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Singapore Makes Star Alliance Awards Bookable Online, Devalues Some Redemptions

Nov. 14, 2017
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4 min read
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Singapore Makes Star Alliance Awards Bookable Online, Devalues Some Redemptions
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Singapore Airlines announced on Tuesday that it's adding some very welcome functionality to its KrisFlyer program, but also increasing redemption rates on a number of Star Alliance partner redemptions.

As of December 7, you'll be able to make Star Alliance bookings online or through Singapore's app, whereas previously you could only go online to book awards on Singapore metal and had to call for partner redemptions. This is a great change — it's going to be much more convenient to be able to book Star Alliance awards online (or through the app) without needing to call KrisFlyer.

Now, let's go over the mileage changes, which also go into effect on December 7, 2017. If you book an award before December 7, this is how many KrisFlyer miles you'll need for a Star Alliance award flight:

And for bookings made on or after December 7, this is what the award chart for Star Alliance redemptions looks like:

You'll find the details for all of the changes below, based on class of service and all originating in North America. Keep in mind that these are the cost of round-trip awards. It's also worth noting that these are the redemption rates for Star Alliance partners only, and it's likely that if you're redeeming KrisFlyer miles on a lot of these routes, it will be for flights operated by Singapore Airlines itself.

Perhaps the best part of this news is that there's been no change to the number of miles needed for partner bookings from North America to Hawaii, which is one of the prime examples of when it'd make sense to use KrisFlyer miles to book an award on a partner — United, in this case. Keep in mind, too, that you can build up your KrisFlyer account very easily — you can transfer miles from all of the major points currencies — American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou and Starwood Preferred Guest.

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Economy Class

  • North America to North Asia 1: 90,000 ⇒ 96,000
  • North America to North Asia 2: 90,000 ⇒ 108,000
  • North America to Southwest Pacific: 110,000 ⇒ 120,000
  • North America to Middle East, North Africa: 75,000 ⇒ 90,000
  • North America to Central, South Africa: 90,000 ⇒ 104,000
  • North America to Central, South Asia: 105,000 ⇒ 110,000

Business Class

  • North America to North Asia 1: 175,000 ⇒ 210,000
  • North America to North Asia 2: 175,000 ⇒ 210,000
  • North America to Southwest Pacific: 195,000 ⇒ 234,000
  • North America to Middle East, North Africa: 115,000 ⇒ 138,000
  • North America to Central, South Africa: 145,000 ⇒ 174,000
  • North America to Central, South Asia: 195,000 ⇒ 220,000

First Class

  • North America to Southeast Asia 1: 225,000 ⇒ 270,000
  • North America to Southeast Asia 2: 225,000 ⇒ 270,000
  • North America to North Asia 1: 200,000 ⇒ 250,000
  • North America to North Asia 2: 200,000 ⇒ 250,000
  • North America to Southwest Pacific: 255,000 ⇒ 305,000
  • North America to Europe: 160,000 ⇒ 190,000
  • North America to Middle East, North Africa: 150,000 ⇒ 180,000
  • North America to Central, South Africa: 220,000 ⇒ 264,000
  • North America to Central, South Asia: 265,000 ⇒ 290,000

In addition to the increase in miles needed for certain awards, Singapore is also implementing new fees. As of December 7, 2017, if you call KrisFlyer to perform any of the tasks below, you'll be charged $25 or 2,500 KrisFlyer miles:

  • Redemption ticket bookings
  • Redemption ticket changes
  • Redemption upgrades
  • KrisFlyer membership services, including updating passport details, adding or changing Redemption Group Nominees.

In March, Singapore KrisFlyer announced changes to its own award chart — affecting only Singapore Airlines-operated flights. In addition, the airline announced it was discontinuing its 15% online booking discount, making the amount you'd pay online the same as the amount you'd pay over the phone. There was one positive in that announcement: fuel surcharges would be discontinued for flights operated by Singapore and SilkAir.

H/T: Mommy Points

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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)

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  • 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

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  • 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.
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