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Singapore To Cancel Routes From Newark and Los Angeles

Oct. 27, 2012
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3 min read
Singapore To Cancel Routes From Newark and Los Angeles
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As you might remember, for my last birthday, I gave myself the present of taking the longest commercial flight in the world aboard Singapore Airlines' all-business-class plane from Newark to Singapore. It was definitely one of my most memorable travel experiences, and a great use of Ultimate Rewards points since I used just 60,000 plus $2.50 in taxes and fees to pay for what would otherwise have been a $4,600 ticket.

Say goodbye to the all-business-class Singapore service!

Unfortunately, it looks like by late 2013, this flight will no longer be available. According this article, Singapore Airlines has been hurting due to fluctuating fuel prices and a weak global economy. It has hired freezing and is updating its fleet in the hopes of economizing through efficiency. Still, it's got quite a few A380's and A350's on order as well as some Boeing 787's. Looks like as part of its deal with Airbus, though, the airline will have to return some of its long-rage A340-500 craft, including the one that flies the EWR-SIN route, and that the non-stop flight between LA and Singapore will also be canceled at that time. Apparently it was uneconomical to operate the five craft that only serviced these two routes.

I'm all for cost-saving measures since maybe, just maybe, some of the savings will be passed along to consumers, but I'm sad to see the EWR-SIN service go, especially because I had such a great experience. For those of you looking to get in on the flight before it's canceled, hopefully Singapore will be opening up some saver-level availability so you can use your United or US Airways miles (both Star Alliance partners of Singapore) to book an award ticket.

Otherwise, your best bet would be to join Krisflyer, Singapore's frequent flyer program since it is a transfer partner of Amex Membership Rewards, and Singapore makes more award seats available to its members, so you could transfer points to the program and use them to book an award that way. Amex points transfer at a 1:1 ratio, though it takes 48 hours, so you'd have to keep your fingers crossed that award availability would remain open. It'll cost you 85,000 Krisflyer miles one-way to fly the EWR-SIN route in business, which is expensive, but could be worth it for you to try out this unique service. You do get a 15% discount when you redeem Krisflyer miles online, so your requirement for this award would actually end up being 72,250 miles.

The Krisflyer award redemption chart with mileage from the US East Coast to Singapore.

Ah well, on to the next interesting route - my flight between Seoul ICN and Madrid in a few weeks aboard Korean Air - also courtesy of my Ultimate Rewards 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

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.