SQ Tips, Trips and Tales

[Cruiser Elite]

1. can you have 2 stopovers on way to destination? e.g. if i were to say go SYD-(SIN)-(FRA)-JFK, could i stopover in both SIN and FRA?
2. can you have stopovers at different midpoints (e.g. stop at FRA on the way over, stop at SIN on the way back)

Crikey there are a couple of curly ones! I'll check later for you. Are you planning 2 x one way Saver rdpts or 1 x ret Saver rdpt? In Q 2. Are you asking 1 stopover each way?

 

[Danger UXB]

been having a think about this while dreaming up some future redemptions, couple of questions:

1. can you have 2 stopovers on way to destination? e.g. if i were to say go SYD-(SIN)-(FRA)-JFK, could i stopover in both SIN and FRA?
2. can you have stopovers at different midpoints (e.g. stop at FRA on the way over, stop at SIN on the way back)

1. not sure ask Cruiser who will ask Crystal for clarification
2. booked as 2 separate redemptions ie 2 one ways by Cruisers method US$100 ach way I would think

 

[diningdecadence]

Crikey there are a couple of curly ones! I'll check later for you. Are you planning 2 x one way Saver rdpts or 1 x ret Saver rdpt? In Q 2. Are you asking 1 stopover each way?

i read your previous post that for a one way stopover - it was $100, on a return you get one free stopover which i'm comfortable with.

not really fussed about the extra $100 for the stop, more interested in what's allowable.

and yes - q2 would be a stopover in each direction (but would it matter on SYD-JFK, i.e. where a leg has a "fuelstop", vs SIN-JFK where it is sold as one flight)

 

[Cruiser Elite]

and yes - q2 would be a stopover in each direction (but would it matter on SYD-JFK, i.e. where a leg has a "fuelstop", vs SIN-JFK where it is sold as one flight)

Gotcha - will check after 10pm tonight for you

Edit: Crystal not on duty last night - she is back tonight - should have clarification for you morrow.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

OK tdog just off the phone with Crystal and here are your answers:

1. One Way Saver rdpt SYD-SIN-FRA-JFK - no FREE stopover - but you can buy stopover at each connecting port @ US$100ea - so yes you can have stopover in SIN and in FRA if you want

2. Round Trip Saver rdpt SYD-SIN-FRA-JFK/JFK-FRA-SIN-SYD - one FREE stopover - and you can buy stopover at each connecting port in addition to your FREE stopover @ US$100ea - so in this instance you could indeed have 4 stopover - one FREE and three PAID

And as this cannot be done online you can still get the 15% disc - rep might not offer it to you but make sure you insist that you are eligible for it. Hope this helps.

 

[diningdecadence]

OK tdog just off the phone with Crystal and here are your answers:

1. One Way Saver rdpt SYD-SIN-FRA-JFK - no FREE stopover - but you can buy stopover at each connecting port @ US$100ea - so yes you can have stopover in SIN and in FRA if you want

2. Round Trip Saver rdpt SYD-SIN-FRA-JFK/JFK-FRA-SIN-SYD - one FREE stopover - and you can buy stopover at each connecting port in addition to your FREE stopover @ US$100ea - so in this instance you could indeed have 4 stopover - one FREE and three PAID

And as this cannot be done online you can still get the 15% disc - rep might not offer it to you but make sure you insist that you are eligible for it. Hope this helps.

fantastic, and the answer I was hoping for! effectively can create your own RTW by booking a series of one way legs with stopovers, for potentially less than the 450K miles they want to do it for you.

although my main thought process was a stopover in europe before continuing to USA (e.g. FRA as per above example, or say DME via the SIN-DME-IAH flight)

*goes to look for ATO bills*

 

[Cruiser Elite]

tdog maybe YES - maybe NO - plan plenty out so you maximise your chances - but good luck - make sure you tell us the results pls

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Check-in in ZRH still handing out invitations to TPE:



Check-in MEL outbound told us they no longer handing them out - IMHO they are a great souvenir - if you travelling SQ F make sure you ask for one when checking in.

 

[DaveB]

Fantastic service from SQ today.
Received emails from SQ yesterday advising our December flights on SQ212 had been rescheduled from 07:40 to 09:05 making it now impossible for three of us on a KF reward J booking to make our connection with a Silk Air flight taking off 20 minutes later from SIN for Da Nang. To complicate matters, the MI flight is on two additional bookings also using KF J reward points.
Mindful that another MI flight of ours had recently been rescheduled, hopeful Silk Air might push back their flight sending an email this morning outlining the issue.
In the interim, the Singapore Air lady could not be more helpful over the phone happily placing a hold on any three available seats on a flight of our choosing. Settled for the earlier evening flight being the only flight enabling us to still meet our other daughter in DAD without missing my mothers 80th. All this whilst retaining our seats on our current morning flight pending a response from MI. The SQ lady could not have been more helpful and considerate.

 

[lc_461]

They have just introduced a seasonal supp flight: SQ252 departs SYD at 0640 3x a week. Does this connection work, it is similar timing to the original SQ212.

 

[DaveB]

They have just introduced a seasonal supp flight: SQ252 departs SYD at 0640 3x a week. Does this connection work, it is similar timing to the original SQ212.

Cheers but unfortunately no go as we need an early Sunday morning flight with the new SQ252 flight departing Saturday, Monday and Thursday.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Fantastic service from SQ today....................... The SQ lady could not have been more helpful and considerate.

99% of time they are sensational - keep us up to date of situation - if you need any assistance PM me.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Haven't flown PVG-SIN in F since early April so was looking forward to sample Air China's brand new flagship F Lounge in PVG - Change in lounge at Shanghai Pudong International Airport - WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT.

I was so disappointed I have sent off complaint to SQ re standard of this lounge's F & B offerings - so typically Chinese - so lacking - content sent to SAA Feedback:

Attn SAA Feedback
I wish to make a formal complaint about the standard of Food and Beverage available in new Air China First Class Lounge in Pudong International Airport T2.
This is the new lounge designated as Star Alliance First Class Lounge – it is just not up to standard
After showing SQ First Class Boarding Pass and gaining entry to new Air China Lounge I decided I first need a shower. To access shower you must firstly hand over your boarding pass to get a key to shower room – why is this necessary? I am already admitted to First Class Lounge.
Shower room was SO HOT – it was like SAUNA inside – totally insufficient air conditioning – on this day outside temperature was like 38C – so shower room SO HOT – after cold shower and during towel down process before you can even dress and return to the main lounge area the inside temperature of shower room has you in total sweat again thus rendering the concept of showering to wash off sweat and perspiration almost a total waste of time.
I then approached bar and asked attendant for glass of champagne – sorry Sir we have no champagne – why not? – we ran out of champagne yesterday Sir – but today is 24hrs later why not more champagne – just do not have Sir – so when will you have more champagne – do not know Sir.
At this point in time I go back to lounge entry and seek out Lounge Manager – you do not have any champagne in lounge? – yes we do – come this way Sir- then she said to bar person 1 glass of champagne for this gentleman – bar person says we do not have champagne as we ran out yesterday – Manager says oh sorry Sir we do not have champagne as we ran out yesterday – so you ran out yesterday when will you get more champagne? Tomorrow? Next week? In 1 month? Maybe tomorrow Sir – Oh my god – this is disgraceful.
Then I go to look for some food – bear in mind this is 1pm in afternoon – corn flakes available – toast available – croissants available – Danish pastries available – all breakfast items? Give me a break.
YES there was 1 vegetable type soup – cauliflower or such – but that was the only western oriented food – the rest Chinese food only. They did have 3 bowls of lettuce but that was so browned off nobody in their correct mind would touch it.
Before this new lounge was opened SQ F and J pax were offered vouchers to go eat at Café Deco – the food provided from Café Deco was fine – but the F & B offerings in Air China First Class Lounge last Wednesday in my opinion was totally unsatisfactory.
Does SQ regularly monitor quality of F & B at its international partner airline lounges?
I do hope you take this complaint seriously and in the spirit it is intended
Rgds
Cruiser Elite

I got to talking to a Yank who was departing slightly later on UA flt to Chicago - his first time in new CA F also - he too totally pi**ed off - he was going to move to the adjoining Emirates F as they knew him there and would let him in.

I have tried to look for some pics - it looks very good - chairs / seating etc quite good - but that's where it stops.

 

[DaveB]

Fantastic service from SQ today.
Received emails from SQ yesterday advising our December flights on SQ212 had been rescheduled from 07:40 to 09:05 making it now impossible for three of us on a KF reward J booking to make our connection with a Silk Air flight taking off 20 minutes later from SIN for Da Nang. To complicate matters, the MI flight is on two additional bookings also using KF J reward points.
Mindful that another MI flight of ours had recently been rescheduled, hopeful Silk Air might push back their flight sending an email this morning outlining the issue.
In the interim, the Singapore Air lady could not be more helpful over the phone happily placing a hold on any three available seats on a flight of our choosing. Settled for the earlier evening flight being the only flight enabling us to still meet our other daughter in DAD without missing my mothers 80th. All this whilst retaining our seats on our current morning flight pending a response from MI. The SQ lady could not have been more helpful and considerate.

Rather than travel the night before with a long wait at SIN for our afternoon connection, we requested flying a day earlier for the three of us flying J from Sydney to Da Nang involving four different reward bookings. Everything was fine apart from the Silk Air flights which needing a few days to confirm. In the interim, our seats were held for both the Saturday and Sunday flights. Could not believe receiving the SMS and email from SQ confirming all flights had been changed giving us a full extra day in DAD. All for someone with zero airline status.
Fantastic and refreshing to deal with a large company that goes out of their way to help rather than find ways to say no.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Flew ZRH-SIN-MEL on Jul 8 R/F - I never use PJs that SQ supply as I BYO and bring their's home to give to old folks home. On the ZRH-SIN leg I asked for size M as I like to mix up sizes a bit - Sorry Sir no male M left - OK if we send you a pair from SIN? Sure can - and I also took a size L whilst on board - below is the package with size M PJs received today from SQ - need I say more?

 

[seanpodge]

Another example of SQ's great service. Last Sunday I was flying HRB-PVG-SIN-MEL in Y. HRB-PVG was on a separate MU booking with SQ taking me the rest of the way. Anyway, the MU flight got delayed badly due to storms at PVG, which meant that my MU flight landed as my SQ flight was taking off. Thankfully I managed to get in contact with SQ in Singapore via my mother and we arranged for me to be put on a waitlist. After a night in the airport hotel at PVG, I went to the check in counter and saw that there was a flight to SIN about 2.5 hours earlier than my waitlisted flight, so I asked if I could be put on that flight instead. The manager at the check in counter sorted everything out and gave me a seat on the earlier flight and a standby BP for SIN-MEL.

After being held up on the ground in PVG due to PLA air force exercises and then having to do a holding pattern approaching SIN, the original 70 minute transit got cut down to about 25 minutes. Still, I went to the transfer desk, handed over my standby BP and was handed a shiny new BP for the SIN-MEL leg no questions asked and told to head straight to gate as they were already boarding. So whilst I achieved a new PB for shortest transit and missed out on the lounge, I was very grateful that SQ had got me out of a rather tight spot.

You often see requests from posters asking about quality of Chinese Lounges - well let me tell you what SQ think of quality of *A Lounge on PVG - so bad are the F & B offerings that all SQ F and J pax are handed vouchers to partake in free F & B in Cafe Deco opp Gate 71 - Cafe Deco Group - Cafe Deco Shanghai Pudong Int'l Airport - you will handed separate menu to main menu and you select whatever you desire - and F side is actually quite good - small tapas type servings but good variety - B side bit limited - no champers - red wine was Chilean IIRC but it was drinkable as opposed to the Dynasty vinegar in *A Lounge.

Haven't flown PVG-SIN in F since early April so was looking forward to sample Air China's brand new flagship F Lounge in PVG - Change in lounge at Shanghai Pudong International Airport - WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT.

I was so disappointed I have sent off complaint to SQ re standard of this lounge's F & B offerings - so typically Chinese - so lacking - content sent to SAA Feedback:

SNIP

Haven't had the chance to use the F lounge, but I thought that the new J lounge I was in last week was actually really good, especially by Chinese lounge standards. Streets ahead of CA's PEK lounge (circa April 2014) at any rate.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Response to emails I forwarded to SQ Feedback - you guys will get the gist of emails I sent:

5 August 2014

140704762/CR/JN1

Dear Mr Elite

Thank you for your emails dated 25 July 2014. We apologise for the tardiness in responding to your feedback and enquiries.

We are concerned to learn that you were disappointed with the facilities at the Air China First Class Lounge at Pudong Airport. We are also disappointed to learn that the shower facility was not conducive, and the non-availability of champagne, and also the lack of proper food selection for lunch. We agree with you that the experience was not acceptable and certainly not up to the standard of a premium lounge. We have conveyed your feedback and expressed our concern to our Shanghai Station Manager for his ongoing review. We assure you that we do random checks on the service standards at the lounge and also consolidate feedback from our passengers. These served as inputs in our regular review with the lounge management to maintain the quality service standards and for improvements. We are sorry for your experience and apologise for the inconvenience caused.

With regard to our new First Class seats, these are known as the next generation (Next Gen) seats. These seats are currently fitted on new B777-300ER aircraft. To-date, three of our new B777-300ER aircraft are fitted with the Next Gen seats, and more will be progressively introduced as new aircraft are put into service.

All our Suite seats will be given a refreshed look and feel. The refresh exercise has started and we have one A380 aircraft in service with the refreshed Suite seats. All the Suite seats on the remaining A380 aircraft in the fleet will be refreshed over the coming months. The exercise should be completed by middle of next year. There will not be any structural change to the seat. Among other things, the refresh will see a change of colours to give it a warmer feel for a higher comfort level. The blinds surrounding the seat will also be improved to enhance the peace and privacy in the cabin.

Turning to amenities, we would like to share that sleeper suits and toiletry kits are presented to Suite and First Class passengers depending on the departure time and block time. Amenities are handed out for day flights (departing between 0600-1800 hours) with a block time of 7 hours or more, including flights from Singapore to Tokyo. Amenities are also handed out for night flights (departing between 1800-0600 hours) with a block time of 3.5 hours or more, where the arrival time is past 0030 hours. These guidelines were put in place more than ten years ago.

Mr Elite, we appreciate your feedback and thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. We are grateful for your contribution in helping us improve our product and services.

We hope to have the privilege to serve you better in the near future. Warm regards.

Yours sincerely

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

 

[Plutonus]

Has anyone seen anything out there about this suites refresh?

 

[lc_461]

That seems to be a genuine and considered response. Very impressive!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Has anyone seen anything out there about this suites refresh?

I was totally unaware until IFS advised me of it on PVG-SIN flt 2 weeks back - that is why I inquired to SQ Feedback. She also told me at time - after consulting her handbook - that indeed SQ had only 2 new 77W with New Gen F so apparently 3rd one into op since then.

That seems to be a genuine and considered response. Very impressive!

Mr Ng did call me a week back just to clarify a couple of points and did say it would take another week to respond in full - it is what I expect from SQ.