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United has reintroduced booking Singapore awards online, which is long overdue after it suspended the option back in 2013. This change caps a busy couple of weeks for Singapore after it announced relatively decent redemption options on Alaska flights. This is a significant improvement on the current situation, which required bookings to be done over the phone, and potentially incurred a phone booking fee.
No Change To Singapore Award Policy
One thing to remember is that Singapore is still as stringy as ever with its partner award space — especially first class awards, which you'll only see available when booking directly with Singapore KrisFlyer. However, there is a decent amount of economy award space, and in some instances, you can pick up Singapore premium cabin awards on shorter routes; mid & long-haul award seats can be at times like finding a unicorn.
Overall
This is a welcome addition (albeit one that is being reinstated after being taken away), and one of the biggest perks of the reintroduction of online booking is that you can take your time and maximize your routing and award bookings. It makes taking advantage of United’s excursionist perk much easier. Hopefully, in the long run, Singapore might change its mind and make more premium cabin award space available to partners too!
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Actually, I frequently saw SQ economy class awards on popular routes and business class awards on marginal routes for flights across Asia Pacific in the United award database over the years.
It makes it so much easier when you can book awards online instead of having to book them over the phone. Great improvement for United.
I hope they can keep the inventory online consistently. Certainly makes it easier to book.
This is great news. I agree with other posters, it’s much more pleasant to book award tickets online than to deal with an agent who is really may understand almost nothing about the award booking process or rules.
Always nice to see availability online with a simple search!
Good news. Didn’t even realize these were gone but now I know why Sing air was never coming up on Asia routes when I searched for award tickets.
great. looking forward to some SA travel!
It is much better when you can look online to find and book reward redemptions. It is very frustrating having to do things by phone.
This should be a huge advantage moving forward.
Great news!
This is brilliant news, I just hope I’m able to find some seats.
It’s a shame they’re getting rid of the 30k business award SE Asia – Australia.
Definitely, stinks, but they’re just aligning prices with other market pricing.
True, but the sweet spots keep disappearing across the board.
Nice to see some more options, though.
This is welcome news. I always appreciate when I can book a rewards ticket online as opposed to needing to get in contact with someone who is having trouble following my logic. Online bookings make for much less headache in my experience.
Good option. I wish they flew Hawaii
Sweet! Nice timing especially since Etihad has recently started restricting their awards from US gateways. Another reason to always diversify point-earning.
What are the fuel surcharges when redeeming UA miles gor SQ flights? Thank you!
$0. United does not pass on fuel (carrier-imposed) surcharges on award tickets.
Is there any Bonus on United at the Moment?
Yes: https://awardwallet.com/blog/united-30-mileage-bonus-hotel-point-transfers-25000-miles/
Is this only for economy or even business and first?
It is for all booking classes. Keep in mind, Singapore is stingy with releasing premium award seats in general — this doesn’t fix that, but at least now we’ll see seats on United.com if they’re available.
That’s why I prefer to transfer my AMEX and Citi points to Krisflyer and redeem
Good news. Singapore’s services are excellent. One of the best ways to go to Asia.
I would like to see AA open more premium saver award space too!
Amen; we all hope for that!
Hi Sam – Airlines, in many cases, do not show award availability on their own website for some other carriers for which they advertise that you can use their miles for those same other airlines. Why is this?
IT/Technology limitations. There is a marginal benefit for airlines to make it easier for customers to redeem their miles on partners/other airlines. Instead, if they “force” redemptions on their own aircraft at premium it is a win/win for them.