SQ Tips, Trips and Tales

[MEL_Traveller]

Very excited to have booked my first F class (MEL-SIN) for January with Mrs B. Couldn't find availability out of SYD for Suites, or return flights, so 'only' J coming home. I'm quite happy in a perverse way to not do Suites on our first experience in F class, as we can save that for a full long haul to Paris later next year and not spoil the non suite F experience on this occasion. Needless to say, they will need to be well stocked in the Krug/Dom department or we will test the ability to drink them dry over a 7.5hr flight leaving at 4.45pm!!!!!!!

i don't think there's anything to 'spoil' with SQ F! there is an unmistakable 'x' factor on SQ F that is quite unlike any other airline. you could be sitting in their old cradle seats and still feel you're having the most special experience in flying.

the suites are great, they were industry leaders, but I don't think you're missing anything in 'regular' F. the experience is different, but just as good.

 

[Ben6]

i don't think there's anything to 'spoil' with SQ F! there is an unmistakable 'x' factor on SQ F that is quite unlike any other airline. you could be sitting in their old cradle seats and still feel you're having the most special experience in flying.

the suites are great, they were industry leaders, but I don't think you're missing anything in 'regular' F. the experience is different, but just as good.

Exactly how I feel. I'm incredibly excited to fly the non suite F class, whilst still knowing that there's another level again that we can go up to with the Suites. Basically I just think it's a good idea to do the non suites, before we try the suites. Feels like a better order of progression!

Cruiser, the 4.45pm is out of MEL but everything else applies. I had the flexibility to move our dates to find an F Saver fare on that flight, rather than 'waste' our first F flight leaving at midnight! I still remember my excitement for my first ever long haul J flight and this feels very similar!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Sorry Ben my bad - I saw the bit that you couldn't find availability Suites ex SYD - yes I clearly see ex MEL now - still a great time to dep - I am dep MEL on Monday at 16:45 - but that is the 380 swan song.

 

[Ben6]

Yes, a real shame we don't have the 380's out of MEL anymore. I've only recently been able to collect FF points at a good clip and subsequently discovered the amazing value on SQ using points, so am a bit late to the SQ party. Better late than never I suppose and hopefully we'll get the 380 from MEL back at some stage. In the meantime, Mrs B and I will happily transit up to SYD to try the suites for our next trip!

Enjoy the swansong next week and I will try to wish away the next 3 months to finally give F class a road test!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Ben 380 returns to MEL for 2 months IIRC on Sep 11 2015 - I have 2 flts booked MEL-SIN-LAX on Sept 15 2015 and whilst Suites were available both sectors I settled for Std F on MEL-SIN sector dep 10:00 arr SIN 16:20 - whereas 380 dep MEL at 00:05 - 10:00 dep means we get to enjoy full F exp and o/n in SIN whereas 00:05 dep just a waste in Suites as it mean basically a bed for the night. So sometimes even when Suites (R) is available it is more prudent to choose Std F.

 

[Ben6]

What a great point, I think I'd do exactly the same. Given the choice between F for a day flight and R overnight, I'd take the F, particularly for a leisure trip. If it were business, I might behave differently where time becomes a factor. You've given me some food for thought for our next trip as I had written off one of the Suite legs as an O/N but as we have friends living in SIN with a free bed for us we might enjoy it more to try and book 2 day R flights with a stopover in between!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

.. just a waste in Suites as it mean basically a bed for the night.

but conversely, precisely the reason why some of us would take suites overnight!!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Seriously MEL? If you had a choice MEL-SIN d/t F or o/n R as 1st sector MEL-SIN-LAX you would select R? Would love others to post their thoughts.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Seriously MEL? If you had a choice MEL-SIN d/t F or o/n R as 1st sector MEL-SIN-LAX you would select R? Would love others to post their thoughts.

Indeed. First class is all about the ability to tailor the journey around individual needs, and (for me) to get the best sleep possible. Food, wines, IFE are all way down the list. The experience? I don't like having a bad flight, and being warmly welcomed and made to feel valued is always nice... but that's perhaps important for the first 30 mins of the flight while you're having a snack and getting ready for bed. (And first thing when I wake up to get a quick cup of coffee!) When SQ was offering the day time a380 it was pretty much sleep the whole way to SIN for me. First class to me is the luxury of space and quiet and smooth transition through the airport... not the eating, drinking or constant service. I'd therefore take the flight time that was suitable - absolutely no difference (for me) between a day or night flight.

But then I'd probably take UA F non-stop to the USA rather than SQ F via SIN and NRT or ICN. I sleep equally well on either, and I've always had good crews on UA.

 

[Duffa]

Seriously MEL? If you had a choice MEL-SIN d/t F or o/n R as 1st sector MEL-SIN-LAX you would select R? Would love others to post their thoughts.

For me, I'd prefer d/t R

We took the 777-300ER overnight to SIN then the day 388 R to London. It was fantastic.

But, I missed a REAL bed overnight and, the F day service is pretty much the same as the 388 R, so I could have easily done the opposite!

I'm confused.....

but I do know one thing.

SQ is my preferred premium carrier

 

[leyy]

FYI

SIA finally responded to my complaint letter

see below.

Dear Mr leyy

Thank you for your patience while we investigated your feedback on the
unsatisfactory lounge facilities and services at Beijing Airport.

We are sorry for your experience at the Air China First Class Lounge. We
would
like to share that as part of the Star Alliance cooperation, partner
airlines
are encouraged to use each other’s lounge facilities instead of building
their
own. We recognize that there are differences in the service standards
across
different airlines, and will remain vigilant to prevent a dilution of the
SIA
brand.

We have taken note of your feedback on the food and beverages, bar
offerings,
and shower facilities at the lounge. We regret that the process for using
the
complimentary internet services was also coughbersome. We have conveyed your
feedback to our Beijing Station Manager who will follow up with his
counterpart
at Air China. We have also expressed our concerns to our Ground Services
Manager who has oversight of our overseas operations, for his review. We
apologise for the inconvenience caused.

Mr leyy, we value your patronage of Singapore Airlines, and will strive to
restore your confidence in us. Thank you once again for taking time to
communicate and share your thoughts with us. We look forward to the
privilege to serve you better in future.

Warm regards.


Yours sincerely


John Ng
Customer Affairs Manager
Singapore Airlines Limited
Tel: +65 6541 5100

 

[vitagen]

Did they offer you anything?

 

[yohy?!]

At least their form letter app works, unlike UA!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Was through SIN today and hit with a change to Changi Dollars program - I think this started Oct 1:

Where can I use the voucher?

The S$40 CDV will be distributed as two S$20 CDVs.

• One of the S$20 CDVs will be valid for one-time use at all retail, food and service outlets located at the transit and public areas excluding outlets indicated in the Exclusion List. It can also be redeemed for one-time access to Ambassador Lounge at Terminals 2 and 3 for up to two hours. Lounge usage includes showers with basic toiletries, light refreshments, free flow international reading materials, as well as complimentary Wi-Fi.
• The second S$20 CDV will be valid for one-time use to redeem Liquor, Tobacco, Perfumes or Cosmetics purchases only.

Bummer - throws a bit of a spanner into the bulk accumulation concept.

Dont you just hate it when you get something for nothing but it is not as good as the previous thing you got for nothing? And nothing you can do about it!

 

[mooingchicken]

I did ask this in another thread, but how do you get the changi dollars? will be traveling though next year

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I did ask this in another thread, but how do you get the changi dollars? will be traveling though next year

Changi Transit Programme - Singapore Airlines

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Bummer - throws a bit of a spanner into the bulk accumulation concept.

The terms and conditions still seem to state multiple vouchers can be used (at least according to SQ's UK site)

 

[mooingchicken]

Changi Transit Programme - Singapore Airlines

Ah cool thanks for that, seems I could of used it last time I was there, oh well. And my next travel date is outside the dates listed, so hopefully it gets extended

 

[Cruiser Elite]

The terms and conditions still seem to state multiple vouchers can be used (at least according to SQ's UK site)

YES you can still use multiple vouchers on one purchase - but now there are 2 types of vouchers:

1. Standard as previously issued which can be redeemed at virtually any store in Changi

2. New variation redeemable only on cosmetics, perfumes, liquor or tobacco (see pink writing middle top voucher 2)



So I normally just accumulate the vouchers till I have substantial number to make 1 substantial purchase ie used $400 worth of vouchers on a $800 iPad - but now with 2 x $20 split vouchers that process just not so simple and straight forward. I still do however have 19 x std vouchers in hand + 1 new one yester dey + $400 in std vouchers. No biggie but just a minor hiccup to the plans.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I'll be in F Mon Oct 27 - I'll wander into J and road test - sorry - air test it.

Taking one for the team Cruiser !! Good man

Did as promised - sampled the new Taittinger on 27th - seriously drinkable - seriously. Rode back PEK-SIN-MEL in J Nov 3/4 after I got way too half smart and missed an R/F Saver return by like 8hrs in booking - but that's life - so I had another 12hrs in total to sop up a gallon or 3 of the J Taittinger offering - still seriously good.