How To Fly Singapore Airlines – Whether Coach, Premium Economy, Or Business – For 30% Fewer Miles

by Gary Leff

Singapore Airlines is one of the world’s best carriers, some would even say the best overall. Their product isn’t just premium at the front end of the aircraft, they pay attention to little details in economy like a bit more legroom; cup holders and foot rests on long haul seats; quality food and one of the best entertainment systems. Service is known to be almost universally good.

What some people don’t realize is that they do not fly just to Singapore. They fly from Los Angeles to Tokyo. They fly from New York to Frankfurt and they fly from Houston to Manchester, England.

They’re a Star Alliance member, which means they’re a partner of United Airlines, but historically if you’ve wanted to redeem miles to travel in anything other than coach you’ve had to redeem Singapore’s own points.

  • Book 10-12 months in advance for best availability
  • You no longer need to use Singapore’s own miles for business class awards. Both Alaska Airlines and Air Canada Aeroplan now offer long haul business redemption on Singapore Airlines, too.
  • But getting Singapore’s own miles is easy, they are a transfer partner of all of the major credit card currencies. And like Alaska and Aeroplan they have no fuel surcharges (on their own flights).
  • They also make routes with light bookings available at the last minute through their own program for fewer miles

Each month there are new ‘Spontaneous Escapes’ offered. Currently you can take a 30% discount on specific routes booked by January 31 for travel in February. From the U.S.:

  • New York JFK – Frankfurt for 56,700 miles in business
  • New York JFK – Frankfurt for 36,400 miles in premium economy
  • New York JFK – Frankfurt for 17,500 miles in economy
  • New York JFK – Singapore for 56,350 miles in premium economy
  • Los Angeles – Tokyo Narita for 51,100 miles in premium economy
  • Los Angeles – Tokyo Narita for 26,950 miles in economy
  • San Francisco – Singapore for 52,500 miles in premium economy
  • San Francisco – Singapore for 29,400 miles in economy
  • Los Angeles – Singapore for 29,400 miles in economy

You need to redeem on the Singapore Airlines website. These bookings are non-refundable and non-changeable, and waitlisting is not available.

This month there’s only one business class redemption available, between New York and Frankfurt. But premium economy is available on that and several other routes as well. And the available flights and cabins change each month.

About Gary Leff

Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel - a topic he has covered since 2002. Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »

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Comments

  1. FYI. I’m attempting to book an SQ award so on Saturday I transferred points from both Amex and Chase. Both say it could take 48 hours for the transfer. Amex transferred within four hours. Still waiting for Chase points. I’m sure if I call Chase they will tell me that it takes “two business days” to transfer and they probably don’t count weekends. Hope my award flights are still there by the time I get my points. Grrr..

  2. “Los Angeles – San Francisco for 29,400 miles in premium economy”
    Is this a United codeshare in Premium Plus? 🙂

  3. I’m leveraging the JFK – FRA route quite a bit this year. Already have 4 flights on that route in SIN business class (booked through Aeroplan). 60k each way is really not so bad (though I still love Turkish Airlines 45k business class flights to anywhere in Europe – especially on the new 787s).

  4. I had one of the worst experience with Singapore airlines. I flew on 10 Dec 2022 from Sydney to kathmandu with my family and our flight cancelled dor 2nd time and delayed 48 hours ie 2 days where we missed our important functions. it was the most horrible experience as we were given hotel 25 mines drive from airport and had to checkout our luggages.
    the worst experience ever.

    K

  5. Los Angeles – Singapore for 29,400 miles in premium economy… i cant find this deal … is it really for prem econ?

  6. Don’t be sure you get what you pay for ŵth Singapore Airlines. We booked premium economy from Brisbane to Heathrow on 10th January 2924. On the first leg of the journey we were down graded to economy without explanation, apology or refund! Any enquiries as to why we’re met with “so what”

  8. Hi @OftenGenerous, you can call Singapore Airlines to help you reserve those seats you want first, and that you are in the midst of waiting for the miles from the transfer. SIA will gladly help 🙂

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