Using SilverKris Lounge on short stopover

[SilverShadow]

Hi all

I am a VA Gold status member and flying on partner benefits with Singapore from Melbourne to Manila with a short (1 hour) stopover in Singapore.

I am wondering if anyone else in this situation has found it worthwhile to visit the lounges for a freshening up so to speak or is it going to be too much of a hassle considering I have to change flights?

thanks

 

[markis10]

I would go to the lounge and use it, Changi is very efficient but delays can occur, and the lounge is the best place to be if something is not working, or even when its all going to plan!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

IMHO lounge access / usage is compulsory IF time permits. IIRC you will get access to *Gold Lounge - no showers or toilets inside lounge so I don't know how much 'freshening up' you can do - however I usually find that free alcohol does indeed 'freshen' me up.

Will time permit? Will it be too much of a hassle? Flight timing will dictate this - how quickly can you drink?

 

[SilverShadow]

IMHO lounge access / usage is compulsory IF time permits. IIRC you will get access to *Gold Lounge - no showers or toilets inside lounge so I don't know how much 'freshening up' you can do - however I usually find that free alcohol does indeed 'freshen' me up.

I will use all the alcohol I can

 

[dajop]

The key is being able to decode the flight displays, if you follow the "Boarding" indication flight, you will have no time in the lounge. "Boarding" = relax and enjoy, "Final Call" = time for another drink or two, "Gate Closing" = better start moving. Gates close for SQ flights strictly 10 minutes before departure (no earlier, no later), so getting to the gate 15mins before scheduled departure maximises lounge time.

 

[SilverShadow]

The key is being able to decode the flight displays, if you follow the "Boarding" indication flight, you will have no time in the lounge. "Boarding" = relax and enjoy, "Final Call" = time for another drink or two, "Gate Closing" = better start moving. Gates close for SQ flights strictly 10 minutes before departure (no earlier, no later), so getting to the gate 15mins before scheduled departure maximises lounge time.

This is awesome, consider lounge time maximised!

 

[lovetravellingoz]

This is awesome, consider lounge time maximised!

Just remember that Changi is one huge airport, so factor in your walking times.

It can take some time, and is more than just popping out of the lounge to nearby gate.

 

[SilverShadow]

Just remember that Chani is one huge airport, so factor in your walking times.

It can take some time, and is more than just popping out of the lounge to nearby gate.

Thanks for the advice I'll see how I go

 

[SilverShadow]

Also does anyone know if I can guest someone in as a VA Gold either, I'm thinking of using that if I can in Manila at the Krisflyer lounge there

cheers

 

[jetlagger]

Also does anyone know if I can guest someone in as a VA Gold either, I'm thinking of using that if I can in Manila at the Krisflyer lounge there

cheers

Not sure if your status can avail, though just as a regular to the SQ lounge in MNL, it is not overly inspiring.. though a somewhat welcome retreat to the antiquated airport that is T1.

 

[legroom]

Just remember that Chani is one huge airport, so factor in your walking times.

It can take some time, and is more than just popping out of the lounge to nearby gate.

SQ F/J lounges to T3 gates (for Oz flights) takes about 15 min walking - on average

If you have to change terminal, please add more time for Sky Train transfer.

I was last to board recently as I lazed in the F lounge for too long (no surprise there), not realising how far it was to walk from the lounge to the gate !

If in doubt, ask the lounge agents. They can tell you the boarding gate / walking time from lounge / need for Sky Train etc...

Enjoy !

 

[SilverShadow]

Thanks for everyone's help with this. Lots of good info to use here .and from reading up around the net I now realise that SilverKris is better than Krisflyer Gold lounges which is what I'll get to access as a VA Gold in Changi. In that case and since it's only a short stopover I dont think I will have time to really necessitate using the lounge that much (especially one without a toilet or shower facilities). Also from reading up on the restrictions of duty free on transit flights my understanding is that I am better off buying the liquor at duty free in Changi rather than Melbourne as I had planned. My plan will now be to do some quick shopping in Changi before my changeover flight.

So with all that in mind I have a few questions and to clarify my flight is Melbourne - Singapore - Manila

1) Does anyone know if the flights from Melbourne to Singapore land in T2? I can see on my departure from Singapore that it leaves from T2 just not sure how to check if I land there.

2) Also if anyone has done this type of a transit do I need to just go to the next gate that my Manila bound flight departs for or do I need to recheck in or anything of the sort? I read that if you have your boarding pass already you can just go to the gate but I wasn't sure if they'll give that to me at Melbourne, does anyone have experience here with this?

3) My layover time is just over 1 hour - does anyone here think that is enough to get off, get some alcohol from duty free and maybe some sweets from the M&M shop for the kids and then get on the next flight?

I don't usually do transit type flights like this but I'm trying to keep accumulating points with Virgin on codeshare hence my curiosity at these things.

thank you kindly once again!

 

[dajop]

T1) Does anyone know if the flights from Melbourne to Singapore land in T2? I can see on my departure from Singapore that it leaves from T2 just not sure how to check if I land there.

2) Also if anyone has done this type of a transit do I need to just go to the next gate that my Manila bound flight departs for or do I need to recheck in or anything of the sort? I read that if you have your boarding pass already you can just go to the gate but I wasn't sure if they'll give that to me at Melbourne, does anyone have experience here with this?

3) My layover time is just over 1 hour - does anyone here think that is enough to get off, get some alcohol from duty free and maybe some sweets from the M&M shop for the kids and then get on the next flight?

1) Which flight are you on? If operated by A380 (SQ 218 and SQ 228) you will almost certainly arrive at a gate in T3. If on the 777 service it could arrive at either T2 or T3 on the day. Transfer between T3 & T2 is via airtrain, run every 3-5 minutes.

2) If all on the one ticket, you should get BP's at MEL for both flights, and no need to recheck, just go the gate when ready. Even if on separate bookings as long as you have copy of the onward booking they should be able to issue at MEL.

3) Plenty of time, unless landing late. With gates closing 10 minutes before departure that should give you at least 45 mins to get between gates and purchase DF etc. Take note of info/experience in thread - you may even get a discount on those purchases!

 

[SilverShadow]

1) Which flight are you on? If operated by A380 (SQ 218 and SQ 228) you will almost certainly arrive at a gate in T3. If on the 777 service it could arrive at either T2 or T3 on the day. Transfer between T3 & T2 is via airtrain, run every 3-5 minutes.

2) If all on the one ticket, you should get BP's at MEL for both flights, and no need to recheck, just go the gate when ready. Even if on separate bookings as long as you have copy of the onward booking they should be able to issue at MEL.

3) Plenty of time, unless landing late. With gates closing 10 minutes before departure that should give you at least 45 mins to get between gates and purchase DF etc. Take note of info/experience in thread - you may even get a discount on those purchases!

Flight inbound to Singapore is 0238 and Singapore to Manila is 0918 and I think they are 777's.

Going to try out those Changi Dollar vouchers too!

Thanks for the info

 

[vitagen]

I dont think you gain access to Silverkris lounge in Sin unless you are flying J or are PPS. VA gold can only use Goldkris in Sin.

 

[SilverShadow]

I dont think you gain access to Silverkris lounge in Sin unless you are flying J or are PPS. VA gold can only use Goldkris in Sin.

Thanks Vitagen, I figured as much. Bit of shame that I can use Silverkris elsewhere just not in the one place it's supposed to be good!

Anyway finished packing and now twiddling my thumbs trying to think of anything I've forgotten

 

[SilverShadow]

one more question folks... as a VA Gold member I understand I get additional baggage, so do I just need to show my velocity card at the airport or did I need to organise this before I get to the airport?

thanks again

 

[straitman]

one more question folks... as a VA Gold member I understand I get additional baggage, so do I just need to show my velocity card at the airport or did I need to organise this before I get to the airport?

thanks again

I would dig up the appropriate page from the VA web site and take a copy with me.

See Baggage Limits.

 

[wafliron]

3) My layover time is just over 1 hour - does anyone here think that is enough to get off, get some alcohol from duty free and maybe some sweets from the M&M shop for the kids and then get on the next flight?

Is this on a journey to or from Australia? If to, you may struggle with alcohol - it needs to be delivered to the gate, which typically means it need to be purchased no later than one hour before the flight departs (someone does the rounds of all the duty free stores to collect the duty free liquor for Australia-bound pax, and then takes it to the appropriate gates for collection). In this case I'd make a beeline for the first duty free shop you see after disembarking and try to buy your alcohol immediately. Then you can worry about M&Ms and anything else.

 

[straitman]

Is this on a journey to or from Australia? If to, you may struggle with alcohol - it needs to be delivered to the gate, which typically means it need to be purchased no later than one hour before the flight departs (someone does the rounds of all the duty free stores to collect the duty free liquor for Australia-bound pax, and then takes it to the appropriate gates for collection). In this case I'd make a beeline for the first duty free shop you see after disembarking and try to buy your alcohol immediately. Then you can worry about M&Ms and anything else.

I think the time is actually now 1hr 15 min or there abouts.