Change in Policy on SKL Access in SIN for UA C class?
#46
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: London NW10
Programs: UA 1K 1.5MM, BA Blue, Wyndham Diamond
Posts: 214
I was denied entry to the SATS/United lounge in SIN T3 on October 27th, although I am a 1K with United and showed them a TG Business Class boarding pass for SIN-BKK, (this TG flight does not have First Class) and a First Class bp for BKK-LHR. On overhearing the conversation, another 1K already in the lounge kindly offered to treat me as his Guest, but the (male) Matron still would not let me in. He refused to give me an explanation for his decision.
At the lounge I had intended to meet an elderly disabled friend (Premier Executive who was flying economy class on United to Narita) to check that the necessary arrangements had been made to escort him to the gate in a wheelchair and help him through the gate security scanning. (My friend had been given a lounge pass at checkin.) The Matron was completely unconcerned at this. Luckily at the top of the escalator I met the wheelchair operator coming to collect my friend, so I was able to confirm details, no thanks to the very unco-operative lounge person.
At the lounge I had intended to meet an elderly disabled friend (Premier Executive who was flying economy class on United to Narita) to check that the necessary arrangements had been made to escort him to the gate in a wheelchair and help him through the gate security scanning. (My friend had been given a lounge pass at checkin.) The Matron was completely unconcerned at this. Luckily at the top of the escalator I met the wheelchair operator coming to collect my friend, so I was able to confirm details, no thanks to the very unco-operative lounge person.
#47
Join Date: Feb 2002
Programs: UA-Gold MM, SPG Plat
Posts: 426
I don't think the SATS T3 lounge is a *Gold lounge or *Alliance lounge for that matter. SATS handles UA pax so that is why they are mainly directed to that lounge, but not sure about TG.
#48
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,740
#49
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UAL LT Gold (used to be a 1K) 1.7MM, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 148
On 11/11/10, I was flying SIN-NRT-LAX-DEN in NC. At check-in, I was handed the invite to the SATS lounge. I asked the agent if I could use the SKL as I'm *G in C, he said that he was only authorised to invite me to the SATS lounge. After clearing security, I headed up to the lounge area and thought I'd try the *G lounge. The check-in clerk there directed me to the SKL lounge, as I was *G traveling in C. I was expecting to plead my case to get into the *G lounge and was instead welcomed into the SKL. Go figure.
JJ
JJ
#50
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,253
..It is not uncommon for a carrier to have a lounge independent of the alliance.
SQ would be entitled to construct a C lounge for its own folks and one for *A commoners ... which they do to the extent of offering some segregated access rights to their PPS folks.
..Oneworld Emeralds are allowed access to First Class lounges, but British Airways will only admit First Class pax (never emeralds (even though they are entitled) ) into the Concorde Room.
And yes, SQ seems to think they are not part of *A (separate topic) - but there is a reason why the Kris Flyer gold lounge was built. It's for the star alliance.
I am not spreading mis information, I am merely suggesting FT's don't push it if they are turned back (and ruining it for others). DYKHIA might end this party.
I'll be back at SIN in a few months, we will see if this trick works.
I'll be back at SIN in a few months, we will see if this trick works.
#51
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: ORD
Programs: nobody
Posts: 1,837
On UA876 NC from SIN this morning, agent give me a lounge invite for SATS, but I just hand my boarding pass and 1K card at SKL and they let me in no question ask.
#52
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,253
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
Handing the bouncers a C or F BP is not a trick. Unless you are severely uncoordinated.
If SQ is following this thread they are laughing at you.
SATS T3 is not a *A lounge, it's contract and accessible by invitation only.
#54
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: London NW10
Programs: UA 1K 1.5MM, BA Blue, Wyndham Diamond
Posts: 214
SATS Lounge
Thanks for that information, dsquared 37 - now I know why I was refused entry. I shall remember this for when I visit Changi again next October.
#55
Formerly known as CollegeFlyer
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: JRA
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA PLT, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 6,716
Wow. Lots o confusion in this thread!
#57
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: The KUL city
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat, TK Elite+
Posts: 2,658
Posting this from the SKL @T3.
Got in fine with my UA C boarding pass.
Got in fine with my UA C boarding pass.
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
#59
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K HH Diamond
Posts: 172
I arrived from NRT about 1am Sat. I went to SKL and told them I was going on the morning flight to Hong Kong but could not get a boarding pass until the counter opens. He asked me if I was in business class and I said yes. He then asked for a written conformation which I told him I did not have. He then had me get on one of their computers and show him my reservation at united.com.
At that point he said welcome and gave me a tour of the lounge including the sleeping area and showers. I woke up about 3am and there appeared to be only 2 of us in the whole lounge, both sleeping.
At that point he said welcome and gave me a tour of the lounge including the sleeping area and showers. I woke up about 3am and there appeared to be only 2 of us in the whole lounge, both sleeping.
#60
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 345
*A Lounge Access at SIN
Just to reiterate the rules of *A lounge access at SIN:
Please bear in mind that lounge access at SIN is inconsequential of the fare class in the particular CoS you are booked under. So whether you are a full revenue pax, discounted revenue pax, upgraded pax or on an award ticket, you are still eligible for the lounge access mentioned below. The terminal that your flight is departing from does NOT restrict you to use the lounge in that specific terminal; you can use whichever you please.
These are rules set by SQ (and *A) and there is no chance or luck factor in it. If you are not granted your access, you have the right to talk it out with the respective lounge staff.
Also, lounge access is determined based on the CoS that you are departing SIN in. Therefore if you are travelling SIN-BKK in C (highest CoS, no F on this leg) and BKK-XXX in F, you are considered a C pax at SIN.
SQ pax arriving on R/F/C and departing on SQ Y trying to gain access to the SKL may sometimes be given exceptions, but it is not an official rule, as well as a totally different issue from the one being discussed altogether.
So, here are the lounge access rules in order of exclusivity (highest to lowest):
1) SKL (regardless of FF status when travelling the mentioned CoS)
a) SKL-TPR @T3: SQ R/F
b) SKL-F @T2/3: *A F, or LPP, TPP
c) SKL-C @T2/3: SQ C, *A C, or QPP
2) KFG @T2/3: SQ Y, *A Y AND KFEG, *G
3) RSL @T1: *A F/C, or *G
4) SATS @T2/3: Non-*A (sometimes *A) premium pax and MI C
Higher CoS will always be allowed to use a SQ-operated lounge designated for a lower CoS. Please also note that MI, though a subsidiary of SQ, is not a member of *A and travelling MI does not give you any *A benefits unless you are QPP and above.
More often than not, *A carriers will not direct you to the SKL or KFG lounge you are eligible for, but it’s up to you which one you want to access as long as you fulfil the criteria.
There are of course many more lounges at SIN, but I’ve only picked out the ones which are relevant.
Hope this helps.
Please bear in mind that lounge access at SIN is inconsequential of the fare class in the particular CoS you are booked under. So whether you are a full revenue pax, discounted revenue pax, upgraded pax or on an award ticket, you are still eligible for the lounge access mentioned below. The terminal that your flight is departing from does NOT restrict you to use the lounge in that specific terminal; you can use whichever you please.
These are rules set by SQ (and *A) and there is no chance or luck factor in it. If you are not granted your access, you have the right to talk it out with the respective lounge staff.
Also, lounge access is determined based on the CoS that you are departing SIN in. Therefore if you are travelling SIN-BKK in C (highest CoS, no F on this leg) and BKK-XXX in F, you are considered a C pax at SIN.
SQ pax arriving on R/F/C and departing on SQ Y trying to gain access to the SKL may sometimes be given exceptions, but it is not an official rule, as well as a totally different issue from the one being discussed altogether.
So, here are the lounge access rules in order of exclusivity (highest to lowest):
1) SKL (regardless of FF status when travelling the mentioned CoS)
a) SKL-TPR @T3: SQ R/F
b) SKL-F @T2/3: *A F, or LPP, TPP
c) SKL-C @T2/3: SQ C, *A C, or QPP
2) KFG @T2/3: SQ Y, *A Y AND KFEG, *G
3) RSL @T1: *A F/C, or *G
4) SATS @T2/3: Non-*A (sometimes *A) premium pax and MI C
Higher CoS will always be allowed to use a SQ-operated lounge designated for a lower CoS. Please also note that MI, though a subsidiary of SQ, is not a member of *A and travelling MI does not give you any *A benefits unless you are QPP and above.
More often than not, *A carriers will not direct you to the SKL or KFG lounge you are eligible for, but it’s up to you which one you want to access as long as you fulfil the criteria.
There are of course many more lounges at SIN, but I’ve only picked out the ones which are relevant.
Hope this helps.