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In this blog post, I will walk you through the steps on how to search for award seats using Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles.
If you’re an avid points enthusiast and a frugal tourist who loves exploring the world without breaking the bank, chances are you’ve probably heard about the amazing benefits of using credit card points.
With good research and an understanding of how credit card points programs work, you can easily rack up rewards that will make your next vacation more affordable.
And let me tell you, when it comes to reaping the best bang for your points and miles, one program really stands out—Singapore Airlines’ renowned KrisFlyer frequent flier program!
In this blog post, I’ll guide you through the step-by-step process of searching for award space using your valuable Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles.
So buckle up and get ready to unlock a world of incredible travel opportunities and create memories from your Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles.
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Create a Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Account
You must be a member of the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer program to search for Singapore Airlines award space.
It’s free to join, and the sign-up process is straightforward.
Just click the ‘Join KrisFlyer’ option on the website and follow the prompts.
Remember, the more you fly with Singapore Airlines or its airline partners, the more miles you accumulate.
Alternatively, if you’re a points enthusiast like myself, you can generate Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles by applying for travel credit cards with generous welcome bonuses.
I will walk you through some of those credit cards in a bit.
How to Search for Award Space Availability on the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Website
STEP 1:
Log on to Singaporeair.com.
If you do not have a Singapore KrisFlyer account, you can enroll by clicking the button in the preceding section.
STEP 2:
Enter the Award Search Ticket Details
When booking an award ticket on Singaporeair.com, accurately fill out the following information:
- Click “Redeem Flights“
- Enter your departure city and destination
- Choose your cabin: Economy, Premium Economy, Business, or First
- Enter the number of passengers
STEP 3:
Select One-Way or Round Trip.
Enter your dates when flying round-trip.
If booking a one-way itinerary, tap the “Depart Date” box to unlock the calendar feature.
Select “One-Way” on the upper right-hand corner of the calendar. See image.
STEP 4:
Click Search.
After you enter the particular details of your preferred award ticket, click “Search.”
STEP 5:
Explore Partner Award Availability.
| Singapore KrisFlyer Miles Can Be Used to Book The Following Flights |
|---|
| Singapore Airlines |
| Silk Air |
| Star Alliance Partners like United, Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, Thai, ANA, Asiana, EVA, Air Canada, etc. |
| Other Airline Partners like Alaska Airlines |
Singapore Airlines allows you to search for flights on Singapore Airlines/Silk Air, Star Alliance Partners, and other Airline Partners.
If your award search did not churn out decent award availability, you could click “Star Alliance” and/or “Other Partner Airlines” to see if award flights are available through Singapore Airlines partners.
I recommend comparing the various available awards and selecting the best flight for you.
STEP 6:
Determine if you are eligible for a stopover
Select a complimentary stopover, if applicable.
Stopovers are only available for flights booked on Singapore Airlines.
A one-way Advantage Award and a round-trip Saver Award are eligible for a free stopover.
Please review the related post below to determine if you can receive a complimentary stopover for up to 30 days.
| Singapore Airlines Stopover Rules |
|---|
| You can add two complimentary stopovers if you are redeeming a round-trip Singapore KrisFlyer Advantage Award. |
| You can add one complimentary stopover if you are redeeming a round-trip Singapore KrisFlyer Saver Award. |
| You can add one complimentary stopover if you are redeeming a one-way Singapore KrisFlyer Advantage Award |
STEP 7:
Select Your Flights.
Before selecting your flights, be aware of Singapore’s two different award types: Saver Awards and Advantage Awards.
Saver Awards
These are capacity-controlled award seats that require fewer KrisFlyer miles. Since they are limited in quantity and highly in demand, my strategy for obtaining these inexpensive saver awards is to purchase them as soon as the Singapore Airlines award calendar opens up, typically around 355 days before travel.
Advantage Awards
Once saver awards are sold out, Advantage Award tickets will be your only alternative if you want to use your KrisFlyer miles. These tickets are considerably more expensive than Saver Awards, so I try to avoid booking them whenever possible. If you have some flexibility in your travel schedule, aim for Saver Awards instead of Advantage Awards.
STEP 8:
Call Singapore Airlines to Verify That the Award Space is Available Before you Transfer your Credit Card Points.
This is an essential step that I recommend you carry out before transferring your credit card points to the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Program.
| Singapore Airlines Transfer Partners |
|---|
| Chase Ultimate Rewards American Express Membership Rewards Capital One Rewards Citi ThankYou Points BILT Rewards |
Pro-Tip: Sometimes, the award seats Singapore Airlines shows as available are actually phantom seats and are not really available to be booked.
When you see the award space available, follow the prompts until you reach the payment page.
If you can access the payment page without any issues, then the award will be available to book.
As of October 2022, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Program can no longer put award seats on hold.
Tips on Redeeming Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Miles
Book 355 Days Out
To increase your chances of snagging award space on Singapore Airlines flights, make sure to run your searches about 355 days out, as that is when award seats are usually released.
I recommend setting up a reminder to begin your search approximately 355 days in advance. This proven method has been highly effective for me in securing award space on Singapore Airlines.
Aim for Saver Awards
While Saver Awards have less availability, they provide more value than the more expensive Advantage awards.
If you happen to come across Saver award space for a flight that you’re sure of taking, I would recommend booking it right away before someone else grabs it.
These award spaces are in high demand and tend to fill up quickly.
Explore One-Way, Round-Trip & Open-Jaw Itineraries
To find the best deal, I often recommend folks to compare the following redemptions:
- Round-Trip
- One-Way
- Open Jaw (flying into one city and out of another)
Consider flying on Singapore Airlines’ fifth-freedom flights between Houston to Manchester and JFK and Frankfurt.
Have Flexible Dates
It helps to be flexible with your dates since Singapore Airlines may sometimes release more award seats closer to the departure date.
Redeeming miles for an award flight is also generally more cost-effective during off-peak seasons or less popular flight times.
Singapore Airlines Award Redemption Terms
Here are the general terms regarding this award chart as taken from the Singapore Airlines website:
- A round-trip award ticket requires twice the number of KrisFlyer miles shown on this award chart.
- Redemption is not permitted on Singapore Airlines codeshare flights operated on the aircraft of other airlines.
- Award tickets are subject to seat availability at the time of redemption, which may be capacity-controlled by the airline at its sole discretion.
- Singapore Airlines Suites and First Class are only available on selected Singapore Airlines flights.
- Singapore Airlines Premium Economy is only available on selected Singapore Airlines flights.
- A one-way Saver Award does not include a complimentary stopover. A round-trip Saver Award includes one complimentary stopover of up to 30 days. Stopovers may be added on singaporeair.com for eligible award redemption ticket types.
Singapore Airlines One-Way Saver Award Chart From North America
Since most of my blog readers are from North America, I will zoom in on the one-way Saver award charts for flights to and from North America.
You can click the button below to see the award charts for flights to and from other regions.
It goes without saying that Saver Award redemptions provide the best bang for our buck, so I’d focus on those.
I do not suggest redeeming Advantage Awards unless you have to absolutely use your KrisFlyer miles, such as when they are about to expire or when you need to travel during an emergency.
Destination: Singapore (Zone 1)
| From the West Coast, USA & Canada (Zone 12) | Destination: Singapore (Zone 1) |
| Economy | 42,000 |
| Premium Economy | 75,000 |
| Business Class | 107,000 |
| First Class | 146,500 |
| From the East Coast & Houston USA (Zone 13) | Destination: Singapore (Zone 1) |
| Economy | 44,000 |
| Premium Economy | 80,500 |
| Business Class | 111,500 |
| First Class | 148,500 |
Destination: Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei (Zone 2)
| From the West Coast, USA & Canada (Zone 12) | Destination: Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei (Zone 2) |
| Economy | 42,000 |
| Premium Economy | 75,000 |
| Business Class | 107,000 |
| First Class | 146,500 |
| | |
| From the East Coast & Houston USA (Zone 13) | Destination: Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei (Zone 2) |
| Economy | 44,000 |
| Premium Economy | 80,500 |
| Business Class | 111,500 |
| First Class | 148,500 |
Destination: Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia & Laos (Zone 3)
| From the West Coast, USA & Canada (Zone 12) | Destination: Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia & Laos (Zone 3) |
| Economy | 42,000 |
| Premium Economy | 75,000 |
| Business Class | 107,000 |
| First Class | 146,500 |
| | |
| From the East Coast & Houston USA (Zone 13) | Destination: Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia & Laos (Zone 3) |
| Economy | 44,000 |
| Premium Economy | 80,500 |
| Business Class | 111,500 |
| First Class | 148,500 |
Destination: South China, Hong Kong SAR, China & Taiwan, China (Zone 4)
| From the West Coast, USA & Canada (Zone 12) | Destination: South China, Hong Kong SAR, China & Taiwan, China (Zone 4) |
| Economy | 36,500 |
| Premium Economy | 69,500 |
| Business Class | 100,500 |
| First Class | 117,000 |
| | |
| From the East Coast & Houston USA (Zone 13) | Destination: South China, Hong Kong SAR, China & Taiwan, China (Zone 4) |
| Economy | 53,000 |
| Premium Economy | 99,500 |
| Business Class | 124,500 |
| First Class | 169,500 |
Destination: North China (Beijing & Shanghai) (Zone 5)
| From the West Coast, USA & Canada (Zone 12) | Destination: North China (Beijing & Shanghai) (Zone 5) |
| Economy | – |
| Premium Economy | – |
| Business Class | – |
| First Class | – |
| | |
| From the East Coast & Houston USA (Zone 13) | Destination: North China (Beijing & Shanghai) (Zone 5) |
| Economy | 60,500 |
| Premium Economy | 104,500 |
| Business Class | 136,500 |
| First Class | 180,000 |
Destination: South Asia: India, Sri Lanka, Maldives & Bangladesh (Zone 6)
| From the West Coast, USA & Canada (Zone 12) | Destination: South Asia: India, Sri Lanka, Maldives & Bangladesh (Zone 6) |
| Economy | 51,000 |
| Premium Economy | 97,500 |
| Business Class | 123,000 |
| First Class | 172,500 |
| | |
| From the East Coast & Houston USA (Zone 13) | Destination: South Asia: India, Sri Lanka, Maldives & Bangladesh (Zone 6) |
| Economy | 60,500 |
| Premium Economy | 103,000 |
| Business Class | 136,500 |
| First Class | 180,000 |
Destination: Japan & South Korea (Zone 7)
| From the West Coast, USA & Canada (Zone 12) | Destination: Japan & South Korea (Zone 7) |
| Economy | 38,500 |
| Premium Economy | 73,000 |
| Business Class | 103,500 |
| First Class | 120,500 |
| | |
| From the East Coast & Houston USA (Zone 13) | Destination: Japan & South Korea (Zone 7) |
| Economy | 64,000 |
| Premium Economy | 107,500 |
| Business Class | 142,000 |
| First Class | 168,000 |
Destination: Australia: Perth & Darwin (Zone 8)
| From the West Coast, USA & Canada (Zone 12) | Destination: Australia: Perth & Darwin (Zone 8) |
| Economy | 56,500 |
| Premium Economy | 99,000 |
| Business Class | 127,500 |
| First Class | 180,000 |
| | |
| From the East Coast & Houston USA (Zone 13) | Destination: Australia: Perth & Darwin (Zone 8) |
| Economy | 60,500 |
| Premium Economy | 104,500 |
| Business Class | 136,500 |
| First Class | 180,000 |
Destination: Australia (excl. Perth & Darwin) & New Zealand (Zone 9)
| From the West Coast, USA & Canada (Zone 12) | Destination: Australia (excl. Perth & Darwin) & New Zealand (Zone 9) |
| Economy | 60,500 |
| Premium Economy | 104,500 |
| Business Class | 136,500 |
| First Class | 188,000 |
| | |
| From the East Coast & Houston USA (Zone 13) | Destination: Australia (excl. Perth & Darwin) & New Zealand (Zone 9) |
| Economy | 66,000 |
| Premium Economy | 109,000 |
| Business Class | 145,500 |
| First Class | 188,000 |
Destination: Africa, Middle East & Turkey (Zone 10)
| From the West Coast, USA & Canada (Zone 12) | Destination: Africa, Middle East & Turkey (Zone 10) |
| Economy (Flights to South Africa are Sweet Spots) | 60,000 |
| Premium Economy | 109,500 |
| Business Class (Flights to South Africa are Sweet Spots) | 130,000 |
| First Class | 182,000 |
| | |
| From the East Coast & Houston USA (Zone 13) | Destination: Africa, Middle East & Turkey (Zone 10) |
| Economy | – |
| Premium Economy | – |
| Business Class | – |
| First Class | – |
Destination: Europe (Zone 11)
| From the West Coast, USA & Canada (Zone 12) | Destination: Europe (Zone 11) |
| Economy | – |
| Premium Economy | – |
| Business Class | – |
| First Class | – |
| | |
| From the East Coast & Houston USA (Zone 13) | Destination: Europe (Zone 11) |
| Economy (Sweet Spot) | 25,000 |
| Premium Economy | 52,000 |
| Business Class (Sweet Spot) | 81,000 |
| First Class (Sweet Spot) | 97,500 |
My Recommended Credit Cards That Earn Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Miles
Singapore Airlines is a transfer partner of the following banks:
- Chase (My Recommended Card: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card)
- Citi
- Capital One (My Recommended Credit Cards: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card)
- American Express (My Recommended Card: American Express® Gold Card)
These banks offer one or more credit cards that earn points that can be transferred for free to the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer program.
The transfer rate is 1 Bank Point = 1 Singapore Airline Mile.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How Fast/Long Does It Take For Chase Ultimate Rewards Points To Transfer to the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Program?
If you are doing this transfer for the first time, completing the process may take a few days.
Conversely, if you have already transferred Chase Ultimate Rewards Points to Singapore KrisFlyer in the past, then the transfer should take about 24-48 hours. This can change over time, though.
Do Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Miles Expire?
Yes, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles expire after 36 months and do not reset even with activity.
When Does Singapore KrisFlyer Make Award Tickets Available
355 days before departure.
Final Thoughts
As a frugal tourist and a points enthusiast, I’ve been lucky enough to use my credit card points to enjoy Singapore Airlines’ amazing in-flight services.
Trust me, their premium cabins are pure luxury, and even their economy class offers comfy seating and outstanding customer service.
Searching for award space on the KrisFlyer website using your miles and points is relatively easy.
I hope this blog post made the award search using Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles easier.
Plan and stay flexible to maximize your credit card points when flying on Singapore Airlines.
Safe travels!
EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE – Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. The content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
