Singapore Questions

[Ikara]

Hi Folks,

Yesterday I booked Mrs Ikara and me to Singapore for 12 days in February. It's a surprise Xmas present for her. I was surprised (and delighted) to find that at end of the online booking process I was asked to do my seat selection. To my surprise I was offered 45J&K out of ADL and 45A&B back from SIN. I had to pay for them (20,000 points) which is just about what we'll get for the trip anyway, so cost me nothing. I was WP for 8 years but now back to LTG, so I'm prepared to shatter my LTG ego and assume that anyone else would have been given this offer of exit row. Is that the case and it's just that no-one else accepted the offer or was it based on status?

Now my Singapore questions. I intend to catch the train from SIN to KL for a couple of days. Should I book on-line before we go or do it when we get to SIN? Anyone done the trip? Worthwhile? My plan is to travel back to SIN on the day we fly home (at 2220) and go straight to the airport when we get back from KL (approx 1630). Will I be able to check in that early and get to the QP for a shower and change before we fly home? There are showers there, aren't there?

Many thanks in advance for your help and any other helpful hints for a 12 day trip to SIN gratefully received.

JB

 

[serfty]

If you can select seats (PS / SG / WP ), you can select exit row seats and pay (CL can select without paying).

Check the KTMB web site - the fare is generally much cheaper ex KL. I went KL - Singapore return 10 years ago. You may be able to save by getting two one-way tickets each, one ex Singapore and the other ex KL.

http://www.seat61.com/Malaysia.htm#Buy tickets online

 

[oz_mark]

Yesterday I booked Mrs Ikara and me to Singapore for 12 days in February. It's a surprise Xmas present for her. I was surprised (and delighted) to find that at end of the online booking process I was asked to do my seat selection. To my surprise I was offered 45J&K out of ADL and 45A&B back from SIN. I had to pay for them (20,000 points) which is just about what we'll get for the trip anyway, so cost me nothing. I was WP for 8 years but now back to LTG, so I'm prepared to shatter my LTG ego and assume that anyone else would have been given this offer of exit row. Is that the case and it's just that no-one else accepted the offer or was it based on status?

First in, best dressed

 

[vinilink]

Hi Folks,
Now my Singapore questions. I intend to catch the train from SIN to KL for a couple of days. Should I book on-line before we go or do it when we get to SIN? Anyone done the trip? Worthwhile? My plan is to travel back to SIN on the day we fly home (at 2220) and go straight to the airport when we get back from KL (approx 1630). Will I be able to check in that early and get to the QP for a shower and change before we fly home? There are showers there, aren't there?

Many thanks in advance for your help and any other helpful hints for a 12 day trip to SIN gratefully received.
JB

Whenever me & my wife travel to KL, we always catch a coach instead of train due to convinience as follow:
1. can ask bus driver to drop us off nearest spot to hotel where we gonna stay and these coachs have few drop-off points.
2. there are number of few pick up points too they usually are from various hotels.

Where will you be staying in KL?
We stayed at brand new Double Tree Hotel (about 20mins walk to KL tower or they have free shuttle service to there) during promotion breakfast included for ~S$150 a night for two.

In Singapore, public transport is way to get around especially MRT train is cheap and efficient. If the hotel you staying is near MRT station, I would catch this from the airport instead of a cab. You get to see and experiece the locals and surrounding as travel towards city!
Two essential things to carry while in Singapore, an umbrella and small packets of tissues as all the food court won't supply them.

 

[JohnK]

I was WP for 8 years but now back to LTG, so I'm prepared to shatter my LTG ego and assume that anyone else would have been given this offer of exit row. Is that the case and it's just that no-one else accepted the offer or was it based on status?

I have never seen this type of offer appear for any of my bookings?

Is it a recent enhancement to the QF website or is it random?

My plan is to travel back to SIN on the day we fly home (at 2220) and go straight to the airport when we get back from KL (approx 1630). Will I be able to check in that early and get to the QP for a shower and change before we fly home? There are showers there, aren't there?

If QF check-in is not yet open and you are travelling in Business Class or First Class you should be able to use the SATS Lounge to check-in for QF flights.

 

[serfty]

... I was surprised (and delighted) to find that at end of the online booking process I was asked to do my seat selection. To my surprise I was offered 45J&K out of ADL and 45A&B back from SIN. I had to pay for them (20,000 points) which is just about what we'll get for the trip anyway, so cost me nothing....

I have never seen this type of offer appear for any of my bookings?

Is it a recent enhancement to the QF website or is it random? ...

If you can choose seats on a flight and an exit seat it available for purchase it shows with the following icon:

I believe this is the offering Ikara was referring to.

PG SWMBO can also select these seats from her account. Of course, they then need to be paid for, either by QFF points or $.

 

[JohnK]

If you can choose seats on a flight and an exit seat it available for purchase it shows with the following icon:

​

I believe this is the offering Ikara was referring to.

OK. I see this as well. I thought Ikara may have been referring to a new feature in the booking process asking if one wanted exit rows.

 

[Bogieman]

Ikara

The train is fine, it is a lot cheaper if you board the train in Johor Bahru, the train station is attached to the new customs hall, so very easy to get to. I did the first class overnighter from JB to KL earlier this year in a sleeper, it was practically empty but at 190cm the beds were way to small and the train made way too many stops to get a good sleep. The day trips are nicer and the first class tickets are not much more and worth the quiet.

Just becareful if you are going at the start of February as it will be Chinese New Year with transport being very busy.

Arriving at 16:30 on your last day in Singapore will be ok as you will get a taxi to Changi and probably not arrive much before 18:00 and check in is available way earlier than that. Check out the fish spa while you are a the airport, very relaxing.

 

[Ikara]

OK. I see this as well. I thought Ikara may have been referring to a new feature in the booking process asking if one wanted exit rows.

When my seat selection was displayed it was showing us in the exit row. I didn't have to choose it. In fact I commented to my daughter who was with me at the time how nice that was and then questioned if I would have to pay. The next screen was the payment screen. But again....I was "automatically" put into the exit row, I didn't have to choose it.
JB

 

[Danger]

The QF website says Business passengers are entitled to use the SATS premier check-in at Singapore. Is this correct? I thought it was only CL and WP. What about First passengers?

 

[maninblack]

The QF website says Business passengers are entitled to use the SATS premier check-in at Singapore. Is this correct? I thought it was only CL and WP. What about First passengers?

Of course they can.

First passengers have a personal Rolls Royce which delivers them directly to the aircraft.

 

[Danger]

Of course they can.

First passengers have a personal Rolls Royce which delivers them directly to the aircraft.

Sorry. I should have been more clear. I was really querying whether J passengers do indeed have access to the SATS check-in.

 

[Limewood]

Ikara

Just becareful if you are going at the start of February as it will be Chinese New Year with transport being very busy.

Its early in 2012... 15th Jan to 2nd Feb.

 

[maninblack]

Sorry. I should have been more clear. I was really querying whether J passengers do indeed have access to the SATS check-in.

Yes they certainly do.

 

[Danger]

What's the VAT in Singapore? Is it 12%?

I've found a Singapore-based website that sells dirt cheap colognes and perfumes and has free delivery in Singapore for orders over SGD50. Do I have to do anything special when I place the order in order to claim back the VAT at the airport (I'm faimilar with the landside procedure)?

 

[dajop]

What's the VAT in Singapore? Is it 12%?

7%. Not sure what you need to do when ordering to be able to claim back.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

What's the VAT in Singapore? Is it 12%?

I've found a Singapore-based website that sells dirt cheap colognes and perfumes and has free delivery in Singapore for orders over SGD50. Do I have to do anything special when I place the order in order to claim back the VAT at the airport (I'm faimilar with the landside procedure)?

This should help you out - How to claim Singapore GST sales tax rebate at Changi Airport - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller