Typically, I prefer to fly out of Singapore Changi Terminals 1 and 2, primarily because they are hubs for Oneworld airlines. However, a last-minute trip required me to fly back to Kuala Lumpur from Terminal 3 on a Saturday morning via Batik Air Malaysia.
Notably, Batik Air Malaysia operates out of Terminal 3. While I initially had no plans to visit any lounges, the timing of my flight allowed me just enough opportunity to explore the newly renovated SATS Premier Lounge at Terminal 3.
Coincidentally, the SATS Premier Lounge had just reopened on July 3rd—a mere week before my flight. For those contemplating whether to use your limited lounge access passes from credit cards at the SATS Premier Lounge Terminal 3, I invite you to continue reading to discover if it’s worthwhile.
Lounge Location
The SATS Premier Lounge at Changi Terminal 3 is strategically located next to the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold Lounge and adjacent to the DBS Private Access Lounge.
Travelers flying with Batik Air Malaysia should note that most flights operated by this airline depart from gates A16 to A21.
This is approximately a 10-minute walk from the lounge. Additionally, due to required security checks, it is advisable to leave the lounge at least one hour before your flight's scheduled departure to ensure a smooth boarding process.
Lounge Access
Gaining entry to the SATS Premier Lounge proved to be quite enlightening. I observed a family of four being turned away due to the lounge reportedly reaching its capacity; they were redirected to the Marhaba lounge instead. However, I accessed the lounge through my CIMB Travel World Elite credit card.
The lounge concierge managed to "squeeze me in," although to my surprise, the lounge was scarcely half-full. This discrepancy leads me to speculate that a significant portion of the lounge might be reserved for outbound premium travelers using specific airlines operating from Terminal 3.
For those interested, here are the credit cards that provide access to this lounge:
CIMB Travel World Elite
CIMB Travel World Mastercard
CIMB Travel Platinum Mastercard
CIMB Preferred Visa Infinite
CIMB Visa Infinite
CIMB Visa Signature
UOB Privilege Banking Visa Infinite
UOB Visa Infinite Metal Card
UOB Zenith World Elite
Alliance Bank Visa Infinite
All AmBank Credit Cards
Note that this list is not extensive. Other credit cards may also provide access but I wanted to cover some of the popular ones. Please refer to your bank for details.
Dining Area
The newly refurbished SATS Premier Lounge in Changi Terminal 3 prominently features its dining area, emphasizing an enhanced food and beverage experience. SATS aims to highlight iconic Singaporean dishes, including laksa, chicken rice, and prawn noodles. Fortunately, my visit at 10:45 AM allowed me to experience the breakfast spread just before it was transitioned to the lunch offerings, providing a unique opportunity to observe the variety and quality of both meal services.
Let's start with the breakfast buffet.
It’s quite remarkable how they manage to make those plain omelettes look so flawless! It’s the little details like that which really enhance the overall dining experience in a lounge.
Moving on, here's the lunch menu.
Personally, the Nyonya fish at the SATS Premier Lounge caught my eye—it looked spectacular. Regrettably, I had already eaten before arriving at the airport, a decision I ruefully regretted upon seeing the impressive food offerings. SATS appears to be elevating their buffet experience to a new level.
While I often visit the BLOSSOM Lounge at Singapore Changi Terminal 4, a joint venture between SATS and Plaza Premium Lounge, I find its food offerings relatively subpar and the cleanliness of the bathrooms lacking.
Returning to the SATS Premier Lounge, one highlight is the unlimited laksa, a signature dish of SATS lounges. This self-service feature requires guests to prepare their own laksa by cooking the noodles and adding the gravy, a process that surprisingly shocked a fellow patron. This hands-on approach adds a unique touch to the lounge's culinary experience.
Naturally, the lounge also provides a selection of typical lounge fare, including pastries, cold cuts, salads, and various finger foods.
These options are perfect for a light snack, though you might prefer to save room for the more unique and filling dishes available, especially given the standout local cuisine offerings.
Of course, no "Premier" lounge would be complete without a selection of alcoholic beverages. SATS has meticulously outfitted its self-service bar area with a broad array of alcoholic options.
While I'm not an aficionado myself, the variety seemed extensive. For those of you who are connoisseurs, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the quality of the beverages available at the SATS Premier Lounge. Are they merely basic offerings, or do they add enough value to make a visit to the lounge worthwhile? Your insights would be greatly appreciated!
The remainder of the beverage selection at the lounge is straightforward. There are two coffee machines available for those needing a caffeine fix, though it's worth noting that there is no barista-made coffee.
Additionally, there's a decent variety of soft drinks and infused beverages on offer, catering to those who prefer non-alcoholic options.
General Seating Area
Moving on to the general seating area of the lounge, it's important to note that the space is relatively compact. The lounge isn’t particularly large, which could explain why the concierge might feel compelled to limit access at times, such as when they turned away the family of four. This smaller size could indeed justify stricter access control to ensure comfort and avoid overcrowding.
The layout of the lounge features a large counter or bar-like seating arrangement that effectively separates the dining area from the rest of the general seating. Each seat at the countertop is equipped with a charging point, catering to the needs of tech-savvy travelers.
Regarding the dining area, it's worth noting that there are only four tables available throughout the lounge. If you're traveling alone, it might be considerate to allow families to use these tables, as the counter seating with high chairs provides a comfortable alternative for individual diners.
The lounge features an abundance of pod-like seats, which I found particularly enjoyable for getting work done.
These individual seating options are well-equipped, each fitted with charging ports, including USB-C connections—a thoughtful and convenient touch by SATS. This setup is ideal for travelers like myself who need to stay connected and productive while waiting for their flights.
Lastly, as expected for any lounge at Singapore Changi Airport, Wi-Fi is readily available and impressively fast. This ensures that travelers can stay connected smoothly and efficiently, whether they're working, browsing, or streaming during their lounge visit.
Shower Suites
Moving on, a notable amenity in the SATS Premier Lounge is the availability of shower suites. While I didn’t personally use them, you can see from the pictures that they appear significantly cleaner than many of the shower suites found in European airport lounges—a definite plus.
However, one downside is that these suites are not attended by any lounge staff.
This means that all lounge patrons have unrestricted access to the sinks and toilets within the shower suites, which could pose a hygiene concern for some users.
Final Thoughts
The SATS Premier Lounge at Changi Terminal 3 truly took me by surprise. It wasn’t until I had spent around ten minutes inside that I realized the lounge had been refurbished. Honestly, the lounge is fantastic, but gaining access can be a bit of a gamble due to its relatively modest size.
For those who have visited the SATS Premier Lounge at Changi Terminal 2, the difference is stark; the Terminal 3 lounge is significantly superior. However, it’s worth noting that the SATS Premier Lounge at Terminal 2 is also slated for refurbishment soon, so improvements are on the horizon there as well.
If you possess any of the credit cards I mentioned earlier, I strongly recommend visiting this lounge. The quality surpasses that of the Plaza Premium Lounge at KLIA Terminal 1 Main Terminal Building, which many of you may be familiar with, though it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the Plaza Premium First.
It looks like I’ll need to book more flights with Batik Air Malaysia to revisit some of the culinary offerings here! Stay tuned for more detailed reviews and insights.
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