Deal alert: Save on last-minute Singapore Airlines premium economy award tickets

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.

Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer mileage program routinely discounts certain routes through its KrisFlyer “Spontaneous Escapes” program. The discount program was on hiatus due to the pandemic but returned earlier this year as COVID-19-related border closures started to ease.

Now through the end of August, you can score 30% off economy and premium economy awards on certain routes for travel from Sept. 1 through Sept. 31. There are dozens of discounted routes on the full list, including a few outside Asia. Just note that there are some blackout dates on certain routes.

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The most relevant deals for our U.S. readers include flights between Singapore and U.S. cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York. These routes start at 29,400 miles each way in economy. Unfortunately, there is no promotion in business class this month.

(Screenshot from singaporeair.com)

However, the better options available this month come in the premium economy cabin. One-way flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) require 52,500 miles. Meanwhile, discounted flights from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to SIN cost 56,350 miles.

(Screenshot from singaporeair.com)

Alternatively, Singapore has discounted premium economy flights to Frankfurt. Singapore has a discounted rate of 36,400 miles on its fifth-freedom route in both directions. However, that option is only available on flights from JFK.

(Screenshot from singaporeair.com)

There are also some options between Europe and Singapore for 29,400 miles each way in economy.

Note that KrisFlyer doesn’t necessarily discount flights in both directions, so pay attention to the route direction when planning a trip. Also, there are blackout dates. For these — and all the route options within Asia — check the full list.

It’s also important to point out that these “promo” awards are more restrictive than typical “saver” awards. While you’ll still get complimentary checked bags and seat selection, these awards don’t include complimentary stopovers and cannot be changed or canceled.

If you already have an award flight booked for this period, it could be worth canceling your existing award, paying a small redeposit fee and rebooking at the lower rate if the dates work out for you.

You don’t need any discount codes or special links for this offer. Just search on KrisFlyer’s website and Singapore will automatically apply the discount at checkout. The non-discounted rates will appear in the search results, but the discounted price will show when you click the flight option.

Related: Singapore Airlines adds more restrictive 'promo' award ticket tier

Deal basics

Airline: Singapore Airlines.
Routes: Many Singapore routes; see the full list here.
Purchase by: Aug. 31.
Travel dates: Sept. 1 through Sept. 31.
Booking link: Directly with KrisFlyer.
Pay taxes/fees with: The Platinum Card® from American Express (5 points per dollar spent on airfare booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel, on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), Citi Premier® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve (3 points per dollar spent on air travel), American Express® Gold Card (3 points per dollar spent on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel) or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2 points per dollar spent on travel).

Sample flights

San Francisco to Singapore in economy for 29,400 miles plus $5.60 in taxes and fees one-way

(Screenshot from singaporeair.com)

Los Angeles to Singapore in economy for 29,400 miles plus $5.60 in taxes and fees one-way

(Screenshot from singaporeair.com)

New York to Frankfurt in premium economy for 36,400 miles plus $5.60 in taxes and fees one-way

(Screenshot from singaporeair.com)

San Francisco to Singapore in premium economy for 52,500 miles plus $5.60 in taxes and fees one-way

(Screenshot from singaporeair.com)

Boosting your KrisFlyer balance

Even if your Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer balance is currently zero, you can easily earn a haul of Singapore miles by leveraging transferable points programs. The KrisFlyer program partners with most of the major transferable currencies, including:

• American Express Membership Rewards.
• Chase Ultimate Rewards.
• Citi ThankYou Rewards.
• Capital One Venture miles.

You can transfer points/miles from popular cards like The Platinum Card from American Express, the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the Citi Premier Card and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card directly to Singapore at a 1:1 ratio to enable these redemptions.

Additional reporting by Ehsan Haque, JT Genter and Victoria Walker.