Following my recent acquisition of a Priority Pass lounge card I have to say that I’m finding it very useful and value for money.
I recently made the following flights used the lounge at each each sector: Singapore-Kuala Lumpur-Dubai-London Heathrow. After calling home to collect my wife in KL I paid the joiners fee in each lounge and the free WiFi, food and comfy seats was appreciated. Perhaps now the complaints have finally be vindicated.
Upon arriving at Heathrow we had a few hours to kill before the National Express bus arrived so we used the Air Canada Arrivals Lounge. Whilst this doesn't come close to the Virgin Revivals lounge it does have clean bathrooms with hot showers and offers a great location to freshen up after a flight.
January 3, 2012
December 22, 2011
Mindless Choping
I recently called into McDonalds at Harbourfront Singapore and despite the outlet being less than half full I noticed people leaving their bags on seats to reserve them.
This strange practice is common place in Singapore and is known as chopping.
Considering that the place was pretty empty I cannot fathom out why these people are compelled to do this.
Some people here seem to lack real common sense here because Singapore maybe pretty safe but there is no way I’d leave my bags, phone or other valuables laying around.
Is it any wonder that that some people are easy targets when they travel overseas if they like to leave their items laying around unattended.
This strange practice is common place in Singapore and is known as chopping.
Considering that the place was pretty empty I cannot fathom out why these people are compelled to do this.
Some people here seem to lack real common sense here because Singapore maybe pretty safe but there is no way I’d leave my bags, phone or other valuables laying around.
Is it any wonder that that some people are easy targets when they travel overseas if they like to leave their items laying around unattended.
The cheapest Guinness in Malaysia…. sort of!
I recently came across this and it make me laugh. I’m not sure where it originated from but anybody who isn't a fan of the Air Asia extra charges should read this……
Spare a thought for Uncle Tony F, Chief Executive of ‘Cheapo Carrier Asia…….
Arriving in a hotel in KL Sentral he went to the bar and asked for a pint of draught Guinness. The barman nodded and said, “That will be one Ringgit please, Uncle Tony.”
Somewhat taken aback, Uncle Tony replied, “That’s very cheap,” and quickly handed over his money. “Well, we try to stay ahead of the competition”, said the barman. “And we are serving free pints every Wednesday evening from 6 until 8. We have the cheapest draught in Asia”
“That is remarkable value” Uncle Tony comments.
“I see you don’t seem to have a glass, so you’ll probably need one of ours. That will be three Ringgit please”.
Uncle Tony scowled, but paid up.
He took his drink and walked towards a seat. “Ah, you want to sit down?” said the barman. “That’ll be an extra two Ringgit You could have pre-book the seat, and it would have only cost you a Ringgit” “I think you may to be too big for the seat sir, can I ask you to sit in this frame please”
Uncle Tony attempts to sit down but the frame is too small and when he can’t squeeze in he complains “Nobody would fit in that little frame”.
“I’m afraid if you can’t fit in the frame you’ll have to pay an extra surcharge of four Ringgit for your seat sir” Tony swore to himself, but paid up.
“I see that you have brought your laptop with you” added the barman. “And since that wasn’t pre-booked either, that will be another three Ringgit” Uncle Tony was so annoyed that he walked back to the bar, slammed his drink on the counter, and yelled, “This is ridiculous, I want to speak to the manager”.
“Ah, I see you want to use the counter,” says the barman, “that will be two Ringgit please.”
Uncle’s face was red with rage. “Do you know who I am?”
“Of course I do Mr F”, quips the barman with glee.
“I’ve had enough, What sort of Hotel is this? I come in for a quiet drink and you treat me like this. I insist on speaking to a manager!” said Tony F, raising his voice.
“Here is his email address, or if you wish, you can contact him between 9 and 9.10 every morning, Monday to Tuesday at this free phone number. Calls are free, until they are answered, then there is a talking charge of only 10 sen per second provided you use Toon Talk using other mobile carriers would incur our normal charges of 30 Sen per second”, the barman answered coyly
“I will never use this bar again!”, exclaim the award winning CEO.
“OK Uncle , but remember, we are the only bar in Asia selling pints for one Ringgit…so that Now everyone can drink!”.
Spare a thought for Uncle Tony F, Chief Executive of ‘Cheapo Carrier Asia…….
Arriving in a hotel in KL Sentral he went to the bar and asked for a pint of draught Guinness. The barman nodded and said, “That will be one Ringgit please, Uncle Tony.”
Somewhat taken aback, Uncle Tony replied, “That’s very cheap,” and quickly handed over his money. “Well, we try to stay ahead of the competition”, said the barman. “And we are serving free pints every Wednesday evening from 6 until 8. We have the cheapest draught in Asia”
“That is remarkable value” Uncle Tony comments.
“I see you don’t seem to have a glass, so you’ll probably need one of ours. That will be three Ringgit please”.
Uncle Tony scowled, but paid up.
He took his drink and walked towards a seat. “Ah, you want to sit down?” said the barman. “That’ll be an extra two Ringgit You could have pre-book the seat, and it would have only cost you a Ringgit” “I think you may to be too big for the seat sir, can I ask you to sit in this frame please”
Uncle Tony attempts to sit down but the frame is too small and when he can’t squeeze in he complains “Nobody would fit in that little frame”.
“I’m afraid if you can’t fit in the frame you’ll have to pay an extra surcharge of four Ringgit for your seat sir” Tony swore to himself, but paid up.
“I see that you have brought your laptop with you” added the barman. “And since that wasn’t pre-booked either, that will be another three Ringgit” Uncle Tony was so annoyed that he walked back to the bar, slammed his drink on the counter, and yelled, “This is ridiculous, I want to speak to the manager”.
“Ah, I see you want to use the counter,” says the barman, “that will be two Ringgit please.”
Uncle’s face was red with rage. “Do you know who I am?”
“Of course I do Mr F”, quips the barman with glee.
“I’ve had enough, What sort of Hotel is this? I come in for a quiet drink and you treat me like this. I insist on speaking to a manager!” said Tony F, raising his voice.
“Here is his email address, or if you wish, you can contact him between 9 and 9.10 every morning, Monday to Tuesday at this free phone number. Calls are free, until they are answered, then there is a talking charge of only 10 sen per second provided you use Toon Talk using other mobile carriers would incur our normal charges of 30 Sen per second”, the barman answered coyly
“I will never use this bar again!”, exclaim the award winning CEO.
“OK Uncle , but remember, we are the only bar in Asia selling pints for one Ringgit…so that Now everyone can drink!”.
November 7, 2011
Airport Lounge Access with Priority Pass
Access to airport business lounges is typically only gained if you are an airline CIP (commercially important passenger) however throughout world there are some shared lounges which you either pay on the door, book a visit using one of the many holiday add companies or join a lounge membership scheme such as Priority Pass.
Being a regular air traveller I try to keep my time at the airport to the absolute minimum and often grab a quick snack/drink on the way though. I'm fortunate that my weekly commute is between Singapore (Changi) and Kuala Lumpur which are two very good airports.
During my usual routine which involves a quick stop here and there followed by a snack (sandwich/burger meal) which costs SGD 7-10 and if there is a queue its very rushed pitstop.
Following my recent protracted delay at Changi I started thinking that things things would be easier if I can get lounge access so that I can just sit down, relax and nibble on some snacks.
In some previous roles I was fortunate to travel business class on a regular basis and become accustomed to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse and the Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge however those privileges have long since passed.
After some research I found that the Priority Pass Membership scheme looked good and offered several membership plans based around usage including an unlimited visit plan. Some further searching led me to some discount codes which gave USD 80 discount on the first year as well as renewal making the total cost per year at USD 319.
Whilst this is no small sum I estimate that I will use the lounges 65+ times per year which equates to around USD 5 per visit.
Not all of the lounges offer alcohol however the Plaza Premium lounge has a beer tap and when a pint of beer in the bar opposite will cost around USD 10+ the Priority Pass membership starts look very good value.
Being a regular air traveller I try to keep my time at the airport to the absolute minimum and often grab a quick snack/drink on the way though. I'm fortunate that my weekly commute is between Singapore (Changi) and Kuala Lumpur which are two very good airports.
During my usual routine which involves a quick stop here and there followed by a snack (sandwich/burger meal) which costs SGD 7-10 and if there is a queue its very rushed pitstop.
Following my recent protracted delay at Changi I started thinking that things things would be easier if I can get lounge access so that I can just sit down, relax and nibble on some snacks.
In some previous roles I was fortunate to travel business class on a regular basis and become accustomed to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse and the Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge however those privileges have long since passed.
After some research I found that the Priority Pass Membership scheme looked good and offered several membership plans based around usage including an unlimited visit plan. Some further searching led me to some discount codes which gave USD 80 discount on the first year as well as renewal making the total cost per year at USD 319.
Whilst this is no small sum I estimate that I will use the lounges 65+ times per year which equates to around USD 5 per visit.
Not all of the lounges offer alcohol however the Plaza Premium lounge has a beer tap and when a pint of beer in the bar opposite will cost around USD 10+ the Priority Pass membership starts look very good value.
Now when my wife (The Lady in Seat 12B) found out the conversation went along the lines of, you have bought what? why do you need this because the trip is only short? makan why do you need to makan at the airport, why do you etc etc etc......
The conversation carried on until I made it clear that any more complaints and the treasury would be carrying out an audit on expenditure at Watsons, Guardian and all the other beauty places frequented over the past 24 months following which a reluctant approval was given... sweet!
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