SQ Tips, Trips and Tales

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I have not used book the cook in the past, I have a couple of questions. I have read all posts on the book the cook forums here and on flyer talk. I have read the SQ website and searched a few blogs/YouTube channels so feel a bit of a failure in not finding answers to my questions. Questions relating to travel in J.
Q1. If your flight has two meal services, are you able to book one or two meals? I realise that a meal deemed continental breakfast is not eligible, and have read that you can request your BTC meal to be served at either sitting soon after boarding.
Q2. How often do they change the inflight menu? Monthly, quarterly, randomly? If frequently changed/updated would that not make the menu more current and seasonally superior compared to BTC meals that are pretty standard over years? TIA
 
Tassieoptom said:
I have not used book the cook in the past, I have a couple of questions. I have read all posts on the book the cook forums here and on flyer talk. I have read the SQ website and searched a few blogs/YouTube channels so feel a bit of a failure in not finding answers to my questions. Questions relating to travel in J.
Q1. If your flight has two meal services, are you able to book one or two meals? I realise that a meal deemed continental breakfast is not eligible, and have read that you can request your BTC meal to be served at either sitting soon after boarding.
Q2. How often do they change the inflight menu? Monthly, quarterly, randomly? If frequently changed/updated would that not make the menu more current and seasonally superior compared to BTC meals that are pretty standard over years? TIA
Click to expand...

You can book the cook for all eligible meals on a flight. This will show in the manage booking function. If there are two meals eligible, you can select for both.

Menus change every month or so. I dunno about 'seasonally superior'... there's only so much airlines can do with menus and there are rarely too many surprises. You'll generally get a choice between fish, chicken, beef or pork dishes. Either fillet (steamed or grilled) or sliced and diced into some stew or stir-fry.

A lot of people like the idea of lobster at 30,000 feet. But that lobster has been cooked at least 24 hours in advance, chilled, transported to the plane, and reheated. It's not going to be the same quality as a restaurant by the ocean. But some dishes like Haianese Chicken are firm favourites, especially out of Singapore, and done exceptionally well. Other dishes aren't so great (I've had a couple of very average meals out of MEL).

It's up to you what you'd like to choose. For some it adds to the flight to get on board and see the menu for the first time and make a selection. Others prefer to order something in advance that they'd not normally get the chance to try. Or you can do a bit of both, book the cook for one meal and leave the other to the menu on the day.

In terms of timing the BTC is just the main course served as part of the general meal service. This usually commences reasonably soon after take off, and again a couple hours before landing.
 
Quick thoughts on my first new A380 R experience on SQ232 last Friday:
- space is unmatched. Yes they didn’t do the best with the large space, but the space is there. Certainly a step up from the old R
- seat is very well cushioned and extremely comfortable. Leg rest could be longer (I am 6’). Swivelling is fun. Crew showed me the J seats and the J feels rock hard in comparison.
- the biggest problem in the whole R experience was the involuntary rocking of the chair during turbulence. The chair is not fully locked in place, and the rocking is very annoying.
- seat 3F is probably not the best suite. Light and noise from galley on the opposite side.
- I liked the bed and bedding a lot but I am used to firm bed at home. They even served the light meal in bed
- New Lalique PJs feel good. Thinner than the old ones
- Right side bathroom is massive and shame they didn’t do a shower there.
- crew was amazing
- they ran out of teddy bears due to heaps of kids in Y and J!
 
petertwister said:
Quick thoughts on my first new A380 R experience on SQ232 last Friday:
- space is unmatched. Yes they didn’t do the best with the large space, but the space is there. Certainly a step up from the old R
- seat is very well cushioned and extremely comfortable. Leg rest could be longer (I am 6’). Swivelling is fun. Crew showed me the J seats and the J feels rock hard in comparison.
- the biggest problem in the whole R experience was the involuntary rocking of the chair during turbulence. The chair is not fully locked in place, and the rocking is very annoying.
- seat 3F is probably not the best suite. Light and noise from galley on the opposite side.
- I liked the bed and bedding a lot but I am used to firm bed at home. They even served the light meal in bed
- New Lalique PJs feel good. Thinner than the old ones
- Right side bathroom is massive and shame they didn’t do a shower there.
- crew was amazing
- they ran out of teddy bears due to heaps of kids in Y and J!
Click to expand...

That's a deal breaker for me! !!
 
Yeah I was not given or offered the gears back in June.

Luckily my son was offered them in J at Xmas time last year so we have 2x red and 2x blue
 
About to book a J seat to Frankfurt with points from Adelaide, looks Like going through Velocity may be the best value for points, is there any pro's or Con's with booking a j reward flight with SQ rather than Velocity ??
Such as better cancellation options ?
Clive
 
Can someone confirm handling of duty free when in transit in SIN? Our buddy in China has requested we bring some Australian gin he's missing, but I'm weary of it being confiscated in SIN security at the gate if we do it duty free out of Melbourne.

Flying MEL-SIN-PEK, and only transiting SIN (not leaving airport).
 
tizey said:
Can someone confirm handling of duty free when in transit in SIN? Our buddy in China has requested we bring some Australian gin he's missing, but I'm weary of it being confiscated in SIN security at the gate if we do it duty free out of Melbourne.

Flying MEL-SIN-PEK, and only transiting SIN (not leaving airport).
Click to expand...
You'll lose it at the gate in SIN.
 
Clive005 said:
About to book a J seat to Frankfurt with points from Adelaide, looks Like going through Velocity may be the best value for points, is there any pro's or Con's with booking a j reward flight with SQ rather than Velocity ??
Such as better cancellation options ?
Clive
Click to expand...

Seats are released on SQ before VA, so depending on demand, you may have more options direct.

Can’t comment on cancellation options.
 
tizey said:
Can someone confirm handling of duty free when in transit in SIN? Our buddy in China has requested we bring some Australian gin he's missing, but I'm weary of it being confiscated in SIN security at the gate if we do it duty free out of Melbourne.

Flying MEL-SIN-PEK, and only transiting SIN (not leaving airport).
Click to expand...
Buy it here, use a wine travel bag and put it in your checked luggage.
https://www.danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_ER_1000005233_SKU-177/wine-travel-bag-3-pack
 
Good idea, but for $25 for three of them + additional cost of non-duty free, he can stick with four pillars which is listed as being available on changi duty free.
 
I dont even use a wine travel bag, just wrap it in a plastic bag and make sure its cushioned on all sides by clothing. Havent had a breakage yet, touch wood.
 
So which way would you go?

MEL-LAX

QF93 - 14hrs 25mins - 144K pts + A$456 - MEL F Lounge = 14hrs 25mins F flying + 1 Lounge visit

SQ238 7hrs + SQ12 7hrs + 10hrs - MEL F Lounge / TPR arr / TPT dep / NRT ANA F transit - 154K pts + A$147 = 25hrs 05mins F flying + 4 lounge visits - total journey 44hrs 50mins

No brainer huh?
 

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