Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer - TPE/LAX SKL lounges ? .. any comments

Hey FTers,
- Can anyone elaborate on the TPE SKL lounge experience ? Anything like Changi or SFO ?
- This is the first time I will actually be flying via LAX on SQ. Any info on the LAX SKL would be greatly appreciated. ...
I usually fly through SFO actually hence the strange questions.
Cheers and Thank you fellow FTers in advance for your input.
*alliance007

So here's the little info that I know:

LAX SKL
Unless you're flying First Class on SQ11 (I'm safely guessing you're on 29 so that's a no...) or you're a PPS member, you can kiss the idea of getting in there goodbye. (I still don't understand why they don't have a good SKL here given that it has 3 daily flights...more than SFO who has a good SKL). But I hear it's nothing special, so I dunno.

TPE SKL
This isn't a bad SKL at all. Albeit small, it's still quite cosy. The entrance is in the middle, with the Raffles to the right and First on the left (can't comment here). The Raffles side is not too bad. Has about 3-4 terminals (forgot how many), and adequate seating. It also has a presentation of food while I was there the few times I passed through. Other than that, the decor is the same as the other SKLs. Has views of the tarmac but it was dark so I didn't see much. It's a little walk from the gates, but I'd say it's worth the walk.

Enjoy your trip.

So here's the little info that I know:

LAX SKL
Unless you're flying First Class on SQ11 (I'm safely guessing you're on 29 so that's a no...) or you're a PPS member, you can kiss the idea of getting in there goodbye. (I still don't understand why they don't have a good SKL here given that it has 3 daily flights...more than SFO who has a good SKL). But I hear it's nothing special, so I dunno.
They're waiting for the new *A lounge to be completed, whenever that will happen... :rolleyes:

They're waiting for the new *A lounge to be completed, whenever that will happen... :rolleyes:

The construction hasn't even been started. :td: I don't understand the delay, they've been talking about it for over one year now. :td:

Yeah I've heard the rumors too. But perhaps it could be possible that they are holding back on construction because of the supposed LAX expansion project (which I think just got shelved)? If that is the case, then it sorta makes sense that they wouldn't want to waste money on a project that'll be torn down so soon, since I think TBIT is supposedly to be completely redone (wonder what that would be like...).

Whoa ! guys,
So there's no lounge for Raffles passengers at LAX ? Unreal ! What Lounge do Raffles members gain access to ? sighs.. I am transiting in LAX for 5 hrs.. I hope there's a Lounge.. for us to use. I definitely could use a slumberette since I'll have been up for 24hrs thanks to work all nite.
I really really dont want to sleep in a food court.. hence my concern..
cheers..

IIRC, F and PPS paxs are given access to the LAX SKL. Raffles paxs are given invitations at check-in for the NH lounge.

Hm....I thought it was the Asiana lounge, not ANA that Raffles Class passengers get access to. But I also heard you get vouchers to use in the food court, but I'm probably wrong on that (like usual).

Per *A rules, a Raffles (J) boarding pass should give one access to the NH, OZ, and LH lounges in the TBIT.

So in response to the last post, Does that mean .. I can request for access to the LH lounge over the OZ / NH lounge ? on Raffles ticket. Or do you just take what ever invite you're given at check in ?
Isn't the LH lounge @ LAX better than OZ and NH ?
cheers

Regarding the second to previous post, I'm aware of the *A rules, but I think the NH, RG, and LH lounges are closed for the OP's flight. Only the OZ lounge is open at the time, but I could very well be wrong.

Globetrekker and fellow FTers. Thank you for your response.
- - Well My only pender query - I'm flying SQ 29 departing @ 2320hrs from LAX - TPE - SIN later this month. - If there's info on the *star alliance* lounge access provided between the hrs of 1900hrs and 2300hrs I'd be ecstatic ! All i'm hoping is that I have wi-fi access and a slumberette within my reach.
Sidenote: I dont think it's acceptable in any fashion that SQ can't provide it's Raffles passengers access to their own blooming SKL @ LAX ! what was i even chancing it for... right a pitstop from vancouver to attend a meeting at the UCLA medical ctr. ! i duly apologize for venting ! .Gosh now thats the price you occasionally pay for being an SQ loyalist.. Hmm I so should have been PPS. Why do i feel a hurricane of emotional responses headed my way for that comment.
The Kicker :: I ensured whilst making my booking via an SQ ticketing agent that I'd gain SKL access flying Raffles ex-LAX. She responded with an affirmative to my query in spite of what the website stated.
Cheers.

Globetrekker and fellow FTers. Thank you for your response.
- - Well My only pender query - I'm flying SQ 29 departing @ 2320hrs from LAX - TPE - SIN later this month. - If there's info on the *star alliance* lounge access provided between the hrs of 1900hrs and 2300hrs I'd be ecstatic ! All i'm hoping is that I have wi-fi access and a slumberette within my reach.
Sidenote: I dont think it's acceptable in any fashion that SQ can't provide it's Raffles passengers access to their own blooming SKL @ LAX ! what was i even chancing it for... right a pitstop from vancouver to attend a meeting at the UCLA medical ctr. ! i duly apologize for venting ! .Gosh now thats the price you occasionally pay for being an SQ loyalist.. Hmm I so should have been PPS. Why do i feel a hurricane of emotional responses headed my way for that comment.
The Kicker :: I ensured whilst making my booking via an SQ ticketing agent that I'd gain SKL access flying Raffles ex-LAX. She responded with an affirmative to my query in spite of what the website stated.
Cheers.

The LAX SKL has neither slumberettes (good luck finding one in any TBIT lounge) nor (at least during my last visit) wi-fi access, in any case. There is one PC, as I recall. You won't miss much.

LH lounges at LAX??? :confused:

There is definitely no Lufthansa owned lounge at LAX. They use the lounge of NH as far as I know. Senator hotline told me that First CLass passengers of LH use Japan Airlines' lounge, although that's not *A. Not sure! :confused:

Regarding the second to previous post, I'm aware of the *A rules, but I think the NH, RG, and LH lounges are closed for the OP's flight. Only the OZ lounge is open at the time, but I could very well be wrong.


Raffles on SQ29 will get an invite to the RG/AI lounge.

Okay, hang on a sec. Don't worry. SQ will take care of you. But remember: it's only a lounge. In LA, the lounges all SUCK. A LOT. It's TBIT, after all. The place was built for the Olympics--the 1984 Olympics--and hasn't been redone since.

It's a *minor* irritation that SQ opens its SKL at TBIT to PPS and F pax only, but that's supposedly because of space contraints. The lounge isn't big enough for all the Raffles pax on SQ 19 and SQ 11, so they break it up by reserving the SKL for PPS members and the handful of F pax on SQ 11. Never fear, SQ don't turf their Raffles pax out on the street. They send you to another lounge that can accommodate the numbers. When I took SQ 29 to TPE and SIN in May 2005, they sent us to the Varig lounge, which was staffed by SQ and used exclusively by SQ at that time (I suppose the RG flights left earlier in the day). Believe me, the Varig lounge was nothing special: some free booze, barely edible snacks, a bunch of newspapers, and the decor of a better-than-average McDonald's circa 1982. The RG lounge is chopped up into smaller areas, so you can probably catch a few winks by stretching out on the sofa. By and large, it's a dreadful place like the rest of TBIT. But it will make the style, comfort, and service when you board the aircraft all the more special.

Now, I didn't think the SKL in SFO was anything to write home about. It was small and crowded when I stopped by before boarding SQ 1 in December 2003. I'll be passing through in two weeks, but don't have my hopes up for anything special. SFO's international terminal is quite nice outside the lounges, and, again, the real treat will start when I board the aircraft.

On the other hand, I found the SKL in TPE quite nice: stylish design, good spot in the terminal, nice and airy space, plenty of amenities and all that. But you're only there for a forty minutes max--just enough to dash off an "I'm in Taipei" email.

FWIW if you're a stamp collector: four or five flights leave LAX for TPE within 20 minutes of each other (SQ, CI, BR, MH, and Phillipines). When I flew it, the captain of SQ 29 sprinted away from the gate and to the end of the runway to make sure he was the first away. We were the first to arrive by a few minutes, so the immigration lines had just opened and had little congestion. If that occurs again, you probably have time to sneak into Taiwan to get a stamp and sneak back out again. But if the other flights get there first, particularly the CI or BR, you're done for.

Unless you're coming from another flight, will you even have access at 1900 - I mean will check in be open that early before the flight. Its been a couple of years since left LAX on SQ but my recollection is that check-in opened about 3 hours prior to departure.

Unless you're coming from another flight, will you even have access at 1900 - I mean will check in be open that early before the flight. Its been a couple of years since left LAX on SQ but my recollection is that check-in opened about 3 hours prior to departure.
That's a good point. I've had to wait in the terminal for some time before check-in opens. Not much fun. :td:

Unless you're coming from another flight, will you even have access at 1900 - I mean will check in be open that early before the flight. Its been a couple of years since left LAX on SQ but my recollection is that check-in opened about 3 hours prior to departure.
AFAIK, LAX check-in area opens still about 3 hours prior. And, usually I don't try to use any lounge at all. Not exciting. No Fauchon ice cream. :D

I'm doing PDX-LAX-NRT later this month and goin out on SQ26, and I kinda knew the lunge situation at LAX was bad, but after reading this I'll be glad my plan is to checkin all my stuff in PDX and drag my camera along for some spotting at LAX, no lounge can beat that.

Now, I know so much more, than I ever did. :) I just woke up to see a page full of writeups. I truly love this forum !!
well MEgatoplover - You do make note of some solid points. I think i'm going to take consolation in that I'll have a couch to snore on .. and grab some OJ since by the looks of it i'll be at LAX at 1800hrs - - waiting for 2 hrs for the SQ counter to open. Well after lounging in an aviation museum erected for aircrafts created in the 80's haha..I think i'll finally REAlly Really appreciate the service provided upon check-in and once inflight.
Cheers! You guys truly are off the charts ! :) thanks for the words. !

*staralliance007

Definitely a nice lounge, one of the better ones I've been in in terms of amneties, only drawback is view. Has a nice breakfast buffet including hot food. Also has shower facilities- a big plus. United Airlines check-in gave me a pass to access lounge when I was US Airways gold- this was a few months before US officially joined the star alliance in 2004. they wouldn't let me into the UA RCC at NRT though!

The LAX SKL has neither slumberettes (good luck finding one in any TBIT lounge) nor (at least during my last visit) wi-fi access, in any case. There is one PC, as I recall. You won't miss much.

The LAX SKL, the one for First class and PPS members, has contact with Neptune Networks to provided free WiFi access. However, it only works about half the time. :td: I don't understand why it goes down so much. :mad: I believe CI and OZ lounges also provide free WiFi but neither are reliable which means they only work from time to time. :td:

SKL in TPE as well as the RG lounge in LAX both have free wireless internet access

I'm doing PDX-LAX-NRT later this month and goin out on SQ26

Err....you mean SQ11?

Okay, hang on a sec. Don't worry. SQ will take care of you. But remember: it's only a lounge. In LA, the lounges all SUCK. A LOT. It's TBIT, after all. The place was built for the Olympics--the 1984 Olympics--and hasn't been redone since.
You're right there. I remember how I spent my time at the OZ Lounge back in May. Having missed the use of the SKL at Changi on the outbound flight -- believe it or not, I didn't know I had access to it as it was my first time in Raffles Class -- I was expecting a good time at LAX. Alas, that was not to be. :rolleyes:

It's a *minor* irritation that SQ opens its SKL at TBIT to PPS and F pax only, but that's supposedly because of space contraints. The lounge isn't big enough for all the Raffles pax on SQ 19 and SQ 11, so they break it up by reserving the SKL for PPS members and the handful of F pax on SQ 11.
I didn't know this. For a while I wondered why the airline had to segregate us from the rest. I guess *A Gold members not flying in Raffles would also be herded to the respective partner lounges? By the way, is space constraint at Changi's SKL also the reason for getting *A Gold members to use the SATS Premier Lounge?

Loony

yes it is

I didn't know this. For a while I wondered why the airline had to segregate us from the rest. I guess *A Gold members not flying in Raffles would also be herded to the respective partner lounges? By the way, is space constraint at Changi's SKL also the reason for getting *A Gold members to use the SATS Premier Lounge?

Loony[/QUOTE]

Just flew back on SQ 19 (LAX - SIN). Renovation at SKL yet to commence and, unless you are a PPS or Solitaire, you will be referred to the Asiana Lounge on the same level. On board, noticed that there was this passenger with two young kids in Row 31. FA seems to be paying extra attention to them. Not that I am envious from, time to time, the FA would ask him if he needed anything. Before serving of breakfast, one FA even took his order first and the group was served breakfast ahead of others (the food trolley started serving from the back and those in Row 31 would be served last). Guess he must be a PPS or a Solitaire.

Not necessarily. Meals for families with young kids are often served at slightly different time so the parents can feed the kiddies. The FAs understand meal times can be difficult and do the best to help.

Not necessarily. Meals for families with young kids are often served at slightly different time so the parents can feed the kiddies. The FAs understand meal times can be difficult and do the best to help.

I forgot to mention that the "young kids" were not actually that young that had to be fed. I would put them at primary school-going age. But never mind, Kiwi Flyer, thanks for the info that families with kids are served first.

Anyway the flight (both ways were good) and Business Class seems to be full despite having quite a large number of seats. Menu wise, apart from availability of light snacks at the counter (at rear of aircraft) instant cup noodles could be requested for supper. Row 31 appear to be good seats and the leg space is so wide fellow passengers will use it to get on to the other side of the aisle to use the toilet if those on their side are occupied. But I understand from FAs very difficult to get as passeners will start checking in 48 hours before flight and go for that row. Hence, there will be no chance of getting those seats when doing airport check-in 2 hours before flight. LAX counter has a notice indicating counter open at 4.30 p.m. for the 8.00 p.m. flight. Travellers have to screen their check-in luggage at a nearby location afterwhich one of the security staff will wheel it to the counter for you to check in (apparently, you are not supposed to touch the bags after they have been screened).

All in all, I would go for the non-stop A345 flight over the one-stop Narita or TPE flights although the fare is slightly higher. :)

Just to clarify - if travelling with kiddies they are normally served first (before anyone else). Parents served afterwards (once the kiddies are done). Depending on the number of parents and kids may be staggered service.