Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we may receive financial compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology.

Singapore Airlines Places Limits on Business Class Seat Selection

Nick Ellis's image
Nick Ellis
Edited by: Keri Stooksbury
Jump to Section

We may be compensated when you click on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Click for Card Offers (Up to 300k!)

Top Partner Offers

BEST OFFERPlatinum Card® from American Express

Platinum Card® from American Express

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)
As High As 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.
NEW CHATGPT BENEFITThe Business Platinum Card® from American Express

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)
Your Offer Could Be As High As 300,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.
NEW CHATGPT BENEFITAmerican Express® Business Gold Card

American Express® Business Gold Card

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)
Your Offer Could Be As High As 200,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.
TOP PICKAmerican Express® Gold Card

American Express® Gold Card

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)
As High As 100,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

Singapore Airlines has made a change in the business class cabin, limiting the seats that most passengers can select, regardless of when it was booked.

Now, it appears the airline will only allow Priority Passenger Service Club (PPS Club) tier members and those who book a Flexible or Standard business class fare to choose whichever seat they prefer in the business class cabin.

But it’s not all bad news — here’s everything you need to know.

Advertisement

Singapore Restricts Business Class Seat Selection

As first reported by LoyaltyLobby, Singapore Airlines appears to have blocked a portion of the business class cabin on many aircraft and routes, reserving these seats for its PPS Club tier members and for anyone who books Flexible or Standard (i.e., the most expensive) business class fares.

This results in a situation where those without PPS Club tier status, who are traveling on award tickets, or who book a discounted business class fare can only select seats in the less-desirable portion of the business class cabin.

If you make a dummy booking, you’ll notice that the front end of the business cabin is blocked for many flights where discounted business class tickets are available. Here’s an example of a Business Lite fare on a flight from Singapore (SIN) to Bali-Denpasar (DPS):

Singapore Airlines business class SIN DPS
The front portion of the business class cabin is blocked when selecting a discounted business fare. Image Credit: Singapore Airlines

However, Singapore’s website makes no formal declaration that this is the case, which could be confusing to flyers.

Singapore Business Lite Ticket Conditions
Singapore’s fare breakdown makes no mention of seat selection restrictions. Image Credit: Singapore Airlines

However, there is a silver lining in all of this. Unlike seemingly every other airline, Singapore does not charge an additional fee to select a seat in the business class cabin. We hope this isn’t changing in the future, as charging even more money on top of an already very expensive business class fare is in no way customer-friendly.

Hot Tip:

To learn more about earning and burning KrisFlyer miles, read our in-depth review of the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer program.

Final Thoughts

It seems Singapore Airlines has made a change that restricts seat selection in business class. PPS Club tier members and those who’ve booked a Standard or Flexible business class fare have free rein to select any available seat they want in the cabin. The rest are restricted to choosing seats in the back of the cabin — which many people regard as less preferable.

Still, the airline doesn’t levy any additional fees for selecting a seat, which is great news, especially considering that so many airlines now do.

Nick Ellis's image

About Nick Ellis

Nick’s passion for points began as a hobby and became a career. He worked for over 5 years at The Points Guy and has contributed to Business Insider and CNN. He has 14 credit cards and continues to leverage the perks of each.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE™

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy  and terms of service  apply.

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse

We Recommend

Platinum Card® from American Express

  • You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
Show more
  • $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay. Effective January 1, 2027, Fine Hotels + Resorts® bookings will require a minimum two-night stay to be eligible for the $600 Hotel Credit.
  • With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 Delta Sky Club visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight, Priority Pass membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. *As of 08/2026.
  • $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
  • $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
  • $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights™ by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. As a Platinum Card® Member you have special access to reservations on select nights at participating sought after Resy restaurants through Platinum Nights™ by Resy. Simply add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to book your reservation.
  • $219 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 60+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $219 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to The Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
  • Whatever the occasion, choose from our two signature collections of premium hotels, curated to inspire and excite you when you book through Amex Travel™: Fine Hotels + Resorts® is a collection of over 1,900 luxury hotels that are destinations unto themselves and the Hotel Collection includes over 1,400 upscale hotels in desirable destinations.
  • $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Get up to a $12.95* statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Platinum Card®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.
  • $895 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.
DMCA.com Protection Status