Singaporeair vs Garuda business

[Black Duck]

Thanks Browski,

I will say when I finally choose. I really don't feel good about Airasia X so despite having researched them again this morning I have ruled them out - they have a substantial discount today too!

So I do think its between Garuda and Singapore. If the price was closer I would go with Singapore. Singapore is on sale so I need to sort it soon or miss out. I did enjoy my previous trip with Garuda and they did stay up in the air when meant to. They were allso on time for all sectors.

I guess when we are talking $6500 vs $7500 (for 2) its not a huge different but all the same $1000 covers a lot of "what ifs" and while I choose to pay for business I don't have cash to throw around.

 

[browski]

Thanks Browski,

I will say when I finally choose. I really don't feel good about Airasia X so despite having researched them again this morning I have ruled them out - they have a substantial discount today too!

So I do think its between Garuda and Singapore. If the price was closer I would go with Singapore. Singapore is on sale so I need to sort it soon or miss out. I did enjoy my previous trip with Garuda and they did stay up in the air when meant to. They were allso on time for all sectors.

I guess when we are talking $6500 vs $7500 (for 2) its not a huge different but all the same $1000 covers a lot of "what ifs" and while I choose to pay for business I don't have cash to throw around.

Well, when you pay $5k more for a bad feeling, it does appear you do have the cash to throw around.
Nevertheless, best of luck, hope you get to see the tail end of the Olympics. Have a great trip.

 

[Black Duck]

Guess you could argue that but we all make choices on our ways of spending. I figure that if I do decide to save that money I'd be better off going with Singapore premium economy rather than AirasiaX. No flat seats but a good airline and reasonable comfort. Air asia works out at $4700- Garuda $6400 so still a lot more but not $5k

Not heading to the Olympics but a large Ceramic Festival so still some time up my sleeve.

Again thanks so much for all the input. Decision time looms!

 

[OZDUCK]

Guess you could argue that but we all make choices on our ways of spending. I figure that if I do decide to save that money I'd be better off going with Singapore premium economy rather than AirasiaX. No flat seats but a good airline and reasonable comfort. Air asia works out at $4700- Garuda $6400 so still a lot more but not $5k

Not heading to the Olympics but a large Ceramic Festival so still some time up my sleeve.

Again thanks so much for all the input. Decision time looms!

I didn't think SQ had Premium Economy on Perth flights? A quick search defaulted to Business Class seats - and fares.

 

[Black Duck]

I went in through Singapore website and it turned up on one flight a day - the 777.

 

[OZDUCK]

I went in through Singapore website and it turned up on one flight a day - the 777.

That's weird I have tried both the Singapore & Australian Sites for Perth/Singapore flights and it keeps coming up with
"The selected cabin class is not available for the selected itinerary. The next available cabin class is shown instead." and offering Business Class .
If I try Perth/Sing/Incheon I get a Premium Economy price - for one flight a day. But if I drill down the Perth leg is still economy and only the Singapore/Incheon flight is in Premium Economy.

 

[Black Duck]

Thank you. There was no indication at all until you try to purchase. Nothing in the info on the flights themselves. Then it finally says "we have selected the next lower class" I would have been annoyed with that. I guess I would have noticed eventually but premium econ was a fallback to consider. You have saved me some grief.

 

[OZDUCK]

Thank you. There was no indication at all until you try to purchase. Nothing in the info on the flights themselves. Then it finally says "we have selected the next lower class" I would have been annoyed with that. I guess I would have noticed eventually but premium econ was a fallback to consider. You have saved me some grief.

No worries - I was very interested because I would have seriously considered Premium Economy out of Perth if it was available.

 

[Black Duck]

Pity isn't it.

 

[drivatruk]

My choice would Garuda for service, Air Asia for price and an angled Lie flat thats very comfy in a Z position and then Singapore last because I've had 6 flights with them and all average. Im holidaying in Bali in March and am flying Thai as a last minute United redemption before their recent point devaluation on that run. A350 Mel - BKK and 787 BKK - DPS..

 

[Black Duck]

Thanks Drivatruk,

Good to hear what you think having used all 3.

 

[Cynicor]

Have done all 3, within the last 2 months for SQ and last week for GA and Air Asia. GA- still a coughpy airline if anything goes wrong. The narrow body to CGK is cough from PER, and overall I really didn't like them. Did PER-CGK-HND-DPS-PER.
SQ would be my choice and I agree 100% about not choosing Air Asia. Huge safety concerns, I only flew them as GA stuffed up so badly and I needed to get back.

 

[Black Duck]

Thanks Cynicor,

I have definitely decided against Air Asia. I was leaning to Garuda having had a pretty good experience with them before. I agree the 737 to CGK is not good even though the service was. Shame they are still running that and I see they are adding another day per week. I would still use it however in preference to a 14 hr layover in DPS on the outbound. Inbound via DPS is a good schedule with a short layover whch is just as well. I can't see why people think DPS is such a nice airport. I found it was really filthy and not a place I would like to spend any time - might be fairly new and better than the old one (maybe, but I remember the old one -small and not many people when last visited and at least clean) . Avoiding DPS to also avoid potential volcano issues which was my idea also means a long layover to return via CGK and the 737.

We have time up our sleeve on the way back. That makes the $1100 difference to get Singapore less attractive and that is only if I get it done in the next couple of days otherwise its a great deal more.

So I think I might have to go with Garuda and hope there are no glitchs but be prepared in case there are.

Oh for perfect schedules on perfect planes and fabulous prices. Is that asking too much? No need to answer that as I know the answer.

Again many thanks for everones input. This is such a helpful place.

 

[Cynicor]

So my issues with this GA trip were luggage being "lost" on the outbound and delayed inbound flight causing a missed DPS connection and rebooking. Rebooked for a weird nonsense route instead of the 24 hour later flight, and no hotel was offered. Their call centre was completely useless each time.
Good luck!

 

[Black Duck]

Right - that doesn't sound good. Its not a very long layover in DPS so I can well see a missed connection. Its dreadful they wouldn't offer an hotel at least. Did rebooking involve fees? Surely it shouldn't. Did they find your lost outbound bagggage or did it go for good?

I notice on the website booking that even if you go through CGK and the next available flight to Perth is the next day they don't offer you that but take you over to DPS and then to Perth - thats despite it needing an extra 7 hours on top. It would appear possible to book the direct journey via an agent though.

 

[Cynicor]

Basically, GA are incompetent. But if all goes well, then it's fine.
My luggage wasn't actually lost (it turns out, 24 hours later). Allegedly it was held in Jakarta for potential dangerous goods without telling us, despite a 3 hour layover being plenty of time to sort it out, esp considering we'd declared the item and it was safe for carry (explicitly allowed under IATA regs). They eventually got it to Tokyo and the couriered it to our hotel, 3 days too late as we were snow camping.
Luckily our insurance has a $3000 delayed luggage clause, so replacement gear was bought, cost around $3200, and we had a great trip. Until the return...

 

[Black Duck]

I see! I know my insurance has delayed luggage coverage but I will now go and reread the fine print.

Would you mind telling me where they were trying to send you on the return flight. It sounds a bit of a nightmare. We could cope with a delay but I would be really put out that they didn't even offfer an hotel just on principle. Then a weird reroute to boot!

 

[Cynicor]

DPS-JOG-CGK-PER. Think it got me home even later than just taking the next DPS-PER option the following day. Ended up buying out of pocket my own coughty Air Asia ticket and rescheduling my PER-ALH flight to the last of the day.

My guess is your coverage will be for a lot less, I've never seen such a high delayed luggage number before. Was fortuitous.

 

[Black Duck]

Thats certainly the scenic route. Can't understand why they would do that unless (a.) Next DPS flight was full or (b.) It means they move you on in time and therefore do not have to take responsibility for your hotel etc.

Checked my cover and only $1600 specifically clothes and toiletries. Not that I would have a great deal with me of value thats not in hand luggage but I will have a bit of gear that would cause bother if it doesn't arrive and I can't put it in hand luggage.

Still so undecided but still kind of thinking the $1100 saving over Singapore would go some way to solving problems should they arise.

Btw I am also from the South Coast.

 

[Cynicor]

Oh, we should have a catchup here sometime with @wandering_fred too.

Next DPS flight was not full, as I changed to it when I called them, and there was still 12 hours in DPS necessitating a night regardless. Just absolute nonsense.