Do you think this offer by SQ is a deal?

I recently came across this article in the Business Standard, about Singapore Airlines' Asia Airpass targeted at ex-India fliers. It speaks about the introduction of a pass for Indian customers to enable them avail special fares for flights to US, Australia, NZ, Japan and China. To be clear, this is different from the Asia Airpass that Star Alliance offers, or even SQ's own Asia Air Pass, which are focussed on travel inbound into Asia. {I also don't understand the logic of two different promotions with virtually the same name.}

Hoping for a good deal, I did more research, till I came up with info on SQ's website. Here's what I found.

The offer is with SQ and SilkAir, valid in conjunction with long-haul travel out of India, valid for sales up to 31 March 2014. It is really meant for side-trips out of SIN, when you're otherwise flying India-SIN-XXX-SIN-India (that's what qualifies you under this offer, XXX being an airport that's not in South East Asia).

Complicated? Well, for example, if you've got an India-SIN-MEL-SIN-India ticket, you can add a side-trip to one or more of the following (up to 4) destinations, under the Air Pass offer. The rates are as follows, for one-way travel:

Now, no claim is a good claim, till it is put to the test, right? So I looked up rates from January to March 2014, for SIN to a sample of the above locations in each pricing bucket, and here's what I ended up with.

So it does turn out, at least for the sample I picked, that

• the Asia AirPass offer does seem to make clear sense on some routes (green)
• in some cases, the fares in this offer are above the average fares, but still potentially good (since fares can keep changing over time) and near the average (orange)
• in certain cases, the Asia AirPass fares seem clearly more expensive that what one would pay as the highest fare for that sector, from what I've seen (red).

Again, these were just test fares, so YMMV. Some of these may appeal to you, and you can see if the fares work to your favour, particularly if your base trip of INDIA-SIN-XXX-SIN-INDIA is already planned or on the cards. Also remember, that the Asia AirPass fares are valid only in Economy class.

Do let me know if you are able to use these fares, and your feedback on this offer, in general.

Here are the full T&Cs:

• Valid for sales till 31 March 2014.
• • Airpass can only be purchased in India and in conjunction with a Singapore Airlines (SQ) or SilkAir (MI) long-haul return trip travel INDIA-SINGAPORE-XXX-SINGAPORE-
• INDIA (4 sectors and with XXX excluding ALL South East Asia points).
• • Airpass must be purchased prior to arrival in Asia.
• • Travel must originate from India on Singapore Airlines (SQ) or SilkAir (MI) flights.
• • Passengers can purchase a minimum of one coupon and maximum of 4 coupons using the Airpass.
• • Above side trips are valid on SQ/MI operated flights and SQ marketing flights operated by MI.
• • Date change allowed.
• • Voluntary rerouting / reissue is not permitted.
• • Airpass must be surrendered when the SQ/MI long-haul ticket is cancelled.
• • For refund of Airpass (regardless whether long-haul is refunded): Charge 1500 for refund per sector. Refunding one sector does not affect the validity and calculation-
• of other remaining sectors.
• • Children pay 75% of applicable adult nett fare. No discounts for infants (apply normal infant fare).
• • Singapore Airlines and SilkAir reserve the right to withdraw or alter the Airpass rates.
• • The above all-in rates are subject to change and currency fluctuations.
• • Other terms and conditions apply.
• • To book, please contact your local Singapore Airlines / Silk Air office or travel agent.