Book now: Wide-open business class award space on the world’s longest flight
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Singapore Airlines recently announced that it will add a third flight to the New York City area.
Singapore Airlines will restart daily nonstop flights from Newark (EWR) to Singapore (SIN) in late March, a route it previously operated pre-pandemic before moving service to New York-JFK. The route will join two services out of New York-JFK to Singapore; one nonstop route and another that operates via Frankfurt (FRA). The nonstop routes are the world’s two longest flights and are operated by the carrier’s A350-900ULR, while the Frankfurt service is operated by its flagship A380.
This is the first time Singapore Airlines has operated three daily flights from the New York area — which is great for award travelers. The airline has already loaded award space for the new route and we’re seeing wide-open award space on the route throughout the spring and summer months. Even better? Singapore recently reopened its borders to vaccinated tourists.
Let’s take a closer look at the award space and how to book it with transferable points.
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The deal
Airline: Singapore Airlines
Routes: EWR-SIN
Cost: From 99,000 Amex, Capital One, Chase or Citi points each way (transferred to Singapore KrisFlyer)
Dates: Late March through September
How to book: Find award space on Singapore Airlines’ website, and call the airline to put the award ticket on hold. Then, transfer points to the your KrisFlyer account and call the airline to confirm your ticket. Point transfers to Singapore Airlines can take up to 48 hours to process.
Pay taxes/fees with: The Platinum Card® from American Express (5 points per dollar on airfare booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel; on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), Chase Sapphire Reserve (3 points per dollar on travel) or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2 points per dollar on travel) for travel protections on the award flight.
Related: The best ways to travel to Europe using points and miles
Is it worth it?
Singapore Airlines’ business class product is notoriously great. TPG’s Zach Griff reviewed the Newark to Singapore flight in business class before the pandemic, and noted that the onboard service was excellent, with great food options and a huge selection of entertainment. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy a large lie-flat seat to rest. All of this is important when you consider the 9,534-mile journey takes 18 and a half hours to complete.
The flight isn’t cheap either. This spring, you’ll spend nearly $4,000 for a round-trip business class ticket, putting a paid ticket out of reach for many of us. Plus, this flight can skyrocket in price during peak dates like holidays and summer travel months.
You’ll pay 99,000 miles each way for an award ticket — which isn’t cheap either — but it makes the flight a lot more accessible. Plus, taxes and fees are minimal at $64.97 round-trip.
One last thing to know: You cannot usually book Singapore Airlines award tickets in premium cabins with partner programs like United MileagePlus or Air Canada Aeroplan. Because of this, you need to transfer miles to Singapore KrisFlyer or already have the miles in your account to book these awards.
Fortunately, you can transfer all major transferable points currencies to KrisFlyer.
Related: Singapore is reopening: Here’s how to get there using points and miles
Sample itineraries
As noted, we’re seeing award space through the spring and summer months of this year. Most Saver level award space is available during the week, with weekends pricing at the higher Advantage award tier. You can find award space on Singapore Airlines’ website and use the slider at the top of the search results page to quickly find Saver award space.
Right now, round-trip award space is plentiful from the end of March through September, giving you a large window to book your flights. Better yet, most dates have award space for two or more passengers.
Related: Ultimate guide to Singapore KrisFlyer
Boosting your Singapore KrisFlyer balance
Singapore KrisFlyer is a transfer partner of all the major transferable points currencies: American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou Rewards. Here’s a look at some of my favorite Amex cards and their current welcome offers that can give you a head-start toward booking a business-class seat on the world’s longest flight. Each card has its own set of benefits and fees, so compare each card to see which is best for your wallet.
- American Express® Gold Card: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new card within the first six months of card membership. Earn 4 points per dollar on dining at restaurants; 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar); 3 points per dollar on airfare purchased directly from airlines or American Express Travel; 1 point per dollar on all other purchases, ($250 annual fee; see rates and fees).
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases in your first six months of card membership. Earn 5 points per dollar on airfare purchased directly from airlines or with American Express Travel (earn 5 points per dollar on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, and Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts; 1 point per dollar on all other purchases, ($695 annual fee; see rates and fees).
- American Express® Green Card: 30,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $2,000 on purchases within the first three months of card membership. Earn 3 points per dollar on dining at restaurants, travel and transit (including flights, hotels, transit, taxis, tours, and ridesharing services), 1 point per dollar on all other purchases ($150 annual fee; see rates and fees).
The information for the Amex Green card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: Transfer and maximize: The ultimate guide to Amex Membership Rewards
Bottom line
Singapore is open for tourists, and you can fly there nonstop from New York City with wide-open business class award space. We’re seeing business-class award space on many dates this spring and summer — but book quickly if you’re interested, as space can be booked up quickly. You can always change or cancel your flights without penalty if plans change or borders close.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Green card, click here.
Feature photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy
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