SINGAPORE: How to get FREE WIFI at Changi Airport (updated February 2023)

SINGAPORE: How to get FREE WiFi at Changi Airport 

(updated February 2023)

UPDATED FEBRUARY 2023!!

Connecting to free Wifi at Changi airport is now very easy. You don't need a local smartphone or have roaming on your phone. All you have to do is:

1. Open Wifi in your phone.

2. Click #WiFi@Changi

3. A screen will appear after clicking #WiFi@Changi. Click "Sign in". And you'll be connected. 

IF YOU HAVE A LOCAL SMARTPHONE OR A SMARTPHONE WITH ROAMING SERVICE

1. Open Wifi in your phone.

2. Connect to #WiFi@Changi

3. Launch the internet browser and key in a valid website address to access the login page.

4. Enter your mobile number to receive a One-Time-Password via SMS.

5. Enter the One-Time-Password at the log in page

(Source: http://www.changiairport.com/en/airport-experience/attractions-and-services/internet-connection.html)

IF YOU DON'T HAVE A LOCAL SMARTPHONE OR DON'T HAVE A SMARTPHONE WITH ROAMING SERVICE

If you don't have a local phone or you don't have a phone with roaming service, you can receive the password you need to log in by doing the following:

Look for the free internet station

Find the computer with this sign
"Wifi Password Portal"

The computer also has a box at the right side, beside the mouse.

Remove your passport cover and turn the pace with particulars and photo.

Insert the page into the scanner (the box I mentioned above).
Hold for verification.

Upon, verification, the screen will show the password you need to log in.
(Sorry, I was not able to show the photo.)

Take note of the password generated and shown onscreen.

1. Open wifi in your phone/tablet/netbook.

2. Connect to #WiFi@Changi

3. Launch the internet browser and key in a valid website address to access the login page.

4. Enter the One-Time-Password you got from the wifi password portal at the log in page.

SINGAPORE: Which Budget Airline to Book: Cebu Pacific Airlines or Jet Star Airways

SINGAPORE: Which Budget Airline to Book: 

Cebu Pacific Airlines or Jet Star Airways

To guide you on whether to choose Cebu Pacific or Jet Star Airways for your flight from Manila to Singapore and vice versa, below are the important things to consider to help you decide. Since both are budget airlines and priced almost the same, the points below are crucial in helping you decide which one to choose when booking a flight.

CREDIT CARD PAYMENT OF AIRFARE BY A PERSON WHO IS NOT PART OF THE TRAVELING PARTY OR WHO IS NOT ONE OF THE PASSENGERS 

Cebu Pacific:

To be allowed to check-in and given a boarding pass, the passenger needs to present the photocopy of the credit card used for payment of airfare.

Jet Star:

To be allowed to check-in and be given a boarding pass, the original physical credit card used must be presented IN PERSON by the owner of the credit card to verify the booking while checking in at the check-in counter of Jet Star Airways or at the MIASCOR office at the airport.

The Rule is stated below:

On selected routes, it is a condition of sale, check in and boarding that the original, physical credit/debit card used to purchase the ticket(s) must be presented by the credit/debit card owner for verification at the airport. Where you book travel on these selected routes, you will be informed the need for verification during the booking flow. Prior to check-in, the credit/debit card owner must take the credit/debit card used to purchase the tickets together with his / her government issued identification (such as a passport, identity card or driver’s license) to the Jetstar check-in counter. This requirement applies irrespective of whether the credit/debit card owner is or is not a part of the travelling party. If the credit/debit card is not verified as required, the passengers whose tickets were purchased with that credit/debit card may be denied check-in and boarding at Jetstar’s sole discretion. One verification is required for each return journey." (http://www.jetstar.com/ph/en/planning-and-booking/booking-with-jetstar/payment-methods)

CARRY-ON BAGGAGE LIMIT OF 7 KILOS

Cebu Pacific:

Passengers are allowed 7 kilos carry-on baggage. But the 7 kilos limit EXCLUDES additional items on board such as handbag, coat, laptop bag, camera bag, cane and crutches (for Senior Citizen and/or Person with Reduced Mobility (PRM) guests).

They only weigh the carry-on luggage to see if it's within the 7 kilos limit but do not weigh your handbag, laptop bag, camera bag, etc. You are therefore, allowed more than 7 kilos.

For more details, see my post: Cebu Pacific Lite Fare: Hand or Carry-On Baggage

Jet Star:

Passengers are allowed 7 kilos carry-on baggage, which includes all that you will bring in to the cabin. You are required to have everything weighed and tagged. Otherwise, it will not be allowed on board.

For more details, see my post: JETSTAR AIRWAYS: Are they Enforcing the Strict Carry-on Bag Weight Policy for Economy Class Passengers?

REBOOKING OF FLIGHTS

Cebu Pacific:

The fare offered for the new date of flight is the same for both new passenger and rebooking passenger. This means that if you go online and buy a new flight worth, for example, 5000 pesos, the same cost of flight is offered to the rebooking passenger. The rebooking passenger only pays the difference in fare from the original booking + a rebooking fee. This means, if the old fare of the rebooking passenger is 3000 pesos, the fare difference with the new fare is 2000 pesos. Therefore the rebooking passenger pays 2000 pesos + the rebooking fee.

Jet Star:

The fare offered for the new date of flight for the rebooking passenger is MORE EXPENSIVE than the fare offered to new passengers. Although they provide a way to rebook flights, when you compute the additional cost of rebooking, it is always more expensive than buying a new flight for the same route. It's always better to buy a new flight than to rebook an existing flight. This policy shows Jet Star totally discourages rebooking of flights.

MY CONCLUSION: 

Unless Jet Star airfare is so hugely discounted compared to Cebu Pacific, I will prefer to book Cebu Pacific flights rather than Jet Star Airways because of the reasons I discussed above.

JETSTAR AIRWAYS: Are they Enforcing the Strict Carry-on Bag Weight Policy for Economy Class Passengers?

JETSTAR AIRWAYS: 
Are they Enforcing the Strict Carry-on Bag Weight Policy 
for Economy Class Passengers?

Since November 25, 2014, budget airline Jetstar Airways cut its carry-on baggage weight allowance from 10 kg to 7 kg. Other budget airlines, like Cebu Pacific, weigh only the carry-on bag and exclude additional items such as a handbag, laptop bag and camera bag from the weight restriction. (check out my post Cebu Pacific Carry-On Bag). In real terms, this translates to at least 10 kilos allowed as cabin baggage.

The Jetstar cabin bag crackdown not only reduced the carry-on bag allowance from 10 kg to 7 kg, it also included in the weight restriction all the items you  are carrying with you . This means that they weigh the ff: the carry-on bag (with dimensions that must not exceed 56 cm x 36 cm x 23 cm.) AND all items you'll be carrying inside the plane like your handbag, camera bag, laptop, etc.

ARE THEY ENFORCING THE POLICY? YES!

They require passengers to go to a separate counter to have their cabin baggage and all items they're bringing inside the plane to be tagged. So the cabin officers at the boarding gates can identify if the cabin baggage have been weighed.

This means, whether or not you're checking in at the airport check-in counter, self check-in kiosk, or have done web check-in, you're still required to pass by another counter to have your cabin bag tagged.

MY EXPERIENCE AT MANILA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT:

At Manila International Airport Terminal 1, they put a tag on all your carry-on items while you're in line at the check-in counter. Then when it's your turn to check-in, that's when they weigh all your carry-on items.

If you're in a group, your bags are weighed together and weight allowance is 7 kg multiplied by the number of persons in your group. 

MY EXPERIENCE AT CHANGI AIRPORT

At Changi airport, after checking-in at the airport counter, we go to another counter to have all our carry-on items weighed. If the items/bags meet the weight limit, the items/bags are tagged. If you checked-in at the self check-in kiosk or via web check-in, you still have to pass by this counter to have all your carry-on items tagged. If you don't have your carry-on bags tagged, it will not be allowed onboard the plane.


If you're in a group, your bags are weighed together and weight allowance is 7 kg multiplied by the number of persons in your group. 

The notice at Changi Airport

The notice shown above states:

1. You are allowed only 1 main carry-on baggage and a small item with TOTAL COMBINED WEIGHT of 7 kg.

2. Certis Cisco Security Officers are employed by Jetstar to verify that your carry-on baggage conforms to the baggage policy. 

3. Certis Cisco Security Officers can check your bags at check-in, at entry points to immigration and at the boarding gate. 

4. Bags not tagged will not be allowed onboard.

What the tag looks like

How to use the FITNESS FIRST INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT

How to use the FITNESS FIRST INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT

The Fitness First International Passport is a membership benefit of Fitness First members who are enrolled in a Full Access Multiclub Plan. It allows the member to use Fitness First Clubs worldwide when they visit a country for a short time.

Since my hotel in Singapore does not have a gym. I decided to use my international passport in Singapore. This is how to use it.

1. Get an international passport card from your home gym before you leave the country.

This the international passport issued by your home club.
Passport and Platinum members can use
clubs of the SAME category for FREE

At the back of the international passport, your details are shown.

2. Check at the local Fitness First website to find out which are the regular Fitness First Clubs and which are Platinum Clubs so you'll know which ones you can use for free.

The screenshot of the website shows that Fitness First Cathay is a regular Fitness First club.
I encircled in black the area where you can find the category of that particular club.

The screenshot of the website shows that Fitness First Paragon is a regular Fitness First club.
I encircled in black the area where you can find the category of that particular club.

3. Bring both your Fitness First membership card and the international passport issued to you by your home club and present both to the Fitness First counter of the gym you're using abroad.

Fitness First Cathay (Singapore)

Unlike other Fitness First Clubs,
this club provides a small and large towel when you register at the counter.

I DIDN'T PAY ANY FEE WHEN I USED FITNESS FIRST CATHAY IN SINGAPORE.

SINGAPORE: My List of Best Food Souvenirs to Bring Home

SINGAPORE: My List of Best Food Souvenirs to Bring Home

The most famous Singaporean dishes are Laksa, Hainanese Chicken and Chili Crab. If you were to bring home a piece of Singapore, the best is to bring home these three dishes. Prima Taste premix is my favorite brand to bring home. 

Why I Love Prima Taste Premix

1. Prima Taste premix captures the authentic taste of Laksa , Hainanese Chicken and Chili Crab. 

2.  It's easy to cook.

3. Each package has all the complete ingredients to make up the dish. You only add the meat. For instance, the Hainanese Chicken premix not only contains the hainanese flavor mix, it also has a pack of chili, soy sauce and ground ginger that are side sauces to the dish.

4. A box of premix is not expensive. As of August 2013, one box cost 7.40 SGD.

5. It's easy to buy. It's available at any Cold Storage supermarket located all over Singapore. Checkout Cold Storage website for the location of branches.

Below is a preview of what's inside the box and what it looks like when cooked:

Chili Crab

Above photo taken from Prima Taste website

What's inside the box:
Chili Crab paste
Chili Crab premix
Extra Hot Chili Mix

You only need to add crab to make this dish
Suggestion: add crabmeat to sauce 

Hainanese Chicken Rice

Above photo taken from Prima Taste website

What's inside the box:
Hainanese chicken rice premix
Hainanese chicken rice fragrance oil
Sesame soya sauce oil
Chili sauce, Chicken rice dark soya sauce, Chicken rice ginger sauce

You only need to add chicken to make this dish

Laksa

Above photo taken from Prima Taste website

What's inside the box:
Laksa paste
Laksa premix
Sambal chili

Cooked sauce

You only add shrimp, tofu, spaghetti, mongo sprouts.
You can add other ingredients depending on your taste.

SINGAPORE: My Guide to Visiting Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice Restaurant

Singapore: My Guide to Visiting Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice Restaurant

Why visit Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice:

1. It's the hawker that made the hainanese chicken rice famous.

2. It's the authentic and original hainanese chicken rice that Singaporeans love. By tasting the original hainanese chicken rice, you can compare with other versions of hainanese chicken rice available at nearby hawker stalls.

3. It won against Gordon Ramsay and the recently held Singtel Hawker Heroes Challenge.

Check out my post "SINGAPORE: Singtel Hawker Heroes v. Gordon Ramsay: A Visit to the Hawker Heroes Challenge Winners"

It's located between along Joo Chiat Road between Joo Chiat Community Club....

... and Katong Junction.

View Larger Map

Restaurant hours.
Take note that all branches are closed on Mondays.

A view of the inside of the restaurant

The menu

The two of us ordered a half chicken at 14 SGD and chicken rice at 3.80 SGD each

The chicken is so tender it melts in your mouth.
The serving is large for 2 people. It's actually good for 3 people.

My tip:

If you're unable to visit this place or would want to bring home a taste of Singapore to your home, I recommend purchasing Prima Taste hainanese chicken rice premix at any Cold Storage supermarket in Singapore located on the shelves of Marinades and Sauces. The taste of this premix is as authentic as the of Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice. Photo is shown below.

Photo taken from Prima Taste website
The cost at Cold Storage is 7.40 SGD per box

SINGAPORE: My Guide to Visiting 328 Katong Laksa

SINGAPORE: My Guide to Visiting 328 Katong Laksa

Why visit 328 Katong Laksa:

1. It's the hawker that made laksa famous.

2. It's the authentic and original laksa that Singaporeans love. By tasting the original laksa, you can compare with other versions of laksa made available at nearby hawker stalls.

3. It won against Gordon Ramsay and the recently held Singtel Hawker Heroes Challenge.

Check out my post "SINGAPORE: Singtel Hawker Heroes v. Gordon Ramsay: A Visit to the Hawker Heroes Challenge Winners"

You can find 328 Katong Laksa at the corner of East Coast Road and Ceylon Road

View Larger Map

Outside dining area at the corner of East Coast Road and Ceylon Road

Air-conditioned dining areas are also available

Where you order and where the laksa is prepared

The cook preparing our laksa

They offer different sizes of laksa servings

We ordered the small laksa at 4.50 SGD each

The content of laksa as advertised

The actual content of the laksa

You can see the consistency and the quantity of coconut milk in the laksa sauce

Other meals offered by 328 Katong Laksa

My tip:

If you're unable to visit this place or would want to bring home a taste of Singapore to your home, I recommend purchasing Prima Taste laksa premix at any Cold Storage supermarket in Singapore located on the shelves of Marinades and Sauces. The taste of this premix is as authentic as the laksa of 328 Katong Laksa. Photo is shown below.

Photo taken from Prima Taste website
The cost at Cold Storage is 7.40 SGD per box