23 into 21 does go

[JessicaTam]

I read somewhere here recently that there are two UL lounges at CMB (the only OW lounges there). Are you flying out UL or EY? Either way, I'd be interested i the transit experience and the UL lounge situation if you use them.

I've only seen the 'Serendip' lounge at CMB, and I'll be transiting myself on Thursday night.

Edit: Not in the market for a fridge or other whitegoods.

I am flying UL J, as a BA GGL (Emerald). So I should get access to both. I reckon I will have enough of an opportunity to try them both out.

And if I got a fridge I would have to take it as checked luggage - so that is out.

 

[JessicaTam]

Day 1:



An all in one photo this morning. I caught the train/901 bus to the airport then checked in using my BA membership to my QF flight.

Up the escalator for eggs Florentine and a glass (or two) of Pommery.

 

[craven morehead]

Following along ...........

 

[JessicaTam]

I’d love to know the booking process / fares used if you’re able to share?

Well that is a thread in itself!

I always start with the flights to/from AU. A simple W up and Y back for the best bang for buck/upgrade chance.

Then I start filling in the gaps. So first off SIN-CMB-AUH to get me to the race. I had a few days to kill in AUH and hotels were dear so a quick AUH-CMB-CGK-CMB-AUH run with an overnight in CGK. The connection in CGK is 50 minutes so I opted for 24h +50 minutes to be safe as I have not transited CGK before.

I then booked to leave AUH on Monday night to skip most of the rush out back to CGK with UL. Fortunately this coincided with a QR sale CGK-DOH-AMS so that was my ride to EU.

Another overnight - this time in AMS and a BA booking down to MUC with an overnight in LHR. This gives me plenty of time to sample the Concorde Room in the morning, as I have been eligible for some time but yet to visit. I could have flown direct to NUE, but that would have been out of LGW which is fine for arriving, but not so flash for departing.

With an arrival time in MUC I then booked my MUC-NUE train with DB (Deutsche Bahn).

Every flight/train was booked direct with the carrier.

The hotels are HH when price allowed. Otherwise I went for the best bang/buck. I have enough forward bookings with HH to keep Diamond for another year. Mind you, as a BA GGL I am also given that status.

 

[love_the_life]

Ah to be fancy free.
In my case I have to factor in MrLtL.

 

[Austman]

I am flying UL J, as a BA GGL (Emerald). So I should get access to both. I reckon I will have enough of an opportunity to try them both out.

That's the odd thing. I don't think you will. I got a very firm "no" flying UL J and a OWE when trying to use the Serenediva ... Let us know!

I have enough forward bookings with HH to keep Diamond for another year.

Is it 30 stays or 60 nights? Either way it's impressive!

 

[Fifa]

I think I have 5 nested tickets - or is it 6!

Edit: With the train it is 7. I think I need a lie down! {mel-(sin-cmb-[auh-cmb-cgk-cmb-(auh]-cmb-(cgk-doh-(ams-lhr-(muc-nue-muc)-lhr-ams)-doh-cgk)-cmb-auh)-cmb-sin)-syd-mel}

OMG - that combination does my head in!
I just wish that I could put something like this together but I think I would get lost on the second booking!!!
Have a fab time - I'm in awe and would so love to be doing the same run/s.

 

[JohnM]

That's what I, and I think JohnM does (but its just a Sony pocket camera with 100x zoom). For me, I often end up just posting the iPhone pics via a Surface Pro, except for some especially composed ones, as the quality of the iPhone is usually good enough. Will you post from a phone, iThing or laptop?

Phone cameras are basically useless for any wildlife pics, so that's why I like to use my camera. Of course, it's totally dinky compared with those that people that I'm with generally use....

 

[levelnine]

The organisation to pull off such an itinerary is an amazing feat. Thanks for sharing your booking process. Following along with interest.

 

[Scarlett]

Is the Serendip lounge the 'main' lounge upstairs with views over the tarmac and runway? And Serendiva the one tucked away around the side upstairs near the transit hotel?

I've only been into the first, but did see the existence of the second when heading into a hotel room during an 8 hour transit. I quite like the first lounge: usually cricket on the TV, a curry or two available at any time, decent view of airport ops and subdued lighting.

 

[JessicaTam]

OMG - that combination does my head in!
I just wish that I could put something like this together but I think I would get lost on the second booking!!!
Have a fab time - I'm in awe and would so love to be doing the same run/s.

Spreadsheets are my friend! This run has three main ones and a couple more for expense tracking.

 

[JessicaTam]

The flight up to SIN was uneventful after getting away at 1235, 25 minutes late. It was interesting that there was no WP welcome from the CSM. It was a very full flight so not surprising she didn't make it back to W.

We got to the gate just after 1800, so nearly an hour late. I made a bee-line for the QF F lounge and with some fluttering of my eyelashes* was allowed in for a look. It was already filling up at that time, before the pax from the two north bound A380s had arrived - present company excepted! I took the opportunity to grab a quick glass of Taittinger.

Down to the train to Tanah Merah, and then the number 2 bus a couple of stops to my hotel.

I am glad I booked the executive double!

I was standing in the doorway when I took this shot.

Dinner downstairs at the hawker centre (S$6.30) and then bed.

*Just kidding!

 

[JessicaTam]

That's the odd thing. I don't think you will. I got a very firm "no" flying UL J and a OWE when trying to use the Serenediva ... Let us know!

I have a few opportunities!

Is it 30 stays or 60 nights? Either way it's impressive!

I manage 30 stays with a bit of work - 60 nights is nigh on impossible for me.

 

[serfty]

That's the odd thing. I don't think you will. I got a very firm "no" flying UL J and a OWE when trying to use the Serenediva ... Let us know!

While there are restrictions on travel to some regional ports for FlySmiles Elites, the rules are pretty clear cut. I suspect you got an ill informed Dragon:

Lounge Policy

Frequent Flyer Programme,SriLankan Frequent Flyer Programme,SriLankan Airlines Frequent Flyer Programme, SriLankan Loyalty Programme, FlySmiLes Frequent Flyer Programme,Airline Frequent Flyer Programme,Membership,Airline Membership,Frequent Flyer Membership,Airline Club,Frequent Flyer...

www.srilankan.com

I have seen reports on FT they wont let you into the "lesser" Serenediva if you have Serendib access.

 

[I love to travel]

That is one impressive itinerary. Enjoy.

 

[Austman]

Is the Serendip lounge the 'main' lounge upstairs with views over the tarmac and runway? And Serendiva the one tucked away around the side upstairs near the transit hotel?

That's it. I was staying at the transit hotel, so the Serenediva made far more sense for me. But no access as a OWE flying in J. And I did try to argue my point! They can be rather pedantic in CMB.

While there are restrictions on travel to some regional ports for FlySmiles Elites, the rules are pretty clear cut. I suspect you got an ill informed Dragon:

From the UL lounge access page, you have to be in Y-class to get into the Serenediva :

	Serendib Lounge	Serenediva Lounge	Palm Strip Lounge
All SriLankan Business Class Passengers (FlySmiLes members / Non-FlySmiLes members)	√	×	×

Business Class Passengers on any oneworld Airline

√

×

×

 

[serfty]

From the UL lounge access page, you have to be in Y-class to get into the Serenediva :

Yes, I have seen anecdotal reports of this.

 

[JessicaTam]

Day 2:

My digs last night. The Q-Loft hotel Bedok.


Back on the bus to Tanah Merah station and off to Jewel.


Whilst the shops were open, it was pretty quiet at 10am. I am not sure I would rush back in a hurry. It did kill a bit of time before check in for my UL flight opened.

 

[RooFlyer]

Enjoy the tea menu on UL

 

[JessicaTam]

Flight 2 & 3:

I headed to T3 and was a bit early to checkin. I had checked in online, but SIN require a 'proper' BP, as opposed to electronic or self printed ones. So I watched a movie on a big screen for a while landside.

After checkin I headed to the Marhaba lounge. It is actually pretty good. Sorry, no pic this visit. There was a range of drinks - both alcoholic and non. A decent range of hot food, and the ubiquitous plastic wrapped sandwiches.

I left myself plenty of time to head to the gate, so probably had about 1 1/2 hours in the lounge. PB was efficient and I settled into 2A on UL's A320. This is a reclining seat much the same as QF's B737 J seats. But with a little more leg room. The entertainment selection is a bit limited, but a few new releases to keep my happy. I have to be careful how much I watch otherwise I will run out! Hopefully the selection will be updated at the start of the month and I will get a new lot! I will take a snapshot of the menu next flight! I had the chicken curry and a salad that would give NP conniptions - it actually had more than just lettuce leaves. Piper Heidseick was the drink du jour for me.

We arrived at a bus gate and a separate bus was waiting for J pax. CMB is like SIN in that there is no transit process - you arrive in the terminal proper. Security occurs at the gate.

The Serendip lounge is pleasant, with more PH available and also a good range of food. Interestingly there were noodles but no rice.

Back on the bus to another A320. I reckon I will be very familiar with them over the next few days!