Questions and Answers

Hello!

I’d like to redeem some KrisFlyer miles to fly first class from SEA–>IAH (on United) and business class from IAH–>MAN (on Singapore).

I have a couple of problems:
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[*]Singapore opens award bookings much earlier than United, so bookings are open for the IAH–>MAN leg on Singapore, but not the SEA–>IAH leg on United. I assume Singapore doesn’t have early access to the United flights, right? Can Singapore “hold” without ticketing the IAH–>MAN leg until the SEA–>IAH leg becomes bookable?
[*]Spot checking earlier United flights from SEA–>IAH, I can’t really find ANY availability in first class at the Saver level (though there’s plenty of availability at the Standard level), so I’m worried that even when the date I need becomes bookable, there won’t be any inventory in first. I assume Singapore will see the same inventory, and availability won’t change because I’m continuing on to MAN, right? Would Singapore have availability on United at the Standard level if I upgraded the entire award to a Standard award instead of a Saver award?
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Any other advice? This is my first time trying a booking like this.

Thanks so much,
Todd

You’re right that SQ does not have early access to UA inventory. I’m not aware that they could hold the SEA-IAH leg since it’s not inventory they control.

SQ would not have access to UA inventory at the Standard level. In fact, when booking with non-UA miles, UA usually only opens up economy for my domestic connections. Several times I’ve flown back from abroad in a premium cabin but UA will only allow a connection in economy – and won’t even allow me to pick PE/exit rows. It’s a royal pain.

Singapore can’t hold flights, but their change fees are super reasonable. I don’t know if they can change award *types* though.

Realistically, you’re not going to see Saver space on SEA>IAH when the schedule opens (though you could get lucky), so I probably wouldn’t plan around that.