SQ Tips, Trips and Tales

[Tejas]

I did SQ246 onto SQ308 yesterday.

SQ246 had the live tv so i was able to watch the Tennis. I looked forward to continuing this on 308 only to find no live TV on it. this made the 14 hour flight drag and i would have preferred the opposite (live tv only on the SIN - LHR leg)

 

[Ken1]

I just did a 17hr transit a couple of days ago in SIN and bags were checked in all the way.

Used TPR upon arrival to get ready and head out for meetings then came back to the TPR for dinner and my flight home.

For you, i would go with the hotel that is cheaper. You will have to complete the health declaration to enter Singapore though, the rest should be quick unless immigration has a big Q

es was extremely quick for my wife and I in June both entering Singapore and departing Singapore when we used a landside hotel in June.
ie No queues and so basically only took the time check the passport when entering and departing.

I’ve done this flight combo a heap of times. Usually arrive, go to TPR for a few hours for a late dinner and shower, go straight to the transit hotel for 6 hours sleep (just book the room for 6 hours) then go straight back to TPR. Usually end up feeling fairly ok.

Thanks daft009, lovetravellingoz and N860R for your replies. I'm thinking that will book the transit hotel for 6 hours from 23:30 until 05:30 and go to TPR after we arrive at 21:20 and then again after we check out at 05:30 until we have to board the 09:00 flight.

The Ambassador Transit Hotel website says:
"Quoted rates are in Singapore Dollars (SGD). Rates are non-refundable and non-negotiable." It also says: "Billing - Payment upon check-in." I see that there are currently 37 rooms available for that timeslot so I'll wait until closer to book in case of any flight changes. They say rates are non-refundable and Billing - payment on check-in so I'm wondering if this means as it appears, that if you cancel they still charge you. Their website also says "NO SHOW will be charged full rate." Has anyone had any experience of cancelling and not being charged if you cancel in advance? We plan to do this trip and have booked everything in Europe but usually try to book accommodation with good cancellation terms, just in case something unexpected happens.

 

[boomy]

In February we will be flying SYD-SIN on SQ222 arriving at SIN at 21:20 and then SIN-LHR on SQ308 departing SIN at 09:00 in Suites. This will be our first and probably only time we will have the opportunity to travel in R or F. We are planning to stay at the Ambassador Transit Hotel in terminal 3 but are interested on thoughts about whether we should consider staying at the Crowne Plaza instead, although we would have to enter Singapore to stay there. We're thinking that it's probably not worth entering SIN with the amount of time we have there overnight.

We plan to go to the Private Room around 6am to experience being there for a couple of hours before the 9am flight. I assume that SQ will allow us to check our bags through to LHR even though we have an overnight transit. In 2019 we did an overnight transit with SK at OSL and had to pick up our bags there when we arrived late at night and check them in again the next morning for the 08:30 flight even though we had both boarding passes so I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has done this with SQ at SIN.

Used to be my favourite connection back in the days when 9am to LHR used to be old suites. Two daytime flights in F, it doesn’t get much better

For short overnight layover better stay airside either at Ambassador or Aerotel, no point to stay at CP. It’s not a matter of cost but simple convenience. Can’t see any advantage to stay in an average 4* hotel landslide for 6 hours sleep when there are options airside. Your bags will be checked in all the way through, no need to worry about that.

 

[Ken1]

Used to be my favourite connection back in the days when 9am to LHR used to be old suites. Two daytime flights in F, it doesn’t get much better

For short overnight layover better stay airside either at Ambassador or Aerotel, no point to stay at CP. It’s not a matter of cost but simple convenience. Can’t see any advantage to stay in an average 4* hotel landslide for 6 hours sleep when there are options airside. Your bags will be checked in all the way through, no need to worry about that.

Thanks Boomy. I've only been looking at the Ambassador in terminal 3 since that's where I'll be arriving and departing with SQ. How does that compare with the Aerotel in terminal 1? How easy is it to move between terminals 3 and 1 while airside?

 

[boomy]

Thanks Boomy. I've only been looking at the Ambassador in terminal 3 since that's where I'll be arriving and departing with SQ. How does that compare with the Aerotel in terminal 1? How easy is it to move between terminals 3 and 1 while airside?

Aerotel is as good as Ambassador IMO with the added benefit of swimming pool but probably not something you are going to use during your specific layover. While it’s easy to connect between T1 and T3 using the internal train I would only stay at Aerotel if it’s significantly cheaper than Ambassador, which often was the case pre-Covid.

 

[travelnutjohn]

You're correct and it is true that the relative value is outstanding, however the major restriction/problem/issue is *availability* and *rules*.
For example, you can only travel West -East or vice versa, there's overland restrictions, you can cross the Atlantic or Pacific only once, etc. Many of the flights will be on partner airlines that may/may not have good availability the way SQ does.
In short, it takes a hell of a lot of time, patience and multiple lifetimes worth of luck to be able to pull off a RTW (whether *A or OW).

one quick question, is something like the following allowed/possible/common

Syd-Italy or germany or france - UK-Syd
im going in the same direction, not crossing the atlantic,
but im visiting an extra country for a holiday

 

[Ken1]

Aerotel is as good as Ambassador IMO with the added benefit of swimming pool but probably not something you are going to use during your specific layover. While it’s easy to connect between T1 and T3 using the internal train I would only stay at Aerotel if it’s significantly cheaper than Ambassador, which often was the case pre-Covid.

I've just looked at prices. The Ambassador in T3 is SGD 252.50 and the Aerotel in T1 is SGD 223.63 and with the 10% discount for joining their rewards program it is SGD 201.27 so a $50+ saving. I'll look at both hotels later. If we decide on the Aerotel do the internal trains run after 11pm and before 6am?

 

[Ken1]

The Ambassador Transit Hotel website says:
"Quoted rates are in Singapore Dollars (SGD). Rates are non-refundable and non-negotiable." It also says: "Billing - Payment upon check-in." I see that there are currently 37 rooms available for that timeslot so I'll wait until closer to book in case of any flight changes. They say rates are non-refundable and Billing - payment on check-in so I'm wondering if this means as it appears, that if you cancel they still charge you. Their website also says "NO SHOW will be charged full rate." Has anyone had any experience of cancelling and not being charged if you cancel in advance? We plan to do this trip and have booked everything in Europe but usually try to book accommodation with good cancellation terms, just in case something unexpected happens.

After I posted this question I sent an email to the Ambassador regarding cancellation conditions and also mentioned that I see on the Expedia website that if we booked through them and had to cancel, we could cancel by 6pm the day before arrival for a full refund and I asked if the same applies if we book directly with them? I have just received this reply:

Good Afternoon from Ambassador Transit Hotel Terminal 3.
Our apologies for the confusion.
Booking thru www.harilelahospitality.com
Room rates are Non-Discountable, Non-Negotiable and Non-Commissionable.

1.Booking guaranteed by credit card and payment is to be made by guests on arrival.
Amendment of a confirm booking can be done at no extra cost however subject only to availability of new date and time.
Hotel will hold your room if flight is delayed and charge start from actual time of check-in.
Free cancellation of a confirm booking must be notify no less than 24 hours (Singapore Time) prior actual time of stay.

2.Booking prepaid by third party.
Payment non-refundable and non-transferable.

 

[daft009]

I've just looked at prices. The Ambassador in T3 is SGD 252.50 and the Aerotel in T1 is SGD 223.63 and with the 10% discount for joining their rewards program it is SGD 201.27 so a $50+ saving. I'll look at both hotels later. If we decide on the Aerotel do the internal trains run after 11pm and before 6am?

10 min walk worst case

 

[boomy]

Interesting story. Maybe can still happen one day…

Inside the Qantas-Singapore Airlines merger that almost happened...

The Australian flag-carrier once sought to combine forces with Singapore Airlines, creating an Asia-Pacific colossus of aviation.

www.executivetraveller.com

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Interesting story. Maybe can still happen one day…

Inside the Qantas-Singapore Airlines merger that almost happened...

The Australian flag-carrier once sought to combine forces with Singapore Airlines, creating an Asia-Pacific colossus of aviation.

www.executivetraveller.com

Almost laughable? Qantas to fly a handful of pax to singapore, but wanted a 50/50 split in all revenue? Maybe the QF domestic arm was a sweetener, revenue wise?

 

[MARTINE]

Almost laughable? Qantas to fly a handful of pax to singapore, but wanted a 50/50 split in all revenue? Maybe the QF does tic arm was a sweetener, revenue wise?

Is it 1 April already?

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Interesting story. Maybe can still happen one day…

Inside the Qantas-Singapore Airlines merger that almost happened...

The Australian flag-carrier once sought to combine forces with Singapore Airlines, creating an Asia-Pacific colossus of aviation.

www.executivetraveller.com

Hope not.

Luckily for myself it did not happen, otherwise Krisflyer may have become more like QFF and if so I would have not have enjoyed all those years since as much as I have.

 

[SOPOOR]

Interesting story. Maybe can still happen one day…

Inside the Qantas-Singapore Airlines merger that almost happened...

The Australian flag-carrier once sought to combine forces with Singapore Airlines, creating an Asia-Pacific colossus of aviation.

www.executivetraveller.com

Please oh please dont let Qantas near SIA
imagine if they poison SIA and so some of Qantas atrocious behaviour rubs off

Or maybe sia thinks "wow, they can get away with this kind of behaviour, let's give it a try"

 

[MARTINE]

Please oh please dont let Qantas near SIA
imagine if they poison SIA and so some of Qantas atrocious behaviour rubs off

I would drop them if they got near my favorite airline - not many options then for getting to my usual destinations

 

[boomy]

Merger of equals might sound laughable today but we should remember that back in 2004 both airlines were in different positions. Over the years one kept improving while the other kept outsourcing…

 

[citrusb]

Singapore Airlines telephone service centre ...how it's changed....
can't get through to agents who can deal with redemption booking changes....they have to escalate to redemption agents who will make contact in up to 5 days !!!!! What about new redemption bookings which can't be done on website ie mixed bookings 1st & business ?? will ring back within 5 days !!!
I'm sure seats will still be available....Have tried AUS no. also Singapore office direct, but often end up in other call centre....
If I book 2 individual legs i) more miles ii) no TPR in Singapore for final leg..
Doing my head in ..for something which for 10 years has always been efficient and simple.......

 

[boomy]

Singapore Airlines telephone service centre ...how it's changed....
can't get through to agents who can deal with redemption booking changes....they have to escalate to redemption agents who will make contact in up to 5 days !!!!! What about new redemption bookings which can't be done on website ie mixed bookings 1st & business ?? will ring back within 5 days !!!
I'm sure seats will still be available....Have tried AUS no. also Singapore office direct, but often end up in other call centre....
If I book 2 individual legs i) more miles ii) no TPR in Singapore for final leg..
Doing my head in ..for something which for 10 years has always been efficient and simple.......

Oh dear… Until SQ finally managed to fix waiting times on the phone and customer service seemed to go back to normal they managed to wreck it again

 

[dajop]

ii) no TPR in Singapore for final leg..

Whilst your other grievances are valid, but perhaps a not well publicised fact, that inbound F boarding pass grants access to the Private Room, it need not be on the same booking as the onward flight.

 

[citrusb]

Whilst your other grievances are valid, but perhaps a not well publicised fact, that inbound F boarding pass grants access to the Private Room, it need not be on the same booking as the onward flight.

Well that's certainly good news..
I thought that if 2nd leg is business then only a married booking with a first 1st leg gained access...really appreciate your reply...
BTW I got so frustrated with call centre this morning that I booked 2 separate legs online in F then Business and paid extra miles & $ ( over what a married call centre booking would have been) ....