SIN

Upon deplaning, I was greeted by SQ ground staff who were holding a big sign with my name. I was informed that my connecting flight was cancelled due to the BKK airport closure, and that they had booked me a hotel room for the night. I proceeded to transfer E in T2, where they issued a voucher for the Crowne Plaza in Terminal 3.

I was put in a very sleek club room on the 9th floor, having brilliant runway views, in fact there was an A388 leaving the gate immediately below. Pretty good, I thought!

SQ covered all meals, excluding alcoholic beverages. The meals were at the Azur reastaurant, which had very nice buffet for all their settings, with a variety of western and Asian cousine. I would be putting on some weight
here...

I figured I might as well have a good time and enjoy myself, so I headed into downtown Singapore for some shopping and sightseeing. Some great food to be had in Singapore for sure, even though some of it is rather expensive. Especially enjoyed chili crabs!

The next morning I found a note under my door explaining that the BKK flights were still cancelled and I would be spending another night at SQs expense. The hotel was fully booked by this time, especially with Quantas and BA customers bound for Thailand, as they'd rerouted BKK flights to SIN. Talking with my dad, who was stuck in Bangkok, he thought there was no imminent chance of airport re-opening and advised me to look for alternative routings to get back to Europe. This meant I missed my stay at the Bo Phut in Koh Samui, the 5 star resort I had been lucky enough to book in LHWs 1928 promotion. Very unfortunate as I was looking forward to some days on the beach, so I informed them I would be unable to join them. The conditions of the offer explicitly stated no change of dates allowed, but they were more than happy to accommodate me later due to the exceptional circumstances. Well done.

I also went about cancelling hotels bookings for Bangkok, along with Samui flights and rebooking my return to Europe that was scheduled to be on Austrian flight from Bangkok. Austrian were in fact running flights, but out of
U-Tapao near Pattaya. Apparently a very small airport with one runway (and no lounge used for charter ops.

I had some troubles with the OS BKK office, I can understand they must have been swamped with work in the situation, but nothing was resolved to my satisfaction. They had strict orders from Vienna on what to do and not to do. Well, I called Vienna, they informed me that my semi-flexible ticket would allow re-rerouting from another destination on LH, LX or OS, but only in the same booking class. I asked them to make an exception, because only full-fare was available out of SIN on LH the next week (due to the BKK closure). I pressed on for re-booking on SQ as I was at their hub, but this was not possible in any way, even in Economy - I was on a D-class ticket. They told me SQ would not permit re-routing of OS tickets on their metal. SQ is a really great airline product wise and when it comes to onboard service, but sometimes you really wonder why they are a member of Star Alliance.

This goes with for my SIN layover as well, I asked SQ to be re-routed to another destination but they demanded I pay the fare difference to fly to HKG in stead of BKK. I refused, explaining that they would be able to not pay me for lots of hotel nights and all meals, if they just booked me on one of the many available seats to HKG. My booking was a BMI redemption, so they were very apprehensive about doing anything. They did book me for Sunday,
apparently in the hope that they would be running scheduled flights to BKK that day. Again, speaking to me dad stuck in BKK, he was going on a buss to Phuket, as there was no obvious resolution in sight.

I then called Diamond Club, and explained the situation. The first two calls were fruitless, of course I was aware that once you have started an award itinerary no changes are allowed but exceptions can always be made. First lady refused on those grounds. Second one looked for alternative flights, but could not find a single seat to NRT, HKG or any destination the next day. ANA was giving me lots of availability so I thought that odd. The old DC ICC trick of calling again (and again) came in handy, I scored on my 3rd attempt, getting a very helpful gentleman.

He checked with a supervisor, and came back explaining that they were happy to change my Z7-Z7 booking to a Z7-Z8 booking for the next day, with no extra charges at all in cash nor miles (or taxes) due to the circumstances. I gratefully thanked him, as he told me it would be ticketed immediately. Funny thing, I was on Expertflyer and ANA tool all day, and not a single seat in business class was available in business on SQ12
the next day to NRT. Only F and Y. But he still managed to get me a seat, great work and big thanks to DC who I am most impressed by in this ordeal.

On Checkmytrip a minute later my SQ reference was available, so I called to book a seat. According to Expert
flyer 17A, the coveted exit row seat was available. I called and asked for that seat, the CS woman seemed
a little surprised it was available. I also booked the lobster thermidor for BTC. It's a bit late to book BTC
the night before a morning departure, so I was not holding my breath but she it was no problem.

I celebrated my days work on Skype, Expertflyer and ANA tool by booking a 75 minute facial treatment at the hotel, before retiring early to be and looking forward to finally leaving my Changi hotel after a 3 day transit.

Pictures:
Crowne Plaze Singapore Changi T3
Very short walk from T3 to hotel
Pool area
Hotel room had excellent runway views
My first time seeing two of these togehter
The new and the old
View from my tub, a plane spotters dream perhaps?
Unfortunate timing of ad in the Straits Times
Beautiful sunset from my room