Quickie: Singapore Airlines First Class Lounge London Heathrow Airport

Singapore Airlines First Class SilverKris Lounge

Is one out of two options available for StarAlliance first class passengers in London Heathrow Airport. The second first class lounge available in London Heathrow airport is United Global First Lounge, which I personally found to be much better.

There isn’t really much to review about Singaporean lounge, therefore let’s make it a Quickie!


Singapore Airlines First Class Lounge is located 10-15 minutes walk from the main airport area, and I managed to visit it during the breakfast hours, perhaps this’s why I was not impressed with it.

You can see the most of the lounge on the video, but I will quickly cover a few moments.

Singapore Airlines First Class SilverKris Lounge Champagne

There’s just one option, Laurent-Perrier La Cuvee Brut, which is not bad, but for me, it’s on a very sweet side due to high dosage.

The same champagne is served in United Global First Lounge, so in case you really don’t like it, choose another airport to departure from. I’m not joking!

 

Singapore Airlines First Class SilverKris Lounge and Food

I was in the lounge during the breakfast hours, which resulted in a limited Singaporean breakfast menu, rather than a full menu.

Singapore Airlines First Class SilverKris Lounge feels tiny and small. It has very small buffet area, with very limited food options. There’re dining tables available with the a-la-carte menu, but breakfast options I found to be quite sad.

 

I ordered Singaporean laksa, which was ridiculously fishy. Yes, it does list a lot of seafood ingredients on the menu, but it was just purely “fishy”. I had to skip that dish completely.

I have to give it to the Singapore Airlines First Class Lounge crew, who put an extra effort in fixing my friend’s vegetarian sandwich.

 

The service was good, but not perfect. We and other guests had to constantly ask for drinks refill. There’s a drastic difference between United First Class Lounge and Singaporean First Class Lounge in London Heathrow Airport. However, drinks and wine/champagne are also available for self-service.

On a cute side, some of the lounge tables are designed in line with Singapore Airlines First and Business class seats, which I think is quite cool.

There’s also relaxation area and in-lounge showers/restrooms.

Continue reading

Trip Report: First Class ANA and Asiana Airlines Europe-Asia

Yet another amazing First Class experience came to an end, and there is much to remember and review!

This time I was lucky to get 2 seats on ANA First Class flight between London and Tokyo, which took me approximately 4 months to make it happen. Read more about ANA 2 seats reservation tricks here.


Route: CPH-LHR-HND-CGK-BKK-ICN-FRA-CPH
Points used: 95 000 SAS EuroBonus / person
Departure: December 25
Return: January 8
Travel time: over 60h
Classes: 2 First (ANA and Asiana), 4 Business (ANA, Thai and SAS), 1 Economy (SAS)


Singapore Airlines First Class Lounge in London Heathrow Airport

Singapore Airlines First Class Lounge in Heathrow Airport is located in The Queen’s Terminal (satellite pier T2B), next door to the Business Class lounge. It can be easily found by following signs in the airport.

The service was nice and polite, decent a la carte menu for breakfast and lunch, a small buffet of ready dishes, and proper table service. The area is quite small with a very dated and sad looking decor.

During morning hours the lounge is not crowded, allowing visitors to relax, enjoy a glass of champagne and do some airplane spotting.

United Global First Class Lounge in London Heathrow Airport

United Global First Lounge in London Heathrow Airport is the second and last First Class Lounge options for all StarAlliance travellers. Located just a few minutes away from Singaporian Lounge, I found United Global First Lounge to offer much better and pleasant environment.

It also provides a la carte menu, wide selection of drinks and quite interesting “old school” decoration, which I personally found to be quite cool.

This would be my #1 recommendation for First Class passengers in London Heathrow Airport.

ANA First Class Suite (NH 212) London to Tokyo review

One of the hardest flights to book for 2 persons, which took me more than 3 months to actually book.

Amazing experience in ANA First Class Suites onboard of B777-300ER. Positive sides: great service, delicious Krug champagne and tasty food.

However, the cabin design is quite annoying if you’re traveling with a companion. Why? Read the full review and watch the video.

ANA First Class Lounge Tokyo Haneda Airport review

Freshly after arriving on ANA First Class Suites, ANA First Class Lounge in Haneda Airport provides a relaxing and fun experience after the trip.

The lounge is very spacious and comfy, polite and attentive service topped by one of my favorite champagnes Ayala, and a pleasant atmosphere.

It’s definitely a lounge to put on a “to-visit list”, but far away from Lufthansa First Class Lounges in Munich and Frankfurt.

ANA Business Class (NH 855) Tokyo to Jakarta review

This 9 hours flight from Tokyo to Jakarta is operated by Dreamliner B787, which I personally dislike.

However, ANA airlines has long-haul business class seat modification installed for this route. It’s definitely more comfortable than usual mid-ranged Dreamliner seats, as it’s offering fully flat beds.

As usual ANA has spot-on service, accompanied by a decent food and drinks menu.

Thai Airways Royal Silk Business Class (TG 436) Jakarta to Bangkok review

New Thai Airways Royal Silk Business Class cabin onboard Dreamliner B787.

A very, very pleasant surprise! Despite the business cabin not being the most advanced and private one, it looked very nice, felt fresh and was very comfortable.

As usual, Thai Airways provided very attentive, positive and smiling service, as well as tasty food and Veuve Cliquot champagne 🙂

Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort and Spa Panorama (Executive) Lounge review

I think TripAdvisor and endless booking webpages show relatively accurate picture of Hilton Phuket Arcadia Resort at Karon Beach.

I just make a short review of the Panorama (Executive) Lounge, which can be accessed by Hilton Honors Diamond members or by booking Deluxe/Royal suite.

Overall, it works more like a bar than a lounge, but it’s a damn good bar by Thailand measurements, providing free drinks and a stunning sunset view :)!

Singapore Airlines SilverKris Business Class / StarAlliance Gold Lounge in Bangkok Airport

Relatively new StarAlliance Gold / SilverKris Business Class Lounge in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport.

It’s a bit tricky to find as there’re no clear signs, so it took me more than 15 minutes to find it.

Overall, I think it’s the best StarAlliance Business Class Lounge in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, and let me explain you why…

EVA Air Business Class / StarAlliance Gold Lounge in Bangkok Airport

The newest StarAlliance Gold Lounge by EVA Air in Bangkok Airport.

It looks very cool from outside, but inside it’s a complete disaster.

I cannot understand who could have possibly agreed on such interior design within a “Business Class” Lounge concept. The lounge looks more like a nightclub, strip club, cheap bar, than a business class lounge.

Ridiculous lightning, poisonous colours and labirynt walks, read more why I personally hated this lounge….

Air France / KLM / SkyTeam Business Class Lounge in Bangkok Airport review

The only SkyTeam Elite lounge in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, which serves Air France, KLM, SkyTeam and PriorityPass travelers.

To my biggest surprise, it was the brightest and the best decorated lounge out of 4 lounges I’ve visited in Bangkok Airport. Very clean, with reasonable food and drinks selection, proper working and relaxing areas, combined with a nice view over the terminal.

Thai Airways Royal Silk Business Class (TG 658) Bangkok to Seoul review

Good, old and ugly Thai Airways Boeing 747 upper-deck Business Class cabin…

I’ve taken this flight previously in First Class cabin. Clearly, it was a nicer experience to fly First than Business, but with a new improvement of Veuve Clicquot champagne being served in Thai Royal Silk Business Class, I just cannot complain on it!

So we had Veuve, and then more Veuve, and some more Veuve and a bit more of fresh and refreshing Veuve… If you look for more details, please read the short review (better if you have a glass of Veuve Clicquot in your hands).

Asiana Airlines First Class Suites (OZ 541) Seoul to Frankfurt review

Asiana Airlines is one of the easiest award flights to book, and yet the most exciting flight to take.

I could list 100s of ANA, Lufthansa, Thai and Singaporean First Class issues, but with Asiana it’s just 2 – severe champagne/wine deficit and uncomfortable bedding. The rest of Asiana Airlines A380’s experience was amazing!

Simply the best food onboard (Bibimbap!!!), polite and fun service, comfortable cabin and… Did I mention amazing food and service?

After enjoying the exceptional service and culinary delights on Asiana Airlines, we can’t help but daydream about our next adventure. Australia, with its mesmerizing landscapes and pristine beaches, is calling our names louder than ever.While our flight on Asiana Airlines had a couple of minor hiccups like the champagne/wine shortage and bedding, it was an overall thrilling experience. The outstanding food, especially the mouthwatering Bibimbap, and the polite, fun, and attentive service left an indelible mark on our travel memories.

Now, as we contemplate our next journey, we can’t help but imagine how the beautiful beaches of Australia will enchant us. From the world-famous Bondi Beach in Sydney to the remote and untouched stretches of sand along the Western Australian coast especially Merimbula, Australia promises to be a beach lover’s paradise.The thought of sinking our toes into the warm, golden sands, listening to the soothing sounds of the waves, and enjoying the sunny Australian weather is incredibly enticing. Whether it’s snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef or simply relaxing on the pristine shores, Australia offers a beach experience like no other.We look forward to trading our cabin seats for beach loungers and experiencing the magic of Australia’s coastline, all while savoring the memories of our remarkable flight with Asiana Airlines

Kaligo and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles promotion

Kaligo.com is running a new promotion targeting Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer members.

During the promotion period from 1st of October until 30th of November, KrisFlyer members can earn 18 KrisFlyer miles per S$1 spent on every hotel booking with Kaligo.com. 

The hotel stay has to be completed by 30 June 2018.

it’s additional 50% more miles compared to regular earnings of 12 KrisFlyer miles per S$1 spent.

I’m already rebooking some of my hotels stays with this promotion, as I recently started to accumulate Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles for the First Class trip between Singapore and Hong Kong.

Don’t forget to book with a credit card that earns miles.  For example with new Miles and More Mastercard, you can make a double dip, earn both Singaporean KrisFlyer and Lufthansa Miles and More miles within one booking!

You’ll need to register for this offer at www.kaligo.com/krisflyer-offer.

 

Promotional Terms and Conditions:

  1. To enjoy this offer, please register for the offer with your email at http://link.kaligo.com/krisflyer-offer and place your hotel bookings with your registered email during the Promotion Period: 1 October 2017 and 30 November 2017 inclusive. The hotel stay has to be completed by 30 June, 2018.
  2. Both new and existing Kaligo customers are eligible to qualify for this bonus offer.
  3. Eligible KrisFlyer members will receive an extra 50% KrisFlyer miles on top of the regular KrisFlyer miles earned on Kaligo. The regular KrisFlyer miles refers to at least 2.3 KrisFlyer miles per S$1 (equivalent to at least 3 KrisFlyer miles per US$1) spent that KrisFlyer members could earn on Kaligo.
  4. Bookings made under this Promotion will not qualify for Kaligo Affiliate Program commissions.
  5. KrisFlyer miles will be credited to your account within 4-6 weeks after the completion of the required hotel stays.
  6. We reserve the right to retract awarded miles if we suspect fraud, unauthorised stacking of bonuses, collecting multiple bonuses from the same hotel stay (defined as the same travelling party staying consecutive nights at the same hotel), technical errors, cancel/rebooking activity (defined by identical search criteria), or any other deceptive behaviour attempted to circumvent the limits expressed in these terms and conditions.
  7. You cannot use these offers in conjunction with any other promotional offers or apply them to existing bookings or retroactively apply them to hotel stays completed prior to registration.
  8. Kaligo reserves the right to terminate this bonus offer at any time and without notice.
  9. In case of any disputes, KrisFlyer and Kaligo reserve the right to make the final judgment and the decision of KrisFlyer and Kaligo shall be final.
  10. Please read Kaligo’s general Terms and Conditions carefully as they apply to all hotel bookings made through Kaligo.
  11. KrisFlyer’s terms and conditions apply.
  12. Visitors arriving to Kaligo from meta-search sites will not qualify for this bonus offer.

The Great Singapore Airlines Getaway launches on 7 September 2017

Singapore Airlines is launching 7 September 2017 “The Great Singapore Airlines Getaway”. Using the new offer is promising  great prices to great places, along with a bunch of great perks.

The Great Singapore Airlines Getaway perks

  • Double KrisFlyer miles with Rentalcars.com and Agoda.com bookings
  • S$10 KrisShop eVouchers for inflight duty-free shopping
  • Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer members can also enjoy additional discounts on selected destinations

It would be interesting to see if The Great Singapore Airlines Getaway offers additional ways of earning KrisFlyer miles without actually flying Singapore Airlines. KrisFlyer miles is the best option to enjoy award winning Singapore Airlines first class, including first class suites.

Will keep updated when The Great Singapore Airlines Getaway service becomes available.

Singapore’s KrisFlyer update: awards miles increased and taxes removed

Singapore Airlines are changing KrisFlyer award flights redemption schema. Starting from 23rd of March, Singaporean is eliminating “Saver” awards and 15% miles discount on award flights booked online.

At the same time, it also eliminates carrier YQ surcharges, which are usually known as fuel surcharge.

Singapore KrisFlyer award redemption change

Changes at glance:

  • Various award rates increase depending on travel zones
  • No more 15% KrisFlyer miles discount for booking online
  • No more fuel YQ surcharges for all Singaporean Airlines and SilkAir award flight

These changes are controversial, with many considering them to be very negative.

Given that KrisFlyer miles are estimated to be worth approx 0.13 EUR per mile, Singapore First Class flight from Singapore to Frankfurt will increase in miles by 15 000 miles (around 190 EUR), while you wouldn’t have to pay more than 370 EUR in YQ fuel surcharges.

Depending how easily you accumulate KrisFlyer miles, for travels between Europe and Singapore with the new redemption schema you, actually, might be saving few hundred euros per trip.

You can compare old and new KrisFlyer award charts yourself and use Google ITA Matrix to check YQ charges and decide is it such a negative, or actually positive change from Singapore Airlines.