Singapore Changi Airport is regarded as one of the best airports in the world. It recently got even better with the opening of The Jewel, which is a gorgeous new shopping complex on the airport’s premises. It’s not often you see an airport become a destination for people not flying, but in Singapore it is.
Anyway, for years the airport has offered a promotion offering select transit passengers a free 20SGD voucher to use during the layover, and that’s back this year. It’s called the Changi Transit Privileges program, so let’s look at how this program works.
When is Changi Transit Privileges valid?
This promotion is valid through September 30, 2019.
Who is eligible for a Changi Airport voucher?
There are quite a few restrictions regarding who is eligible for the 20SGD voucher:
- You need to be traveling on Singapore Airlines or SilkAir
- Alternatively, the following flights on Air New Zealand and Scoot are eligible in conjunction with a flight on Singapore Airlines: NZ282, NZ283 or NZ284, operated by Air New Zealand, and TR596 or TR597, operated by Scoot
- You need to be traveling on an e-ticket number that starts with 618, 629, or 086
- You need to be flying roundtrip and connecting at Changi Airport; so you don’t get it if you’re originating in Singapore (like flying just Singapore to London), while you do get it if connecting (like Sydney to Singapore to London)
How do you collect your voucher?
In Terminals 2 & 3 passengers can go to the iShopChangi Collection Centers, which are open 24 hours per day. Just present your passport, boarding pass, and e-tickets showing your full itineraries.
How can you spend your voucher?
There are a lot of ways you can redeem your vouchers, including:
- At any retail outlet in transit and public areas at Changi Airport (except a small list of exclusions)
- For one-time access to the Ambassador Transit Lounge located in the transit areas of Terminals 2 or for up to two hours
- For selected spa and massage services at Spa Express in Terminal 2
Bottom line
This is a cool perk if you happen to be transiting Changi Airport. The major restriction is that you need to be flying roundtrip and need to be flying Singapore Airlines or SilkAir (or select Air New Zealand or Scoot flights in conjunction with Singapore Airlines flights), and there are also restrictions about what airline can issue your ticket.
So while I don’t see myself having a ticket during the promotion period that’s eligible for this, hopefully others can benefit from it.
Do you plan on taking advantage of this Changi Airport promotion?
(Tip of the hat to Live from a Lounge)
OK, not eligible when originating from Changi. But what if your final destination is Changi? Can you grab the voucher?
Award flights are eligible.
The weird thing is the requirement to claim the voucher is a return flight ticket via Singapore. Yet, they are only giving the Voucher ONCE only.
So if u have already redeemed the SGD 20 voucher on your way to lets say Sydney. U won't be able to claim it when transiting in Singapore after the return trip from Sydney.
It's not stated but that's what happens to myself...
Award flights are eligible.
The weird thing is the requirement to claim the voucher is a return flight ticket via Singapore. Yet, they are only giving the Voucher ONCE only.
So if u have already redeemed the SGD 20 voucher on your way to lets say Sydney. U won't be able to claim it when transiting in Singapore after the return trip from Sydney.
It's not stated but that's what happens to myself and others who I've asked. So only 1 voucher per pax per return flight in total. Not 2 as what it seems (1 on the way out, 1 on the return leg.
We are traveling on an SQ RTW award e-ticket that starts with 618. Our last leg takes us thru Changai next month on the 18 hour flight to EWR where we began the trip. So it sounds like we are eligible. Sounds like I will need a massage!
My parents were transiting through SIN on Singapore Airlines recently. They used their voucher for 2 hours in the Ambassador Transit Lounge, which is more than enough time to have a shower and a meal, and probably as long as you'd want to spend in there anyway. Worked out perfectly for them. Though I imagine the lounge will get more crowded as more people cotton on to this promo.
@Surajan
Bunch of kiasu can't wait to get those vouchers. Nothing like free lah.
Seems like a lot of hoopla / work / restrictions for 15 dollars.
They offer 2 x S$20 vouchers for itineraries originating in Mainland China, although one of the vouchers can only be spent on alcohol, perfumes and cosmetics (clearly printed on the voucher).
Also note that you don't receive change if you buy something that is worth less than the voucher (e.g. If your item(s) is/are S$15 but you pay for it with a S$20 voucher, then you will be given S$0 change, not S$5).
P.S. I also distinctly remember they asked for a printed copy of the ticket at the voucher counter and they kept it. Not sure what would have happened if I told them I only had it in mobile form.
They actually offered 40 SGD to some of the routes a couple of years ago. It's a very nice addition to otherwise great transit experience at Changi.
I guess KrisFlyer award flights doesn’t count in this case. Anyway, 20 SGD is not a big deal if you’re going to buy some duty free alcohol or cosmetics.
How about flight NZ281?