Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Use of ISIC card

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Use of ISIC card

    Originally posted by MAN Flyer View Post
    Business Traveller seems to think so.

    Looks like I'm not the only one who finds spending time in the airy KF Gold lounge, which actually has views of the tarmac and outside world, is preferable than spending too long in the F lounge. I think this TR is just about spot on. Bolding is mine...


    CHECK IN This was the first flight of the A380 to London but check-in was as swift as it always is at Changi airport and immigration was a matter of seconds. As there was some time before the flight I headed to the Silver Kris lounges. Conveniently located upstairs in the centre of the terminal, the first and business class lounges have a common entrance and “business centre”, with meeting rooms and a large number of computer terminals (both PC and Mac).

    The business class lounge is large with a good selection of seating. It is dimly lit and quite restful. There is a large food area and as it was 7am there was a good selection of food from dim sum, noodles and rice through to omelettes, meat tarts, cereal, pastries and fruit. The only difficulty I had in the lounge was finding a power socket for my laptop – there was also a problem with the internet connection but I was told this was not a common occurrence. If you like daylight and you have a gold tier level frequent flyer card, then head for the gold card lounge, which is open to the wider terminal with natural daylight and views of the runway.

    BOARDING Security at the gate took less than a minute and priority boarding went ahead on time. There are three entrances from the jet bridge to the plane, two for the lower deck (one for first and one for economy) and one for the upper deck for business and economy. While the plane is big, it’s not as long as a B777-300, so getting from one end to the other does not take that long, and boarding was swift despite the large number of people on the plane.

    The upper deck of the A380 is much more spacious than that of the B747, thanks to the added width of the plane and the removal of the centre overhead lockers in business. Storage space for your wheeled and larger bags is under the seat in front of you, with further storage to the sides above your head and alongside the window seats (just as on the upper deck of a B747). Once on board, coats were taken and a selection of juice, newspapers, magazines and menus given out. The plane then pulled back on time and was airborne 15 minutes later.

    THE SEAT Business class is located on the upper deck and is a 1-2-1 configuration, giving every passenger aisle access. There are 60 seats in two sections – 18 in the front cabin and 42 in the middle (economy is to the rear). The seat itself is the widest in the air at a staggering 34 inches, which takes some getting used to – you really need to treat it like an armchair at home and slump into it. It has a pitch of 55 inches and is upholstered in brown and camel leather, and can also be found on the airline’s new B777-300ER.

    The distance between you and the seat in front is not huge but more than adequate, as when the seat turns into a flatbed you sleep at a diagonal with your feet under the seat in front of you. This short distance also means that it easy to access all the compartments and switches without stretching. The seat converts by flipping over, and is made very comfortable by a mattress cover, duvet and pillow.

    The controls are easy to use, with two simple buttons for the recline and leg rest. There are some interesting features, such as reading and ambient lights on both sides of the seat as well as in the ceiling. The sockets for the noise-cancelling headsets are on both sides so you can choose which side of the seat you curl up on, and on one side there is also space to hang them up. There is a magazine rack by your right hand in the armrest, along with storage space for a water bottle and other small items.

    A height-adjustable table makes working easier and is in easy reach of the multi-region power socket in the seat in front, which took my adaptor and plug. (Also here you will find USB and RJ45 sockets – the latter is for future proofing as SIA hope to introduce onboard internet connection once the technology becomes available.) A 15.4-inch high-res TV is also installed in the seatback, and there is a small compartment on the right ideal for a wallet or glasses. On the left side is a ledge for a glass and a vanity mirror with light, and there are hooks on both sides for hanging jackets.

    The teal-coloured amenity packs that match the bedding are basic, with just slipper socks and eye masks, but the toilets have most other things you would want, including toothbrushes, combs and razors. Ear plugs are available on request.

    THE FLIGHT I had been told that the plane was quiet but I was shocked at just how quiet it was. Conversations several rows away could be clearly heard, so if you’re planning your next surprise takeover make sure you whisper or you could find it’s no longer a surprise.

    Breakfast was served at about one hour into the flight. A choice of fruit juices, pastries, yoghurt, fruit and cereal, as well thai-style porridge, hotcakes or omelette provided a more than adequate choice. I opted for the hotcakes with fruit which was very tasty and not too heavy. SIA is known for its choice of beverages and there are seven teas and three different coffee beans which can be served as espresso, cappuccino or with a hint of brandy. Regular drinks service occurred throughout the flight and a range of snacks and drinks was available in the self-service galley.

    Satay was served about halfway through the flight, followed shortly afterwards by the main meal service. There was a good choice and I opted for the duck terrine followed by beef noodles in quite a spicy pepper sauce. Full, I skipped the dessert and the cheeseboard.

    The in-flight entertainment system was simple and easy to use and this filled the time between work and sleep. One nice touch is if you want to know how long there is still to go then you need look no further than your handset, rather than interrupt what you might be doing on the IFE.

    ARRIVAL Despite a couple of circuits in the holding track, the flight arrived early at 1449. There was a wait for the doors to open and a short wait for bags.

    VERDICT A superb and quiet plane fitted with fantastic and innovative seats across all classes, backed up with first class service

    http://www.businesstraveller.com/new...e?LS=EMS168793


    Man, i so tempted to book SQ A380 now, but no money and i don't see the need to travel to UK or OZ for the time being. Just wondering, how much will OF A380 flight cost for the SIN-SYD (one of the first A380 route for QF) if i use ISIC? would kiethMEL help me?

  • #2
    Originally posted by JSF View Post
    Man, i so tempted to book SQ A380 now, but no money and i don't see the need to travel to UK or OZ for the time being. Just wondering, how much will OF A380 flight cost for the SIN-SYD (one of the first A380 route for QF) if i use ISIC? would kiethMEL help me?
    I've not used my ISIC card on air fares for a long time but you'd need one to be eligible for many of STA Travel's airfares, some of which are quite competitive - especially with QF and BA. It's easy to get an ISIC; simply front up to any STA outlet.

    QF has not even announced fares or dates for their inaugural services to LAX yet, let alone subsequent routes.
    All opinions shared are my own, and are not necessarily those of my employer or any other organisation of which I'm affiliated to.

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by KeithMEL View Post
      I've not used my ISIC card on air fares for a long time but you'd need one to be eligible for many of STA Travel's airfares, some of which are quite competitive - especially with QF and BA. It's easy to get an ISIC; simply front up to any STA outlet.
      You have flown premium cabin almost all the time! ISIC card won't help because, if nothing had changed since 20 years ago, the fares allowed only in Y, or precisely a very discounted Y.

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by SQ LPP View Post
        You have flown premium cabin almost all the time! ISIC card won't help because, if nothing had changed since 20 years ago, the fares allowed only in Y, or precisely a very discounted Y.
        I was actually going to use it to purchase a rather cheap QF/BA RTW in economy that STA promotes, for visits to LA, the VIE do, and HKG in Sept. Then I decided to include HNL in the booking, and it turns out that the fare only allows QF/BA metal to the exclusion of codeshares operated by other airlines. So decided to go with the standard Global Explorer and chucked in PVG for the hell of it... at least I get to upgrade on AA metal. Still quite a few long haul whY segments though (see my BA97 Sept entries)!
        All opinions shared are my own, and are not necessarily those of my employer or any other organisation of which I'm affiliated to.

        Comment


        • #5
          the ISIC card never brought me anything the only thing i got off it was a price reduction of 5can$ or so on the CN tower.
          Home is where your heart is.

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by florianwagner View Post
            the ISIC card never brought me anything the only thing i got off it was a price reduction of 5can$ or so on the CN tower.
            I've found that it's more useful in Europe and North America. There was once I got a 10% discount off a hotel in Paris. And cheap entries to several places like the Sistine chapel, some museum in Malta and discounted food at quite a few places in the US. Locally my student union membership card has returned more value than the ISIC ever did, apart from buying STA fares.
            All opinions shared are my own, and are not necessarily those of my employer or any other organisation of which I'm affiliated to.

            Comment


            • #7
              I'm sorry for breaking the discussion in a nice momentum...

              What is ISIC? It looks pretty useful, how can I get it?

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by Tanandika View Post
                What is ISIC? It looks pretty useful, how can I get it?
                International Student Identity Card. You can apply for one at any STA Travel outlet if you're a full time student. Or wherever they're sold in your country.

                www.isic.org

                You can also get similar cards if you're a full time teacher (International Teacher Identity Card) or under 26 (International Youth Identity Card).
                All opinions shared are my own, and are not necessarily those of my employer or any other organisation of which I'm affiliated to.

                Comment


                • #9
                  ISIC card in Australia is completely useless.
                  If one fines a good airfare from STA which requires ISIC, one can go to flightcentre and get further discount without even paying issuing fee of ISIC.

                  Just my opinion.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by lee_apromise View Post
                    If one fines a good airfare from STA which requires ISIC, one can go to flightcentre and get further discount without even paying issuing fee of ISIC.
                    I don't think it's right spending someone's time searching for a fare and coming up with an itinerary, only to take the exact itinerary elsewhere just for the $20 discount. Besides I've had much better service at STA than Fright Centre (though I've been using trailfinders whenever I've needed a TA in recent times). Good service ought to be rewarded. JMO.
                    All opinions shared are my own, and are not necessarily those of my employer or any other organisation of which I'm affiliated to.

                    Comment

                    Working...
                    X