Singapore Airlines boosts KrisFlyer Elite Silver benefits

Amid the tiers of Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer frequent flyer program, Elite Silver status has largely been seen as a stepping stone to Elite Gold. However, recent changes have made it more appealing in its own right. 

Where benefits were primarily limited to bonus KrisFlyer miles and standard seat selection, members now enjoy extra checked baggage, in addition to priority check-in and boarding. 

How to earn KrisFlyer Elite Silver status

KrisFlyer status is reached through earning Elite Miles. Think of them as status credits, which are bestowed based on the distance flown and the fare you’ve purchased, as opposed to a combination of flying and day to day activities on the ground.

If holding Silver Elite status is a goal on your vision board, you’ll need to notch up 25,000 Elite Miles in a 12-month period to attain it. Then, the same again in order to retain it.

Gold Elite, on the other hand, requires double that figure: 50,000 in a 12-month period, to be precise.

Here’s a rundown of Singapore Airlines Elite Miles earning rates linked to fare types.

Rather than forcing you to grab a calculator and crunch numbers to see how the above rates relate to your travels, Singapore Airlines provides a convenient miles calculator.

For example, Sydney to Singapore is a distance of 3,912 miles. With this in mind, you’d need to fly at least four times in first class, five times on a business flexi fare, or seven times on an economy flexi fare to secure the Elite Miles needed for Silver status.

Venturing further afield, Sydney to London via Singapore is a distance of 10,576 miles. So, a paid return ticket in first class, business class or Premium Economy Flexi would easily net you Elite Silver after one trip.

A return flight from Sydney to London is all you'll need to land Elite Silver

KrisFlyer members travelling with Star Alliance and selected partners – Virgin Australia, Virgin Atlantic and Vistara – can also pocket Elite Miles. However, every partner earns at a different rate, and these are generally less rewarding than flying on SQ metal.

KrisFlyer Elite Silver: lounge access

Unfortunately Elite Silver status does not give any access to Singapore Airlines or partner lounges – that perk only comes in once you reach Elite Gold.

Priority Pass and other pay-per-use lounges become your friend here, with plenty to choose from in Singapore and most major Australian airports.

KrisFlyer Elite Silver benefits

From July 2024, Elite Silver members now receive an extra 10kg of checked baggage when flying Singapore Airlines and Scoot, or one additional bag on flights to/from the US, where the ‘piece’ rule applies.

In practical terms, you can check in three bags of up to 32kg in Singapore Airlines suites, first, and business class on flights to/from the US, or three bags of up to 23kg each in premium economy or economy class. 

When flying Singapore Airlines, you’ll also enjoy priority boarding, together with priority check-in at counters bearing the Elite Silver logo, where available. These will most likely be offered in Changi. 

Keep an eye out for this sign on the left.

In addition there’s also a standard 25% tier bonus on KrisFlyer Miles, when flying on Singapore Airlines or Scoot (excluding economy class Lite or Value fares).

Standard economy seating is free of charge, and you’ll also get higher processing priority for Singapore Airlines’ own waitlists and airport standby lists.

Elite Miles are set by distance flown and the fare you've booked.

Some KrisFlyer service fees are discounted or waived, such as 50% off the fee to change redemption nominees, which usually requires US$30 (AU$45) or 3,000 miles.

Elite Silver is the equivalent of Star Alliance Silver which, in truth, doesn’t really deliver many benefits on partner airlines, save for priority waitlisting and standby. 

If you’re left feeling a bit empty from Elite Silver, then keep on flying until you reach 50,000 Elite Miles within 12 months to enjoy the brighter world of KrisFlyer Elite Gold.