Award seats now available on Singapore Airlines’ Hong Kong Air Travel Bubble flights

When Singapore Airlines announced the details of its Air Travel Bubble (ATB) flights to Hong Kong, what was notable was the lack of any award space whatsoever, at least until the end of 2020. This meant that cash was king on this route, and Economy Class fares quickly shot up to almost S$1,000. 

But here’s some good news: it appears that KrisFlyer has now opened up some award space on this route for 2020, although you will have to pay the higher Advantage prices, or gamble with the waitlist. 

What’s the ATB flight schedule?

As a refresher, here’s the ATB flight schedule for Singapore Airlines. Flights will initially be on alternate days, before going daily from 7 December 2020.

Singapore to Hong Kong
Date	Flight	Depart/Arrive
22 Nov 20	SQ890	1000/1400
23 Nov 20	SQ890	0800/1145
25 Nov 20	SQ890	0735/1120
27 Nov 20	SQ890	0735/1120
29 Nov 20	SQ890	0735/1120
30 Nov 20	SQ890	0735/1120
2 Dec 20	SQ890	0735/1120
4 Dec 20	SQ890	0735/1120
7 Dec 20 onwards (daily)	SQ890	0735/1120
All flights operated by A350-900 (Long Haul Config)

Hong Kong to Singapore
Date	Flight	Depart/Arrive
23 Nov 20	SQ891	1255/1655
25 Nov 20	SQ891	0800/1145
27 Nov 20	SQ891	1230/1630
29 Nov 20	SQ891	1230/1630
30 Nov 20	SQ891	1230/1630
2 Dec 20	SQ891	1230/1630
4 Dec 20	SQ891	1230/1630
7 Dec 20 onwards (daily)	SQ891	1230/1630
All flights operated by A350-900 (Long Haul Config)

Only SQ890/891 are designated as ATB flights; passengers on other flights (except CX 734/759, Cathay’s corresponding ATB flight) will be subject to quarantine and SHN requirements as per usual. 

Which dates have award space?

In general, KrisFlyer award space opens up significantly from January 2021, so I’ll focus mainly on dates till the end of 2020. The searches below are for one award seat, on the Singapore to Hong Kong route (it’s largely the same in reverse). 

The pattern we’re seeing is a good amount of Premium Economy space from mid-December onwards, and Economy Class popping up around mid-December, just before Christmas and just before the New Year. 

Unfortunately, there’s nothing available for immediate confirmation in Business Class, and you’ll have to take your chance on the (mostly Advantage) waitlist. 

What’s particularly interesting to me is that as of the time of writing, it’s still possible to get a seat on the inaugural flight, albeit at Economy Advantage prices. I was under the impression the flight was 100% sold out, but it’s not too late!  

How much will I pay for awards?

One-way costs	Saver	Advantage
Economy	15,000	30,000
Premium Economy	24,500	N/A
Business	30,500	50,000

The table above shows the cost of one-way awards in each cabin. Do note that Premium Economy awards only come in Saver flavors.

On top of the miles costs, you’ll pay the following airport taxes:

• From Singapore to Hong Kong: S$41.50 (all cabins)
• From Hong Kong to Singapore
  • Business Class: HK$310 (~S$54)
  • All other cabins: HK$260 (~S$45)

Taxes are higher on Business Class awards due to a higher Hong Kong Airport Construction Fee (HK$160 instead of HK$90). 

I normally don’t recommend redeeming miles for Economy Class, but when revenue fares are this high, I wager you could get good value (assuming you redeem Saver). 

Upgrade space is also open

I still can’t figure out if upgrade awards and full awards are pulled from the same inventory, but whatever the case, I managed to upgrade my return leg from Hong Kong to Singapore to Business Class.

This cost 25,000 KrisFlyer miles, and for some strange reason they didn’t collect the additional HKS$130 of Hong Kong Airport Construction Fees.

Again, my usual advice is that it doesn’t make sense to buy Economy Class tickets and upgrade them with miles (since the miles you save are generally worth less than the cash paid). Quite frankly, I’m only doing this so I can review both the Economy and Business Class experience during COVID-19. 

Conclusion

It’s an unexpected surprise to see award space open on the ATB route, and for those of you turned off by the high cash prices, this could be a way of salvaging a year-end trip to Hong Kong after all. 

Don’t forget that from now till 27 December 2020, Singapore Airlines is offering a 15% bonus on bank points transfers to KrisFlyer. This helps to reduce the cost of awards somewhat, although I still wouldn’t be willing to pay Advantage prices. 

Anyone else planning to fly by the end of the year?