fbpx

Advertiser Disclosure

Singapore Airlines air canada

Book Now: Singapore Will Hike Award Rates by 10-12% Next Week

This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. For more information check out our Advertising Disclosure.

Points and miles are not an investment. As we inch our way out of the pandemic and travel ramps back up, airlines have reminded travelers of that fact by eliminating sweet spots and charging more miles for the same flights. Add another one to the list.

Singapore Airlines last month announced a looming devaluation of its KrisFlyer mileage program, and it's coming up fast. Come next Tuesday, July 5, the airline will bump up the mileage requirements by 10% to 12% or more on all its flights to and from the U.S. as well as across the rest of its network.

The increases affect seats from the tail to the nose, hiking award rates whether you're flying economy, premium economy, Singapore's excellent business class, and even First Class suites. Rates are going up whether you're flying to Singapore (SIN), heading to Tokyo-Narita (NRT) or elsewhere in Asia, or even hopping on one of the airline's fun fifth-freedom routes between the U.S. and Europe. And sadly, Singapore is also eliminating a little-known perk to add a stopover to one-way award tickets for $100 and hiking upgrade award rates, too.

It's just the latest award rate hike we've seen from Singapore since early 2019. These increases are particularly painful if you're aiming to fly first or business class, as using Singapore KrisFlyer miles is a necessity: The airline typically doesn't release premium cabin award space to partner airlines like United or Air Canada.

 

singapore airlines suite

 

On the plus side, Singapore gave plenty of advance notice about these increases – a luxury we haven't seen from the likes of Delta or Virgin Atlantic. And you've still got almost another week to lock in flights before award rates go up … for travel as far out as June 2023. And if you've got points from cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, the American Express® Gold Card, or the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Cardyou're set – Singapore is a transfer partner with all the major credit card points.

The savings booking soon can be substantial: You can book a business class flight for next year from Los Angeles (LAX) or Seattle (SEA) to Singapore (SIN) for 95,000 miles. Next week, that same flight will cost 107,000 miles – a 12.6% increase. Even if your plans aren't solidified, it's 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.

Here's a deeper look at how things are changing next week – and why you should lock something in beforehand.

 

 

Singapore's 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.

And this devaluation touches every seat on Singapore's planes. 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-prices 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?

We've cobbled together some of the most notable changes from cabin to cabin.

 

Singapore Economy Award Rates

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 July 5.

 

RouteCurrent Award RateNew Award Rate
Los Angeles (LAX) - Singapore (SIN)38,000 miles42,000 miles
San Francisco (SFO) - Singapore (SIN)38,000 miles42,000 miles
Seattle (SEA) - Singapore (SIN)38,000 miles42,000 miles
New York (JFK/EWR) - Singapore (SIN)N/AN/A
Los Angeles (LAX) - Tokyo-Narita (NRT)35,000 miles38,500 miles
New York (JFK) - Frankfurt (FRA)22,500 miles25,000 miles
Houston (IAH) - Manchester (MAN)22,500 miles25,000 miles

 

Singapore Premium Economy Award Rates

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.

 

RouteCurrent Award RatesNew Award Rates
Los Angeles (LAX) - Singapore (SIN)68,000 miles75,000 miles
San Francisco (SFO) - Singapore (SIN)68,000 miles75,000 miles
Seattle (SEA) - Singapore (SIN)68,000 miles75,000 miles
New York (JFK/EWR) - Singapore (SIN)73,000 miles80,500 miles
Los Angeles (LAX) - Tokyo-Narita (NRT)66,000 miles73,000 miles
New York (JFK) - Frankfurt (FRA)47,000 miles52,000 miles
Houston (IAH) - Manchester (MAN)47,000 miles52,000 miles

 

Singapore Business Class Award Rates

Singapore Airlines business class is truly top-tier. Just look at this.

 

Singapore Award Price Increase

 

But 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.

 

RouteCurrent Award RatesNew Award Rates
Los Angeles (LAX) - Singapore (SIN)95,000 miles107,000 miles
San Francisco (SFO) - Singapore (SIN)95,000 miles107,000 miles
Seattle (SEA) - Singapore (SIN)95,000 miles107,000 miles
New York (JFK/EWR) - Singapore (SIN)99,000 miles111,500 miles
Los Angeles (LAX) - Tokyo-Narita (NRT)92,000 miles103,500 miles
New York (JFK) - Frankfurt (FRA)72,000 miles 81,000 miles
Houston (IAH) - Manchester (MAN)72,000 miles 81,000 miles

 

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. You'll find that flying today between New York City (JFK) and Frankfurt (FRA) as well as some of Singapore's marquee international routes out of Singapore.

Here's a look at how one-way award rates for Singapore first class are going up.

 

RouteCurrent Award RatesNew Award Rates
Los Angeles (LAX) - Singapore (SIN)130,000 miles146,500 miles
San Francisco (SFO) - Singapore (SIN)130,000 miles146,500 miles
Seattle (SEA) - Singapore (SIN)N/AN/A
New York (JFK/EWR) - Singapore (SIN)N/AN/A
Los Angeles (LAX) - Tokyo-Narita (NRT)107,000 miles120,500 miles
New York (JFK) - Frankfurt (FRA)86,000 miles97,000 miles
Houston (IAH) - Manchester (MAN)N/AN/A

 

Bottom Line

Any award rate increases sting. But Singapore took some of the bite out of this devaluation of its KrisFlyer miles by giving travelers nearly a month's heads up to book flights now – for a trip as far out as spring 2023 – before rates go up again.

But now it's crunch time. These higher award rates take effect next Tuesday, July 5. That means you've got just a few more days to lock in that trip to Singapore, Tokyo, or even Europe flying one of the world's best airlines at lower rates.

 

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

2 Responses

  • How quickly can I transfer miles in order to take advantage of this by next week. Also do you think the the COVID vaccination restructions will be lifted?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *