Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer is one of the most versatile and valuable loyalty programs for premium travel enthusiasts. With access to Singapore’s renowned premium cabins, a wide network of Star Alliance and non-alliance partners, and partnerships with all major transferable points currencies, KrisFlyer offers numerous opportunities for both earning and redeeming miles. Whether you’re planning a luxurious journey in Singapore Suites or looking to maximize value on domestic U.S. flights, this comprehensive guide will help you navigate the KrisFlyer program to get the most from your miles.
KrisFlyer is the frequent flyer program of Singapore Airlines, consistently ranked among the world’s best airlines for its premium service and cabin products. While Singapore Airlines operates primarily from its hub at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), it serves several U.S. destinations including Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Newark (EWR), New York (JFK), and San Francisco (SFO).
One of KrisFlyer’s most distinctive features is that it’s the primary way to book Singapore Airlines’ premium cabins, particularly Singapore Suites and First Class, as these awards are rarely made available to partner programs.
KrisFlyer uses Elite miles for status qualification, which are earned when flying Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Star Alliance carriers, and select partner airlines. Status is valid for 12 months after qualification and requires:
Elite miles are calculated based on the distance flown and the booking class, with premium cabins earning more Elite miles than economy.
For U.S.-based travelers, one of the most valuable benefits of KrisFlyer Elite Gold is access to United Club lounges when flying on domestic United flights—a perk not available with United’s own Silver status.
When flying on Singapore Airlines, you earn KrisFlyer miles based on the distance flown and your fare class. Here’s a breakdown of earning rates:
Elite status members earn bonus miles on top of these base rates:
You can earn KrisFlyer miles when flying with Star Alliance partners and non-alliance partners including:
Earning rates vary by airline and fare class, typically ranging from 25% to 150% of miles flown. You can check specific earning rates on the Singapore Airlines website.
One of KrisFlyer’s greatest strengths is its extensive list of credit card transfer partners:
While Singapore Airlines doesn’t offer a co-branded credit card in the U.S., these transfer partnerships make it easy to accumulate KrisFlyer miles through everyday spending.
KrisFlyer has partnerships with numerous hotel chains and booking platforms:
Earning rates vary by partner, but you can typically earn 1-2 miles per dollar spent or a fixed number of miles per stay/rental.
Singapore Airlines offers two types of award tickets:
Saver Awards include one free stopover on round-trip itineraries, while Advantage Awards include one free stopover on one-way itineraries and two on round-trips. Additional stopovers can be purchased for 100 USD each.
Here are the one-way Saver award rates for popular routes from the U.S.:
One of the most valuable aspects of KrisFlyer is that it’s the primary way to book Singapore Airlines’ premium cabins, particularly Singapore Suites and First Class, as these awards are rarely made available to partner programs.
KrisFlyer uses a separate award chart for Star Alliance partners. Unlike Singapore Airlines awards, Star Alliance awards don’t have Saver and Advantage tiers—there’s just one price. Here are some sample one-way rates:
You can book Star Alliance awards online through the KrisFlyer website by selecting “Star Alliance” in the search results page.
KrisFlyer also has award charts for non-alliance partners like Alaska Airlines and Virgin Australia. These partnerships offer some unique redemption opportunities, particularly for domestic U.S. travel.
For Alaska Airlines, one-way awards start at:
Non-alliance partner awards must typically be booked by phone or through the online partner award form.
While these options provide flexibility, flight redemptions typically offer the best value for your miles.
The most iconic redemptions in the KrisFlyer program are for Singapore Airlines’ premium cabins, particularly:
While these redemptions require substantial miles, they provide access to some of the most exclusive premium cabins in the sky—products that are often impossible to book through partner programs.
KrisFlyer offers excellent value for domestic U.S. travel through its partners:
Singapore Airlines regularly offers “Spontaneous Escapes” promotions that discount select routes by 30% for travel in the upcoming month. These can provide exceptional value, with business class awards sometimes available at economy prices. While U.S. routes are not always included, it’s worth checking these promotions for potential sweet spots.
Introduced in 2021, KrisFlyer Milestone Rewards provide additional benefits as you earn Elite miles on Singapore Airlines, SilkAir, or Scoot flights within a calendar year. These rewards are earned regardless of your elite status level.
These rewards provide additional incentives for frequent Singapore Airlines travelers, particularly those who might not reach elite status thresholds but still fly regularly with the airline.
The PPS (Priority Passenger Service) Club is Singapore Airlines’ exclusive program for premium cabin travelers. Unlike regular KrisFlyer elite status, PPS Club qualification is based on spending rather than miles flown.
PPS Value is earned at a rate of 1 PPS Value per 1 Singapore Dollar (approximately $0.75 USD) spent on Singapore Airlines first and business class fares. Only the base fare and carrier surcharges count—airport taxes and fees are excluded. Economy and premium economy fares do not earn PPS Value.
PPS Club is designed for travelers who frequently fly in premium cabins on Singapore Airlines, and the benefits reflect this premium focus.
Singapore Airlines’ stopover policy is one of the most generous in the industry:
This allows you to visit multiple destinations for the price of one award. For example, you could fly from New York to Singapore with a stopover in Frankfurt, effectively getting two trips for the price of one.
Unlike many programs where activity extends miles validity, KrisFlyer miles expire after 3 years regardless of account activity. Strategies to manage expiration include:
Singapore Airlines allows you to waitlist for awards when your preferred flight or class isn’t available. Tips for successful waitlisting:
For long-haul itineraries with connections, consider booking mixed-cabin awards to save miles. For example, you might book business class for the long-haul segment and economy for the shorter connection. The KrisFlyer website allows you to select different cabins for different segments during the booking process.
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