business? Not really, even when it is generally getting more difficult to earn and claim Frequent Flier miles.

But frequent fliers are often pampered by the airlines in a variety of ways. So why not try out a few interesting techniques to be taken good care of in the air? Here are five ways the clever people earn and use their miles, especially for upgrades.

1. Just Fly It!

The fastest way to earn an upgrade is to earn miles, especially if you fly frequently. A return trip from Singapore to New York on Singapore Airlines economy class generates nearly about 20,000 miles, not far from the 30,000 miles needed for a one way business class upgrade, or a free economy ticket to Hong Kong. Stick to one major airline, or network such Star Alliance or One World. Do take note that super discounted fares may appear attractive but do not usually qualify for miles accruing.

2. Splurge on Regional, upgrade on International

Passengers may want to consider paying to fly premium on regional routes and using miles to upgrade on international routes. This is simply because the costs are so much more manageable. The actual price difference between an economy and business ticket begin to widen with trip distance. Yet flying comfortably is so much more important on long hauls. Splurging on regional and upgrading on international reduces costs substantially. However, this would not work if the majority of the sectors that the passenger is intending to fly are long haul.

3. Swipe your way to an upgrade

Co-branded credit cards are common and available across the globe for major airlines. Singapore Airlineâ€™s most premium credit card, the American Express Singapore Airlines PPS Club Platinum card, earns a mile for every dollar spent. To earn a trip from Singapore to Hong Kong, the card holder would have to spend S$30,000 for a return ticket on economy class. While credit cards can be useful to top up that few thousand miles that you need for your next Business ticket, depending on credit card alone for a fee ticket, or even an upgrade could take ages.

4. Cheap Skating

The underlying theory is simple; Fly the business class with the lowest price on the airline in the same network, earn the miles, and splurge it on the upgrade somewhere else. For example, Singapore Airlines charges well over S$3,000 for a business ticket from Singapore to Hong Kong. Unitedâ€™s business on the same route is about S$2,100 while Thai charges about S$1,800. The theory is to fly Thai or United on business and use it for future upgrades on Singapore Airline for maximum returns.

5. The Long-Hauler

Many airlines have recognized that there are a group of passengers who are unable to afford a full business class ticket, but willing to pay a little more for more comfort. Premium economy has evolved into a market of its own to target full fare paying economy passengers willing to pay a little more for more comfort and space. For self-paying long haulers, this could be the most value for money option. Most airlines offer generous seat pitch of around 38in and a dedicated attendant to offer better service. A 20-50% premium is usually charged over economy seating, which is a steal, considering that a business class may cost 5-8 times over the economy ticket. Qantas new premium economy, for example, is well worth the money. Do take note, however, that premium economy is usually housed in a small section and seats do run out quickly. So book early.

Three reasons why Qantas missed a branding opportunity with A380

Shashank Nigam — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 22:55:11 +0000

Qantas became the third airline to take delivery of the Airbus A380 aircraft last Friday, after Singapore Airlines and Emirates. Qantas has ordered 20 A380 planes from Airbus, the first of which will enter service from October 20, initially flying between Sydney/Melbourne and Los Angeles but in January next year expanding to the Sydney-Singapore and Sydney-London routes. But the fanfare and buzz is nothing close to that generated by Singapore Airlines’ first A380 flight to Sydney or Emirates’ A380 flight to New York City.

Given the significance of being one of the first few airlines to operate the Airbus A380, and since it will once be the 2nd largest operator of the A380, it’s a mystery why Qantas has not capitalized on this event to build its brand further. Moreover, given the recent negative press generated by the string of Qantas safety lapses, there is an urgent need to repair the damage done.

How did Qantas miss this golden opportunity?

Lack of radical product innovation: The four classes Qantas product for the A380 are not a radical improvement from its existing fleet of wide body planes. Moreover, the peculiar seat color choices make the cabin look dull. This, as opposed to the double-bed suites introduced by Singapore Airlines for First Class, and showers as well as a bar introduced by Emirates for First and Business Class, in their A380 planes. Both of these airlines took full advantage of these product innovations and marketed themselves well, rightly so.
Retracting some service features: Qantas has shelved plans to offer live internet access on its A380 planes from next month as American Airlines comes under fire from customers and flight attendants for allowing passengers to surf porn websites. Last year Qantas general manager John Borghetti was talking up the inflight entertainment system on the A380s, saying “there has never been anything like this on board a commercial aircraft”.But the lack of a full internet service will most likely disappoint many passengers who will have to make do with a limited selection of “cached internet content”. This will be a turn off for some passengers, who were probably looking forward to being connected while they cross the Pacific. Moreover, there is little official explanation given to why the service was retracted.
Lack of customer engagement and buzz at launch. Singapore Airlines created an eBay auction for its first A380 flight. Emirates treated an exclusive group of VIPs and media folks to a joy-ride once they landed the big bird in the US. Qantas, ironically, is keeping the event pretty low-key. In an official response from Qantas, this blog was told that, “Much of our media related activity around the delivery and entry into service will take place in Australia, with a very small contingent to be in the first flight on 20 October”. But why? Why not leverage this special event to build the brand further and engage the customers? We wonder.

What can Qantas do now to leverage on the A380 launch?

It’s probably too difficult and expensive to overhaul the product right away. So, it’s got to be marketing what they’ve got well. May be Qantas can play up the fact that they will be the 2nd largest operator of the largest commercial plane in the world. May be they can highlight their in-flight service and the new uniforms. May be, they can come up with better advertisements showcasing their A380 product features,and not just the plane from the outside.

What do you think? How can Qantas lift up their brand image with the first A380 take off in Kangaroo colors? Let’s discuss.

The best Airbus A380 commercial: Singapore Airlines, Emirates or Qantas?

Shashank Nigam — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 00:40:40 +0000

Which of the first few airlines operating the Airbus A380 have come up with the best advertisements? You be the judge. Personally, I’d rate Emirates’ and Singapore Airlines’ advertisements far above Qantas’.

Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 advertisement

Emirates Airbus A380 advertisement

Qantas Airbus A380 advertisement