I suspect that actually puts you in the high spend category, compared to the average customer. Which is why they tried this poorly-implemented fee strategy, to get rid of the very low spending customers.
Arrived at SIN on a Scoot flight from SYD on Mon 7 April, all pax and their hand luggage were security screened in the terminal upon deplaning. I wonder why?
Just a reminder to have your friend complete the online SG Arrival Card prior to arrival, if they want to enter Singapore. It is free so any website that is official looking but wants to charge a fee is a scam.
Go round to T1 and have a swim in the outdoor pool (Aerotel transit hotel). Butterfly garden, cinema. Enter Singapore (as per above comments) and visit one of the staff canteens (hawker centres) T1 or T2. Visit the underground carnival and food court in basement T3. Or even go to East Coast and...
The sole reason I chase SG/WP with VA is to have status benefits when flying SQ Y, which benefits are valuable (lounge access, priority boarding etc). And VA status is easier to obtain than SQ status. But not worth it anymore.
I sorta grudgingly admit that this makes sense. Why should a miserable $49 flight to Ballina earn more than 2 SCs, and it's a decent earn if you are crazy enough to fork out for a Flex fare.
The only thing they are really good at is PR - getting soft coverage in the media ("Qantas launches insane sale", "Qantas has slashed the cost of its flights...") and on sites like Executive Traveller.