SQ Tips, Trips and Tales

[MathNerd]

I'm right handed
!

What's the reason why 3d Is rarely used?

I did read the discussion of choosing 3c Or 2c and being asked to move for solo, which isnt a problem for me, if i have a chance of getting a double,

@travelnutjohn , you must be on the aircraft by now.
If you do get a chance, please share some pictures and/or a summary of your experiences RE: check-in, SKL F lounge, boarding etc. A lot of us here would love to share in the experience

 

[travelnutjohn]

@travelnutjohn , you must be on the aircraft by now.
If you do get a chance, please share some pictures and/or a summary of your experiences RE: check-in, SKL F lounge, boarding etc. A lot of us here would love to share in the experience

Yes i certainly am, I'm using the plane Wi-Fi, and it's barely useable, but the experience so far has been great.
I will be putting up photos up once i get back

I can see why people are saying the old suites are still good (I can't compare to new suites because I've never tried them)
But one thing for sure is, the photos of old suites make the product look bad!
In reality they are still classy and nice

 

[travelnutjohn]

Overall was a fantastic flight!! Loved it

Staff are really nice, just the small gestures they do for you, e.g. kneeling to talk to you, ushering you to the toilet, asking me about how I enjoyed my meal (3 times)
I dont think I could go back to Y again for long haul!

Couldn't fault anything except my dinner table was a bit far for me, (is it designed for people with a big belly?)

I did notice that the main meal was just the meal plus fruit, so no caviar and no 5 courses, also no breakfast,
Also, a friend caught the same flight recently but from sin to Melb and got the men's and ladies amenity kit and perfume kit, I only got the perfume kit

Some people might see that as being not getting the full experience

Bed felt hard when you touch it but I didn't notice it while sleeping! Was expecting it to be able to feel like a rock/swaying bed but i could barely feel it

6 out of 12 suites occupied, according to manager

Not sure if this is normal, but turbulence felt bad. Had my half glass full soft drink continually spill

I think I'd still be very content with business class, but being able to sleep is probably the biggest advantage,

Also personally, I think overnight flights make the flight seem less special since you're sleeping most of it, plus i can only manage half a bottle of champagne for breakfast!

 

[MathNerd]

Overall was a fantastic flight!! Loved it

Staff are really nice, just the small gestures they do for you, e.g. kneeling to talk to you, ushering you to the toilet, asking me about how I enjoyed my meal (3 times)
I dont think I could go back to Y again for long haul!

Glad to hear you enjoyed it! Yes it's certainly very hard to think of flying long haul Y after the stellar experience that SQ Suites offers.

I did notice that the main meal was just the meal plus fruit, so no caviar and no 5 courses, also no breakfast

This is what they call the "supper service" as the flight timing is designed for sleeping rather than experiencing the various other things on offer. You do get an almost complete experience, but to get the entire experience you have to have a day flight in Suites (which MEL-SIN doesn't have unfortunately, though SIN-MEL certainly does).

Also personally, I think overnight flights make the flight seem less special since you're sleeping most of it, plus i can only manage

See above

Did you go to the TPR right after getting off your flight?

 

[NoName]

Lucky some of us are ambidextrous drinkers ay @Cruiser Elite

Being doubled parked wouldn’t be such a bad idea in R. Krug in the left hand, Dom in the right!

 

[travelnutjohn]

Glad to hear you enjoyed it! Yes it's certainly very hard to think of flying long haul Y after the stellar experience that SQ Suites offers.



This is what they call the "supper service" as the flight timing is designed for sleeping rather than experiencing the various other things on offer. You do get an almost complete experience, but to get the entire experience you have to have a day flight in Suites (which MEL-SIN doesn't have unfortunately, though SIN-MEL certainly does).



See above

Did you go to the TPR right after getting off your flight?

Yes right here now.
Might do a trip report for tpr its not going to be any different to other reports

Tpr is nice. Just a lot more quiet than the other lounges.

It does feel more sophisticated than a normal business lounge, the staff seem to be more refined.
Not too sure what else you can do to blow you away though!

Food is nice, drinks good, service good,

I think there could have been more computers, there was only 1 hidden away,

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Dinner table does slide to and fro - but i do have big belly - and yes 218 is supper service on o/n flts which I now avoid like the plague - and no breakfast? Wasn't offered or you chose not to have it? I never eat bfast on 218 or any return flt to MEL - best to sleep and eat after deplaning

Amenity kits ex SIN are male / female specific - amenity kits ex ALL other ports are unisex kits - that is the difference

TPR is fabulous - show me another lounge anywhere with that level of personal service and where ALL staff know your name imm upon entering - breakfast in TPR excellent.

There has always been 2 or 3 computers down furthest point TPR unless they have been removed as nobody uses them nowadays. But there are more out in F and J if you really need them

Glad you enjoyed and hope you worked out the LHD / RHD scenario - I have only used these terms as a joke really but some seem to take things a little too literal .Still 3C has always and will always be my favourite aircraft seat of all time

 

[travelnutjohn]

Dinner table does slide to and fro - but i do have big belly - and yes 218 is supper service on o/n flts which I now avoid like the plague - and no breakfast? Wasn't offered or you chose not to have it? I never eat bfast on 218 or any return flt to MEL - best to sleep and eat after deplaning

Amenity kits ex SIN are male / female specific - amenity kits ex ALL other ports are unisex kits - that is the difference

TPR is fabulous - show me another lounge anywhere with that level of personal service and where ALL staff know your name imm upon entering - breakfast in TPR excellent.

There has always been 2 or 3 computers down furthest point TPR unless they have been removed as nobody uses them nowadays. But there are more out in F and J if you really need them

Glad you enjoyed and hope you worked out the LHD / RHD scenario - I have only used these terms as a joke really but some seem to take things a little too literal .Still 3C has always and will always be my favourite aircraft seat of all time

Ahhh I get the amenity kit situation now, my friends must have been lucky, they were given both the gender specific one and the non gender one

Definitely only one computer, but it almost looks like they've removed others, maybe being repaired (see pic)

I wasn't offered breakfast, I didn't see anyone else getting it either, maybe they saw me asleep and didn't offer

Someone recommended having your supper for breakfast but I definitely chose right and prefer to sleep over food

I wasn't greeted by name at the lounge, but do they really see you coming and say "welcome Mr cruiser elite", wow that's impressive, maybe because you are a regular on these flights?

Cannot wait to compare to R suites one day!

 

[MathNerd]

Cannot wait to compare to R suites one day!

But... You just travelled in R (Suites class)!!
I think you meant *new* Suites?

 

[SponsorSFC]

The A330s continue to disappear from the schedule.

Just had notification that our September MLE-SIN will be operate by a 787 instead.

Good result given it is a red eye.

 

[travelnutjohn]

I am currently sitting in MU lounge in PVG awaiting flt back to MEL - but it’s not on SQ - first time in maybe 10 years I have not been able to secure R, F or J Saver within couple days of dep - had to but comm tix on CX J at 1/2 price SQ.

Every seat in F and J on every flt except midnight flt ex PVG-SIN-MEL today occupied - MEL- SIN leadings have been same lately too - PITA having to cross to the dark side!

As with all International lounges breakfast offerings around the clock - the rolls and buns I get but the bread has me a tad confused?
View attachment 175995
View attachment 175996

Was at some very nice hotel in bkk years back and one of the breakfast bread was "BANG BREAD"

being in thailand, that was a very intriguing name

 

[travelnutjohn]

Ok if 1 x ‘mixed class’ booking incorporating a F sector and a J sector then you are entitled to full benefits of highest class contained in the booking for the entirety of the booking - so technically even though you have added a stopover you are still entitled to TPR access prior to your J flt.

Now I have never done this but it is my understanding these rules will stand - when is your flt? If it is still a few days out pm me your name, date of fly and flt numbers and I will contact a Lounge Manager for you.

Thought id do a quick TEXT update,

Enquired about the TPR access using my second leg of my F Single booking of Melb to Sing To TPE, the SIN to TPE leg being in J for obvious reasons,

Counter staff werent sure, so off to Lounge I went and got told that, I dont get TPR access , because its a business ticket bla blah, and that if you were booked in F but a J flight my luggage would be the full 50kg and not 40kg,

so I turned left instead of Right at the entrance like a prisoner waiting to get his daily ration in the dredges of busines class lounge

must admit despite its size the layout is very nice!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thought id do a quick TEXT update,

Enquired about the TPR access using my second leg of my F Single booking of Melb to Sing To TPE, the SIN to TPE leg being in J for obvious reasons,

Counter staff werent sure, so off to Lounge I went and got told that, I dont get TPR access , because its a business ticket bla blah, and that if you were booked in F but a J flight my luggage would be the full 50kg and not 40kg,

so I turned left instead of Right at the entrance like a prisoner waiting to get his daily ration in the dredges of busines class lounge

must admit despite its size the layout is very nice!

Thanks for the data point. Unfortunately it comfirms what we suspected

(Appreciate the advice given to CE may be different, but as a TPR regular I think he mentioned in another thread the lounge staff might have assumed he was a PPS. That might have affected their advice to him?)

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I should have posted update earlier but indisposed today - I’ll try to be brief - I have not posted an update because my 2 best Lounge Managers are out of contact - #1 has resigned and moved on - #2 on 3 weeks leave and totally uncontactable - I am still not convinced what tnj exp is 100% accurate.

I was hoping to be in TPR eve Jul 9 but that did not occur - the Lounge Mgmt I could access were not comfortable in giving definitive response to tnj’s specific case - rather directed me to contact SAA via feedback - this was never going to clear in time.

I am trying through other channels to get direct access to someone who can give first hand response - it’s still in the pipeline - Lounge Mgmt / Staff seriously have their rings hanging out right now trying to explain SKL Update details when most if not all have not even seen final plans - they have all been instructed to not to try to give too much detail lest ongoing plan changes happen to blow back in their faces.

This is seriously as deep into Lounge access eligibility as it gets - Lounge Staff are way out of their depth on this - only Senior Lounge Mgmt might have their minds around it - just need to get in front of one.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I should have posted update earlier but indisposed today - I’ll try to be brief - I have not posted an update because my 2 best Lounge Managers are out of contact - #1 has resigned and moved on - #2 on 3 weeks leave and totally uncontactable - I am still not convinced what tnj exp is 100% accurate.

I was hoping to be in TPR eve Jul 9 but that did not occur - the Lounge Mgmt I could access were not comfortable in giving definitive response to tnj’s specific case - rather directed me to contact SAA via feedback - this was never going to clear in time.

I am trying through other channels to get direct access to someone who can give first hand response - it’s still in the pipeline - Lounge Mgmt / Staff seriously have their rings hanging out right now trying to explain SKL Update details when most if not all have not even seen final plans - they have all been instructed to not to try to give too much detail lest ongoing plan changes happen to blow back in their faces.

I can only think that there must be plenty of other pax in tnj's situation and his recent attempt to enter the lounge would not be the first time someone has tried in the same situation (F connecting to J or Y after a stopover). So I'm not sure there is any uncertainty in the access rules - lounge management would have given an answer if someone turned up at the exact time you asked (deny entry).

So either staff have been applying the rules incorrectly all this time, or SQ might at some stage change the rules. But - as we worked out above, this is actually priced at business class levels, with the sector upgrade J->F being applied for the AU-SIN sector.

Of course there is no harm in trying to get access if anyone else is in the same situation. Worst that can ahppen is that they are directed to the J lounge (unless they have appropriate status).

 

[BCons]

They’re just damn un -ergonomic them seats. On a recent Syd/Lhr round trip we had old and then new up, and old and then new back, so plenty time to compare.

The intrusive view to adjoining suite in dine mode can be dealt with by closing half a door, having your companion join on a stool for dinner (yr pic..) is a work-around (too far to look fwd/back to adjoining suite imho), but the complication of swinging the chair, moving the tablet control, getting it to show yr choice on the fwd screen only (took a young steward from another cabin to give the chair swing control a bit of a nudge to activate fwd screen) remembering where yr specs, book, paper etc were before you go swinging around the suite. Can go on ad naus..

Fortunately crew were their usual great selves on all 4 sectors, tho wine list becoming a bit familiar and I still can’t come at Krug..

The offer of a buggy at T2 LHR was a bit of a surprise, must hv been the previous week’s fun in London showing under the eyes..

 

[Cruiser Elite]

-> MEL - You may be right- time will tell

-> Bcons - Apart from the fact that seat in new R is really ‘comfartable’ to ‘sit’ in - I still maintain rest is hideous. I had another crack Jul 4 SIN-PVG and they haven’t improved.

 

[travelnutjohn]

I can only think that there must be plenty of other pax in tnj's situation and his recent attempt to enter the lounge would not be the first time someone has tried in the same situation (F connecting to J or Y after a stopover). So I'm not sure there is any uncertainty in the access rules - lounge management would have given an answer if someone turned up at the exact time you asked (deny entry).

So either staff have been applying the rules incorrectly all this time, or SQ might at some stage change the rules. But - as we worked out above, this is actually priced at business class levels, with the sector upgrade J->F being applied for the AU-SIN sector.

Of course there is no harm in trying to get access if anyone else is in the same situation. Worst that can ahppen is that they are directed to the J lounge (unless they have appropriate status).

This is just my amateur opinion but would there be so many people in my situation with no status, booking first class and trying to get tpr access?

I wasn't fussed about getting business lounge but is it maybe because staff arent sure so they just do what they've been told or assume? And maybe cruiserelites status helped?

Can managers simply use discretion and good will and let people throguh? And maybe cruiser elite always gets the special treatment?

 

[travelnutjohn]

I should have posted update earlier but indisposed today - I’ll try to be brief - I have not posted an update because my 2 best Lounge Managers are out of contact - #1 has resigned and moved on - #2 on 3 weeks leave and totally uncontactable - I am still not convinced what tnj exp is 100% accurate.

I was hoping to be in TPR eve Jul 9 but that did not occur - the Lounge Mgmt I could access were not comfortable in giving definitive response to tnj’s specific case - rather directed me to contact SAA via feedback - this was never going to clear in time.

I am trying through other channels to get direct access to someone who can give first hand response - it’s still in the pipeline - Lounge Mgmt / Staff seriously have their rings hanging out right now trying to explain SKL Update details when most if not all have not even seen final plans - they have all been instructed to not to try to give too much detail lest ongoing plan changes happen to blow back in their faces.

This is seriously as deep into Lounge access eligibility as it gets - Lounge Staff are way out of their depth on this - only Senior Lounge Mgmt might have their minds around it - just need to get in front of one.

I would have thought my situation although not everyday occurance would be pretty basic knowldge for staff.

Something like is it illegal for a minor to self serve them alcohol or a adult to serve a minor type of question to be far more difficult

 

[MEL_Traveller]

This is just my amateur opinion but would there be so many people in my situation with no status, booking first class and trying to get tpr access?

I wasn't fussed about getting business lounge but is it maybe because staff arent sure so they just do what they've been told or assume? And maybe cruiserelites status helped?

Can managers simply use discretion and good will and let people throguh? And maybe cruiser elite always gets the special treatment?

Just to get access to the SQ First class lounge (not TPR) requires you to have Solitaire PPS status. Gaining Solitaire PPS requires a spend of SGD250,000 (250K) in first or business class on SQ or MI within 5 consecutive years. To maintain Solitaire you have to spend SGD50,000 per year in first or business class. So it's not an easy benchmark.

Would there be pax without status in F - absolutely. Not least on the basis that trying to get Solitaire is not that easy. Krisflyer miles on the otherhand are fairly easy to come by and so are first and business class awards. And the awards are cheap by comparison to other airlines. Mixed class awards are also common, simply because SQ doesn't offer first on many intra-Asia flights. Equally stopovers are promoted. So the combination of mixed class and stopover, with no status, would be common.

SQ looks after their F pax well. The arrivals benefit for TPR is unpublished but is consistently applied. No exceptions. So staff are well aware of the rules - even the 'unofficial' ones. It's therefore unlikely they've been incorrectly applying the rules all this time. But stranger things have happened so maybe CE's enquiry will prompt a correction, if this is the case.

CE is a very frequent traveller and well known to the staff, I believe his entry to the lounge was on the basis that lounge staff thought he was a Solitaire. (I can't recall if it was the F lounge or TPR though? I thought the former?)