Redeemed Dividend Miles for SQ flight
Jun 28, 2008, 5:18 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: CLT
Programs: Hilton Diamond, AA Gold, base with everyone else
Posts: 152
Redeemed Dividend Miles for SQ flight
Hi all,
I have several times redeemed my dividend miles for SQ flights. However, for whatever reason every time I tried to check in at the airport - it seems like they are always having a hard time finding my reservation. It really doesn't matter which airport - whether it was at EWR or CGK or SIN. They finally found them but still the experience sometimes was making me nervous.
Back then I always had paper ticket from USAIR for my SQ flights. Now, I have another trip coming up on SQ again but this time it is e-ticket which makes me even more nervous. I know that the confirmation number that USAIR gave me is not my SQ confirmation number. Can anyone give me some pointers and advice to what I can do to be prepared? I know most likely I'm getting paranoid but I just don't want any surprises.
Thanks in advance.
I have several times redeemed my dividend miles for SQ flights. However, for whatever reason every time I tried to check in at the airport - it seems like they are always having a hard time finding my reservation. It really doesn't matter which airport - whether it was at EWR or CGK or SIN. They finally found them but still the experience sometimes was making me nervous.
Back then I always had paper ticket from USAIR for my SQ flights. Now, I have another trip coming up on SQ again but this time it is e-ticket which makes me even more nervous. I know that the confirmation number that USAIR gave me is not my SQ confirmation number. Can anyone give me some pointers and advice to what I can do to be prepared? I know most likely I'm getting paranoid but I just don't want any surprises.
Thanks in advance.
Jun 28, 2008, 6:06 pm
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 3
Great question and common problem. I have used almost all of my US miles on SQ and am emptying my US account now on SQ for F travel through next March.
This is the solution:
1.) As soon as you make the reservation with US, call SQ at 800-742-3333. Give them your outbound date of travel, routing and SQ flight number. Ask them for their SQ record locater number. Get seat assignments for all of your SQ flights from SQ.
2.) Call US reservations back and tell them that SQ has advised you that they will need to have "control of their flights for your travel transferred to SQ". This will cause you to be completely legitimate with SQ while guaranteeing that you miss out on all of the SHARES problems inherent within the US reservation system. Then, require that US transfer control for all but your flights on their a/c to SQ. In so doing, US no longer has ANY ability to screw with your reservation.
3.) Through the SQ website, apply for a KrisFlyer membership, then call SQ back to have that number added to your PNR. That will allow you full access to all of SQ's web reservation capabilities. Then, from the SQ website, print your specific reservation record.
Incidentally, if US goes belly up before your SQ flight, under the US Code your reservation will still be good. In the USA, once a ticket is issued it is valid for travel (unless the specific carrier ticketed no longer exists) because payment is assumed upon issuance of the ticket. It is not that way in most other countries. Once the ticket is issued SQ becomes a creditor of US if US goes belly up. But, you still get to fly under the USC.
As the inevitable disappearance of US gets closer, it will be necessary to structure these *A redemptions without US flights included, from gateway cities. I just redeemed US miles for SFOSGN on SQ in February. But, I will fly DL on a standalone ticket to SFO.
This is the solution:
1.) As soon as you make the reservation with US, call SQ at 800-742-3333. Give them your outbound date of travel, routing and SQ flight number. Ask them for their SQ record locater number. Get seat assignments for all of your SQ flights from SQ.
2.) Call US reservations back and tell them that SQ has advised you that they will need to have "control of their flights for your travel transferred to SQ". This will cause you to be completely legitimate with SQ while guaranteeing that you miss out on all of the SHARES problems inherent within the US reservation system. Then, require that US transfer control for all but your flights on their a/c to SQ. In so doing, US no longer has ANY ability to screw with your reservation.
3.) Through the SQ website, apply for a KrisFlyer membership, then call SQ back to have that number added to your PNR. That will allow you full access to all of SQ's web reservation capabilities. Then, from the SQ website, print your specific reservation record.
Incidentally, if US goes belly up before your SQ flight, under the US Code your reservation will still be good. In the USA, once a ticket is issued it is valid for travel (unless the specific carrier ticketed no longer exists) because payment is assumed upon issuance of the ticket. It is not that way in most other countries. Once the ticket is issued SQ becomes a creditor of US if US goes belly up. But, you still get to fly under the USC.
As the inevitable disappearance of US gets closer, it will be necessary to structure these *A redemptions without US flights included, from gateway cities. I just redeemed US miles for SFOSGN on SQ in February. But, I will fly DL on a standalone ticket to SFO.
Jun 28, 2008, 6:35 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 8,142
Welcome to Flyertalk, NoTux4Me. This is timely information for me since I have an upcoming award flight on SQ. I'm not sure I'll be able to follow through on your #2 suggestion since I have a connecting flight on LH. I did #1 and will now do #3. Thanks.
Bobette
Bobette
Jun 28, 2008, 7:10 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: CLT
Programs: Hilton Diamond, AA Gold, base with everyone else
Posts: 152
Oh wow, definitely great tips. Thanks a lot. Now I can't wait for Monday to come to do just that.
Jun 28, 2008, 8:21 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: AVL
Programs: AA EXP ; Cunard Plat
Posts: 4,211
...Incidentally, if US goes belly up before your SQ flight, under the US Code your reservation will still be good. In the USA, once a ticket is issued it is valid for travel (unless the specific carrier ticketed no longer exists) because payment is assumed upon issuance of the ticket. It is not that way in most other countries. Once the ticket is issued SQ becomes a creditor of US if US goes belly up. But, you still get to fly under the USC....
Helpful information you provided on award SQ flights, and thanks.
I'm unaware of the relevant USC section you refer to, and would appreciate a helpful pointer in the right direction ...
Jun 28, 2008, 8:36 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PIT/DFW/MEL; AA Exec. Platinum & 4MM, QF WP
Posts: 7,689
Incidentally, if US goes belly up before your SQ flight, under the US Code your reservation will still be good. In the USA, once a ticket is issued it is valid for travel (unless the specific carrier ticketed no longer exists) because payment is assumed upon issuance of the ticket. It is not that way in most other countries. Once the ticket is issued SQ becomes a creditor of US if US goes belly up. But, you still get to fly under the USC.
Jun 28, 2008, 9:15 pm
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 3
My information actually came from an SQ reservations supervisor, and then it was affirmed by an older (senior) transportation attorney in the firm for which I work (660 lawyers).
The ATA situation was ATA ticket stock for an ATA flight, with no ATA aircraft flying and no interline agreements in place with other airlines (except WN). I have been advised, but I am going to confirm it in detail, that a US ticket (or NW or DL or UA, etc.) "issued as a partcipating alliance member for flights on another alliance carrier has validity and usefulness based on date of issue in no way connected with date of death or alliance status of the issuing carrier. The ticket is valid without regard to life or alliance membership state of the issuing alliance airline, provided the alliance itself exists on the dates of travel."
This is, of course, not legal advice! But, the guy who told me so is an encyclopedia of case law on all subjects related to common carrier travel.
The ATA situation was ATA ticket stock for an ATA flight, with no ATA aircraft flying and no interline agreements in place with other airlines (except WN). I have been advised, but I am going to confirm it in detail, that a US ticket (or NW or DL or UA, etc.) "issued as a partcipating alliance member for flights on another alliance carrier has validity and usefulness based on date of issue in no way connected with date of death or alliance status of the issuing carrier. The ticket is valid without regard to life or alliance membership state of the issuing alliance airline, provided the alliance itself exists on the dates of travel."
This is, of course, not legal advice! But, the guy who told me so is an encyclopedia of case law on all subjects related to common carrier travel.
Jun 30, 2008, 8:40 am
#8
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: PHL
Programs: Former long-time US GP; now AA dirt
Posts: 4,904
Incidentally, if US goes belly up before your SQ flight, under the US Code your reservation will still be good. In the USA, once a ticket is issued it is valid for travel (unless the specific carrier ticketed no longer exists) because payment is assumed upon issuance of the ticket. It is not that way in most other countries. Once the ticket is issued SQ becomes a creditor of US if US goes belly up. But, you still get to fly under the USC.
Jun 30, 2008, 8:50 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: AVL
Programs: AA EXP ; Cunard Plat
Posts: 4,211
SQ, among others, did honor tickets when Ansett went belly-up years ago, but that was a "goodwill" gesture. Legal recourse? I don't think so.
Jun 30, 2008, 3:17 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Chicago
Programs: Cards with lots of logos on them
Posts: 591
I am just impressed that you were able to redeem your US miles on SQ. I have tried a few times to no avail but was able to transfer my membership rewards points from Amex to SQ Krismiles to get where I needed.
Jun 30, 2008, 4:59 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: MKE
Programs: AA Exec Platinum, SPG Platinum / Ambassador / Lifetime Gold, Avis FIRST
Posts: 3,293
If/when US goes under, it will be up to each partner airline whether or not to honor the tickets.
Overall, with the *A, I would hope/assume that partner airlines will maintain reservations made with dividend miles as a goodwill gesture.
When Aloha went under, United honored reservations made with Aloha airmiles - but there was nothing requiring them to do so.
Overall, with the *A, I would hope/assume that partner airlines will maintain reservations made with dividend miles as a goodwill gesture.
When Aloha went under, United honored reservations made with Aloha airmiles - but there was nothing requiring them to do so.
Jun 30, 2008, 6:55 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: CLT
Programs: Hilton Diamond, AA Gold, base with everyone else
Posts: 152
I've never had any issues in redeeming USAir Miles on SQ. One time I was able to get SQ coach for a flight leaving 2 days after redemption. Nevertheless, one has to be a bit flexible if he/she is thinking about redeeming for First or Business. Thus, I'm flying out of JFK this time....sigh.
Jun 30, 2008, 8:24 pm
#13
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Philadelphia, PA, USA
Programs: US Silver, AA Gold, CO Gold
Posts: 85
My information actually came from an SQ reservations supervisor, and then it was affirmed by an older (senior) transportation attorney in the firm for which I work (660 lawyers).
The ATA situation was ATA ticket stock for an ATA flight, with no ATA aircraft flying and no interline agreements in place with other airlines (except WN). I have been advised, but I am going to confirm it in detail, that a US ticket (or NW or DL or UA, etc.) "issued as a partcipating alliance member for flights on another alliance carrier has validity and usefulness based on date of issue in no way connected with date of death or alliance status of the issuing carrier. The ticket is valid without regard to life or alliance membership state of the issuing alliance airline, provided the alliance itself exists on the dates of travel."
This is, of course, not legal advice! But, the guy who told me so is an encyclopedia of case law on all subjects related to common carrier travel.
The ATA situation was ATA ticket stock for an ATA flight, with no ATA aircraft flying and no interline agreements in place with other airlines (except WN). I have been advised, but I am going to confirm it in detail, that a US ticket (or NW or DL or UA, etc.) "issued as a partcipating alliance member for flights on another alliance carrier has validity and usefulness based on date of issue in no way connected with date of death or alliance status of the issuing carrier. The ticket is valid without regard to life or alliance membership state of the issuing alliance airline, provided the alliance itself exists on the dates of travel."
This is, of course, not legal advice! But, the guy who told me so is an encyclopedia of case law on all subjects related to common carrier travel.
Thank you.
Jun 30, 2008, 8:57 pm
#14
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: A lovely little town filled with cows
Programs: US2, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 3,284
This thread may be of interest to those of you concerned about US ticketed itineraries on other *A partners should US go the way of the dodo:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=183669
For more information on compensation, I had started a thread a few days ago in the *A forum asking how compensation amongst the carriers works. Probably no one in a position to post knows with any degree of certainty, but that's never stopped us from having lively discussions before...
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=838282
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=183669
For more information on compensation, I had started a thread a few days ago in the *A forum asking how compensation amongst the carriers works. Probably no one in a position to post knows with any degree of certainty, but that's never stopped us from having lively discussions before...
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=838282
Jul 1, 2008, 7:02 pm
#15
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: HVN
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 622
Thanks a lot for great the info NoTux4me and Sean. As many (former) loyal US customers I'm burning my miles and have award tickets on SQ and LH. The earliest ones for October (combined SQ/LH) are safe, I assume, the rest....well, I'll make sure to have funds ready to buy my cancelled (C, ouch back to Y) tickets and not have the pleasure of a nice vacation spoiled.