The Ultimate Guide to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer

KrisFlyer is Singapore Airlines’ loyalty program. It’s useful for those who fly on the global carrier, along with its Star Alliance partners. It also comes in handy with airlines further afield, including bespoke partners like Virgin Australia.

The ‘points currency’ is KrisFlyer miles, which are easily earned through credit cards, flying and bonus points promotions. These can then be redeemed for great-value reward flights in all classes, including Singapore Airlines First Class and Suites.

This guide is ground zero for those who are just starting off. Read on for how to join the program, earn as many points as you can, and use them for maximum value and amazing flight experiences.

How do I join the KrisFlyer program?

If you don’t already have a KrisFlyer membership, it’s free and easy to sign up for one. Check this page first as you may be able to pick up some bonus points on the way.

1. Visit the KrisFlyer registration page and fill out your personal details.
2. Scroll down and enter your contact information.
3. Next, create a secure password.
4. Enter a promotional code (if any), then click ‘Continue’ to finish signing up.

How do I earn KrisFlyer miles?

Qantas and Velocity frequent flyer points are both easily earned in Australia. When it comes to KrisFlyer, there are still plenty of opportunities for accruing miles, but it can take a little more strategy. The three quickest ways to earn KrisFlyer miles are:

• Signing up for a credit card (that transfers to KrisFlyer) with a large sign-up bonus
• Using a high KrisFlyer miles-earning credit card on an ongoing basis
• Earning and transferring miles from PayRewards, the loyalty program of Pay.com.au

Pay.com.au is affiliated with Point Hacks.

Apart from transaction-based programs, there are a number of other ways to earn more KrisFlyer miles, including:

• Flying on Singapore Airlines, Star Alliance and non-Star Alliance partner airlines like Virgin Australia.
• Booking hotel stays.
• Booking a car rental.

Here is an easy-to-understand video about earning opportunities:

KrisFlyer and Velocity Frequent Flyer

KrisFlyer enjoys a unique bilateral relationship with Velocity Frequent Flyer which allows you to convert Velocity Points into KrisFlyer miles and vice versa. While you’ll lose some points doing it this way (it’s a 1.55 to 1 transfer rate in either direction), KrisFlyer often has greater availability and pricing which makes the transfer worthwhile.

You may consider crediting your Virgin Australia flights to KrisFlyer instead of Velocity — this guide will help you decide whether to do so.

If you are short on miles for a redemption, you can:

• Buy American Express Membership Rewards points
• Transfer points over from Marriott Rewards

How do I redeem KrisFlyer miles?

In our opinion, the best value for your KrisFlyer miles comes from redeeming them for flights on Singapore Airlines and its partners, such as Air Canada and Lufthansa. (Just watch Lufthansa’s carrier charges on short European flights, which can sometimes make purchasing a ticket more economical).

A particularly good-value option is to target your use of KrisFlyer miles to Singapore Airlines and United flights, as there are no fuel surcharges applied to travel on these airlines.

Singapore Airlines is famed for its world-leading Business Class products which fly to all major Australian cities. Sometimes you can get these at 30% off through the monthly Spontaneous Escapes promotion.

The latest Business Class experiences include the Airbus A380 cabin, which you’ll find on selected flights to Sydney, London, Mumbai and Hong Kong.

On those same Airbus A380s, the First Class Suites are an aspirational product for many. In theory, you only need 93,500 KrisFlyer miles to book this from Australia to Singapore. But this ‘Saver’ level is not usually available, so you’d need to fork out 155,000 KrisFlyer miles to book it at the ‘Advantage’ rate instead.

Additionally, you can also use your miles to book a ticket for someone else. KrisFlyer allows you to set up to five people as your redemption nominees. Read more about it in our dedicated guide here.

Some more booking tips:

• You’ll want to aim for a cheaper Saver Award rather than the more expensive ‘Advantage’ award.
• Your KrisFlyer miles have a hard expiry of three years.
• You may be able to put your KrisFlyer award on hold while you wait for points to transfer over.
• You can place yourself on a waitlist if the award seats are booked out.

If you are looking for more inspiration for what to do with your KrisFlyer miles, check out our best uses of points series.

Not sure how to even search for award seats with KrisFlyer miles? Check out this post.

How do I earn Singapore Airlines elite status?

Holding KrisFlyer Gold status or above is the key to unlocking a raft of premium perks with Singapore Airlines and its partners, such as complimentary upgrades, lounge access, and priority check-in and boarding.

There are two separate programs when it comes to status — the KrisFlyer program and the PPS program. The KrisFlyer program has Silver and Gold tiers, which are earned through collecting Elite miles on Singapore Airlines, Star Alliance and eligible partner airline flights. 

KrisFlyer Member

To achieve/maintain: 0 Elite miles

Base-level membership with no additional tier benefits. You can earn and redeem KrisFlyer miles and use them for reward flights, upgrades and more. You can also book flights on behalf of up to five redemption nominees, which could be family members or friends.

KrisFlyer Elite Silver

To achieve/maintain: 25,000 Elite miles over 12 months

Silver is the first elite status, but even with Star Alliance Silver recognition, it doesn’t offer you that much more. You get a 25% miles bonus, reduced service fees and higher priority with waitlisting and standby. Standard seat selection is free as well.

KrisFlyer Elite Gold

To achieve/maintain: 50,000 Elite miles over 12 months

KrisFlyer Gold is the level to aim for and gives Star Alliance Gold benefits and lounge access across the whole network, plus Virgin Australia domestic lounge access. There is also priority check-in, luggage, boarding and higher priority with waitlisting. ‘Forward Zone’ economy seats are free to select.

It takes 50,000 Elite Miles within a 12-month period to earn KrisFlyer Elite Gold status, which is then valid for 12 months.

PPS Club Member

To achieve/maintain: S$25,000+ spent on eligible flights over 12 months

PPS Club membership, on the other hand, is based on how much money you spend on Business and First Class flights with Singapore Airlines. The benefits are much better than KrisFlyer Gold status, such as enhanced lounge access and more perks.

You would have to spend around $25,000 SGD for Singapore Airlines Business/First Class flights (excluding taxes) in a year to get 25,000 in PPS Value, which qualifies you for a year of PPS Club membership.

Solitaire PPS Club Member

To achieve/maintain: S$50,000+ spent on eligible flights over 12 months

For the sake of completion, the top level is Solitaire PPS. This gives the best perks possible, such as First Class lounge access, First Class check-in, a partner PPS member card for someone else, and the highest priority with award redemptions, among many other smaller benefits.

You would have to spend around $50,000 SGD for Singapore Airlines Business/First Class flights (excluding taxes) in a year to get 50,000 in PPS Value, which qualifies you for a year of Solitaire PPS Club membership.

Here are the quickest ways to earn Star Alliance Gold status in one trip.

How do I contact KrisFlyer?

To get in touch with KrisFlyer about a membership enquiry or flight redemption, try:

• Calling +61 2 8228 1188 from anywhere, anytime.
• Sending them a direct message on Twitter or Facebook.
• Submitting an online enquiry.

While the call centre might be the quickest way to resolve your issue, try the social media channels if the line is busy.

Summing up

If you fly or are interested in flying Singapore Airlines, Virgin Australia or one of its other partners, then the KrisFlyer program may be worth signing up for if your travel patterns suit.

KrisFlyer miles are most quickly earned by signing up for one of these credit cards, and can easily be used for great-value redemptions in Business and First Class.

Do you know someone who might get some use out of the KrisFlyer program but needs a little help? Share this guide using the social media buttons below!

Supplementary images courtesy Singapore Airlines and KrisFlyer. Additional reporting by Chris Chamberlin.