This is specific to UA flyers (based on my experiences and who I talked to), so I thought it best to post here.

I know that there has been much talk about getting into the SKL in SIN with UA premium boarding passes, combined with the trouble of getting a boarding pass for UA earlier than 0430, but based on a conversation with the United Station Manager in SIN, I thought I'd post my story.

I was connecting from SQ (First) to UA (First) on my return from MNL. Unfortunately, the flights were on different PNRs, so SQ in MNL was able to check my bag through, but not issue my boarding passes for UA.

Upon arriving at SIN (1800), I was denied access to the SKL because I had no boarding pass. Despite the fact that I had a printed e-receipt, a printed iten on UA stock, and SQ staff could SEE my ticket in the system based on the UA ticket number on my e-receipt. SKL manager even said she would give me access if I could do OLCI and she could see a boarding pass on the computer screen, but I couldn't do OLCI either because it is blocked for SIN departures due to "security screening requirements".

Even after asking to speak to the SQ duty manager, the repeated claim was that I would be allowed access except "UA refuses to reimburse SQ unless the passenger shows an actual boarding pass" and that it is a "UA rule that I was not allowed in."

To make a long story somewhat shorter, I was unable to get in contact with anyone at UA that could do anything or get me a boarding pass because they close down in the early afternoon (I hunted down a UA gate agent at 2230 there to process the inbound flights, but she wouldn't help and said that UA "doesn't offer lounge accommodations prior to 0430 at this station".)

At this point I was pretty steamed as it appeared that UA was intentionally setting things up to just not have to pay for lounge access for premium cabin flyers staying overnight.

But what makes this story interesting and perhaps useful to others is the conversation I had with the UA Station Manager the next morning before departing (I got his business card so it was definitely THE station manager himself).

He told me that UA policy for SIN is that the SKL SHOULD honor the e-receipt for UA premium passengers because of the inability to get a boarding pass. He said there has been some confusion lately based on UA passengers with Coach e-receipts that say they will upgrade when the check-in opens... but that for people with confirmed C or F tickets, that SKL should allow access and that UA will reimburse SQ with an e-receipt (it was less clear if just a printed iten would work, but I don't think so).

FWIW, he said that he would revisit the issue again with SQ and see if he couldn't get something formal printed and placed with the SKL managers (because we all know how they never deviate from the rule).

He said that UA does recognize that with the early departures, many passengers connection from SQ have to spend a number of hours and that they want premium passengers to have access to SKL and are willing to reimburse SQ.

I hope this works out and something changes, because (as I candidly told the Station Manager) I won't do that routing again if I'm forced to go to town or book the transit hotel for my overnight (I know these are fine options for others, but I don't want to be forced this route if I don't feel like it).

PS: The SATS Premier lounge in the SQ terminal closes at 0130 and the SATS Premier lounge in the UA terminal also won't give access to UA passengers until they get a boarding pass.