Your Guide on How to Become a Frequent Flyer Member

Frequent flyer programmes are a fantastic way for Singaporean travellers to gain rewards. These programmes, offered by various airlines, allow you to accumulate "miles" or points that can be redeemed for exciting travel perks. Some of the most popular programmes among Singaporeans include:

• KrisFlyer: The frequent flyer programme for Singapore Airlines.

• Asia Miles: The loyalty programme of Cathay Pacific.

• Qantas Frequent Flyer: The programme for Qantas Airways.

Many Singaporeans also boost their miles-earning potential through travel credit cards, such as the American Express Platinum, Citi PremierMiles, and DBS Altitude cards. This guide will help you understand how these programmes work, how to become a frequent flyer and how to get the most out of them, whether you're departing from Changi Airport or travelling elsewhere.

Frequent flyer programmes can seem like a gateway to free flights and travel perks, but are they truly worth your time? Airlines operating in Singapore, including flag carriers and budget airlines, offer loyalty schemes that promise rewards for your patronage.

The basic premise is simple: spend with an airline or its partners, and you'll accumulate miles or points redeemable for flights, upgrades, and other travel benefits. Remember, “miles” in this context don't refer to actual flight distances; they're simply the currency airlines use for their reward systems.

To decide if these programmes are right for you, consider these two key questions:

Should I sign up?

Absolutely, yes. These programmes are generally free and straightforward to join. Even if you're not a frequent flyer member, signing up is a breeze. You can typically enrol online while booking a flight. Just remember to enter your frequent flyer number when purchasing tickets to start earning miles. While membership won't get you upfront discounts on ticket prices, those accumulated miles could lead to future rewards.

You can also earn miles by using partner services like hotels and car rentals, and by making everyday credit card spending. Many travel-focused credit cards in Singapore offer generous miles accumulation rates, effectively turning your daily expenses into travel rewards.

Should I put effort into the programme?

This depends on your travel habits and where you're based. Your answer often hinges on these two factors:

• Where do you live and fly from? Do you have a wide selection of airlines departing from Changi Airport? If so, you can go for the best flight deals and prices rather than airline loyalty. In this scenario, frequent flyer programmes might not be your primary concern. However, if you primarily fly with one airline or alliance (like Star Alliance with Singapore Airlines), maximising a specific programme like KrisFlyer becomes more beneficial.

• How often do you fly? If you frequently fly with one airline, or a set of airlines, you're an ideal candidate to reap the rewards of a frequent flyer programme. If you're an occasional traveller, the decision gets more complex. You might still benefit from earning miles via credit card spending or partner programmes, but the rewards might take longer to accumulate.

>> Learn more: Priority Pass membership & lounge review: Should you sign up?

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Frequent flyer programmes offer a range of enticing benefits, including:

• Free flights

• Seat upgrades

• Priority boarding

• Lounge access

Some programmes also allow you to redeem miles for other travel expenses like hotel stays, car rentals, or even shopping vouchers.

>> More: How to travel business class for free

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How to get started

Getting started with frequent flyer programmes is easy:

1. Sign up for your chosen programme (e.g., KrisFlyer, Asia Miles, or Qantas Frequent Flyer) on the airline's website.

2. Start earning miles by including your frequent flyer number in your flight reservations.

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Getting an airline credit card is one of the most effective ways to accelerate your miles accumulation. These cards offer various benefits that can significantly enhance your frequent flyer experience.

Pros

Airline credit cards offer several advantages, though the specifics vary depending on the card:

• Faster miles accumulation: Earn miles on your everyday spending, not just on flights.

• Generous welcome bonuses: Some cards offer substantial sign-up bonuses, such as 40,000 miles, after meeting spending requirements.

• Lounge access perks: Premium cards often provide access to Changi Airport lounges like Plaza Premium, Priority Pass, or SilverKris Lounge.

• Free checked baggage and priority boarding: Many airline credit cards include these perks, saving you money and time. The availability of these perks, and their extent, varies depending on the card and the airline partnership.

Cons

However, it's essential to be aware of the potential drawbacks:

• Annual fees: Some airline credit cards come with high annual fees, sometimes exceeding S$300.

• Miles expiry: Miles can expire. While some cards, like the Citi PremierMiles Card (Citi Miles), offer miles that don’t expire, others like KrisFlyer miles expire after three years, and Asia Miles remain valid only with regular account activity. Always check the specific terms and conditions.

• High interest rates: If you don't pay your balance in full each month, the high interest rates can negate the value of the miles earned.

• Airline loyalty lock-in: Cards like the AMEX KrisFlyer card primarily earn miles with Singapore Airlines, limiting your flexibility.

>> More: How to get airline and hotel elite status through credit cards

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To maximise the value of your frequent flyer miles, it's crucial to understand how to earn and redeem them strategically

Ways to earn

The most fundamental way to accumulate miles is by flying with the airline. While these rewards are often called “miles,” they're increasingly tied to how much you spend, rather than the distance you travel. For instance, you might earn a certain number of miles per dollar spent on your airfare. A S$500 round-trip flight, for example, could earn you a specific amount of miles. To earn enough for a free flight, you'd need to accumulate miles over multiple trips – think of it as a "spend and earn" scheme.

Other ways to earn:

• Earn sign-up bonuses: Applying for a new travel credit card with a substantial sign-up bonus is a quick way to boost your miles balance. Maximise your spending on airline-affiliated credit cards, even for recurring bills, but always ensure you pay your balance in full to avoid interest charges.

• Book hotels and car rentals via airline partners: Airlines like Singapore Airlines have partnerships with hotel chains (e.g., Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors) and car rental companies (e.g. AVIS). Booking through these partners can earn you additional miles.

• Utilise dining programmes: Many credit cards and airline loyalty programmes offer bonus miles when you dine at partner restaurants. Take advantage of these dining programmes to accelerate your miles accumulation.

• Fly partner airlines: Expand your earning potential by flying with partner airlines within your alliance. For example, earn KrisFlyer miles when flying with Scoot, Lufthansa, United, and other Star Alliance members.

• Gain elite status: Reaching elite status within an airline's loyalty programme unlocks accelerated miles earning rates and other perks.

• Avoid buying miles: While airlines offer the option to purchase miles, it's generally not cost-effective. The value you get from redeemed miles is usually less than the cost of purchasing them.

Ways to redeem

Redeeming your miles effectively means maximising their value. In general, airline miles or points are worth approximately one Singapore cent each. Therefore, if you're using 40,000 miles to purchase a flight with a base fare of S$400, you're getting fair value. However, if you can book that same S$400 flight for only 25,000 miles, you're getting excellent value (1.6 cents per mile). For a quick estimate, remove the last two zeros from the miles required; that figure should roughly match the flight's cash value.

It's crucial to understand how your airline's programme values miles, as airlines can adjust the number of miles required for a flight or alter award seat availability.

Popular ways to redeem

1. Free flights: Use your airline's booking website to compare the cost of paying with miles versus cash for specific flights. Many airlines publish award charts detailing the maximum miles needed for particular routes.

• Keep in mind that airlines offer different award seat tiers, with more desirable flight times, seats, and cabin classes requiring more miles. Award flights are often priced per one-way trip, so you'll need to use miles for both outbound and return journeys.

• Note that flights booked with miles typically don't earn additional miles.

• You can also redeem miles on partner airlines. For example, KrisFlyer miles can be used to book flights on Lufthansa, a Star Alliance partner.

• Miles cannot be redeemed through online travel agencies like Expedia or Agoda.

2. Upgrades to business/first class: Upgrading to a higher cabin class, such as business or first class, can be a valuable way to use your miles. Some upgrades may require a cash co-payment in addition to miles. Upgrade pricing and availability can often be found in the airline's award chart.

3. Hotel stays & shopping: Redeeming miles for hotel stays, car rentals, or merchandise is possible, but these options usually offer less value compared to flights or upgrades. Consider these alternatives only if you have excess miles or need to use them before they expire.

To optimise your miles redemption, familiarise yourself with the specifics of your airline's programme. Airline websites provide detailed information, and resources like SingSaver can also offer valuable insights.

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Reaching elite status within an airline's loyalty programme, often denoted as Silver, Gold, Platinum, or similar tiers, demands substantial effort and financial investment. It's primarily determined by your flight frequency, distance travelled, and overall spending with the airline.

Consider elite status as a premium tier within the broader frequent flyer programme, largely irrelevant for occasional travellers. Even frequent flyers should carefully evaluate whether the pursuit of elite status justifies the required commitment. Many traditional elite perks, such as complimentary checked baggage, priority boarding, and improved award seat access, are now often accessible to airline credit card holders for a relatively modest annual fee, depending on the card and the airline.

What you’ll get

Achieving elite status can unlock a range of enhanced benefits, including:

• Increased miles earning rates on flights.

• Complimentary seat upgrades.

• Priority check-in and boarding.

• Complimentary checked baggage allowances.

• Improved access to award seats.

• Discounted or waived fees.

• Access to exclusive lounges and services.

How you can earn it

The calculations for achieving elite status can be complex, but fundamentally, airlines reward behaviours that drive their business: frequent flying, long-distance travel, and significant spending.

For example, with KrisFlyer, you can achieve Elite Silver status by accruing 25,000 Elite miles within 12 consecutive months. These miles are typically earned by flying with Singapore Airlines and its partner airlines. Spending on premium cabin classes will accelerate your progress. Singapore Airlines tracks your progress in your online KrisFlyer account. Elite status typically remains valid for at least one year.

Given the substantial variations between airline programmes in miles earning, redemption, and elite status qualifications, it's crucial to thoroughly understand the rules of the specific programmes you choose to join.

Ultimately, the value you derive from a frequent flyer programme and its elite status hinges on your ability to maintain loyalty to a particular airline or alliance and whether the benefits outweigh the required investment.

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• Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards in Singapore

• Cashback or Rewards Credit Cards: Which is Better?

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To truly maximise your rewards, consider leveraging the power of travel credit cards. For a comprehensive guide to the best options available in Singapore, explore the best travel credit cards of 2025.

Here are five credit cards that can help you maximise your rewards:

• Best for flexibility and bonuses: UOB PRVI Miles Visa Card

• Best for high-end rewards and perks: Standard Chartered Journey Credit Card

• Best for luxury travel perks: Citi Prestige Card

• Best for frequent travellers: DBS Vantage Visa Infinite Card

• Best for travel and dining: Maybank Horizon Visa Signature Card