This is the start of my next RTW, where I was able to build-in attendance to the FT Duesseldorf gathering organized by Bernie, Mizu and Rudi.

I will not be writing a full trip report, but will make short reports on selected segments of my journey.

I had been trying to upgrade from paid J (Raffles Class) to F for weeks, but SQ was at first refusing to allow a mileage upgrade, saying that my RTW fare was not eligible. Using wise advice from various die-hard SQ flyers, I insisted & insisted until I got a friendly supervisor at SQ's PPS customer service in Singapore. She inserted a few magic lines in my PNR and asked me to call my local SQ office the next day.

It worked !!! I was able to upgrade the segment SIN-ZRH for 45K Krisflyer miles. Its not exactly a bargain, but, I got what I wanted. Its was interesting to know that had I wanted to upgrade the shorter first segment of CGK-SIN, the total upgrade would have cost me 90K !!! (that would mean 45K for an upgrade of a 1'10" flight).

Changi - Silver Kris First Class Lounge:

The First Class lounge is roomier, with a slightly more luxurious look that the Raffles Class section. It has the same tech-facilities (PC's, Bloomberg/Reuters terminals, and work stations for laptops). The food & beverage service is upgraded, with 4-5 warm food choices (instead of 2 in the C lounge), and a better choice of spirits and wines. The Champagne is a great plus, with free flow of vintage Veuve Cliquot Reserve.

(to be continued)


[This message has been edited by Gaucho100K (edited 11-12-2000).]

After enjoying the lounge, I headed for the gates quite late. I had been assigned the solitaire seat in the SQ F cabin, 1B. Aircraft was a Megatop 747-400.

I was greeted at the door by a leading stewardess (SQ girl in green), and escorted to my suite. I was the last one to board in F, the cabin was almost full - with 11 of 12 suites occupied. The service experience in SQ's long-haul F is quite different from C. The FA's dont like to have you do anything without help, even offering to store your carry-one for you. As soon as I was seated, welcome drinks & newspapers/magazines were offered.

The bar in SQ's F is always open for business. What I mean here is that unlike UA's International F, where the Dom doesnt get opened until after take off, SQ starts the free flow of Krug and Dom as soon as you board. I decided to have the Krug (for starters). One of the guys in the 2nd row requested a Capuccino (SQ makes fresh/real coffee available on most 744Megatops, A340Celestars and 777Jubilees) and he got it before take off.

Amenity kits were passed out, which in addition to the red slippers already waiting in the seat pockets included: lip balm, mouthwash, q-tips, mineral water mist, earlplugs, gilette razor kit, cotton buds, dental floss, Hermes cologne and hand lotion, and eye shades with the F logo. The amenities where presented in a blue leatherette bag.

The item I would highlite is the mineral water mist. It gets very dry in the cabin on very long flights (this was a 12.5 hour segment), and the mist is great to moisten your face & some cotton to breathe some moist air & keep your nose/throat from getting very dry (this trick does wonders for me on long flights).

The other amenities, toothbrush, toothpaste and combs are available in the restrooms.

Menu Transcript - Dinner:

Starters:

Chilled malossol caviar, with melba toast and condiments.

(or)
Medallions of lobster and tropical fruits, with brandy cocktail dressing.

Soup - broth of chicken with white beans and vegetables.

Main courses:

Paupiette of sole stuffed with mushrooms, preserved tomatoes in vermouth sauce and potatoes.

(or)
Egg noodles in soup with chicken.

(or)
Grilled tournedos of beef with salad and sundried tomatoes, pumpkin seed oil dressing.

Selection of cheese and garnishes.

Dessert:

Warmed pear and almond tart, yohgurt ice cream and fruit compote.

Freshly brewed coffee, Espresso or capuccino. Selection of teas.

Oven fresh rolls, with extra virgin olive oil and butter. Garlic bread.

I had the caviar for starters, skipped the soup and then had booked the cook. I ordered a grilled lamb dish. The caviar was very good, although they did not come around a second time like they do in LH (and when I asked, they had run out as the guys in the back had been quicker to ask for seconds). My pre-ordered lamb was very good. I continue to build on my theory that lamb is always a good bet at 40,000 feet.

I was dissapointed by the cheese selection and the dessert. Since SQ cannot use the cart (no rooms around the suites), you cant see how the cheese is - IMO this is very important when you choose cheese). They only offered 3 types (goat, emmenthal, and camembert). The dessert was not good, with a dry cake and some not so tasty sauce. The ice-cream was nice, though.

The definate ups of this meal were the champagne, I also sampled the 92 Dom but then stuck to the Krug, and my pre-ordered lamb dish (very good). Finished off my dinner with a cup of great capuccino.

After dinner, the FA's came by to prepare my bed, and helped me hang my clothes as I changed into my Givenchy designed pyjamas (choices of blue or purple colors available). I was very tired from a long week so I dozed off quite soon.

The SQ suite is large & quite generous for room. I find it very comfortable, but can see that flyers over 6'2 or 6'3 will probably have trouble laying the seat totally flat. SQ does give great pillows & duvets.

Menu Transcript - Breakfast:

Chilled fruit juices: apple, tomato, freshly squeezed orange.

Fresh fruit appetizer.

Cereal, with low fat milk. Reduced fat yoghurt (plain or fruit flavoured).

Fish congee. Sliced fish in rice porridge with deep fried Chinese cruellers.

Mixed grill of lamb, veal and chicken sausage with meat jus, roasted tomato, mushrooms and potatoes.

Fresh eggs with grilled ham or sausage, tomato and sauteed mushrooms (eggs baked, soft-boiled or scrambled on toast).

Assorted breakfast rolls, butter, jams, marmalade and honey.

Freshly brewed coffee, Espresso or cappuccino. Selection of teas.

SQ has one of the best breakfasts in the air. Had the fruits, eggs & toast. The choices are some of the most ample Ive seen. The great capuccino is algo a good way to start the morning.

Menu Transcript - Wine List:

Champagnes:

Dom Perignon 1992
Krug Grande Cuvee

White Burgundy - Chablis Premiere Cru Bouchard Pere et Fils

White German Wine - 1997 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spaetlese

Red Bordeaux - Chateau Branaire 1997 Grand Cru Classe Saint-Julien

Red Burgundy - Beaune Premiere Cru 1996 Bouchard Pere et Fils

Dessert Wine - Tokaji Aszu Puttonyos 1993

Port - Dow's 20 year old Tawny Port

Service:

Very, very good. Borderline with superb. This was my best SQ F experience. The FA's bent over backwards to please, and put up with some pretty obnoxious pax that were seated in rows 2 (these people treated the FA's like cr*p ). I had ordered a special meal for breakfast (also booked the cook), but then changed my mind and wanted to have the standard bfast. No problem. Service was all smiles, very attentive.

Gaucho's overall flight experience (GOFER): 4.50

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Gaucho100K


[This message has been edited by Gaucho100K (edited 11-12-2000).]

Excellent Trip Report. Good to hear that SQ is still ALL THAT. I'm jealous!

Wow!!

Look fwd to more trip reports on your RTW G100K!

Free flowing Veuve Cliquot Reserve? That's it, I'm calling Singapore now........What? the flight from HKF to SFO is full in 1st? Put me on the waiting list please!

I'll hear tomorrow if I get to experience this. Otherwise I'm on UA which probably has the old FC seats.

At this rate I'm never going to be a UA Million Miler. Oh well, its their loss. Literally.

The VC Reserve is for lounge consumption only, on board, you get upgraded to Krug and Dom.... (hic!!)


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Gaucho100K

Actually I prefer normal VC to Krug, but VC Reserve is wonderful.

So I've changed my flight from UA to SQ from HKG to SFO. It cost me $75 but I hope it's worth it. For now it is not since the SQ lounge here has no VC. If fact it has no Champagne at all! I'm inconsolable.

The UA First lounge at HKG is way, way, way better than the SQ lounge. But I'm betting that the seats and service on the plane will be better with SQ. "Ding-Dong". It's boarding time, gotta go.

Did they charge you the $75 ????

In which SQ lounge are you....? The Changi Silver Kris First Class lounge has all the perks I describe above. The UA NRT F lounge is also very nice.


[This message has been edited by Gaucho100K (edited 11-14-2000).]

Yes UA charged me $75 since I was making a ticketing change to a RTW.

Note that I was in HKG, not NRT. The Silver Kris 1st class lounge at HKG is nothing to write home about. The only differential benefit was free local phone calls.

And I have to correct you about UA and Champagne. I always get a Mimosa before takeoff on UA 1st. This is true even on domestic flights that are 3-class.

But of course the flight was wonderful. Now I see why BA tried to sue SQ over the seats. SQ clearly has the best in the business. Especially 1B where I sat in my own personal row. The TV screen is great and Krisworld is of course far better than what any other airline has.

I gave up $75 plus triple miles to fly SQ. Was it worth it? If I was mile-hungry I would have stuck with UA. But I needed a good restful flight more than miles so I was very pleased with SQ.

Recently flew EWR-SIN-BKK and overall it was a terrific experience. The only two things are the seats are as hard as park benches and the desserts are usually lack luster compared to others such as SR and CX. Was really impressed when on the flight from SIN-BKK and I was the only one in F that they opened both the Krug & Dom just for me. The dessert wine was also great and is a nice addition as most airlines only serve port.
Great trip but I still lean now towards CX with their Betsy seats.....

Thanks for reminding me about the dessert wine. Tokaij with 5 puttonyos! Awesome selection by an airline. Another FC benefit is the comfy Givenchy sleeper suit.

Yes the seats are a bit hard and I like LH better for sleeping, but the whole setup with the sliding table and the large TV and the private row in 1B is pretty hard to compete with. However I haven't tried Cathay since they've added the Betsy. Maybe next year for my BA Gold requal.


[This message has been edited by stimpy (edited 11-15-2000).]

Stimpy-- let me rephrase the comment about UA champagne. Yes, they do have bubbly before departure, but its not the DOM they use for the mimosas or if you order Champagne straight up... they have a cheap California sparkling wine of sorts that is used before the full bar service is opened..... thats the difference with SQ.

I also have heard great things about the new long haul F on Cathay... will have to try it out sometime.


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Gaucho100K

Gaucho, ah, OK. I never noticed that UA serves cheap Champagne since they mix the Mimosas in the galley. And I guess the OJ masked the poor quality of Champagne. But I clearly recall the SQ FA asking me if I wished for Dom or Krug before takeoff.

Since UA has a contract with Moet & Chandon for supply of DOM for F, I wish they would expand their agreement to include regular Moet for C....

Aaah.. what a life! Great report. But Gaucho, even YOU would not have been served vintage Dom in coach DUS-ORD and then been given a full bottle to take home as a couple of our FT'er friends did, after MileTex and I dragged along outr incoming UA flight crew to the goose dinner!

Re the bubbly on domestic flights. I always drink bubbly if it is on hand, on any airline, and agree with you in the past on pure UA domestic it was always been as far as I recall at least in 2 class cabins, that horrid sweet treackly Napa Valley nonsense. Before AND after take-off in many cases.

This DUS trip I did a number of Domestic sectors in F and they were serving EXACTLY what I had in It'l C OZ-LAX and ORD-DUS which is a French Veuve Amiot. Hardly 92 Dom, but after several bottles over a few flights I quite got to like the taste.

And seeing I was given about 5 bottles on different flights to return home with, have continued liking the taste! My bag was a lot heavier returning home, I'm here to tell you! That was AFTER a few FT'ers and I had a small party with the French still wine in SFO when ATC stranded me for a day there.

When do we get to read a DUSSELDORF ALTBIER tour report from someone here????????

Emailman, Jean and I are trying to book LH flights for the next one! :
http://pcwi200.uni-muenster.de/flyertalk/P1010030.jpg (outside LH)

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~ Glen ~