Gotta hand it to the Crowne Plaza at Changi Airport in Singapore. Just when I thought I’d seen every rip-off possible, they came up with a new one.
Internet service in the rooms is S$29 (US$21), ridiculously high for an airport hotel. No, any hotel. Now, add to that the GST (goods and services tax), which is required by law and is thus understandable. But then add a 10 percent “service charge,” which definitely is not.
Why impose a service charge — i.e., a tip — on an electronic service that doesn’t require any service at all? Well, manager-on-duty Christine told me, “That’s in case you have to call the company for service; they have to answer the phone.”
Silly me — I thought that was part of the cost of delivering Internet service to begin with!
As for the high price? “It’s set by the third-party Internet company,” she said.
Hey, if you believe that, I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.
