Why you should join Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
It's a great time to join KrisFlyer, the frequent flyer programme that lets you go further.
By Staff Writers, February 13 2020
Executive Traveller x Singapore Airlines
KrisFlyer, the loyalty programme of the Singapore Airlines Group, offers plenty of rewards for travellers, and with the Singapore Airlines Group reaching nine cities across Australia, it’s a wide-reaching programme that helps you get more out of your travel.
Encompassing Singapore Airlines, SilkAir, Scoot, Star Alliance airlines, and other partners such as Virgin Australia, the KrisFlyer programme is useful whether you’re jetting to New York in Singapore Airlines’ award-winning Suites, or hopping to the Lion City on Scoot.
In partnership with Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
KrisFlyer miles
KrisFlyer allows travellers to earn different types of miles, depending on how they are accrued. Put simply, KrisFlyer miles can be amassed in the air and on the ground, while Elite miles can only be notched up through flying for status and recognition – think of Elite miles as their version of Status Credits, while KrisFlyer miles are points used for redemption.
Whenever you fly on Singapore Airlines, SilkAir, Star Alliance carriers or make eligible bookings on partner airlines like Virgin Australia, you’ll be able to earn KrisFlyer miles. Scoot travellers can also earn KrisFlyer miles when booking through singaporeair.com or flyscoot.com.
The number of miles accrued depends on the route, class of travel, and your booking class – and remember, you can always calculate your miles here. For example, you’ll earn 11,736 KrisFlyer miles for a flexible business class return fare from Sydney to Singapore, redeemable through KrisFlyer for a one-way trip from Melbourne to Cairns with Virgin Australia.
You can also earn KrisFlyer miles on the ground. Using a credit card that allows you to convert points to KrisFlyer miles, it’s easy to use your everyday spend to build up your KrisFlyer miles balance.
In Australia, select cards from American Express, ANZ, Bank of Melbourne, BankSA, Citibank, Diners Club, HSBC, NAB, Suncorp, St.George, and Westpac can all be used to earn KrisFlyer miles without having to set foot on a plane.
And through Singapore Airlines’ partnership with Virgin Australia and Velocity Frequent Flyer, you can transfer points between KrisFlyer and the Velocity programme both ways (converting at 1.55 points/miles to 1 point/mile) – so even if you already have a card that earns Velocity points for you, these can be converted into KrisFlyer miles.
Earn KrisFlyer miles when you shop online with leading brands and retailers.
You can also earn extra KrisFlyer miles when shopping with KrisFlyer Spree and KrisShop. KrisFlyer Spree awards miles with over 150 Australian and 2,000 international merchants including M.J. Bale, The North Face, The Iconic and Apple – and if you purchase with a KrisFlyer miles-earning credit card, you can double-dip on earning KrisFlyer miles. On the other hand, with KrisShop, you can earn 1.5 miles for every SGD$1 (approximately AUD$1).
Travellers can take advantage of KrisFlyer’s various hotel partnerships with global hotel chains such as Accor, Hilton and the Intercontinental Hotels Group and many more, allowing you to earn extra KrisFlyer miles during your stay. You can even convert your hotel loyalty programme points to KrisFlyer miles, including through Shangri-la’s Golden Circle programme.
KrisFlyer Elite miles
KrisFlyer Elite miles, as opposed to KrisFlyer miles, can be earned only when you fly with Singapore Airlines, SilkAir, Virgin Australia, Virgin Atlantic, Vistara or any Star Alliance airline. (For Virgin Australia bookings, you’ll need to make sure these are Singapore Airlines codeshare flights operated by Virgin Australia within Australia, Trans-Tasman, and between Australia and the Pacific Islands.)
Like status credits, Elite miles are used to track your progress towards earning Elite Silver or Elite Gold status. KrisFlyer Elite Silver (achieved at 25,000 Elite miles within a 12-month qualification period) gets you benefits like priority status for waitlists and standby lists. which can mean the difference between getting on that last-minute flight or being stuck at the airport.
Elite Silver members also earn 25% more KrisFlyer miles when flying with Singapore Airlines or SilkAir, getting you closer to your next redemption upgrade.
Singapore Airlines' top-tier frequent flyers enjoy access to the airline's first class lounge at Singapore Changi T3.
At 50,000 Elite miles (achieved within a 12-month qualification period), you’ll attain KrisFlyer Elite Gold, which brings an additional array of benefits including Star Alliance Gold status, priority boarding, worldwide lounge access and extra baggage allowances. You’ll also receive similar recognition and benefits as an Elite Gold member when travelling with Virgin Australia.
For travellers that fly exclusively in Business, First or Suites on Singapore Airlines or Business on SilkAir, KrisFlyer also offers membership to the very exclusive PPS Club – read our unofficial guide to Singapore Airlines’ highest ranks in the KrisFlyer scheme here.
Redeeming with KrisFlyer
Once you’ve amassed a haul of KrisFlyer miles, it’s easy to redeem them for flights, hotel stays and more with Singapore Airlines Group and a range of partners including Virgin Australia and Star Alliance. You can even mix from as little as 980 miles and cash when booking your next flight on singaporeair.com, book hotels and car rentals on KrisFlyervRooms.com or purchase a special gift for a loved one on KrisShop.com.
Turn your KrisFlyer miles into a trip for two in Singapore Airlines' Airbus A380 first class suites.
Award redemptions through KrisFlyer have a number of handy benefits that you won’t get through some other frequent flyer programmes – like the ability to add stopovers (and not just in Singapore) to your trip for minimal outlay. Singapore Airlines also provides excellent value for money when it comes to award flights, for example:
|
Sydney-Singapore, one way |
KrisFlyer miles on Singapore Airlines flights (Saver level) |
Qantas Points on Qantas flights |
|
First class / Suites Class |
85,000 miles + $96.31 |
102,600 points + $232.22 |
|
Business class |
62,000 miles + $96.31 |
68,400 points + $232.22 |
|
Premium economy |
47,000 miles + $96.31 |
51,300 points + $207.22 |
|
Economy |
28,000 miles + $96.31 |
25,200 points + $137.22 |
|
Sydney-London via Singapore, one way |
KrisFlyer miles on Singapore Airlines flights (Saver level) |
Qantas Points on Qantas flights |
|
First class / Suites Class |
163,000 miles + $106.11 |
216,900 points + $452.02 |
|
Business class |
116,000 miles + $106.11 |
144,600 points + $452.02 |
|
Premium economy |
91,500 miles + $106.11 |
108,400 points + $332.02 |
|
Economy |
53,000 miles + $106.11 |
55,200 points + $242.02 |
Once you’re a KrisFlyer member, you can use your miles to book an award seat in any cabin class, or to upgrade to the next-higher cabin class of service for a treat, subject to availability. Singapore Airlines’ premium cabins are world-leading in the amenities and service that they offer – take a tour of their latest A380 here.
KrisFlyer members also get access to exclusive deals, namely the Spontaneous Escapes programme that offers 30% discounts on redemptions (typically for travel in the next month). These are fantastic for making use of your KrisFlyer miles without having to plan months in advance and scour for award seats.
Join KrisFlyer today
If you’re looking for a frequent flyer programme that will make your travel experience miles better, the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer programme is for you. With exclusive benefits and a variety of ways to earn miles, the programme is a natural companion for the savvy traveller.
What’s more, it’s free to join, and now is the perfect time.
In partnership with Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer