Update: Singapore will reopen to fully vaccinated US travelers beginning Oct. 19
Editor's Note
U.S. travelers will soon be able to arrive or transit through iconic Changi Airport (SIN).
Beginning Oct. 19, 2021, fully vaccinated travelers from eight additional countries will be permitted to enter Singapore without the need to quarantine upon arrival. After a limited reopening to residents of Germany and Brunei last month, Singapore is expanding its "vaccinated travel lane" program to the following nations:
- Canada
- Denmark
- France
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Spain
- United Kingdom
- United States
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The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) made the announcement on Oct. 9, noting that only two COVID-19 cases were detected among the 1,926 people from Germany or Brunei that participated in the program thus far.
About 83% of the population in Singapore is fully vaccinated, one of the world's highest rates.
Just one day earlier, on Oct. 8, the CAAS said fully vaccinated South Korean residents would also be allowed into Singapore through the travel lane program beginning Nov. 15, 2021.
In total, 11 countries will be participating in the vaccinated travel program. Singapore authorities will initially admit up to 3,000 travelers to enter Singapore daily.
Travel requirements
Those traveling from the eight newly-announced countries will first need to apply online for a vaccinated travel pass, beginning on Oct. 12. To travel to Singapore, you must have remained within the countries under the vaccinated travel lanes for 14 consecutive days prior to departure.
Visitors will still be required to take two PCR tests (down from four previously). A first test is required within 48 hours of departure to Singapore and a second upon arriving at Changi Airport. Only once a negative test result is received will travelers be able to leave self-isolation.
All tourists must also use the TraceTogether app for contact tracing and have mandatory travel health insurance.
Getting to Singapore (or transiting)
Related: Singapore Airlines will resume popular JFK-FRA route on Nov. 2
Travelers bound for Singapore must still fly on designated vaccinated travel lane flights. These include services on Singapore Airlines between Singapore and the following cities: Amsterdam (AMS), Barcelona (BCN), Copenhagen (CPH), London (LHR), Los Angeles (LAX), Milan (MXP), New York (JFK), Paris (CDG), Seoul (ICN) and Rome (FCO).
Singapore Airlines said additional flights and frequencies will be announced in the coming days and weeks.
Additionally, travelers will now be allowed to transit through Singapore as long as COVID-19 requirements are met and they are on a designated vaccinated travel lane flight.
If you want to use your miles to get to Singapore, you have a choice of Star Alliance partners to book with including Singapore's own KrisFlyer program, United MileagePlus and Aeroplan. If you don’t have miles, KrisFlyer is a partner of all five major transferable points currencies: Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, Capital One and Marriott Bonvoy.
Here are the round-trip rates for saver awards from the U.S. to Singapore:
- Economy: 76,000 miles (80,000 miles from the East Coast)
- Premium Economy: 130,000 miles (140,000 miles)
- Business: 176,000 miles (184,000 miles)
- First: 236,000 miles (240,000 miles)
Related: Singapore is reopening soon: Here’s how to get there using points and miles
As the city-state seeks to rebuild its standing as an international aviation hub, that's good news for U.S. travelers looking to visit or even transit Singapore.
Singapore will not accept your CDC card
Be sure you know all the rules before applying to visit Singapore.
As first reported by the travel blog "Paddle Your Own Kanoo," Singapore, unlike almost any other country in the world, will not accept the standard proof-of-vaccination handed out to most vaccinated Americans. Singapore isn't accepting CDC cards as proof of vaccination.
Instead, you will need to come from a state that uses the Smart Health Card format. It's part of the CommonTrust Network that verifies and tracks health data for companies and countries. In New York state, for example, they use the Excelsior Pass, which incorporates Smart Health Card technology.
According to Paddle Your Own Kanoo, only the following states are using the technology so far:
- Arizona
- California
- Hawaii
- Lousiana
- Maryland
- Missisipi
- North Dakota
- New York
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington, D.C.
- West Virginia
Related: Some states rolling out vaccine passports
Additional reporting by Clint Henderson.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
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Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees