[Confirmed]: Book a preferred seat by paying a fee

[fimo]

Will that be cash or credit?

Um, do I get nautical miles if I help row?

[jjpb3]

I think the manner in which this change was introduced was maladroit, to say the least. The revenue raised seems minor, and if SQ wanted to spin it as a way of accommodating the demand for those seats, they could have exempted PPS members and EGs from the fee. They could have given a carrot to their elite members in the face of the steady erosion of benefits.

For the most part, this change doesn't personally affect me; for example, I prefer G seats in the front cabin on the 744. The seat pitch with the other Y seats doesn't bother me, and I prefer to be among the first to get out of the plane.

But I feel SQ degrades its brand with this change.

[SQflyergirl]

I can answer number 1 - PPS & SQEG are not exempt - they must pay like everyone else

To add to that:

3: What if you're 2 minutes from Check-in closing, and you've not got those speshul seats filled? Can an agent issue those seats for free to the last minute checkins? Or will they hold back to sell at the gate?
4: What if when doors are closed, and someone in 32D feels like upping sticks and moving forward a row to an empty 31D ?

[Rejuvenated]

So which one would passengers rather pay extra for while flying economy:
1) Pay extra for those SQ preferable seats while meal is complimentary
or
2) Pay extra for onboard meals while EE seats (if able to successfully secure at time of booking) are free of charge for N.A. carriers

[jjpb3]

So which one would passengers rather pay extra for while flying economy:
1) Pay extra for those SQ preferable seats while meal is complimentary
or
2) Pay extra for onboard meals while EE seats (if able to successfully secure at time of booking) are free of charge for N.A. carriers

I doubt SQ would ever consider making passengers pay for meals. That change would be too visible: how many passengers are, in practice, negatively affected by the charge for the emex seats?

[Rejuvenated]

Apologise for not being clear. I wasn't hinting on SQ resorting to "Buy on Board Meals"; but rather I was curious if people were to pay extras for economy, would they be more willing to pay for an extra legroom seat with SQ and have complimentary meals (when they fly SQ) or would they rather pay for onboard meals onboard North American based carriers but not be charged for EE row seats should they be available at time of booking and be selectable (when they fly North American Carriers).

[Nick C]

I know of 8 individuals who will gladly pay to be in the Emex row.

What's disappointing is that PPS & KF*G (Maybe PPS only to distinguish the 2 tiers) members travelling in Y aren't excluded from paying the fee. If *A*G members were excluded it's understandable...

[tris]

Seat selection is a not a published benefit of EG/PPS. I would agree with most SQers that this will dillute the benefit of PPS/EG benefit. PPS and EG differentiation in itself is almost non existance ex-sin.

SQ FFP in general is no longer special as it used to be and particularly since the cut back last Oct and with the recent introduction of lower liquour purchase discount and miles redemption rules.

Obviously there are loads of smart ppl in SQ who are thinking ways and means to cut operation cost and take avantage of opportunities available - For eg, jet fuel prices has fallen dramatically but there is only one cut since. In a nut shell, they are just trying to make back the higher cost in the early part this year.

Fortunately or unfortunately, i almost reached the PPS value for next renewal in Apr 09. I am sure, i will start to place my business elsewhere and would not be patronising SQ for the extremely lousy FFP. I would fly SQ only if i have no choice and better off being a non-status pax in business/first. There is no difference other than kris shop/DFS discount. If i am really into buying krisshop stuff, i can get my SQ friend to help.

For those who are extremely upset about the way things are handled, the only way other than voicing out your dissatisfaction is to fly other airlines.

I am quite sure, SIA will get your message really soon this way.

[kivencheung]

Why would they do this??? Is SQ really lack of profit??? I don't think so!!!
That's really sad if they are really implement this policy.

But if that i wasn't going for some extra space seats, will they make a surcharge?
So, that's really no point to do online check-in then, if they are doing the extra charge on the ticket. Isn't it?

Well, i wish it won't happen, it really affect SIA's image.

[tris]

Seat selection is a not a published benefit of EG/PPS. I would agree with most SQers that this will dillute the benefit of PPS/EG benefit. PPS and EG differentiation in itself is almost non existance ex-sin.

SQ FFP in general is no longer special as it used to be and particularly since the cut back last Oct and with the recent introduction of lower liquour purchase discount and miles redemption rules.

Obviously there are loads of smart ppl in SQ who are thinking ways and means to cut operation cost and take avantage of opportunities available - For eg, jet fuel prices has fallen dramatically but there is only one cut since. In a nut shell, they are just trying to make back the higher cost in the early part this year.

Fortunately or unfortunately, i almost reached the PPS value for next renewal in Apr 09. I am sure, i will start to place my business elsewhere and would not be patronising SQ for the extremely lousy FFP. I would fly SQ only if i have no choice and better off being a non-status pax in business/first. There is no difference other than kris shop/DFS discount. If i am really into buying krisshop stuff, i can get my SQ friend to help.

For those who are extremely upset about the way things are handled, the only way other than voicing out your dissatisfaction is to fly other airlines.

I am quite sure, SIA will get your message really soon this way.

One point to add, has anyone noticed that since May this year, any Krisshop purchase is not entitled to miles accumulation for PPS. I am not sure if this apply to KF blue/silver and gold.

[MAN Flyer]

I also can't see how they've judged that the financial benefit to this is so much better than how LCC-ish the action itself is looks, and as a result cheapens them somewhat.


Press release:

Singapore Airlines customers making Economy Class bookings on singaporeair.com now have the additional choice of guaranteeing themselves a preferred seat, with the launch of Preferred Seat Selection.

Currently, preferred seats available for allocation are located in exit rows. Customers will be offered an option to purchase a specific Preferred Seat, when they make their seat selection for applicable Economy Class bookings, including KrisFlyer redemption bookings. Customers can also purchase a Preferred Seat anytime before check-in (which begins 48 hours before flight departure), simply by retrieving their bookings on Singapore Airlines website.

Preferred Seats offer customers more legroom, and are now available for advance and guaranteed customer selection, for a fee of US$ 50 per sector, for all Singapore Airlines’ flights, except short-haul routes within Southeast Asia, and flights served by Boeing 777-200ER aircraft (this aircraft does not have seats located in exit rows). Preferred Seat Selection is subject to official approval in some markets, and some local variations may apply where regulatory approvals dictate.

Other categories of Preferred Seats, that similarly offer customers more legroom, may also be made available for selection in future.

Previously, Preferred Seats were only available on a request basis, without confirmation. The new option now offers a guarantee of assignment, subject to terms and conditions, on a first come, first serve basis.

For seats located in exit rows, Singapore Airlines requires, as part of a commitment to the safety of customers, that those who select and occupy these seats must meet mandatory safety conditions. These prerequisites, which strictly comply with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore’s flight safety guidelines, require that these customers must:

• Be at least 21 years of age at the commencement of the journey.
• Be fully able-bodied, and capable of opening the exit doors and moving quickly, or reaching and passing through the adjacent emergency exit.
• Be able to understand and follow the safety instructions in English.
• Be in good health at the time of check-in, boarding, and during the flight.
• Not be pregnant, or carrying infants, or using an infant seat belt.
• Not be under the influence of any intoxicating substance at check-in, boarding, and during the flight, as determined by ground and cabin crew.
• Not require an extension seat belt because of large body size.

As an example, customers travelling on SQ16 to San Francisco, via Seoul, will pay US$50 to select a Preferred Seat on their flight. For customers traveling from Sydney to London via Singapore (eg. SQ222 for SYD-SIN, and subsequently SQ322 for SIN-LON) will have to pay US$100 to select Preferred Seats on both legs (i.e. SYD-SIN and SIN-LON), as each leg is considered one sector.

Preferred Seat Selection is not available on the All Business-Class Airbus A340-500 aircraft as Preferred Seats are only available in Economy Class cabins. Customers travelling in Business or First Class, or the Singapore Airlines Suites, enjoy specific seat selection at any time from the time of booking, with no additional charge.

[yauee]

So it doesn't affect for people who are travelling in South East Asia. It still on request basis

[Derek]

A day later..

I have deemed it annoying enough to start looking at alternative airlines for my trip now. If I find another airline with a comparable product and lands at my destination at a more convenient time then I will go with them (I guess that is what normal people do ).

If I cant find anything, I will just stick to SQ. No dramas.

So overall it is not all bad, I get to look outside the box a bit and try different airlines.

Then should I choose to fly SQ, I know that I can get myself a good seat with no status (I wont even bother to try and renew my KF*G) and $50USD.

And that is how you make lemonade when life gives you lemons.

[Kyo]

One point to add, has anyone noticed that since May this year, any Krisshop purchase is not entitled to miles accumulation for PPS. I am not sure if this apply to KF blue/silver and gold.

Applicable. No more extra miles purchasable on the flight.

[tris]

Applicable. No more extra miles purchasable on the flight.

Its sad to hear that. they did not even announce this change as far as i know. What a way to do PR. Being silent on cut back. I am not sure if other airlines has done any significant cut back as drastic as SIA. Once again, kudoes to their good deed to FFP.