SingSaver's Guide to Frequent Flyer Programmes

Frequent flyer programmes in Singapore offer the tantalising prospect of free flights and travel upgrades. However, understanding the intricacies of mileage accrual and redemption can be daunting.

Is delving into frequent flyer programmes a worthwhile endeavour? The answer hinges on your travel habits and financial goals. This guide aims to provide a clear understanding of these programmes for those new to them.

• Are frequent flyer programmes worth spending and saving for?

• Why you should opt in for a frequent flyer programme

• Should you apply for a miles credit card?

• How to make the most of your KrisFlyer Miles

• How to achieve elite status on your preferred airline

• Frequently asked questions about frequent flyer programmes

• Maximise your travel rewards with a Saver-Savvy travel credit card

» Read more: Best travel loyalty rewards programmes for Singapore travellers

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1. Should I sign up for a Frequent Flyer Programme?

In short, yes. These programmes are free and easy to join. Even if you don't consider yourself a frequent flyer, signing up is still a good idea. You can typically sign up online while booking your first flight. 

When confirming your booking, enter your frequent flyer number to earn reward miles or points. You might earn enough rewards to redeem; you might not. However, you won't get any better upfront ticket prices just because you're a member.

2. Should I actively build frequent flyer miles?

This question depends on your flying habits. If you fly frequently, especially with a particular airline or alliance, actively building frequent flyer miles can be very rewarding.

If you fly mostly with one airline or airline alliance and do so often, you'll get the most bang for your buck from a frequent flyer programme.

If you don't fly often, the decision is less clear-cut.

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Why you should opt in for a frequent flyer programme

Frequent flyer programmes offer significant advantages for travellers in Singapore, providing opportunities to earn rewards and enhance your travel experience. Consider your travel goals when deciding whether to join, as frequent flyer programmes can reward you in various ways. 

Frequent flyer members can choose to use their miles on luxury travel or more trips. For example, flying business class may cost as many miles as two trips in economy class.

» Read more: SingSaver’s guide to flying First Class on Singapore Airlines

KrisFlyer Rewards

KrisFlyer, the frequent flyer programme for Singapore Airlines, offers a range of rewards. By accumulating KrisFlyer miles, you can unlock benefits such as:

• Free flights with Singapore Airlines and partner airlines.

• Seat upgrades to premium cabins.

• Access to exclusive lounges.

• Other travel-related perks.

To get started with KrisFlyer, simply sign up online through the Singapore Airlines website. Ensure your KrisFlyer membership number is included in your flight reservations to earn miles.

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How do frequent flyer programmes work?

If you're aiming to travel frequently and want to maximise your travel rewards, air miles credit cards can be a powerful tool. But before you apply, it's important to weigh the potential benefits against the drawbacks. Consider how to choose a credit card for air miles that aligns with your travel habits and spending patterns.

Advantages of having an air miles credit card

Earning a card's sign-up bonus, often achievable after meeting a certain spending threshold, can quickly provide you with a substantial number of miles. This is in addition to the miles you accumulate from your ongoing spending with the card. 

Many air miles credit cards also offer benefits like complimentary airport lounge access, accelerated miles accrual on specific spending categories, and travel insurance coverage.

Disadvantages of having an air miles credit card

Air miles credit cards often require a good or excellent credit score for approval. Many also come with annual fees, so it's essential to assess whether the card's value justifies the cost. 

Furthermore, these cards may have specific terms and conditions, which can add complexity compared to general rewards credit cards.

» Read more: Best credit cards for air miles

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How to be a frequent flyer

Effectively using KrisFlyer involves accumulating miles efficiently and redeeming them strategically, often referred to as "earn and burn."

Earning miles

The primary method for accumulating KrisFlyer miles is through flying with Singapore Airlines and its partner airlines. While miles were traditionally linked to distance flown, today, they are typically awarded based on spending. 

For instance, a S$500 round-trip flight could earn you 2,500 KrisFlyer miles. You would need to make ten such flights to accrue enough miles for a free round-trip flight requiring 25,000 miles.

How to Earn KrisFlyer Miles easily

• Acquire a KrisFlyer co-branded credit card and leverage its sign-up bonus for rapid mileage accumulation. Maximise spending on this card, using it for regular expenses like utility bills. However, avoid overspending solely to earn miles and always pay your credit card bill in full.

• Book accommodations and car rentals through KrisFlyer's hotel and rental car partners.

• Shop through KrisFlyer Spree, the programme's online shopping portal.

• Enhance your miles earnings through KrisFlyer dining rewards, and use the Kris+ app for additional miles on dining and lifestyle purchases.

• Fly with Star Alliance and other KrisFlyer partner airlines.

• Achieve KrisFlyer Elite status to earn miles at an accelerated rate when flying.

Purchasing KrisFlyer miles is generally discouraged, as their cost typically exceeds their redemption value.

Spending miles

Redeeming KrisFlyer miles wisely entails maximising their value. KrisFlyer miles generally hold a value of approximately one Singapore cent each. Therefore, redeeming 40,000 miles for a flight with a base fare of S$400 would be considered a fair value.

Conversely, booking the same S$400 flight for 25,000 miles would be an excellent use of miles. 

For a quick estimate, remove the last two zeros from the mileage requirement to determine the approximate cash value.

Always stay informed about how KrisFlyer miles are valued, as Singapore Airlines may adjust the number of miles required for redemptions or the availability of award seats.

Popular options for spending your KrisFlyer Miles

1. Free flights with Singapore Airlines and partners: Use the Singapore Airlines website or KrisFlyer mobile app to check the mileage cost for flights. KrisFlyer provides award charts detailing the miles needed for various destinations and cabin classes.

KrisFlyer award seats are often offered as one-way flights, meaning you’ll need to redeem miles for both your outbound and return journeys separately.

Remember, you typically won't earn KrisFlyer miles on flights redeemed using miles.

KrisFlyer miles can also be redeemed on partner airlines within the Star Alliance network and other partner airlines.

Note that you cannot redeem KrisFlyer miles through online travel agencies such as Expedia or Agoda.

2. Upgrades with Singapore Airlines: Upgrade your seat to a premium cabin using KrisFlyer miles. Some upgrades may require a cash co-payment in addition to miles. Upgrade prices are typically calculated on a one-way basis and can be found in the KrisFlyer upgrade award chart.

3. Other travel and lifestyle expenses: KrisFlyer miles can also be redeemed for hotel stays, car rentals, and experiences through KrisFlyer partners. However, these options might offer lower value compared to redeeming for flights.

To maximise your KrisFlyer miles, familiarise yourself with the programme's details. The Singapore Airlines website and KrisFlyer app are comprehensive resources for this information.

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Attaining elite status with an airline, often designated as silver, gold, or platinum, demands significant time and financial commitment. Typically, it correlates with your flight frequency, travel distance, and expenditure.

Consider elite status as a premium tier within the general frequent flyer programme, often less relevant for occasional travellers. Even frequent flyers should evaluate if the benefits justify the effort. Many traditional elite perks, such as complimentary checked baggage, priority boarding, and enhanced award seat access, might be accessible through airline credit cards at a relatively modest annual fee, depending on the card and airline.

Benefits of elite status

Elite status may unlock a range of privileges, including accelerated mileage accrual, seat upgrades, priority check-in, complimentary baggage allowance, improved award seat availability, and waived or discounted fees.

How to earn it

Earning KrisFlyer Elite status with Singapore Airlines involves accumulating Elite miles through eligible flights. The process can seem complex, but it aligns with Singapore Airlines' business priorities: frequent travel and spending.

To achieve KrisFlyer Silver status, you need to earn 25,000 Elite miles within a 12-month period. Elite miles are primarily earned by flying with Singapore Airlines and its partner airlines like Scoot, Star Alliance members, and other partner airlines. The number of Elite miles earned varies depending on the fare class and distance flown. For example, business class or first class tickets typically earn more Elite miles than economy tickets.

Singapore Airlines provides tools to track your Elite mile accumulation in your KrisFlyer online account. Once you achieve KrisFlyer Silver status, it remains valid for 12 months.

It's important to remember that each airline's programme, including KrisFlyer, has its own unique rules for earning and redeeming miles to be KrisFLler Elite Silver-worthy. Therefore, familiarising yourself with the specific terms and conditions of KrisFlyer is crucial to maximise your benefits.

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Additional resources

What are the latest credit card promotions for flights?

Should you focus on cashback, miles, or rewards? 

To truly make the most of your travel experiences, consider the best travel credit cards in Singapore, each offering unique benefits to suit various needs.

• Max flexibility and big bonus: UOB PRVI Miles Visa Card

• Cashback on travel bookings: Standard Chartered Simply Cash Credit Card

• Luxury travel perks: Citi Prestige Card

• Business travelers: Citi PremierMiles Card

• Bonus rewards and high-end perks: Standard Chartered Journey Credit Card (Annual Fee Paying)

• Flat-rate rewards and no annual fee: Standard Chartered Simply Cash Credit Card