Deal Alert: Houston to Singapore on Singapore Airlines for $647 Round-Trip

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.

Due to the tremendous popularity of our deal alert series and our first deal with Singapore Airlines, we teamed up again to feature another deal exclusively for TPG readers.

Last year, we shared a fantastic TPG-exclusive Singapore Airlines round-trip fare from Houston (IAH) to Moscow (DME) for $399, including all taxes. Because it was such a fantastic deal and many readers took advantage of it, we decided to give it another go with SQ. Thousands of loyal TPG readers have gotten in on excellent deals to destinations like Lima, Osaka, Manila, Milan and the Caribbean, among many others — be sure to keep an eye on TPG and our @tpg_alerts Twitter account to see each deal as soon as it hits.

Today, Singapore Airlines is offering another exceptional deal exclusively for TPG readers on its flight from Houston (IAH) to Singapore (SIN). For $647, you can fly round-trip on board the carrier's 777-300ER aircraft. You'll also earn 15,000 KrisFlyer miles after completing the flight (including 9,925 elite-qualifying miles). The fare includes all taxes, fees and carrier-imposed surcharges for the economy-class seat. For you, the traveler, this presents an opportunity to experience Singapore's fantastic service on a flight to its namesake city-state. Although the airline plans to re-launch the world's longest flight from New York to Singapore, it now operates one-stop flights from cities throughout the US to Singapore. United is currently offering great fares on round-trip flights to Houston from other cities in the US — $87 from Chicago, $107 from LAX and $177 from NYC, for example.

Please note that TPG and Singapore don't have a business relationship (meaning that we're not profiting from or making money on this deal); rather, we're excited to bring you another edition of what we hope will be many TPG reader exclusives!

Singapore is a great destination — and a difficult one to get to for such a reasonable price like this. You could also use the fare to maximize your time in Southeast Asia. Book a long stay in Singapore with this deal and plan travel to surrounding countries, like Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam and more. As long as you're back in Singapore for the return flight to Houston, the deal can be used to maximize your time in the region.

Availability and Flight

You must book by January 31 (Singapore local time) for travel between February 12 and May 20, 2016. Flights in both directions are only available on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

You'll pay just $647 round-trip, including taxes and fees, when you book directly through this Singapore page. On an award ticket for this flight, you'd pay $539 in taxes and fees — almost the price of the cash ticket itself!

Singapore Airlines flight 61 departs Houston at 4:45pm and arrives in Moscow the next day at 1pm. There is a one-hour-and-20-minute layover in Moscow before Singapore 61 continues on to Singapore at 2:20pm and arrives the next day at 5:50am. All together, this is a two-day flight (Thursday-Saturday) for a total of just over 23 hours.

On the return leg, Singapore flight 62 departs Singapore at 2:35am and lands in Moscow at 8:45am the same day. The flight will then leave Moscow at 10:15am and arrive back in Houston at 2:15pm the same day.

Economy Experience

Yes, this is an economy fare, and unfortunately there isn't an opportunity to upgrade to Singapore's fantastic business and first-class seats. That said, you can expect an experience far superior to what you'd get with any domestic US carrier. That means friendly service (flight attendants that don't scream at you for pressing the overhead call button) and meals you'll actually want to eat (better than many domestic first options).

You also get excellent (and free) in-flight entertainment with an 10.6-inch display, and 19-inch-wide seats with 32 inches of pitch (compare that to 17 inches wide and 31 inches of pitch on AA's 777-300ER).

These fares include checked baggage allowance of 2 pieces weighing up to 23 kg (about 50 pounds) each. Gold elite members receive an additional piece of checked luggage at no charge.

Flying First or Business Class

If 23 hours in economy isn't your thing, consider redeeming KrisFlyer miles for a long-haul flight in Singapore's fantastic business or first class. For more on premium-cabin travel, see Top 5 Ways to Fly to Europe in First Class, How to Fly Singapore Airlines First Class for (Almost!) Free, Singapore Airlines First Class Suites: How To Book on Miles, TPG's 8 Reasons Why I Love Singapore Airlines First Class and Flight Review: Singapore Airlines A380 Suites Frankfurt-JFK.

Mileage Earning

This deal books into the "N" fare class, which earns only 50% of miles flown when crediting to Singapore KrisFlyer. Singapore N fares do not earn any miles with United MileagePlus, Lufthansa Miles & More or Turkish Miles & Smiles. However, you will earn a set amount accrued total of 15,000 KrisFlyer miles on the completion of your travel. If the miles don't post to your account immediately, don't panic. Singapore Airlines will take some time to go through and add the remainder of the difference from the N class miles and the set 15,000 amount to your account.

Bottom Line

Ultimately, this is a trip that is nearly 10,000 miles each way for a price that is hard to beat — $647 round-trip. That's a heck of a deal. If anything, this presents you with the opportunity to travel around the area on a trip that would cost nearly as much in taxes and fees if you were to book on an award ticket.

Singapore is a bustling city-state that has plenty of charm and character amidst its metropolitan skyline. If you've never been or have been wanting to plan a trip to explore the country — or the region — there is really no better time to do so than now.

Maximize Your Purchase

Don’t forget to use a credit card that earns additional points on airfare purchases, such as the American Express Premier Rewards Gold or Citi Prestige (3x on airfare) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on all travel purchases). Check out this post for more on maximizing airfare purchases.