This morning I went down to Kuta to order a plane ticket to Singapore, to renew my Business Visa. I’ve had some ups and downs with airlines recently and wanted to get to the bottom of things. My ticket on Garuda (serviced by Malaysia Airlines) to London, was supposedly changeable, as far as the date. “You just call to change at least 24 hours before flight and no problem,” the travel agent told me. Six weeks later I tried that and almost lost the ticket! I was told my ticket was not transferable at all. Only by luck, and using some pressure tactics that I learned over the years, from my colleagues, I got the manager to write me a new ticket.
Singapore is a handy place to do the visa run, it fairly close (2.5 hours direct), easy to navigate and I have been throguh the system before. I once tried processing my Business visa in Bangkok, and got dicked around. Arjuna in Kerobokan told me I didn’t need and onward ticket form Bali, Bangkok said I did and wouldn’t issue the visa without one. Singapore doesn’t care about the plane ticket.
Kadek the travel agent on Poppies I said my London ticket was changeable for free. All I said, was that there are varied tickets, some are for free, some charge to change, some you cannot change. Important to get this straight before you leave on a long trip, or like me you could be standing with your bags at the airport with your ‘hopes’ in your hand.
Today, as predicted, most of the flights to Singapore are fully booked. I did book one, leaving a couple of days earlier than I had wanted, but I have to get to the Embassy on a day when its open, and as a precaution, when its open the next day too, should I not arrive in time (you put the paperwork in before 12 noon, and pick it up in the afternoon). One time I made it to the Embassy at 11.55am after flying from Bali-Yogyakarta-Jakarta-Singapore, and catching a cab downtown. I don’t know if it just me, but it feels like airlines are trying to cram as many people as possible onto the flights and over the last 12 months I’ve been on many packed planes, flying trans-Pacific, tran-Continental and regional. Book early for flights out of Bali.
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Nice stuff you got going here!!! Will surely visit again. Also you should probably highlight good travel deals on your site, generally, being travel related n all. Just my two cents You know..i came across this company on the web the other day and it should thrill travel enthusiasts.. there is this site called Globester..and it offers some amazing fares for international tickets!!
The link is http://globester.com do visit that site.. trust me…it’s awesome stuff!!
Have fun
Maybe I am missing something here, Globester had very high prices for travel to Bali. They advertise low rates but when you plug dates in for travel, they are amazing high. The old “bate and switch” technique… Just my opinion. If flying from US to Southeast Asia, try Eva and China Airlines for budget and Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines for luxury (for a little more). Hope that helps… I go to Bali twice a year, so I like to think I know what I am talking about!!
Nick…
the Singapore Embassy changed some rules for the Visas.
If you arrive on the same day after 10am, the Visa will NOT be issued on the same day ( even with a Agent ).
The best thing is, you flying to Singapore the evening before, call up the agent that he pick up your passport at the morning next day and you will have them back with visa around 1-2pm.. so you can easy catch a 5-6pm flight back to Bali.
Before i had kitas, i made this trip 4 times, always stress, then they changed the flight 30min to late etc. etc….. full pressure 
good lick 
…can you change the good lick..in good luck please ???
Sorry ..hehe
Hi Nick,
Where have you been mate ? Were you in Germany for the football and how long were you there ?
Anyway hello to you and i dont need to ask if all is well because it is ? It wont be long before the little one is speaking Nick, which should be another intersting chapter in your life !
I am organizing something which will take me to Bali in the not too distant future, so hopefully i will be able to sample the BBQ minus the hot ‘Hot coals trick’ matey….heeh hee…..no its not funny really , but look on the bright side Nick that at least you took a double whammy of the hot coals treatment rather than little Jevon, who would have really let you know he was in pain. Hopefully it will heal quick, although make sure Nick that you check it for infection or if you can get some Antibiotics and take a some as a precaution……but remember none of the hard stuff if you do……or just a couple if you have too.
As you have already said your wanderings will be limited due to burnt feet. I still cant help but have a little chuckle as you stood on the second hot coal after burning your first foot. Tutt tutt Nick…..as you say Nick when in Bali dont just pay attention on the roads, but also whenver you get out of bed.
Take care bud,
Mark