Singapore KrisFlyer

Program overview

KrisFlyer is the frequent flyer program of Singapore Airlines, which allows you to earn and redeem miles on Singapore Airlines and its partners, including all Star Alliance members as well as SilkAir, Alaska Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia. The best way to use this program is to book saver award options, which are available on selected routes. 

Both Singapore Airlines and its home base Changi Airport are consistently rated in the Top 10 in the world. 

Point/Miles Conversion Chart

Pros 

• KrisFlyer program is one of the few programs which gives you the ability to waitlist if your desired award seat is not available. It is free of charge and you can be waitlisted for as many flights as you want. In our experience, if a passenger has requested a waitlist for a miles ticket, the airline may confirm it closer to the departure date, on average within 5 days of departure
• Taxes for award tickets are relatively low. They usually do not exceed USD 50 per one way Singapore Airlines ticket
• Krisflyer is a partner to all 4 US credit card super programs
• KrisFlyer program is one of the best deals for Star Alliance redemptions, due to low mileage requirements for awards
• Now through Feb 28, 2022 you can earn Gold Status on Star Alliance by transferring 250,000 points from any of the credit card partners.  The only way that we know to get the status by transferring points
• Family pooling 

Cons 

• Although fuel surcharges are not applied for Singapore Airlines operated flights, it is applied for Star Alliance partners on KrisFlyer. Most partners add these surcharges to their award options and they are quite hefty
• You can buy miles only when you already have 50% for your requested award option
• Like many other programs for East Asia, they limit the number of people who can redeem awards to up to 5 people. Unlike other programs, you do not need to be related. You can change the nominees for a small fee, once every 6 months

Excellent for

• From the US to Hawaii for 12,000 miles in Economy on Alaska Airlines, 17,000 in Economy and 34,500 in First on United Airlines.
• From the US to Singapore/South East Asia for 90,000 miles in Business Class one way.
• New First Class Suite cabin from Singapore to London or Zurich for 125,000 miles.
• 5th freedom flights JFK to Frankfurt and LAX to Tokyo, San Francisco to Hong Kong have better than average award availability. Also, a great opportunity to experience their First Class Suite using miles.

Insider Tips

• Singapore Airlines is consistently rated among the best airlines in the world and its native program KrisFlyer offers more award availability on Singapore Airlines flights than any other program.  
• If you want a First Class Suite, join KrisFlyer because, in our experience, these suites can only be found through this program.
• When planning a multi-leg itinerary using Singapore flights, choose an advantage award with free stopover as it is cheaper than redeeming a separate Saver award for each leg.
• Even if you are not planning to fly Singapore soon, transferring 250,000 points if you have them for Star Alliance Gold status may be a good deal.  As Star Alliance Gold, you will get free baggage, priority access and lounge access even for United domestic flights in coach and you have 3 years to use points for any of their partners.

Do you use this program? Share your experience and tips in the comments below. Your thoughts would be very valuable to us!