Best Ways to Book Singapore Airlines First Class Using Points (Step-by-Step)

BY 

Stephen Au

- UPDATED: April 26, 2021   |    23

1. Travel  / 
2. Airlines

23

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Long considered one of the best experiences in flying, traveling in Singapore Airlines’ first class is a luxury you won’t want to miss. Specifically, Singapore Suites is one of the best first class cabins in the industry.

Not only is the inflight product amazing, but Singapore’s flight attendants are some of the most attentive in the industry. They are there with whatever you might need during your flight. The craziest thing is that Singapore Airlines actually has 2 types of first class suites. The older one, which was unveiled in 2007, while the newer one debuted in 2017.

Both of these are found on the A380, though as you can probably imagine, the newer one is offered on fewer routes.

You’re probably dying to know exactly what to expect and how to book this as soon as possible, so let’s get into it!

Update: Due to reduced travel demand caused by the spread of Covid-19, Singapore is blocking first-class inventory on all of its flights through November 30 at the earliest on the 777-300s and A380s.

A Look Inside Singapore Airlines’ New Suites

These flights operate the brand-new A380, which Singapore Airlines only recently took delivery of, so now is absolutely the best time to try it. What can I expect, you may ask?

This. 

It’s a huge step up from the older suites because you get even more space and a separate seat and bed!

Instead of the older Singapore Suites’ configuration of 1-2-1 (which we’ll get to below), you will enjoy an unprecedented level of privacy and space (1-1-1). The new suites measure up at 50 square feet, which is more real estate than you’ll know what to do with.

First, the main seat is a Poltrona Frau leather armchair, which is adjustable and can rotate up to 270 degrees. Additionally, you will have a separate bed, which is 27 inches in width and 6 feet 4 inches in bed length.

Your bedding and pajamas will be Lalique-branded, and the you’ll have no problem sleeping on this flight.

Next to your seat is a huge table for eating and working, and Singapore Airlines consistently gets the highest marks for their fine dining, catered by the International Culinary Panel of chefs.

How does some fine Krug champagne sound to you? Specifically, the 2004 vintage, which retails for ~$250 per bottle.

Lalique amenities are on offer here, and this amenity kit is filled with goodies.

Of course, pajamas are a given, and it just so happens that Lalique is the designer brand here.

Once you walk into the first class lavatories, you’ll see a huge vanity counter and separate toilet.

The new first class suites are extremely technologically advanced, and you can control your in-flight monitor with your own personal tablet. The seat controls are thoughtfully designed and executed.

Hot Tip: Want to learn more about the new first class suites? Check out our in-depth review (with amazing pictures) of  Singapore Airlines’ new first class suites!

As we mentioned above, the Singapore Airlines new first class suites is offered on a select list of routes to/from Singapore.

In decreasing order from longest to shortest flights, these are:

• Singapore (SIN) – London-Heathrow (LHR) on SQ322 and SQ317 only [~13 hr 30 min]
• Singapore (SIN) – Zurich (ZRH) on SQ345 and SQ346 only [~12 hr 40 min]
• Singapore (SIN) – Sydney (SYD) on SQ 232 and SQ 221 only [~7 hr 45 min]
• Singapore (SIN) – Shanghai (PVG) on SQ 833 and 830 only [~ 5 hr 20 min]
• Singapore (SIN) – Hong Kong (HKG) on SQ 861 and 856 only [~ 3 hr 45 min]

Hot Tip: Notice that there are no U.S. routes offering the new first class suites. If you’re originating from the U.S., check out our definitive guide on Singapore Airlines’ direct U.S. routes!

A Look Inside Singapore Airlines “Old” Suites

To fly Singapore Airlines older Suites, you will need to find a route that is operated by an Airbus A380, since the Singapore Suites are offered exclusively on this aircraft. Furthermore, the older suites are simply offered on A380 flights that don’t have the new first class suites.

The fun doesn’t just start once you board your flight, though. You’ll enjoy a luxury experience from the moment you arrive at Singapore’s Changi Airport.

As soon as you arrive at the airport (at the entrance exclusively for Singapore Suites and first class passengers), you will be greeted by a porter and a passenger relations officer from Singapore Airlines.

From there you will be escorted to a seat at a check-in desk. If all are occupied, you will be provided a seat in the first class check-in lounge while you wait.

Once checked in, you will be provided your boarding pass and the golden ticket: an invitation to the Private Room, Singapore’s most exclusive lounge.

Your passenger relations officer will then escort you to immigration, and you will be on your way.

Once at Singapore Air’s SilverKris Lounge, you will be escorted into the Private Room where you can enjoy champagne, snacks, and even a fine dining experience.

No one will blame you if you aren’t quite ready to board your flight, but don’t worry! The fun only continues once you’re onboard.

Once at your suite, you’ll notice that you can pull the shades and close the doors for complete privacy. Of course, all seats are lie-flat and have direct aisle access. If you’re traveling with a significant other, the middle 2 seats can become a double bed if you so desire.

After you’ve settled in, a flight attendant will show you around your suite and offer you a pre-departure beverage and snack. You will also provide your meal order or confirm your meal choice if you reserved with “Book the Cook” prior to the flight.

Singapore Airlines does all the little things right. You will receive a first class amenity kit provided by Salvatore Ferragamo and pajamas provided by Givenchy. If you are celebrating an occasion like a birthday, honeymoon, anniversary, etc., just give them a call before your flight and let them know. You could get a special cake and souvenir to celebrate!

Hot Tip: For a full review & tons of photos of Singapore’s “new suites”, check out this SQ Suites A380, Double Bed Review (Zurich to Singapore). 

A Look Inside Singapore Airlines First Class

After hearing what you get with Singapore Suites, you might be worried about flying first class if it’s not on the Airbus A380. Fear not: Singapore’s first class product is also fantastic.

From the first class check-in to the Private Room to the amazing service, you will definitely have a phenomenal time.

The biggest difference is the seat. Rather than an enclosed suite, you will have a more traditional seat. However, the seat and the small cabin size provide plenty of privacy.

Each seat has direct aisle access and is lie-flat. At 35 inches wide, it’s also one of the widest seats available on an airplane, so you’ll have plenty of space!

How to Fly Singapore First Class Using Points

Now that you have a sense of how amazing this flight is going to be, let’s talk about how to book it.

Singapore KrisFlyer

If you want to book this flight, you are limited to a single frequent flyer program. Singapore only allows Suites and first class to be booked through their own KrisFlyer program.

You can book your flight online by following these steps:

1. Visit the Singapore Airlines website
2. Choose “Redeem Flights”
3. Choose your travel dates and your desired route
4. Choose “First” as the cabin
5. Click “Search”
6. Choose your flight

Hot Tip: Use our Transfer Partner Calculator to quickly determine how many miles you’ll get for transferring between programs.

You might see “Waitlist” space available rather than actual award space. If you want to put yourself on the waitlist, you will need miles available in your KrisFlyer account to do so.

Many have had success reaching out to Singapore Airlines to get moved off the waitlist by requesting a chaser (i.e., a request to open up more award space) prior to departure.

Singapore Airlines also allows you to book a stopover on award tickets. They are free for round-trip saver level awards, and you can add extra stopovers for around $100. You can add a stopover by calling after booking online, or you can simply book over the phone.

In some cases, you might be able to get a Singapore customer service representative to put an award on hold for you. There isn’t an official policy that we’ve seen, but many people have been able to place awards on hold for at least a couple days.

These holds can be particularly useful if you are transferring points from one of Singapore’s partners. If one agent won’t allow you to put an award on hold, hang up and call again.

Other Options for Booking Singapore Airlines

Unfortunately, you cannot book Suites or first class with any other award programs. You can book economy flights through any of their Star Alliance partners including Air Canada Aeroplan, ANA Mileage Club, and Asiana Club.

Great Singapore Airlines Suites and First Class Redemptions

Singapore Airlines is a fantastic way to get to Southeast Asia, but there is currently only 1 way to fly Suites from the U.S.: from New York City (JFK) to Singapore with a connection in Frankfurt (FRA). Suites class on this booking will cost you 120,000 KrisFlyer miles.

You could also just fly to Frankfurt from New York City for 86,000 miles if you want to visit Europe. On the other end of the spectrum, you could fly from New York City all the way to Sydney (connecting in both Frankfurt and Singapore) for 152,000 miles.

From the West Coast, you can fly first class on a Boeing 777 from San Francisco (SFO) or Los Angeles (LAX) to Singapore (SIN) via Hong Kong (HKG) or Tokyo-Narita (NRT), respectively, for 118,000 miles. There are also nonstops offered by Singapore Airlines to Singapore from San Francisco and Los Angeles, but they only feature business class and premium economy.

There is one final piece of information you need when booking Singapore Suites and first class flights: they have a separate award chart for itineraries that involve flights operated by Star Alliance partners.

To book Star Alliance awards, you need to find award space online as directed above, then use Aeroplan to find United award availability for connecting flights. Finally, you’ll call Singapore Airlines (312-843-5333) to provide the necessary flight info to an agent.

The “quick and dirty” Singapore Airlines new first class suites one-way award costs are here:

Here’s a quick comparison of some of the options:

The above routes work in both directions, so you can flip the departure and destination for the same price.

Singapore Airlines no longer imposes fuel surcharges on awards booked on its own flights, so the total taxes and fees won’t be steep.

How to Earn Enough Miles for Singapore First Class

KrisFlyer miles can be transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, and Citi Thank You Rewards (all at a rate of 1:1), or from Marriott at a transfer rate of 3:1.

Recommended Chase Cards (Personal)

Business Owner? See our article on Chase business cards that earn Ultimate Rewards.

Recommended Amex Cards (Personal)

Business Owner? See our article on Amex business cards that earn Membership Rewards.

Recommended Marriott Cards

Hot Tip: For even more ways to earn Singapore miles, read our article here!

When Should You Search for Award Space?

Singapore Airlines releases award space just over 350 days from departure. Finding Suites or first class space can be very difficult, so the sooner you start searching the better.

It is often easier find award space when returning to (rather than departing from) the U.S.

What Makes This a Great Redemption?

Singapore Suites and first class are certainly among the top redemptions available if you’re looking for a luxury flight experience. Singapore’s stellar amenities ensure you will definitely make the most of your points, both in the air and on the ground!

The Private Room Lounge

Ever wondered what a first class lounge within a business class lounge would be like? How about an even more exclusive lounge within a first class lounge that’s within a business class lounge?

Well, you don’t have to wonder! When you fly Singapore Suites or first class, you can relax in the Private Room, where you’ll be able to enjoy a glass (or 2) of champagne and grab a snack.

The Singapore staff are ready to help with anything you need; you only have to ask. If you’re shy, that’s okay! They will stop by to check on you and see if you want anything.

If you’re in the mood for a meal, grab a seat in the Private Room’s own restaurant. You can order anything you like from the menu, and even pair your meal with a glass of wine.

While Singapore Airlines doesn’t have showers on their Airbus A380s like Emirates and Etihad, they do have great showers in their lounge so you can freshen up before or between flights.

First Class Dining

Singapore Air is famous for its “Book the Cook” service that allows you to choose your meals before you board. This is a great way to guarantee you get the meal you want.

Probably the most famous dish they serve is the lobster thermidor. You’ll definitely want to book this prior to your flight!

Make sure you reserve your meal at least 24 hours before departure to ensure you receive the meal you want. They also have a number of tasty a la carte menu options if you do not book in advance.

Don’t forget to have some Krug and Dom Perignon champagne when you board (and throughout the flight).

First Class Service

This is one area where Singapore Airlines really stands out. The crew members are ever-present, but they assist without disturbing you. They have an amazing way of anticipating your needs and happily helping you whenever you have a question or you want something to eat or drink.

If you like hot towel service, you’ll be in luck here too. You’ll have multiple opportunities to refresh, which can be just what you need on those long flights of 10+ hours.

Final Thoughts

If it seems like we love Singapore Suites and first class, it’s because we do! From the moment your journey begins, this is a true luxury experience. What else could you ask for when on vacation?

Though only being able to book Suites and first class with KrisFlyer miles might seem like a problem, the fact that Singapore Air partners with all 4 transferable points programs mean you’ll never have trouble earning the miles.

This is definitely an experience you’ll want to try at least once (or twice… maybe 3 times!) in your life.

If you want to Singapore one way or another but don’t think this is the right redemption for you, check out our article: The Best Ways to Fly to Singapore With Points and Miles [Step-by-Step] for additional award options.

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