Long-term planning… The expression goes down so easily, is so reassuring.
In the travel world, long-term planning is the first commandment. “Plan ahead or else” is pretty much how most think about booking First and Business Class, especially when trying to use miles.
Most have been taught that to get the best fares one must book far in advance, and the airlines have taken advantage of that training by imposing increasingly longer advance-purchase requirements on published fares: 150-days out is now the standard for many discounted Business Class fares to Europe, 50- to 60-day advance to Asia, and up to 99 days to South American destinations.
At the same time, U.S. airlines have been devaluing elite status, so even the long-term planner finds himself getting in a long line of other believers in long-term planning.
Think about it. One hundred fifty days is the equivalent of planning a wedding, except, in this case, your partner isn’t really your spouse. For the big carriers, this is all a marriage of convenience.
Of course, money still talks, but for First Class on long-haul flights we’re talking about $6,000 to $15,000+. If you’ve got the lingo, then you’ve got the bingo. You’re done with this story.
If not, I’m here to tell you why long-term planning may be a disability. It may give you security, but often at the expense of nailing a really good seat upfront.
How to Find Singapore Airlines
First Class Mileage Award Seats
In the current mileage award world, it’s the late bird that often catches the worm. The fact is that on impossible routes, such as New York-Frankfurt, First Class mileage seats on Singapore Airlines, the focus airline of this special report, often (only) open up within two weeks of departure.
According to our research (last conducted in mid-April) there was only one day available with mileage award space from May 2017 through March 2018, but for travel within two weeks of departure the door to First Class opened: We found five days (April 19, 22, 25, 26, 30) when First Class mileage seats could be had—and at the lowest mileage rate. By the way, you’re in First on an A380.
This approach also works on other major airlines.
Of course, this is for Upgrade Opportunists: Gotta have bags packed and be ready to scramble when the amazing opportunity comes up.
Wait a minute! Given this is a trend, you can plan ahead, the short-notice booking!
This isn’t for everyone, but it’s often available to anyone that’s in the mood for a great flight; the best way to begin a great trip, right?
Use Short-Notice Bookings With
Long-Notice Bookings, Trips
This approach can also work for those booking way in advance, who are willing to jump on the short-term opportunity—and take the cancellation fees in the bargain. Write them off as the cost of comfort.
I do this with about 80% of my trips.
Why not fly a top-tier carrier that I couldn’t book cheaply when I originally went to secure my flights, but can in time.
I book good flights way in advance to make my wife happy.
I then cancel them and book great flights close to departure to make my wife really happy.
This takes very little time when you know where to look for the deals, availability.
Singapore Airlines to/from Asia, First Class
Los Angeles-Tokyo on Singapore is another route on which First Class mileage award space is scarcer than a big black truffle. For months we found nothing when checking space far out, but then on April 26 up came First Class seats readily available a week out. On San Francisco-Hong Kong, another win-the-lottery route, we’ve seen First Class mileage seats intermittently available.
The Rule Is Actually to be
Far- and Near-Sighted
Plan. As Winston Churchill said, “Plans are nothing. Planning is everything.” But don’t fall in love with your plan. Actually, figure the costs of a divorce; because once you’re two weeks from departure, you should be back online looking for that First Class mileage seat to appear. And if it does, you pull the trigger. Ten hours into a flight to Europe or Asia, you’re not going to think about the cancellation fees.
You’re going to be asleep in a top-tier suite.
Various Considerations
- Best way to get miles with Singapore: Transfer from one of the major programs, Amex, Chase, Citi, and Starwood. Amex offers the fastest transfer, one day.
- Think about the return. To get the best seat, you may have to change dates. Okay, so you spend another night and you get into First Class on the return in a top-tier suite. I’m always looking for excuses to stay away longer: This is my favorite one! But again, know the rules.
- Don’t try this if you’re going to a big event, say the Olympics or World Cup.
- See FCF’s last special report on Short-Term Sweet Redeems here.