How to get a Singapore Airlines status match

Singapore Airlines is rightly regarded as among the world’s best airlines, and its KrisFlyer loyalty program one of the most rewarding (no pun intended).

The sweet spot is KrisFlyer Elite Gold, which unlocks lounge access not only to Singapore Airlines lounges but those of Star Alliance partner airlines around the world, along with other practical perks such as a higher checked luggage allowance and priority treatment at the airport.

Reaching the heights of KrisFlyer Elite Gold is no easy task: you need to fly enough to earn  50,000 Elite Miles within 12 months.

That’s equivalent to anywhere from 25,000 actual miles to 100,00 miles, depending on your fare and travel class (the more you pay, the higher your ratio of Elite Miles to actual miles).

Is there a shortcut to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Elite Gold status?

Yes, and in fact there are several – including the option of a prized ‘status match’ for travellers who already hold top-tier status with another airline.

Let’s run through the options.

The Singapore Airlines status match

Unlike some carriers such as Delta Airlines, Etihad Airways, Turkish Airlines and United Airlines, Singapore Airlines doesn’t run an ongoing status match offer.

Instead, SQ’s approach is similar to the Cathay Pacific status match or Emirates status match – you need to contact the airline and request a status match, while also putting your best foot forward as to why you deserve gratis status.

This shouldn’t put you off: it’s just Singapore Airlines being understandably protective of the ‘quality’ of its KrisFlyer tiers and offering. 

And it’s quite possible the airline may extend to you a fast track to KrisFlyer status (sometimes also known as a ‘status challenge’) where you need to do a certain number of flights within a set timeframe, rather than just have a shiny KrisFlyer card magically appear in your travel wallet.

To begin with, you’ll need to hold suitable mid- or high-tier status with another airline: ideally a competitor, although there have been instances of Singapore Airlines offering status to frequent flyers on some Star Alliance partners such as Lufthansa and Thai Airways.

Smile: you're on you way to KrisFlyer Elite Gold.

It’ll also help if you’re recently flown on Singapore Airlines and/or have upcoming Singapore Airlines flights already booked – this helps show you’re not just some lazy lounge lizard who wants to freeload their way to SQ status.

To get the ball rolling on Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer status match or fast track, contact Singapore Airlines through the online form or via their app – then explain that you’re enquiring about a KrisFlyer status match and why you’re applying for one.

Maybe you’ve changed jobs or roles and there’s now a lot more travel involved, especially to Singapore or Asia? Perhaps your company travel policy is now less restrictive and you’d like to swing your flying over from a competitor to SQ?

If the person responding to your request believe you’re a solid prospect, they’ll usually send you a Status Match Request Form to complete.

This is another stage to ‘qualify’ Singapore Airlines status match candidates: you’ll need to detail your company and your role, along with your current frequent flyer status level with another airline, recent travel with that airline and your expected future travel with Singapore Airlines.

If you can supply booking reference numbers for any upcoming Singapore Airlines flights, even better.

Obviously you’ll also be expected to supply evidence of your status with another airline as well as a copy of your frequent flyer account proving you earned that status through actual flying (to avoid people who leap-frog from one status match to another to another).

Of course, there’s no guarantee Singapore Airlines will accede to your request – but should they feel you’re a worthy catch for KrisFlyer, you can expect to be offered a KrisFlyer status match or a very achievable fast track to status.

An excellent resource for reading up on Singapore Airlines status matches and fast tracks before you apply is the StatusMatcher website.

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Elite Gold status with your credit card

Another shortcut to KrisFlyer Elite Gold status is the HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card.

Spend $4,000 or more with your HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card in the first 90 days of getting the card and you can choose a full year of complimentary Gold-grade status with seven members of the Star Alliance – and Singapore Airlines is of course on that list.

The HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card also lets you earn frequent flyer points on eligible everyday purchases at a rate of one point per dollar, so you can keep piling up those KrisFlyer miles.

Click here for more details on the HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card.

The Singapore Airlines / Marriott Bonvoy status match

Though a partnership with the Marriott hotels group, Singapore Airlines offers high-tier Marriott Bonvoy members a fast track to KrisFlyer status once they link their Bonvoy and KrisFlyer accounts at the Marriott website.

Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite members can get KrisFlyer Elite Silver status by taking two Singapore Airlines flights (regardless of the travel class and length of the flight) within six months. 

Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite or Ambassador Elite members are awarded instant KrisFlyer Elite Silver status for 12 months, with the ability to step up to KrisFlyer Elite Gold by taking four Singapore Airlines flights (again, regardless of the travel class and length of the flight) within six months.

The Singapore Airlines / Shangri-La Circle status match

Singapore Airlines also offers a similar arrangement to members of the Shangri-La Circle loyalty program through wha’s termed the Infinite Journeys partnership.

By linking their Shangri-La Circle and KrisFlyer accounts at the joint Infinite Journeys website, members of Shangri-La Circle’s mid-tier Jade and Diamond levels can elevate their KrisFlyer status as follows:

Shangri-La Circle Jade members receive instant KrisFlyer Elite Silver status, which can be upgraded to KrisFlyer Elite Gold by taking three Singapore Airlines flights within four months. 

Shangri-La Circle Diamond members also receive instant KrisFlyer Elite Silver status, but can pocket KrisFlyer Elite Gold by taking just one Singapore Airlines flight within four months.

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