How to Earn KrisFlyer Miles Quickly

Whether you are a seasoned traveller or just getting started, KrisFlyer miles can help unlock a world of travel privileges. From complimentary upgrades and discounted flights to exclusive access to airport lounges, KrisFlyer miles are more than just a loyalty currency — they are your ticket to travel better and smarter. But how do you accumulate them quickly and efficiently? The good news is that you do not have to rely solely on flying. By understanding all the different ways to earn KrisFlyer miles, you can fast-track your journey towards your next redemption.

Building up KrisFlyer miles does not have to be limited to frequent flyers. In fact, there are many ways to grow your balance — often through activities you already do every day. 

The key to earning miles quickly lies in maximising all available touchpoints. By layering strategies, you can supercharge your accumulation rate and turn everyday spending into exciting travel opportunities sooner than you think.

Flying with Singapore Airlines and Star Alliance partners

When it comes to earning KrisFlyer miles, flying with Singapore Airlines is the most direct and rewarding method. Second on the list are flying with Star Alliance airlines, and booking via codeshare flights. This global reach means that even trips not directly booked with Singapore Airlines can still help you work towards your next free flight or upgrade.

Flying with Singapore Airlines

Earning KrisFlyer miles starts with the airline itself. When you book a revenue ticket on Singapore Airlines, you will earn miles based on the fare class and distance flown. However, do note that redemption and promotional fares typically do not earn miles.

Flying with Star Alliance airlines

As a KrisFlyer member, you can also earn miles when flying with any of the 25+ Star Alliance airlines, which makes building up your balance much easier when travelling internationally.

Star Alliance members include:
Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, SAS, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Swiss International Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines and United Airlines.

Make sure to credit your miles to your KrisFlyer account when booking or at check-in.

Booking via codeshare flights

If you book a Singapore Airlines codeshare flight operated by a Star Alliance partner, you will still earn KrisFlyer miles as long as the fare class is eligible. For example, a SQ-coded flight operated by United Airlines from San Francisco to New York will still let you earn miles.

Earning KrisFlyer miles extends far beyond flying — your choice of credit card can supercharge your miles earning potential.

Co-brand credit cards, such as the American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer cards, offer miles directly into your KrisFlyer account for every dollar spent. These are great if you are loyal to Singapore Airlines and want simplicity.

On the other hand, general rewards cards offer flexibility. These cards earn points (like Citi ThankYou Points or DBS Points) which can later be converted into KrisFlyer miles. Some even offer higher miles per dollar (mpd) on specific categories like travel, dining or online shopping.

Here are some of the best credit cards for earning KrisFlyer miles across different categories:

For travel spending
HSBC TravelOne Card

• Earn up to 2.4 mpd on overseas spend

• Complimentary airport lounge visits

• No conversion fees when converting points to miles

For general/contactless spending
UOB EVOL Card

• Earn 4 mpd on contactless and online spending (capped monthly)

• No annual fee (with minimum spend)

• Simple cashback/miles toggle options

For online transactions
DBS Woman’s World Card

• Earn 4 mpd on online purchases (capped monthly)

• Perfect for frequent e-commerce shoppers

• No minimum spend required to earn at boosted rates

Credit cards also often come with attractive sign-up bonuses that can give your miles balance a big head start. These limited-time offers could be worth thousands of miles, so keep an eye out — and make sure to meet the minimum spend to qualify.

In many cases, paying the annual fee for a co-brand KrisFlyer credit card earns you bonus miles. This can be a good way to top up your account, especially if you are close to a redemption goal.

Product example
American Express KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card

• Earn 5,000 miles on renewal when annual fee is paid

• Complimentary lounge access and hotel privileges

Purchase through Kris+ app

By linking your KrisFlyer account to Kris+, you can seamlessly earn miles when shopping, dining, or accessing services at participating merchants across Singapore. Whether you are grabbing a coffee, enjoying a meal at a restaurant, or picking up essentials at lifestyle outlets, eligible in-store purchases made through Kris+ will automatically earn you KrisFlyer miles. 

The process is simple: pay through the app, and the miles will be credited directly to your account without needing to manually convert any points.

What makes Kris+ especially attractive are its frequent bonus promotions. These limited-time offers allow savvy users to multiply their miles earned on purchases they would make anyway. By keeping an eye on Kris+ deals and being strategic about where and when you shop, you can significantly accelerate your KrisFlyer miles accumulation without stepping onto a plane.

Shop on KrisShop

From travel essentials and electronics to luxury goods and exclusive collaborations, KrisShop is Singapore Airlines’ official online retail platform designed to offer something for every shopper. Earning miles through KrisShop is easy — simply log in using your KrisFlyer account before making a purchase. This ensures that the miles from your order will be automatically credited to your KrisFlyer account upon payment.

Beyond the usual miles-earning rates, KrisShop often features special promotions that provide bonus miles or discounts for KrisFlyer members. You may even come across exclusive "miles-back" offers where a portion of the miles you spend can be rebated to your account. Additionally, KrisShop purchases sometimes count towards KrisFlyer Elite miles, which help in attaining or maintaining Elite Silver or Gold status. 

Convert hotel loyalty points to KrisFlyer miles

If you are a frequent hotel guest, converting hotel loyalty points to KrisFlyer miles can boost your balance. Major hotel programmes like Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and Accor Live Limitless offer conversion options, although rates and transfer times vary.

Here are some common hotel loyalty programmes and their conversion rates:

Please note that conversion rates and partnerships may change over time. It's advisable to check with the respective hotel loyalty programmes or the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer website for the most up-to-date information before making any transfers.

Earn miles while you book tours and activities

Going sightseeing? Booking tours through Viator or Pelago can help you earn extra miles. Pelago often runs promos offering up to 12 mpd on selected activities. Pairing your bookings with the right credit card can maximise your earnings.

For example:
UOB Lady’s Card

• Earn 4 mpd if Travel is selected as your preferred category

• Combine with Pelago offers to stack miles efficiently

Renting a car during your travels is not only convenient but also an excellent opportunity to accumulate KrisFlyer miles. Singapore Airlines has partnered with several car rental companies, including Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, and SIXT. By booking through these partners and quoting your KrisFlyer membership number, you can earn up to 500 miles per qualifying rental. 

To maximise your miles, ensure that your bookings are made through the official partner channels and that you provide your KrisFlyer membership details at the time of reservation. It's also beneficial to check for any ongoing promotions or bonus mile offers that these partners may have. Remember, miles are typically credited within 30 business days after the completion of your rental.

Example: Avis + DBS Altitude Visa Signature Card

Suppose you rent a car from Avis for a week at a cost of S$600. By booking through the official Avis-Singapore Airlines partnership page and providing your KrisFlyer number, you earn 500 miles for the rental.

If you pay for this rental using the DBS Altitude Visa Signature Card, which offers 2.2 miles per S$1 spent on overseas transactions, you would earn an additional 1,320 miles (S$600 x 2.2). 

Total miles earned: 500 (Avis) + 1,320 (DBS Altitude) = 1,820 miles

This strategy lets you stack airline partner miles with credit card bonuses for the same transaction.

You do not always need to travel or book flights to earn miles. Everyday spending on groceries, petrol, and retail can also count — when done right.

For example, by using programmes like NTUC LinkPoints or Yuu, you can earn points on your daily essentials. These points can later be converted into KrisFlyer miles.

To make the most of this, pair your purchases with a miles-earning credit card to double dip.