callsignmaverick
TF Select
So yesterday I started my trip from Mumbai to Auckland via Singapore on Singapore Airlines premium economy. Due to the unfortunate timing of the Vistara - Air India merger, I didn't get complimentary lounge access in neither Mumbai nor in Singapore (I am Vistara Gold but Star Alliance Silver).
This however, gave me an opportunity to explore the various lounges (other than SilverKris & KrisFlyer Gold) in Changi as well as the Adani East Wing Business/First Class lounge in Mumbai (its now opened for certain credit card holders). Let me quickly go 1 by 1.
Adani East Wing Lounge:
Next, since I had 16 hour layover in Changi and had opted for the night city tour I decided to try 4-5 different lounges. I'll summarise them together based on brand/company.
Sats Premier Lounge - Visited 2 of these in 2 different terminals
Ambassador Transit Lounge - Visited the one in Terminal 2
Marhaba Lounge - Visited the one in Terminal 3
Note - NAP rooms are available in Ambassador transit lounge but one needs to pay extra and they need minimum 6 hours of booking. This is my 13-14th time transiting through Changi so I have already experienced most of the facilities here and I generally use the KrisFlyer Gold as the lounge and ocassionally SilverKris (when flying business). Due to the Vistara-Air India merger I had time and reason to explore and hence the post. Hopefully it helps others travelling via Singapore...
This however, gave me an opportunity to explore the various lounges (other than SilverKris & KrisFlyer Gold) in Changi as well as the Adani East Wing Business/First Class lounge in Mumbai (its now opened for certain credit card holders). Let me quickly go 1 by 1.
Adani East Wing Lounge:
- Access - Only selected cards work like Yes Bank, Rupay cards, SBI & Federal. Surprisingly my Yes Bank Marquee was declined with Invalid BIN error. Infinia and Emeralde private not accepted. Luckily they accept Platinum Charge so that worked.
- Food & Beverage - Pretty good spread of food, desserts and beverages (alcoholic & non alcoholic)
- Crowd - Not at all crowded since limited cards are accepted and it's still mostly used by business class users.
- Service - Overall service was excellent. However the staff at the reception really needs to be more assertive. There were around 10 people ahead of me yet it took me 15-20 mins to get it because inspite of the eligible card list put up by the lounge, people insisted on trying our all their cards for eligibility. Pretty stupid if you ask of both the folks and the lounge reception guys.
- Overall Rating - 8/10
Next, since I had 16 hour layover in Changi and had opted for the night city tour I decided to try 4-5 different lounges. I'll summarise them together based on brand/company.
Sats Premier Lounge - Visited 2 of these in 2 different terminals
- Access - Priority pass. Used Amex Platinum Charge PP once and Yes Bank Marquee PP once.
- Food & Beverage - Pretty good spread of food, desserts and beverages (alcoholic & non alcoholic). Overall the best food among the lounges I tried in this layover.
- Crowd - Wasn't super crowded in the morning around 8 AM and progressively got even more empty.
- Service - Overall service was excellent. I enquired about the showers and I was promptly provided a towel. Used the showers for a much needed bath. The showers & toilets were limited in size but well maintained.
- Overall Rating - 7.5/10
Ambassador Transit Lounge - Visited the one in Terminal 2
- Access - Priority pass. Used Infinia PP.
- Food & Beverage - Decent spread of food, not as much variety as the Sats lounge. In terms of beverages was provided 2 coupons for 2 alcoholic beverages, non-alcoholic beverages are unlimited.
- Crowd - Half occupancy with ample sitting space. Had 2 glasses of wine and caught a short nap.
- Service - Overall service was excellent. Huge shower and toilet area. I was provided a towel when I asked to use the showers, they also provided dental kit (on request). Used the showers after the nap just to feel fresh.
- Overall Rating - 7.5/10
Marhaba Lounge - Visited the one in Terminal 3
- Access - Priority pass. Used Emeralde PP.
- Food & Beverage - Pretty bad. Literally just had a glass of wine and peanuts here. Most food trays were empty with no efforts to refill them.
- Crowd - Was almost deserted when I came. After looking at the food I understood why.
- Service - Didn't check for showers, because I was super disappointed by the food. Beverage collection was ok.
- Overall Rating - 5/10
Note - NAP rooms are available in Ambassador transit lounge but one needs to pay extra and they need minimum 6 hours of booking. This is my 13-14th time transiting through Changi so I have already experienced most of the facilities here and I generally use the KrisFlyer Gold as the lounge and ocassionally SilverKris (when flying business). Due to the Vistara-Air India merger I had time and reason to explore and hence the post. Hopefully it helps others travelling via Singapore...
