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Singapore's Increasing Redemption Rates, Scrapping Online Booking Discount
Zach Honig
Contributor
March 01, 2017
•
4 min read
Singapore's Increasing Redemption Rates, Scrapping Online Booking Discount
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Well, this is a huge bummer. Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, the only Asia-based frequent flyer program to accept points from all four transferrable currencies (Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou and Starwood Preferred Guest), will be undergoing a big devaluation on March 23. That gives you roughly three weeks to reserve flights at the current rates, and with the beloved 15% online booking discount.
According to an email sent to members this morning (including myself), the following will change as of March 23:
- Award rates will increase in various zones
- The 15% online booking discount will be discontinued — you'll pay the same online as you will over the phone
- Fuel surcharges will be discontinued for flights operated by Singapore and SilkAir
Obviously that last bullet is an improvement, but not all routes have been subjected to huge surcharges in the past.
As for award redemption rates, they're definitely increasing significantly — especially when you factor in the extra 15% you'll need to redeem once the online discount is gone. For example, TPG's Singapore Suites redemption from LAX to Tokyo (now first class on the 777-300ER), ran him 74,375 miles, or 87,500 miles before the online discount. That same award will cost 95,000 miles come March 23, representing a 28% increase over the current online rates.
Here's how the new vs. old Saver rates break down for flights from the West Coast (LAX and SFO) to Singapore:
| Class | Current Rate | After 15% Discount | New Rate | Increase (Incl. Online Discount) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
First | 107,500 | 91,375 | 118,000 | 29% |
Business | 80,000 | 68,000 | 88,000 | 29% |
Premium Economy | 65,000 | 55,250 | 65,000 | 18% |
Economy | 35,000 | 29,750 | 38,000 | 28% |
Meanwhile, here's the new vs. old rates for flights from NYC and Houston to Singapore:
| Class | Current Rate | After 15% Discount | New Rate | Increase (Incl. Online Discount) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
First | 110,000 | 93,500 | 120,000 | 28% |
Business | 85,000 | 72,250 | 92,000 | 27% |
Premium Economy | 70,000 | 59,500 | 70,000 | 18% |
Economy | 37,500 | 31,875 | 40,000 | 25% |
For other destinations, check out Singapore's old vs. new charts here.
Now the other part of the story here is the elimination of fuel surcharges. While none applied to TPG's booking example above (LAX to Tokyo), you will pay a hefty sum on some flights to and from Singapore.
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Here's an example of the cash co-pay (fuel surcharges and taxes/fees) for a flight from New York-JFK to Singapore:
| Class | Current Cash Co-Pay (USD) | New Cash Co-Pay (USD) | Award Rate Increase | TPG Value of Extra Miles Used (1.5 cents each) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Suites (First) | $240 + $46.22 | $46.22 | 26,500 | $397.50 |
Business | $230 + $46.22 | $46.22 | 19,750 | $296.25 |
Premium Economy | $220 + $46.22 | $46.22 | 10,500 | $157.50 |
Economy | $220 + $46.22 | $46.22 | 8,125 | $121.88 |
Assuming you value KrisFlyer miles at 1.5 cents each (as TPG does), you'll actually come out ahead in some cases. For example, the value of the increased mileage required for a one-way flight from New York-JFK to Singapore as of March 23 is less than the current cost of fuel surcharges for Premium Economy and coach awards. So if you're booking those two cabins and you value your miles at 1.5 cents apiece, it actually makes sense to book under the new rates.
Passengers booking business and first class will still come out ahead under the current chart, but it's still great to see that the eliminated surcharges do go a long way to offsetting this increase. So, if you're booking business or first class, it makes sense to get your tickets issued now. Meanwhile, if you're be traveling in Premium Economy or coach, you may come out ahead on or after the change kicks in on March 23.
Note that Singapore did not announce any changes to standard awards, upgrade rates, partner bookings or Premium Economy Saver awards (though the loss of the 15% online discount does impact all KrisFlyer redemption rates).
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.