How to Maximise Your KrisFlyer Miles With Spontaneous Escapes

Itching for a spontaneous escape? Well, if you're a KrisFlyer member, you can!

Look, we understand. Even if you’re diligently optimising your miles accumulation by using the right card everywhere, it can take a long time to save up for a dream holiday – especially if you want to fly Business Class or bring the whole family along.

If that’s your situation, then Spontaneous Escapes can be the answer. In this article, I'll walk you through the ins and outs of Singapore Airlines’ popular monthly promotion for KrisFlyer members. 

Table of contents

• What are Spontaneous Escapes flights?
• What to know about Spontaneous Escape flights?
• How to book a Spontaneous Escape flight?
• Tips to secure a Spontaneous Escape booking
• Conclusion

What are Spontaneous Escapes?

Spontaneous Escapes are a monthly series of discounted Business, Premium Economy and Economy Class redemptions to selected destinations.

The typical discount is 30% off the usual mileage requirement for Saver awards, though there have been very limited instances in the past where the discount has been increased to as much as 51%. Spontaneous Escapes discounts do not apply to upgrades, Star Alliance or other partner awards. 

These awards are usually released on the 15th of every month (unless that day happens to be a weekend or public holiday, in which case they’re released the next working day), and remain bookable up till the last day of that month.

What’s the catch?

As nice as it is to save 30% off award tickets, there are some caveats I should highlight about Spontaneous Escapes awards.

You have to travel the following month

As the name suggests, you need to be able to “escape spontaneously”. All travel is for the following calendar month, no exceptions. For example, Spontaneous Escapes released on 15 December 2023 must be booked by 31 December 2023, for travel between 1-31 January 2024. 

Unless your job allows you to take leave at the last minute, or you’re willing to block leave in advance without certainty of where you’re heading, Spontaneous Escapes may not be for you.

Blackout dates apply

Want to travel around a long weekend or school holidays? That’s great – so does everyone else. Spontaneous Escapes may come with blackout periods, so you may not be able to travel on exactly the dates you want.

Limited inventory

Spontaneous Escapes awards are first-come-first-serve, and in limited supply. I’d highly recommend booking them on the day they become available, because popular destinations will be snapped up in no time at all.

No cancellations or changes

While regular KrisFlyer awards can be cancelled or changed for a fee, Spontaneous Escapes awards are strictly non-changeable or non-refundable. If you can’t fly, you forfeit your miles, simple as that.

Here’s the problem: most travel insurance policies don’t cover the loss of airline miles. That’s to say, you may be unable to travel due to a covered reason e.g. illness, but the policy won’t reimburse you for the value of the forfeited airline miles used on your Spontaneous Escapes reservation. 

If you’re going to book a Spontaneous Escapes award, I highly recommend choosing a travel insurance policy that covers the loss of airline miles, such as Singlife Travel Insurance or AIG Travel Guard Direct.

Read more:
Best-Priced Travel Insurance: FWD, Starr, Singlife, Allied World
Travel Insurance Comparison: Singlife vs FWD vs MSIG
Travel Insurance Coverage: How Much Are You Getting Per S$1 Premium Paid?
Best Travel Insurance Plans And Promotions In Singapore

Not all destinations are covered

The most important thing to understand about Spontaneous Escapes is that this is Singapore Airlines’ way of filling up seats that would otherwise fly empty. Therefore, it’s highly unlikely you’ll see Spontaneous Escapes to London during the December peak travel season.

If your heart is set on travelling to a specific destination in a specific month, waiting for Spontaneous Escapes would be a gamble.

How to book Spontaneous Escapes awards

Assuming none of those caveats are deal breakers, you can book Spontaneous Escapes awards via the singaporeair.com website or SingaporeAir mobile app. These awards cannot be ticketed by phone. 

You’ll find these awards listed under a special Promo category. The booking process is identical to a regular Saver or Advantage booking. There are no limits to the number of Spontaneous Escapes awards a member can book.

Do note that, unlike regular KrisFlyer awards, Spontaneous Escapes awards cannot be waitlisted – they’re either available or they aren’t! 

If you’re booking a round-trip ticket, it’s not possible to combine a Promo award with a Saver or Advantage award in a single itinerary. If a Promo award is only available in one direction, you will need to make two separate one-way bookings. 

If you do not see any Spontaneous Escapes awards, it could be the case that all awards have already been redeemed. It’s not unheard of for additional awards to be released later in the month, however, so you might want to check back later.

Alternatively, you might be looking at a period with blackout dates, or in the wrong direction (e.g. Spontaneous Escapes may be available from Singapore to destination X but not the other way round). 

See also: 8 Ways to Redeem Your Expiring KrisFlyer Miles

My tips for Spontaneous Escapes bookings

Here’s a little tip for booking Spontaneous Escapes awards: while Singapore Airlines announces the release of Spontaneous Escapes around lunchtime on the 15th, inventory is loaded in the morning.

In other words, by doing a little guess-and-check for different dates and destinations, you can get first dibs before the list is officially published! Remember to look out for the Promo award category, and try different permutations until you find something you like.

Also, while there’s no knowing for sure which destinations will be featured each month, you can try looking at the same period last year for a hint at what might be offered (the idea being that travel is seasonal, so March 2023 should follow the same demand patterns as March 2024). I’ve compiled a collection of each month’s Spontaneous Escapes destinations over on my website, which you can refer to here.

If you have an existing Saver or Advantage award, and the flight you’re on subsequently appears on Spontaneous Escapes, it may be worth cancelling that award and booking a new one to save on the miles. This really boils down to whether the miles saved are worth more than US$50 (the cancellation fee for an Advantage award) or US$75 (the cancellation fee for a Saver award). For short-haul destinations like Bali or Kuala Lumpur, it’s unlikely to be worth it. For long-haul flights to Europe or the USA, it almost certainly is. 

Do make sure you book the Spontaneous Escape award first, then cancel your old booking. The last thing you want is to be in a situation where you have no ticket to fly!

See also: 7 Common Mistakes People Make When Redeeming Miles

Conclusion

Spontaneous Escapes are a great way to stretch your miles, with the 30% discount allowing you to fly four people for less than the price of three. Just be aware of the unique restrictions you’ll face regarding availability, dates and cancellation policies. 

Set a calendar reminder for the morning of the 15th each month, and get a jump on everyone else!

Best Miles & Travel Credit Cards

Maximise your budget holiday spend even further with the best air miles credit cards and best credit cards for travelling in Singapore. Get rewarded whenever you spend locally or overseas, plus access awesome perks like airport lounges, discounted travel insurance rates, and even free gifts for first sign ups!

Credit Card	Best for/Benefits	Details	Min. Annual Income
Citi PremierMiles Card Apply Now	- S$1 = 10 miles on Bookings at Kaligo - S$1 = 7 miles on Hotel Bookings at Agoda - S$1 = 2 miles on Foreign Spend   - S$1 = 1.2 miles on Local Spend   - 2 free airport lounge visits per year with Priority Pass - Up to S$1 million complimentary Travel Insurance coverage when you charge travel tickets to card	- Miles awarded as Citi Miles, which never expire - S$27 per redemption - Annual fee: S$196.20 (First year free)	- Local/PR: S$30,000 - Foreigner: S$42,000
DBS Altitude Card Apply Now	- S$1 = 3 miles on Agoda Bookings - S$1 = 2.2 miles on Foreign Spend   - S$1 = 1.3 miles on Local Spend   - 2 free airport lounge visits per year with Priority Pass	- Miles awarded as DBS Points, which never expire   - 5,000 DBS Points = 10,000 KrisFlyer Miles - S$27.25 (incl. GST) per redemption - Annual fee: S$196.20 (First year free)	- Local/PR: S$30,000 - Foreigner: S$45,000
OCBC 90°N Miles Card Apply Now Apply Now	- S$1 = 1.3 miles on Local Spend   - S$1 = 2.1 miles on Foreign Spend   - S$1 = 7 miles on Agoda Bookings in Foreign Currency   - S$1 = 6 miles on Agoda Bookings in Local Currency	- 90°N Miles never expire   - 1 90°N Mile = 1 KrisFlyer Mile   - 90°N Miles can be redeemed per blocks of 1,000 Miles   - Exchange 90°N Miles for cash rebates, vouchers, or offset travel costs too   - Annual fee: S$196.20 (Frist year free)	- Local/PR: S$30,000   - Foreigner = S$45,000
Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card Apply Now	- S$1 = 2.8 miles on Overseas Spend and Air Tickets (All Airlines)* - S$1 = 1.2 miles on Local Retail Spend^ on Shopping, Dining, Food Delivery, Supermarket, Transport, Hotels, Cruises, Travel Packages, Car Rentals - S$1 = 0.25 miles on Utilities, Education, Insurance, and Medical expenses - Complimentary access to Selected VIP Airport Lounges - Up to S$1 million Complimentary Travel Insurance Coverage	- Min. S$800 spend per month required, otherwise 1.2 mpd only   - Miles awarded in the form of TREATS Points   - *Capped at 40,000 Bonus TREATS Points per calendar month for Air Tickets. Up to 3.2 mpd for a limited time only. T&Cs apply.   - ^No min. spend, no cap - Annual fee: S$196.20 (First 3 years free)	- Local/PR: S$30,000 - Malaysian Citizen: S$45,000 - Foreigner: S$60,000
UOB PRVI Miles Card Apply Now	- S$1 = 6 miles on Selected Online and Flight Bookings at Agoda, Expedia, and UOB Travel - S$1 = 2.4 miles on Overseas Spend - S$1 = 1.4 miles on Local Spend - Up to S$500,000 complimentary Travel Insurance Coverage	- Miles awarded as UNI$   - S$25 per redemption - Annual fee: S$261.60 (First year free)	- Local/PR: S$30,000 - Foreigner: S$40,000
HSBC TravelOne Card Apply Now	- S$1 = 2.4 miles on Foreign Spend   - S$1 = 1.2 miles on Local Spend   - 4 Complimentary Airport Lounge Visits per year (Primary cardholders only)   - Up to US$100,000 Complimentary Travel Insurance Coverage (including COVID-19)	25,000 Rewards Points = 10,000 Miles   5 free supplementary cards   No conversion fee for air miles or hotel points (Until 31 May 2024)   Annual fee: S$196.20 (First year free)	- Local/PR: S$30,000 - Foreigner/Self-Employed: S$40,000
Standard Chartered Journey Card Apply Now	- S$1 = 2 miles on Foreign Spend   - S$1 = 1.2 miles on Local Spend   - S$1 = 3 miles on Select Local Online Categories like Transportation, Grocery, and Food Delivery*   - 2 Complimentary Priority Pass Airport Lounge Visits per year   - Up to S$500,000 Complimentary Travel Insurance Coverage	- Rewards Points never earned from SC Journey Card never expire   - 25,000 Rewards Points = 10,000 KrisFlyer Miles   - *Capped at S$1,000 spend per statement month   - 45% off MSIG TravelEasy Travel Insurance (Single Trip) (Valid till 30 Jun 2024)   - Annual fee: S$196.20 (First year free)	- Local/PR: S$30,000 - Foreigner: S$60,000
KrisFlyer UOB Card Apply Now	- S$1 = 3 miles on Everyday Spend (e.g. Dining, Online Food Delivery, Online Shopping, Online Travel, Local Transport)*   - S$1 = 3 miles on Singapore Airlines, Scoot, KrisShop, and Kris+ purchases   - S$1 = 1.2 miles on All Other Spend   - Up to S$500,000 Complimentary Travel Insurance Coverage   - Fast track to KrisFlyer Elite Silver Status   - Other Membership Privileges on Scoot	- *Min. S$800 annual spend on Singapore Airlines, Scoot, and KrisShop required   - Earn KrisFlyer Miles directly to KrisFlyer Membership Account   - No cap on miles earned but only credited within 2 months of paying annual fee   - Annual fee: S$196.20 (First year free)	- Local/PR: S$30,000 - Foreigner: S$40,000
AMEX Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Credit Card Apply Now	- S$1 = 1.1 miles on Local Spend - S$1 = 2 miles on Foreign Spend during June and December - S$1 = 2 miles on Singapore Airlines-Related Spend - S$1 = 3.1 miles on Grab Singapore Transactions, capped at S$200 per month -S$1 = 0.5 miles on Singapore Airlines Instalment Plans via PaySmall for eligible purchases - Up to S$350,000 Complimentary Travel Insurance coverage - Exclusive Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Loyalty Programme Perks	- Earn KrisFlyer Miles directly to KrisFlyer Membership Account   - Annual fee: S$179.85 (First year free)	Subject to American Express' approval
AMEX Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Credit Card Apply Now	- S$1 = 1.2 miles on Local Spend - S$1 = 2 miles on Foreign Spend during June and December - S$1 = 2 miles on Singapore Airlines-Related Spend - S$1 = 3.2 miles on Grab Singapore Transactions, capped at S$200 per month - Up to S$1 million Complimentary Travel Insurance Coverage - Exclusive Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Loyalty Programme Perks	- Earn KrisFlyer Miles directly to KrisFlyer Membership Account   - Annual fee: S$343.35 (First year free)	Subject to American Express' approval
HSBC Revolution Card Apply Now	- S$1 = 4 miles on Online and Contactless Spend (e.g.Shopping, Groceries, Dining, Food Delivery, Ride-hailing) - S$1 = 0.4 miles on All Other Spend - Up to S$300,000 Complimentary Travel Insurance Coverage	- Capped at S$1,000 spend / 9,000 Bonus Rewards Points per calendar month   - No annual fee	- Local/PR: S$30,000 - Foreigner/Self-employed: S$40,000
Citi Rewards Card Apply Now	- S$1 = 4 miles on Selected Online Transactions (e.g. Shopping, Ride-hailing, Food Delivery, Groceries) and In-Store Shopping - S$1 = 4 miles on All Other Retail Spend - Up to S$1 million Complimentary Travel Insurance Coverage	- Capped at S$1,000 spend / 9,000 Bonus Rewards Points per statement month   - Annual fee: S$196.20 (First year free)	- Local/PR: S$30,000 - Foreigner: S$42,000