“Sleepless in Bangkok”
I was taking tremendous pride in my exclusive Star Alliance Gold membership card received some 6 months ago. As it had done in the past, I expected this card to do magic forever. Mistake! At Bangkok Airport, that’s where the luminous card originates, it may not get you very far.
Exhausted from a 2 day journey back from Timor Leste, via Bali, via Jakarta, via Singapore, and via Bangkok, I appeared desperate for a day room (which may be used at nights) at the Day Room’s counter, Terminal 1, at 11.45 pm.
Never heard at other airports: “No”, the lady said, “fully booked” – not even a (shy) smile or an apology for such devastating piece of information, nearly at mid night. “Ask again at 2 am”, the day rooms at Terminal 2 would be full until 3 am she concurrently informed.
My last resort : I use the brilliant, golden card to spend the night at the Thai Star Alliance Lounge. The lady at the counter allowed me in, dryly informing that the lounge would close at 1 am but quickly added a piece of comfort: it would reopen at 5 am... Panicking, I would not be fit to face an important business person from a very important country on its national holiday in Phnom Penh on the day of my arrival, I headed towards Terminal 2.
“Are you going to London?” At least one friendly airport staff asked seeing me rushing by. “No, I am not. “Are you going to London”, another friendly airport staff asked 3 minutes later. No, I am not! Maybe I could have got a free ride to London?
I finally, arrived at the posh Day Room Facility of Terminal 2. “Do YOU have rooms available?” “No, sorry”, this time with a slightly comforting pitiful face. But then, with an eagle’s eye, I noticed three people sprawling 3 of 4 leather armchairs ! My shy enquiry at the same counter if I may use the remaining (now extremely attractive looking) arm chair was immediately granted.
Being a professional traveller for over a decade, I quickly pulled out my Cathay Pacific survival kit (partly of course in protest towards the airline I was travelling with this time), using the eye cover and ear plugs. After 3 hours of weird dreams I awoke somewhat refreshed enough to drag myself to the Thai Lounge again at 5 am, sharp (!) to spend another 3 hours sipping lukewarm coffee and watching the extremely interesting stock exchange news…
Singapore Airlines, you have me back !
Exhausted from a 2 day journey back from Timor Leste, via Bali, via Jakarta, via Singapore, and via Bangkok, I appeared desperate for a day room (which may be used at nights) at the Day Room’s counter, Terminal 1, at 11.45 pm.
Never heard at other airports: “No”, the lady said, “fully booked” – not even a (shy) smile or an apology for such devastating piece of information, nearly at mid night. “Ask again at 2 am”, the day rooms at Terminal 2 would be full until 3 am she concurrently informed.
My last resort : I use the brilliant, golden card to spend the night at the Thai Star Alliance Lounge. The lady at the counter allowed me in, dryly informing that the lounge would close at 1 am but quickly added a piece of comfort: it would reopen at 5 am... Panicking, I would not be fit to face an important business person from a very important country on its national holiday in Phnom Penh on the day of my arrival, I headed towards Terminal 2.
“Are you going to London?” At least one friendly airport staff asked seeing me rushing by. “No, I am not. “Are you going to London”, another friendly airport staff asked 3 minutes later. No, I am not! Maybe I could have got a free ride to London?
I finally, arrived at the posh Day Room Facility of Terminal 2. “Do YOU have rooms available?” “No, sorry”, this time with a slightly comforting pitiful face. But then, with an eagle’s eye, I noticed three people sprawling 3 of 4 leather armchairs ! My shy enquiry at the same counter if I may use the remaining (now extremely attractive looking) arm chair was immediately granted.
Being a professional traveller for over a decade, I quickly pulled out my Cathay Pacific survival kit (partly of course in protest towards the airline I was travelling with this time), using the eye cover and ear plugs. After 3 hours of weird dreams I awoke somewhat refreshed enough to drag myself to the Thai Lounge again at 5 am, sharp (!) to spend another 3 hours sipping lukewarm coffee and watching the extremely interesting stock exchange news…
Singapore Airlines, you have me back !