17 Best Ways To Redeem Singapore KrisFlyer Miles for Max Value [2023]

Singapore Airlines is one of the world’s most beloved airlines. The iconic uniforms of Singapore Airlines flight attendants symbolize the airline’s exemplary customer service.

Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) is lauded as one of the best airports in the world, and it is a 24-hour destination in its own right. Many travelers deliberately book long layovers in Singapore to explore, shop, play, and most of all eat!

The airline’s KrisFlyer miles can be earned in many ways, and KrisFlyer is one of the most versatile frequent flyer programs for smart travelers. As a member of Star Alliance, Singapore Airlines also has an extensive network of partners.

Let’s learn the best ways to use KrisFlyer miles for awesome travel around the world!

Best Ways To Earn KrisFlyer Miles

KrisFlyer miles can be transferred from American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Citi ThankYou Rewards (all at a rate of 1:1), and from Marriott Bonvoy at a transfer rate of 3:1 with a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points transferred.

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Business Owner? Check out our article on the best Amex business cards that earn Membership Rewards.

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If you’re a business owner, see our article about the best Chase business cards.

The 17 Best Ways To Use Your Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Miles

1. Singapore Suites Class on the A380 From New York (From 97,000 Miles)

Among the top ways to use Singapore KrisFlyer miles is with Singapore Suites: one of the world’s premier airline experiences. With a companion, this is the mile-high double bed!

Only the A380 has Singapore Suites Class. Not that first class on other aircraft is shabby — but make sure you know what you are getting before you book!

Here are some fun options:

• New York (JFK) – Frankfurt (FRA): 97,000 miles
• New York (JFK) – Frankfurt (FRA) – Singapore (SIN): 148,500 miles
• New York (JFK) – Frankfurt (FRA) – Singapore (SIN) – Sydney (SYD): 188,000 miles

Need help booking? See our step-by-step guide for booking Singapore Suites using points.

Hot Tip: If you are connecting, having a card like Amex Platinum card can be useful for offering lounge access while you wait!

2. Singapore Airlines First Class From Los Angeles to Tokyo or Seoul (120,500 Miles)

Fly first class from Los Angeles (LAX) to Tokyo (NRT) or Seoul (ICN) for 120,500 miles one-way. It’s not Suites Class, but it should certainly do!

Hot Tip: Check out our review of Singapore Airlines’ 777 product in first class from Singapore (SIN) to Sydney (SYD).

3. Singapore Airlines Business Class From San Francisco to Hong Kong or Singapore (From 100,500 Miles)

From San Francisco, your options on Singapore Airlines are Hong Kong (HKG) (currently suspended) and Singapore. In business class, that’s 100,500 miles for Hong Kong or 107,500 miles for Singapore.

Hot Tip: For a complete list of SQ routes to/from the U.S., check out our definitive guide to Singapore Airlines U.S. routes.

4. United Domestic Business or First Class

KrisFlyer is a better value for U.S. transcontinental flights on United than United’s own MileagePlus program.

Business class one-way is 26,000 KrisFlyer miles, and first class is 39,000. Since United MileagePlus no longer offers an award chart, its pricing can often be much higher.

5. United Airlines to Hawaii (From 19,500 Miles)

Hawaii is ever-popular. Flying United, you can get there in economy for 19,500, business for 39,000, or first class for 52,000 KrisFlyer miles.

6. U.S. West Coast on Alaska Airlines (8,500 Miles)

The KrisFlyer Alaska Airlines award chart has some sweet spots. One-way Alaska flights within the U.S. West Coast in economy are only 8,500 miles.

7. U.S. West Coast to Costa Rica, Cuba, and Mexico on Alaska Airlines (13,500 Miles)

Flying for 13,500 miles one-way from the U.S. to Mexico on Alaska is cheap compared to major U.S. airlines. There are often cheap cash fares, though, so be sure to shop around.

8. Singapore Airlines From the U.S. to Europe (From 25,000 Miles)

Want to fly to Europe on a carrier with service that puts U.S. carriers to shame? Yep, that’ll work!

The 2 Singapore Airlines routes are:

• New York (JFK) – Frankfurt (FRA)
• Houston (IAH) – Manchester (MAN)

One-way Saver Award prices for each are:

• Economy — 25,000 miles
• Premium Economy — 52,000 miles
• Business — 81,000 miles
• First — 97,000 miles

If Saver Awards are not available, the more expensive Advantage Awards are 40,000 in economy, 85,000 in business, and 140,000 in first (not offered in premium economy).

Need help booking? See our step-by-step guide for booking Singapore business class.

9. Star Alliance Flights to Europe (30,500 Miles)

KrisFlyer charges 30,500 miles in economy class from the U.S. to Europe on United and other Star Alliance carriers. The major U.S. carriers start at 30,000 miles in their programs, but now that most use a dynamic pricing model, prices can often be much higher.

10. Star Alliance Flights to the Middle East or North Africa (From 52,000 Miles)

Like going from the U.S. to Europe, using your KrisFlyer member miles from the U.S. to the Middle East and North Africa is a solid value at 52,000 miles in economy class, 88,000 miles in business, and 114,000 miles in first.

Surcharges vary by airline and route.

11. Star Alliance Business Class to Central or South Africa (From 60,000 Miles)

Getting to Central and South Africa is expensive, especially in premium cabins. A one-way ticket in economy is 60,000 miles, business class is 111,000 miles, and first class is 167,000 miles.

Star Alliance has the most extensive Africa network with EgyptAir, Ethiopian, and South African all having flights from the U.S. This is one award where with the increase in KrisFlyer award prices, you should take extra time to shop around with other Star Alliance programs for their rates.

Star Alliance carriers in Europe (and Turkish in particular) have many Africa routes that often mirror former colonial ties. Example: TAP Portugal flies to Angola or São Tome and Principe.

12. Virgin Atlantic Upper Class to Europe (From 117,000 Miles)

The KrisFlyer award chart for Virgin Atlantic requires round-trip travel. Party in Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class for only 117,000 miles round-trip. On a Star Alliance carrier, business to Europe would be 130,000 miles.

The catch? About $410 in surcharges each way. If you want to conserve cash instead of miles, use Delta SkyMiles to book Virgin Atlantic instead.

Need Help Booking? Check out our step-by-step guide to booking Virgin Atlantic Upper Class.

13. Lufthansa First Class to Europe (From 121,000 Miles)

Lufthansa first class is another luxury travel dream: 121,000 KrisFlyer miles gets you from the U.S. to Europe one-way.

Make sure to book a long connection in Frankfurt to check out the First Class Terminal … the lounge experience of a lifetime! And note that the fuel surcharge is around $425.

Need help booking? See our step-by-step Lufthansa first class booking guide.

14. South Pacific Island Hopping on Star Alliance (From 13,500 Miles)

If you have an extended Pacific trip planned, KrisFlyer has a fantastic offer. Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific encompass a huge geographic region.

For just 13,500/34,500/47,000 miles each way in economy/business/first class, you can fly within the Pacific. A round-trip flight can add a stopover, and up to 3 additional stopovers are available for $100 each.

Availability can be tough to find for many of these routes, but Air New Zealand domestic and Australia flights have decent award availability. Pacific flights are tough or nonexistent for islands with no other service, such as Niue and Norfolk.

15. South Pacific Island Hopping on Virgin Australia (From 20,000 Miles)

With separate Star Alliance and Virgin Australia award charts, you can’t mix Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia on the same award. The good news is Virgin Australia can do it alone with excellent award availability on many routes.

Of the options to book awards on Virgin Australia (Delta SkyMiles, Etihad Guest, Virgin Atlantic), KrisFlyer and Etihad Guest rival each other for the best value on short flights. KrisFlyer’s free stopover on a round-trip gives it an edge.

Booking up to 3 additional stopovers at $100 each is tempting! Unlike Star Alliance awards, the stopover can be wholly within 1 country.

Australia 1 (Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria) to Papua New Guinea & the Pacific Islands (Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu) is only 20,000 miles one-way. These flights could easily cost you hundreds of dollars!

16. Australia Domestic Flights on Virgin Australia (From 13,500 Miles)

Australia 1 includes Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and many of Australia’s premier tourist attractions, from Cairns and Hamilton Island for the Great Barrier Reef down to Tasmania. All of those are only 13,500 miles in economy class or 34,500 in business.

Virgin Australia domestic business is a great experience with dedicated valet and check-in, and international-level airport lounges. At 34,500 miles, it may be worth the splurge to order a flat white and press your own breakfast melt!

17. Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands (From 16,500 Miles)

These Australian islands in the Indian Ocean are some of the most isolated inhabited islands in the world. Famed for the annual red crab migration on Christmas Island, magnificent beaches, diving, and hiking, these are dream islands you can visit before word spreads.

Virgin Australia is the only regular airline service to both with twice-weekly flights from Perth.

Amazingly, they all sit in Australia 3, meaning you’ll use just 16,500 miles in economy and 32,000 in business. These flights often top $700!

Note: Singapore KrisFlyer award space on Virgin Australia is inconsistent and not always as good as other partners of Virgin Australia. As alternates, try booking with Delta SkyMiles or Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.

Because the flights are operated by Virgin Australia Regional, Etihad is unable to book awards on this route.

Details for the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Program

The great values of KrisFlyer come from 3 features:

1. Access to Singapore Airlines Premium Cabin Awards — These are rarely made available to partner airlines.
2. Star Alliance Network of Airlines (The Largest Airline Alliance) — Awards are competitively priced for travel around the world.
3. Distinctive Airline Partners — Airlines such as Virgin Australia that are not part of an airline alliance have fewer options for travelers to book awards on their flights.

Hot Tip: Singapore Airlines uses a practice called “journey control” on its own flights. This means the same flight segments may or may not be available depending on your origin and destination. For instance, New York-Singapore may not be available, but New York-Kuala Lumpur connecting through Singapore on the same flights may be available. Be flexible in your searches!

Singapore Suites Class

The dream award for many travelers is Singapore Suites Class. You’ll only get it with KrisFlyer miles, not partner miles.

Flights from North America can be tough to snag, but searching Europe to Singapore is much better for award availability. Our advice is to waitlist a bunch of awards and hope to get lucky!

Star Alliance Partners

KrisFlyer can be used to book awards on all Star Alliance member airlines:

Aegean	Ethiopian
Air Canada	EVA Air
Air China	LOT Polish Airlines
Air India	Lufthansa
Air New Zealand	Scandinavian Airlines
ANA	Shenzhen Airlines
Asiana Airlines	Singapore Airlines
Austrian	South African Airways
Avianca	SWISS
Brussels Airlines	TAP Air Portugal
Copa Airlines	Thai Airways
Croatia Airlines	Turkish Airlines
Egypt Air	United Airlines

You can search for awards for most of these airlines on the websites of United, Air Canada, or ANA. The Singapore Airlines website only searches Singapore Airlines flights.

Additional Airline Partners

KrisFlyer partners with the following regional and budget carriers. For the other airlines, you’ll need to call KrisFlyer to search award space and book:

• Scoot, based in Singapore
• Juneyao, based in China
• Vistara, based in India

Krisflyer also partners with both Virgin airlines. Virgin Australia is especially useful because its own program is only open to members in Australia and certain other Pacific countries:

• Virgin Atlantic
• Virgin Australia

For Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia, you can check availability on the Delta website.

How Much Do KrisFlyer Awards Cost?

You can book economy class, premium economy, business, and first class awards with KrisFlyer. Economy and business class generally offer competitive value.

Premium economy usually only costs slightly less than business, so if you have sufficient miles, business class is often the better value.

First class awards are priced high, so save them for the most spectacular redemptions such as Singapore Suites. You cannot redeem for SWISS first class.

The award charts are here:

There is also a handy online redemption calculator.

New Online Search, New Offline Fees

KrisFlyer is progressively rolling out improved online award booking, including partner booking.

For any ticket that can be booked, changed, or canceled online, there is now an offline fee of $25 or 2,5000 miles if calling KrisFlyer to process the transaction. It if cannot be done online, make sure to ask that the fee be waived.

Routing and Stopovers

Singapore is among a dwindling number of airlines that still allow stopovers on awards. You can have a stopover as long as 30 days within the 1-year validity of the ticket, and can have a maximum of 6 segments:

• Saver Awards: No stopovers on one-ways, 1 stopover on round-trips
• Standard and Full Awards: 1 stopover on one-ways, 2 on round-trips
• Star Alliance Awards: 1 stopover on round-trips

Hot Tip: While you need to fly the most direct routing on awards, when flying Singapore Airlines, that most direct routing can mean backtracking through Singapore … perfect if you have that Suites Class ticket and want to maximize your flying time!

There are some exceptions:

• No stopovers in the country of departure
• No stopovers on a ticket entirely in 1 country or intra-Europe tickets
• No stopovers on U.S.-Puerto Rico-U.S. Virgin Islands-Canada tickets
• A stopover cannot exceed 30 days

A single itinerary can have a maximum of 6 segments.

Hot Tip: Up to 3 additional stopovers may be purchased for $100 each on Singapore and Star Alliance round-trip awards. This can be a huge savings over multiple award tickets!

Award Surcharges

KrisFlyer levies high cash surcharges on many awards, but it has recently done away with surcharges for flights on Singapore Airlines.

Compared to other Star Alliance programs, the KrisFlyer miles price may be lower than the cash price.

The following airlines have no or low surcharges:

Hot Tip: Use a card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve card to get some of your surcharges refunded with the travel/airline credits offered.

Award Holds and Waitlist

Officially, there are no award holds on KrisFlyer. Over the phone, you may get lucky and be given up to 3 days, but don’t count on it.

If an award you want on Singapore Airlines is not available, you can waitlist it as long as you have the necessary amount of miles in your account. You can waitlist multiple flights, too, as long as you have enough miles for the most expensive flight you are waitlisting.

Once your award becomes available, you are notified with 24 hours to book (though you are not obligated to book).

Round the World Awards

Round the world awards are an endangered breed. With KrisFlyer, you can book a trip to 7 cities for 180,000 miles in economy class, 240,000 miles in business, or 360,000 miles in first.

Assembling such a trip is a major research undertaking to find all the necessary award availability on Singapore Airlines and its partners, and you have to call to book.

Booking Class Upgrades

Upgrade awards from paid tickets are available on Singapore Airlines and Star Alliance.

You can only upgrade 1 class of service. From economy to premium economy, only expensive Y, B, and E fares may be upgraded; this will generally be a poor award value.

The upgrade award charts are here:

• Singapore Airlines upgrade award chart
• Star Alliance upgrade award chart

Hot Tip: Singapore Airlines premium economy cash fares can often be significantly less than business, and can then be upgraded to business class at a reasonable miles cost.

Miles and Cash

The KrisFlyer miles and cash option is almost always a poor value. A mile is valued at 0.7 cents per point, much lower than booking cash tickets using credit card points (which are usually 1 cent per point at minimum).

Transfer and Family Booking

An area where KrisFlyer lags behind its competition is offering household accounts to pool miles … or even options that allow you to transfer miles for free.

You also cannot book award tickets for just anybody; you must nominate up to 5 people to book awards for.

To take someone off this list, they must have been on your account for 6 months. Then, the change costs 3,000 miles and $30 online, or 5,000 miles and $50 by telephone.

Elite members receive discounts or waivers, depending on status. Big families beware!

Changes and Cancellation

KrisFlyer’s change and cancellation fees are among the lowest in the world. These are attractive to people with unpredictable travel schedules who seek to lock in awards when available. Date changes for Singapore Airlines flights are free.

Other changes to awards are only $20 to change online. Changes by telephone will incur an additional fee of $25 or 2,500 miles (only if the task can be completed online). Changes within 24 hours of departure or no-shows incur a fee of $75.

The cancellation (mile redeposit) fee is only $30, and Singapore Airlines elites pay $15. Again, among the lowest in the world!

Miles Expiration

KrisFlyer miles expire 3 years after they’re earned, regardless of account activity. So don’t hoard miles! If you are transferring from credit cards, don’t transfer to KrisFlyer until you are ready to book an award and have confirmed it is available.

Reviving expired miles for 6 months costs 1,200 miles and $12 per 10,000 miles. Elite members receive discounts or waivers, depending on status.

Final Thoughts

You won’t have a problem finding a way to use your Singapore Krisflyer miles anytime soon! There are nearly unlimited ways to use them; those listed here just happen to be some of our favorites. The best ways to use Singapore KrisFlyer miles will be up to you and your travel desires.

From economy class all the way up to Singapore Suites, Singapore Airlines is a great airline to fly.

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