Just wanted to share my recent disappointments with SIA.
Where to start-
-When trying to originally book flights there was no availability showing from Amsterdam to Australia, however when looking at the individual legs it showed availability. Long story short spent over an hour and a half with a combination of hold time and trying to explain the situation to the call center, having to email screen shots of my computer showing availability (seriously this is a joke-why can't they just check their own system??). Eventually got the seats but was a totally unprofessional and unnecessary waste of my time.
-Booked over 20 waitlist flights from Europe to Australia around 7 months ago, not a single one cleared which isn't necessarily a problem however when some of your family have to fly economy as a result it was very frustrating to then see 8 vacant business class seats (and 4 first class) on the flights that didn't clear...Why do they cancel uncleared waitlists two weeks out? If they are waiting to see if they sell why not wait until the day before and then clear any remaining waitlists etc?
J class flight out of Amsterdam-got told at check in the lounge was being renovated and had to go to a cafe instead. The cafe was a disgrace, tiny dingy little room with barely enough seats for 30 people. Had to wait for 20 minutes in a line to get in. The only hot food on offer was a chicken stew and noodles. Other than that there was bread, croissants and muesli. No bathroom, had to exit and walk to use the public rest rooms. Seriously embarrassing, when they are charging $9K for a one-way flight to think this offering is in any way acceptable was mind boggling. There was no apology offered let alone some sort of recompense for the substandard facility provided.
Also received a call from SIA 30 mins before departure wanting to know if we would mind swapping our economy tickets to a later flight out of Singapore as they had over booked. Told them no problem and asked if they could get us a window seat. Said they would call back but never did. So I was unsure if they had swapped our flight, if we would have to visit the transit desk in Singapore etc. Starting to stress out I called them back, on hold for 20 mins, spoke to someone who had a very poor grasp of English and had no idea what I was talking about. Not the sort of experience or stress required when about to board. Got charged $75 euros form the hotel for the phone call to SIA...just great.
All in all left a bitter taste in my mouth. The flight crew as always were absolutely amazing, and the on board food from Singapore to Australia was incredible (food from Amsterdam to Singapore was terrible, distinct difference in quality).
Where to start-
-When trying to originally book flights there was no availability showing from Amsterdam to Australia, however when looking at the individual legs it showed availability. Long story short spent over an hour and a half with a combination of hold time and trying to explain the situation to the call center, having to email screen shots of my computer showing availability (seriously this is a joke-why can't they just check their own system??). Eventually got the seats but was a totally unprofessional and unnecessary waste of my time.
-Booked over 20 waitlist flights from Europe to Australia around 7 months ago, not a single one cleared which isn't necessarily a problem however when some of your family have to fly economy as a result it was very frustrating to then see 8 vacant business class seats (and 4 first class) on the flights that didn't clear...Why do they cancel uncleared waitlists two weeks out? If they are waiting to see if they sell why not wait until the day before and then clear any remaining waitlists etc?
J class flight out of Amsterdam-got told at check in the lounge was being renovated and had to go to a cafe instead. The cafe was a disgrace, tiny dingy little room with barely enough seats for 30 people. Had to wait for 20 minutes in a line to get in. The only hot food on offer was a chicken stew and noodles. Other than that there was bread, croissants and muesli. No bathroom, had to exit and walk to use the public rest rooms. Seriously embarrassing, when they are charging $9K for a one-way flight to think this offering is in any way acceptable was mind boggling. There was no apology offered let alone some sort of recompense for the substandard facility provided.
Also received a call from SIA 30 mins before departure wanting to know if we would mind swapping our economy tickets to a later flight out of Singapore as they had over booked. Told them no problem and asked if they could get us a window seat. Said they would call back but never did. So I was unsure if they had swapped our flight, if we would have to visit the transit desk in Singapore etc. Starting to stress out I called them back, on hold for 20 mins, spoke to someone who had a very poor grasp of English and had no idea what I was talking about. Not the sort of experience or stress required when about to board. Got charged $75 euros form the hotel for the phone call to SIA...just great.
All in all left a bitter taste in my mouth. The flight crew as always were absolutely amazing, and the on board food from Singapore to Australia was incredible (food from Amsterdam to Singapore was terrible, distinct difference in quality).
KLM is the only decent lounge AFAIK, but surprised the star alliance lounge is undergoing renovations given it only recently opened? 
