While there are some signs lately that award travel is getting easier, pointsflation remains out of control: Airlines keep raising award rates, eliminating sweet spots, and tacking on more fees. Add another one to the list.
Singapore Airlines on Monday announced a looming devaluation of its KrisFlyer mileage program. Come Nov. 1, the airline will increase many award redemption rates by roughly 5% whether you're booking economy or its fanciest first class suites, though some routes will see steeper hikes. The carrier is also increasing award rates when using miles to book other Star Alliance partners – though redeeming through Singapore's KrisFlyer program is almost always a worse deal than using another program like Air Canada Aeroplan – and introducing a new, priciest tier of “Access” awards. This new tier of availability uses dynamic award pricing to book virtually any seat on the plane … for a boatload of miles.
Whether you're heading on one of the ultra-long-haul flights to Singapore (SIN), flying the carrier nonstop to Tokyo-Narita (NRT), or even hopping on its fun (and easy-to-book) fifth-freedom routes between the U.S. and Europe, the whole lot will soon cost you more miles. For example, booking a business class seat from Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO) or Seattle (SEA) to Singapore currently costs 107,000 miles for a one-way Saver award. Wait until this fall, and that'll jump to 112,500 miles each way.
On the plus side, you've got plenty of time to book at the current, lower rates. These increases don't kick in until Nov. 1, meaning you'll be able to book a flight as far out as October 2026 at the lower rates. That kind of advance warning ahead of negative changes is a luxury we haven't seen from other airlines like Emirates or Virgin Atlantic.
Plus, Singapore miles couldn't be easier to earn, as they're transfer partners with all the major banks. So if you've got points from cards like the *amex gold*, *chase sapphire preferred*, or the *venture x* and travel plans that could involve redeeming Singapore miles, it's time to start planning.
Here's where you might want to look.
Singapore's Latest Award Chart Shuffle
No matter which kind of seat you're in, flying Singapore Airlines is a treat. It's one of the world's top-ranked airlines for a reason, renowned for comfort and service whether you're flying up front or back in economy.
Unlike other airlines that tend to raise award rates overnight – and without a word of warning, to boot – Singapore goes about it in a consumer-friendly manner. Their increases are fairly mild and predictable, coming once every few years – this is the first hike we've seen from Singapore since the summer of 2022.
That said, these increases may be particularly painful if you're aiming to fly first or business class, as using Singapore KrisFlyer miles is a practical necessity: With the occasional exception of Air Canada, the airline typically doesn't release premium cabin award space to partner airlines like United or ANA.
And these changes touch every seat on Singapore's planes – mostly for the worse. Only partner award redemptions using KrisFlyer miles to fly airlines like United, Turkish, or even Alaska Airlines to Hawaii are spared. Singapore's “saver award” rates are getting hit the hardest. The airline's higher-priced “advantage” award rates are also going up, but those were rarely a good deal to begin with … unless you were desperate.
Want to scope out the changes for yourself?
- Here's the current Singapore award chart, which remains in effect for bookings made through Oct. 31.
- Here's the new Singapore award chart, which will take effect starting Nov. 1.
Even if your plans aren't solidified, it might be worth booking something now because you can change plans later without getting hit with huge fees. Singapore charges just $25 for a date change on award tickets and $75 to cancel and get all your miles back.
We've cobbled together some of the most notable changes below.
Singapore Economy Award Rate Changes
Even Singapore's excellent economy seats will cost you more miles to book soon. Here's a breakdown of how things are changing for one-way economy flights come Nov. 1.
| Route | Current Award Rate | New Award Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles (LAX) - Singapore (SIN) | 42,000 miles | 44,000 miles |
| San Francisco (SFO) - Singapore (SIN) | 42,000 miles | 44,000 miles |
| Seattle (SEA) - Singapore (SIN) | 42,000 miles | 44,000 miles |
| New York (JFK/EWR) - Singapore (SIN) | N/A | N/A |
| Los Angeles (LAX) - Tokyo-Narita (NRT) | 38,500 miles | 42,500 miles |
| New York (JFK) - Frankfurt (FRA) | 25,000 miles | 27,500 miles |
As you can see, all of Singapore's nonstop flights to and from the U.S. are getting hiked – a common theme you'll see in every cabin. The only place you'll see award rates drop in economy is between Singapore and Australia or New Zealand.
It's not a full business class seat with a lie-flat bed, but Singapore has one of the world's best Premium Economy seats you can find in the skies. Yes, award rates are increasing there, too.
All rates here are for one-way redemptions.
| Route | Current Award Rates | New Award Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles (LAX) - Singapore (SIN) | 75,000 miles | 79,000 miles |
| San Francisco (SFO) - Singapore (SIN) | 75,000 miles | 79,000 miles |
| Seattle (SEA) - Singapore (SIN) | 75,000 miles | 79,000 miles |
| New York (JFK/EWR) - Singapore (SIN) | 80,500 miles | 84,500 miles |
| Los Angeles (LAX) - Tokyo-Narita (NRT) | 73,000 miles | 80,500 miles |
| New York (JFK) - Frankfurt (FRA) | 52,000 miles | 57,000 miles |
Again, may of these increases are mild … except for the nonstop flight from Los Angeles to Tokyo, which sees a more substantial 10.2% hike.
Singapore Business Class Award Rates
Singapore Airlines business class is truly top-tier. And aside from some award space bookable through Air Canada, you'll need KrisFlyer miles to book it.
If you've had your eyes on it, you'll want to book these seats soon, as award rates are also going up in the business class cabin. As always, all rates are for one-way flights.
| Route | Current Award Rates | New Award Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles (LAX) - Singapore (SIN) | 107,000 miles | 112,500 miles |
| San Francisco (SFO) - Singapore (SIN) | 107,000 miles | 112,500 miles |
| Seattle (SEA) - Singapore (SIN) | 107,000 miles | 112,500 miles |
| New York (JFK/EWR) - Singapore (SIN) | 111,500 miles | 117,000 miles |
| Los Angeles (LAX) - Tokyo-Narita (NRT) | 103,500 miles | 114,000 miles |
| New York (JFK) - Frankfurt (FRA) | 81,000 miles | 89,000 miles |
Yet again, that LA-to-Tokyo route gets hit the hardest with a 10% hike in business class.
Singapore First Class Award Rates
You won't find first class on every single Singapore route. But when you do, flying up front doesn't get much better … especially if you're on one of the overhauled Airbus A380s with just six first class suites on the upper deck. These days, you'll only find that flying on some of Singapore's marquee international routes out of Singapore – not to and from the U.S.
Regardless, first class award rates are going up again no matter which plane you're on – if Singapore offers a first class cabin at all. Here's a look at how they're changing in the coming months.
| Route | Current Award Rates | New Award Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles (LAX) - Singapore (SIN) | 146,500 miles | 154,000 miles |
| San Francisco (SFO) - Singapore (SIN) | 146,500 miles | 154,000 miles |
| Seattle (SEA) - Singapore (SIN) | N/A | N/A |
| New York (JFK/EWR) - Singapore (SIN) | N/A | N/A |
| Los Angeles (LAX) - Tokyo-Narita (NRT) | 120,500 miles | 132,500 miles |
| New York (JFK) - Frankfurt (FRA) | 97,000 miles | 106,500 miles |
Star Alliance Award Rates
Singapore isn't just raising award rates for using miles to book its own flights – the airline's award chart for Star Alliance partner redemptions is also on the move.
That's (mostly) much ado about nothing, as Singapore miles are rarely the right place to turn to book another Star Alliance carrier. Ninety-nine times out of 100, you'd be better off booking with another program like Air Canada Aeroplan, Avianca LifeMiles, or ANA Mileage Club.
But there are always exceptions. A pair of redemptions that I've scoped out in the past are getting the hammer, including:
- Business class flights between the Middle East and anywhere in Europe (including the always-excellent Turkish Airlines business class) will jump from just 33,500 miles each way to 37,000 miles each way – a 10.5% hike
- Flying business class on a Star Alliance carrier like Turkish or Ethiopian Airlines from the Middle East all the way down to South African cities like Johannesburg (JNB) or Cape Town (CPT) is a bargain at just 47,000 miles each way. That'll soon increase to 52,000 miles, another 10% jump
Singapore also has a goofy, one-off partnership with Alaska Airlines … opening the door to some great mileage redemptions to Hawaii for as low as 13,000 miles each way. Fortunately, that award chart will escape unscathed in this round of increases.
Bottom Line
Any award rate increase stings. But Singapore took some of the bite out of this devaluation of its KrisFlyer miles by giving travelers more than two months' heads up to book flights now – for a trip as far out as summer 2026 – before rates go up again.
Take advantage of these lower rates while you can!
