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The deadline for redeeming the SingapoRediscovers vouchers (SRV) was at 11:59pm on Dec. 31, 2021.
Many Singaporeans hoping to redeem their S$100 SRV on the last day of the year found themselves staring at a circular buffer, a non-functional website, or behind a long queue of people trying to troubleshoot issues with their booking.
Others complained that their bookings were cancelled after receiving confirmation of the booking number and having paid for the tickets.
Server error
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) had already said on Dec. 30 that SRV physical counters and authorised booking partners "have been experiencing a high volume of traffic" as it was nearing the deadline for redemption.
The number of people making a mad dash to use the vouchers predictably soared as the deadline loomed.
Mere hours before the deadline, more and more users complained that they were facing issues with the website.
Deadline extended by 1 hour
With the rush to use tickets still not ceasing, the deadline had to be moved back by one hour.
On the comment posted at 11:58pm, STB said the deadline for online bookings was extended until 1am.
Screenshot via Singapore Tourism Board/FB.
Image via a Mothership reader.
The extension allowed some users to successfully process their bookings past midnight, but many transactions could not go through.
Screenshot via Singapore Tourism Board/FB.
Screenshot via Singapore Tourism Board/FB.
This prompted many commenters on the Facebook post to ask for a longer extension in light of the issues with booking.
Screenshot via Singapore Tourism Board/FB.
Screenshot via Singapore Tourism Board/FB.
Bookings cancelled
Even after bookings were made successfully, some customers were unhappy after realising that their bookings were cancelled shortly after.
Screenshot via Singapore Tourism Board/FB.
Screenshot via Singapore Tourism Board/FB.
Screenshot via Singapore Tourism Board/FB.
Screenshot via Singapore Tourism Board/FB.
Commenters chide people for booking last minute
Given how the deadline for redeeming the SRV have been extended multiple times, some joined in on the comments section of the Facebook post to gloat and chide those trying to pull off last-minte bookings.
Screenshot via Singapore Tourism Board/FB.
Screenshot via Singapore Tourism Board/FB.
Screenshot via Singapore Tourism Board/FB.
Screenshot via Singapore Tourism Board/FB.
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Top image by Yee Jenn Jong/Facebook.