I booked these seats last week thinking that it might have been a glitch but was very surprised to still see some availability yesterday! I shared it with members in Suitesmile Chat Telegram group and saw some Saver award availability disappeared this morning. 🙌
Types of First Class / Suites in Singapore Airlines
First Class
This First Class seat is still fantastic today and is often overshadowed by the phenomenal new suites.
I wrote a review of this seat for my flight from Hong Kong to Singapore in 2019.
Suites
The Suite Class requires the same amount of miles as First Class. For flights to/from Europe, it will cost you 125,000 miles when there is “Saver” award availability or 220,000 miles when there is “Advantage” availability.
There are 2 versions of Suites being flown by Singapore Airlines and both can be turned into double beds. The first version was launched in 2007 and the newer one in 2017.
However, there are reports that the older 2007 version will not fly again and all Airbus A380s flown by Singapore Airlines will be having the amazing 2017 version!
UPDATE 27 Nov 2021: Although my booking is still showing the seat map of the older suites, Singapore Airlines is now showing the same seat maps for both versions of Airbus A380-800. (version 1, version 2)
UPDATE 15 Dec 2021: Old seat maps are still showing for flights till 31 Oct 2022. New seat maps (with new suites) are showing for flights from 1 Nov 2022 and beyond.
UPDATE 16 Dec 2021: All seat maps for Airbus 380 SQ25 flights from Frankfurt to Singapore have been updated to show the new suites!
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Why is this a Rare “deal”?
125,000 Krisflyer miles for Singapore Airlines Suite flights between Singapore and Europe is a great deal. However, I did not include it in my list of Krisflyer Sweet Spots as it was pretty much impossible to book them outright as a couple, without any waitlisting nonsense.
Singapore Airlines unveiled the beautiful new Suites in November 2017, but right before the pandemic, in March 2020, the airline only had 6 Airbus A380 aircrafts flying these seats! That explains the lack of Saver availability for long-haul routes.
The “deal”
You can book one-way Suite Saver seats from Frankfurt to Singapore (only this route!) with 125,000 Krisflyer miles without waitlisting for up to 2 passengers!
Read those bolded words again!
Available dates
As of time of writing, these are the available dates for 2 passengers per booking:
September 2022: 16, 19, 22, 27, 28
October 2022: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 19, 25, 27, 28
It seems that the Saver rates are available only for 2 passengers per date as they disappeared after I made my booking. New Saver award availability are still being added every day (today + 355 days ahead).
Higher taxes and fees
A disadvantage of flying from Frankfurt instead of Singapore is the higher taxes and fees. This route will cost you about EUR 103 (S$160) per passenger, instead of S$57 for the reverse itinerary.
Extend your First Class experience for cheap
If you’re more adventurous (like me 🤪), book a flight from Frankfurt to Jakarta with a long layover in Singapore to enjoy more champagne and amazing food in The Private Room lounge and on board! And if you are new to SQ First Class, it will be nice to experience the other seat type too.
I booked one with a 23 hours layover for a good sleep at home and to drop my luggage.
This extended itinerary will cost you just EUR 5 (S$8) more in taxes and fees. You will also have to book a separate flight back to Singapore from Jakarta. But with no luggage with you, you could probably fly home in a low-cost carrier for about S$50.
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Old seat map still showing
When I made the booking last week, it was showing the seat map of the old suites.
I had booked the middle seats that can be converted into a Double Suite, hoping that they will be translated to a Double Suite if/when the seat map gets updated.
Of course, there is also a chance of an aircraft swap to a Boeing 777-300ER where you will get the other non-suite First Class seat.
Usual Pandemic travel risks to note
Although Singaporeans can now enter Germany and fly back home without quarantine, we are still not 100% sure what the future holds. Flying in 2022 still requires some flexibility and risk appetite on your part.
On top of that, Indonesia is also still closed to tourists.
Bottom line
This was a no-brainer for me. If the pandemic situation worsens, I am confident that Singapore Airlines will refund my miles, along with the taxes and fees that I’ve paid.
Although it is still not 100% guaranteed that you will get to fly in the newer suite, this is still a much better use of Krisflyer miles than those 92k/120k Business Class flights to/from Europe. Stay away from those!