Singapore Airlines today sent a rather long and informative email (Changes To Your Travel Advisory) for my ticket that I had purchased last month to take me to the Phuket Sandbox (read more here).
I have previously complained about how airlines have sent out emails containing simply incorrect or simply out-of-date information about travel restrictions and test requirements; AeroMexico (read more here) and KLM (read more here).
You can access Singapore Airlines here.
I couldn’t believe how throughout the email from Singapore Airlines is, and why other airlines cannot send similar information to their ticket holders?
Here’s the email:
My Sandbox piece:
Purchased Singapore Airlines Paris – Phuket (Sandbox) Business Class Ticket
Conclusion
I wish that all airlines would be as diligent as Singapore Airlines and not just with this email. They certainly have their IT in order so that as informative emails as this can be sent out.
Let’s see if Thailand moves to the list of countries where transiting through Singapore is not allowed. It is plausible considering the recent number of infections.
@John Are you booking a long term stay rate with any Hyatt to maximize points earnings while saving a lot on the room rate?
Any suggestions on Hyatt properties to consider for Globalist in Europe?
I am not planning to be in Europe for months this fall to use the discounted rates that I wrote about.
I’m in Phuket at the moment (Sandbox got dirty in the meantime) and I’m driving to Bangkok this weekend. I also received above emails but the last one got me worried. My return flight is on 2 September and due to the high number of infections it is indeed very plausible that Thailand will be added to the list of countries where transiting through Singapore is not longer allowed.
I assume that Singapore Airlines in that case simply cancels all flights to and from Thailand.
What are my rights as a passenger is that case? Am I protected as a EU citizen having bought the ticket online when I was at home.
Looking forward to hear from you people.
All the best and stay safe!
Hello Werner vR, I’m interested to understand why being an EU citizen would offer any extra protection to the ‘knock-on effects’ of a global pandemic relative to non EU Sandbox tourists and would appreciate your elucidation please.
—
As I am not aware of the actual specifics relating to the above I do not offer you any personal advise and merely point out some factors that may be of interest to anyone in similarly uncomfortable circumstances:-
The Sandbox opened two months ago and Thailand’s surge in Covid-19 was highly publicised well before that.
No doubt those individuals and families that carried out these important exercises found the pros too low and cons & risks too high and stayed away.
It’s clear this rejection of TAT’s Sandbox Trial by the majority of potential tourists has resulted in the very low influx to the several Sandbox trial areas in operation. I use the term ‘operation’ loosely of course.
Any Sandbox visitor whose return is not relatively immediate may wish to assess the rapid increase in the published daily figures (mainly due to the fast transmitting Delta variant) coupled with the continued infirmity of all sections of the Thai national and provincial governments: not the least the almost total lack of a reliable vaccine and a coordinated rapid program.
It is also important to recognise a fact that is well known by all Thais working in the medical, bereavement & related communities that the Thai government’s published figures of new cases and deaths are “at least three times higher than those published” and could easily be even higher in metropolitan Bangkok and in the provinces bordering Thailand’s neighbours where borders are easily breached and corruption of officials is as virulent as the actual virus.
An assessment on the Sandbox trial incumbents’ current environment and their options should lead to most of the insitu Sandbox tourists cutting their losses, acting accordingly and making important personal decisions.
Hello Werner vR, I’m interested to understand why being an EU citizen would offer any extra protection to the ‘knock-on effects’ of a global pandemic relative to non EU Sandbox tourists and would appreciate your elucidation please.
—
As I am not aware of the actual specifics relating to the above I do not offer you any personal advise and merely point out some factors that may be of interest to anyone in similarly uncomfortable circumstances:-
The Sandbox opened two months ago and Thailand’s surge in Covid-19 was highly publicised well before that.
No doubt those individuals and families that carried out these important exercises found the pros too low and cons & risks too high and stayed away.
It’s clear this rejection of TAT’s Sandbox Trial by the majority of potential tourists has resulted in the very low influx to the several Sandbox trial areas in operation. I use the term ‘operation’ loosely of course.
Any Sandbox visitor whose return is not relatively immediate may wish to assess the rapid increase in the published daily figures (mainly due to the fast transmitting Delta variant) coupled with the continued infirmity of all sections of the Thai national and provincial governments: not the least the almost total lack of a reliable vaccine and a coordinated rapid program.
It is also important to recognise a fact that is well known by all Thais working in the medical, bereavement & related communities that the Thai government’s published figures of new cases and deaths are “at least three times higher than those published” and could easily be even higher in metropolitan Bangkok and in the provinces bordering Thailand’s neighbours where borders are easily breached and corruption of officials is as virulent as the actual virus.
An assessment on the Sandbox trial incumbents’ current environment and their options should lead to most of the insitu Sandbox tourists cutting their losses, acting accordingly and making important personal decisions.
I don’t think that they cancel all flights, but they merely don’t just take transit passengers ex-Thailand. They can continue transport passengers to Thailand and from Thailand to Singapore.
You are not protected by EU legislation, as Singapore Airlines is not a community carrier and the return flight is not from EU/EEA country.