Changi SilverKris Lounge

[penegal]

And still giving some people lounge access by not turning them away.

The occasional overcrowding just illustrates how small that lounge is compared to the requirement.

I can understand refusing access if the lounge is full (it is a public health / fire safety issue). But in such cases, they should do something to compensate pax (e.g. F&B vouchers).


The same can be said for the Virgin Broom Closet at Adelaide airport.

 

[TonyHancock]

A queue of a dozen or more outside the GoldenKris Lounge this morning. I have long since give up and use my PP at the almost empty dnata lounge....which has showers and toilets. :shock:

 

[penegal]

A queue of a dozen or more outside the GoldenKris Lounge this morning. I have long since give up and use my PP at the almost empty dnata lounge....which has showers and toilets. :shock:

Queuing? How very English...


FWIW, I haven't flown SQ Economy for years, but last time I did (before I was PPS), I used my DC to access the Dnata lounge (or Plaza Premium, or whatever its called). Hot food, cold drinks, Showers, Toilets, very quiet / good ambiance.

 

[seanpodge]

I've never been turned away, but the KG lounge can certainly fill up in peak times. I wonder if they could take over the space with the public toilets and smoking balcony?

It's a difficult issue. What do airlines do to keep their premium business class passengers without diluting their business class lounges?

Qantas' 'business' class lounges are essentially economy class lounges catering for huge numbers of QC members and economy pax. The service offering reflects that. Thai airways is the same with their lounges in BKK.

CX manages to deliver a business class lounge that welcomes oneworld though.

SQ is probably trying to strike a balance I guess.

Yeah, I understand why SQ does it like that. But it does seem to be against the spirit of the thing. Also, is it just me or is SQ not so good at clearly displaying other *G benefits such as priority boarding and check in counters? Compared to other *A airlines, the signage for *A benefits seems discreet at best.

The KrisGold lounge, for all the complaints, is still an acceptable lounge. I've been in worse. And other parts of the SQ package are great.

 

[dajop]

Yeah, I understand why SQ does it like that. But it does seem to be against the spirit of the thing. Also, is it just me or is SQ not so good at clearly displaying other *G benefits such as priority boarding and check in counters? Compared to other *A airlines, the signage for *A benefits seems discreet at best..

Priority check in counters are usually clearly signed, sometimes they are separate to business check in counters (eg. T3 at Changi, in a different row - mind that's not always bad - often the queues are less at the *G counter). Priority boarding is, I am told, challenging for KFEG and *G, and often ambiguous whether it applies to gold passengers, or just PPS, Business and First Pax.

But again SQ are treating both star golds and their own elite gold members the same way, and frankly after my travels I have found treatment of star golds by SQ is not too different to treatment of star golds elsewhere on the network - patchy.....

 

[dajop]

I have no issue with relegating non-J/F pax to a separate lounge, just make sure it has the basics. Still, giving WPs access would go a long way.

Personally I think the basic thing missing is showers - would be much better if SQ would simply provide 3-4 unisex showers for pax to use in the gold lounges. Toilets are probably not such a big deal as Changi public area toilets (especially on the less well trafficked levels which the lounges are on) are usually well kept, clean and hygienic. Although in T2 it is a relatively long walk from KF gold lounge to nearest toilets, much better in T3.

 

[seanpodge]

Personally I think the basic thing missing is showers - would be much better if SQ would simply provide 3-4 unisex showers for pax to use in the gold lounges. Toilets are probably not such a big deal as Changi public area toilets (especially on the less well trafficked levels which the lounges are on) are usually well kept, clean and hygienic. Although in T2 it is a relatively long walk from KF gold lounge to nearest toilets, much better in T3.

Yeah, toilets in the lounge would be more for convenience than anything. Showers more useful.

Are any of the other *A lounges at SIN much good? Better food and drink that are worth leaving T3 for?

 

[Fiches Mouser]

DavidFlynn's published a story today on the future of SQ's new lounges. No new details, but whets the appetite.

Singapore Airlines to build new flagship lounges at Changi T3 - Australian Business Traveller

What does not make me happy is:

Goh expects the T3 lounge upgrade to take place “in the next few years” but doesn’t have a timetable locked down, saying “it’s something that we are still looking at.”

 

[Cryptarcadian]

As a side note, I do recall the question being asked of a Velocity executive at a FF meet and greet, and they said SQ didn't even want to put it on the table, let alone talk about the price it would cost VA for access.

I guess the contrast is VA members seem to almost have better benefits on EY than EY's own elites.

That's an interesting one... if what the Velocity executive is saying about SQ's position is true, is that almost implying VA would otherwise pay SQ for it if they could?

They do already pay for their WPs to have access to EY's premium lounge in AUH, and the Star Alliance first lounge at LAX, even when flying Y – which *G does not get in to if you're not actually flying F. And it's probably quite worthwhile for them to, to be able to compete against QF at LAX and DXB. (For me personally, yeah it sure makes a difference in not hesitating to choose VA through LAX and VA/EY through AUH! SIN? Not so much.)

 

[Fiches Mouser]

That's an interesting one... if what the Velocity executive is saying about SQ's position is true, is that almost implying VA would otherwise pay SQ for it if they could?

They do already pay for their WPs to have access to EY's premium lounge in AUH, and the Star Alliance first lounge at LAX, even when flying Y – which *G does not get in to if you're not actually flying F. And it's probably quite worthwhile for them to, to be able to compete against QF at LAX and DXB. (For me personally, yeah it sure makes a difference in not hesitating to choose VA through LAX and VA/EY through AUH! SIN? Not so much.)

Exactly! I feel if it's worth it in AUH and LAX, it must surely be worth it in SIN. The actual numbers in the lounge would be negligible (how many VA WPs are there on your average SQ flight?) but would go a very long way to making VA WP both more valuable to pax, and compete better with the QF partners.

Also, just as an FYI, got this back today:

Dear mrsmart

Thank you for sending the copy of your itinerary to follow through your lounge access feedback.

Receiving feedback from our members ultimately helps us to improve our program and we appreciate you taking the time to provide us with your feedback.

As a customer oriented loyalty program, it is never our intention to leave you unsatisfied with the services provided.

Rest assured that I have noted and shared your feedback to our Management team and will be forwarded accordingly to Singapore Airlines.

I hope that in spite of your disappointment, you will still choose to fly with Virgin Australia and our partner airlines in the future.

For further information about Velocity Frequent Flyer or your own account, please visit our website: www.velocityfrequentflyer.com or call the Membership Contact Centre on the number below.

Yours sincerely

[Agent name]
Velocity Frequent Flyer

 

[Kangol]

You will not have any problem accessing TPR, SKL F or SKL J from 5pm day prior - SKL F and J open 24hrs - TPR closes after last pax last flt leaves lounge - maybe ~1am or so - it is closed until 05:30 for cleaning.

Bear in mind there is no sleeping accom anywhere in SKL F/J or TPR - way down back of SKL J there are some bench seats that I have indeed slept on - staff even brought me blankets - but others will have same idea.

TBH I would be pre-booking a room in Ambassador ST hotel in T3 - 5-6hr block from ~23:00 should see you fronting up to TPR at opening time.

That option looks alright for SGD$90 for a 6 hour block in T3. Or the budget (no shower) option of $64.74 in T2. Do you know what the gym is like?
I'm looking at a SYD-xSIN-NRT in R, SQ232 -> SQ12 and with a quick airside visit. Would I be liable for any security issues/taxes to pay? I am aware that in some places, if the ticket is a <24hr transit and you leave to go airside, there can be a few hoops to jump through..

 

[JohnK]

I'm looking at a SYD-xSIN-NRT in R, SQ232 -> SQ12 and with a quick airside visit. Would I be liable for any security issues/taxes to pay? I am aware that in some places, if the ticket is a <24hr transit and you leave to go airside, there can be a few hoops to jump through..

You shouldn't have any issues going airside in SIN during transit.

 

[Pele]

That option looks alright for SGD$90 for a 6 hour block in T3. Or the budget (no shower) option of $64.74 in T2. Do you know what the gym is like?
I'm looking at a SYD-xSIN-NRT in R, SQ232 -> SQ12 and with a quick airside visit. Would I be liable for any security issues/taxes to pay? I am aware that in some places, if the ticket is a <24hr transit and you leave to go airside, there can be a few hoops to jump through..

Gday

I am guessing you mean 'landside'(either that or i have them mixed up).

I had a 5 hour stopover in Changi last year and left the airport and went landside to go for dinner. No dramas at all going back in through immigration. I think they want people to nip in to Singapore and spend a bit of cash to help their economy.

Pele.

 

[seanpodge]

I can't imagine any issues at all going through immigration with less than 24 hours between flights. I've even deliberately chosen longer connections so I could arrive in the morning, spend the day in town and then fly out that night. Already had a boarding pass from origin port and luggage connected through. Not even a hint of drama.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I can't imagine any issues at all going through immigration with less than 24 hours between flights. I've even deliberately chosen longer connections so I could arrive in the morning, spend the day in town and then fly out that night. Already had a boarding pass from origin port and luggage connected through. Not even a hint of drama.

No problems at all provided you don't require a visa (certainly not a requirement for Aussies, Kiwis and the like).

Changi even offers free city tours (where you enter singapore) - so entering the country is actually encouraged.

 

[Kangol]

Gday

I am guessing you mean 'landside'(either that or i have them mixed up).

I had a 5 hour stopover in Changi last year and left the airport and went landside to go for dinner. No dramas at all going back in through immigration. I think they want people to nip in to Singapore and spend a bit of cash to help their economy.

Pele.

Whoops. Yes I mean landside. Leave the secure airside area. I want to leave the airport and go into the city. Thanks

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Whoops. Yes I mean landside. Leave the secure airside area. I want to leave the airport and go into the city. Thanks

I don't think there's a country in the world that makes it easier to get landslide. Singapore encourages every entry – however short. Being a relatively small city, you can spend a lot in a short amount of time

 

[seanpodge]

No problems at all provided you don't require a visa (certainly not a requirement for Aussies, Kiwis and the like).

True. My Chinese better half needs to apply for a visa to just about everywhere, it seems, including Singapore. A real nuisance. I feel rather lucky with my Australian and Irish passports.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

True. My Chinese better half needs to apply for a visa to just about everywhere, it seems, including Singapore. A real nuisance. I feel rather lucky with my Australian and Irish passports.

It explains why it's such a (relative) hassle to get a Chinese visa, too.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It explains why it's such a (relative) hassle to get a Chinese visa, too.

No - our government just hasn't negotiated to get us easy access to visas. US citizens can get 10 year visas now. In the latest trade deal Australia agreed to give Chinese 3 or 5 year visas (tourist), but it doesn't look like they included us in being able to get the same in return