KrisFlyer
KrisFlyer is the frequent flyer and loyalty rewards program operated by Singapore Airlines, launched in February 1999 to enable members to earn redeemable miles through flights, credit card spending, and partnerships for benefits such as award tickets, class upgrades, and lifestyle rewards.[1][2][3] Free to join, the program has evolved from a traditional airline loyalty scheme into a lifestyle-centric platform with over 10 million members as of 2025, integrating everyday spending opportunities via partners like hotels, retailers, and dining outlets. In 2025, the program introduced enhancements such as earning Elite miles from spending on partners like KrisShop and Pelago, and flexible Access Redemptions for confirmed seats using miles.[4][1][5] Membership is structured into tiers based on Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) earned primarily through flights with Singapore Airlines and its Star Alliance partners, including 26 airlines such as Lufthansa and United Airlines.[6][7][8] The base KrisFlyer tier provides unlimited in-flight Wi-Fi on all Singapore Airlines aircraft, milestone rewards, and the option to mix miles with cash for redemptions.[9][10] Advancing to KrisFlyer Elite Silver requires 25,000 EQMs in a 12-month period, unlocking a 25% bonus on redeemable miles, priority check-in and boarding, extra baggage allowance, and guaranteed economy seating.[6][9] The KrisFlyer Elite Gold tier, achieved with 50,000 EQMs in a 12-month period, offers enhanced perks including access to SilverKris and KrisFlyer Gold Lounges for members and a companion, 50% bonus miles, priority baggage handling, and fee waivers for changes or cancellations.[6][9] Beyond these, the invitation-only PPS Club (with Solitaire PPS Club as the top tier), qualified by accumulating sufficient PPS Value through premium cabin spending, providing additional benefits like complimentary chauffeur services and higher mileage accrual rates within the broader KrisFlyer ecosystem.[11][12][2] Miles can be earned not only on Singapore Airlines, Scoot, and Star Alliance flights but also through co-branded credit cards from issuers like American Express and DBS, as well as non-flight partners in categories such as hotels (e.g., Marriott Bonvoy) and shopping.[7][4] Redemptions are flexible, covering Spontaneous Escapes for discounted awards, KrisShop purchases, hotel stays via Pelago, and experiences, though miles expire after 36 months unless renewed through activity.[4][2] In 2025, KrisFlyer was recognized as the world's best frequent flyer program by DestinAsian's Readers' Choice Awards for its extensive redemption options and seamless Star Alliance integration.[13]Overview and History
Program Launch and Evolution
KrisFlyer was launched on 1 February 1999 by Singapore Airlines as its primary frequent flyer program, marking the airline's first proprietary loyalty initiative designed to reward customers with miles earned through travel on SIA and partner flights.[14] The program's name derives from the kris, a traditional Malay dagger that symbolizes precision, agility, and Singapore's cultural heritage, a motif long associated with the airline since the 1970s.[15] Initially focused on flight-based earning and redemption of miles for award travel, KrisFlyer replaced earlier ad-hoc partnerships and promotions, establishing a structured system to encourage repeat business.[16] In its early years, the program emphasized core aviation rewards, but expansion accelerated in the 2000s following Singapore Airlines' entry into the Star Alliance network in 2000, which broadened opportunities for members to earn and redeem miles across 26 partner airlines serving over 1,000 destinations.[17] This integration enhanced the program's global reach, allowing seamless accrual on international flights and access to alliance-wide benefits like priority services.[18] By the 2010s, KrisFlyer evolved beyond aviation through lifestyle integrations, such as the launch of KrisShop for online shopping rewards and Kris+ in 2020 as a mobile app offering everyday earning via dining, retail, and experiences with partners like Pelago.[19] In 2024, KrisFlyer celebrated its 25th anniversary with promotions including accelerated mile accrual opportunities.[14] The program reached a significant milestone in 2025, surpassing 10 million members and celebrating with promotions including a 50% bonus on miles earned for SIA and Scoot flights booked between 24 and 31 March.[20] Key enhancements that year included, effective 1 September 2025, the ability to earn status-qualifying Elite miles and PPS Value through non-flight spending on Kris+, KrisShop, and Pelago, capped at levels representing up to 20% of annual requirements for higher tiers like KrisFlyer Elite Gold (10,000 Elite miles) and PPS Club (2,500 PPS Value).[5] On 13 August 2025, Scoot award redemptions were introduced for Economy Class flights to over 70 destinations, starting at 1,500 Saver miles for short routes.[5] Further updates effective 1 November 2025 added Access redemptions with dynamic mile pricing for confirmed Singapore Airlines seats beyond traditional awards, alongside Scoot integration, and adjusted Saver and Advantage award charts—increasing miles required for long-haul routes (Zones 10-13) by 5-20% for Saver and 10-15% for Advantage options.[5] This progression reflects KrisFlyer's transformation from a flight-centric program to a comprehensive lifestyle rewards ecosystem, incorporating everyday spending opportunities while maintaining a miles expiry policy of three years from the end of the earning month to encourage active engagement.[21][11]Membership Structure
KrisFlyer offers a tiered membership structure designed to reward frequent flyers with escalating benefits based on activity levels. The base level is accessible to all members without any qualification requirements, allowing individuals to join for free and begin earning redeemable KrisFlyer miles on eligible flights and partner transactions, though it provides no elite status perks such as priority services or lounge access.[22] Advancing to KrisFlyer Elite Silver requires accumulating 25,000 Elite miles within any 12 consecutive months, granting members Star Alliance Silver status and associated global benefits like priority waitlisting and extra baggage allowances.[23][24] KrisFlyer Elite Gold, the next tier, demands 50,000 Elite miles over the same period, conferring Star Alliance Gold status with enhanced privileges including guaranteed economy seating and priority boarding; this tier also unlocks milestone rewards, such as a double KrisFlyer miles voucher upon reaching 60,000 Elite miles and a short-haul upgrade voucher at 75,000 Elite miles.[23][25][26] Parallel to the Elite tiers, the PPS Club serves as a premium membership track targeted at high-value travelers in Singapore Airlines' premium cabins, requiring 25,000 PPS Value earned within 12 consecutive months through eligible spend on Suites, First Class, or Business Class flights—typically at a rate of 1 PPS Value per SGD 1 for Business Class, 1.5 per SGD 1 for First Class, and 2 per SGD 1 for Suites based on base fare and carrier surcharges.[27][28] Solitaire PPS Club, the highest tier, requires 50,000 PPS Value within 12 consecutive months, offering the highest level of personalized services for top-tier premium flyers. PPS Club membership also aligns with Star Alliance Gold status and emphasizes rewards for luxury cabin usage. Membership across all tiers follows a 12-month qualification and renewal cycle, with status valid for the ensuing 12 months upon achievement; requalification demands meeting the threshold anew during the active period, and excess qualifying activity beyond the requirement does not carry forward toward the next renewal for Elite tiers.[23][27] For PPS Club and Solitaire, any surplus eligible PPS Value is credited as Reserve Value, which can offset future shortfalls and expires after three years.[27] Since September 1, 2025, up to 20% of the qualification requirement for KrisFlyer Elite Silver and Gold—capped at 5,000 and 10,000 Elite miles, respectively—may derive from non-flight spending, such as 1 Elite mile per SGD 1 on Kris+, KrisShop, or Pelago activities; for PPS tiers, non-flight contributions are limited to 1 PPS Value per SGD 3 spent on these partners, with caps of 2,500 for PPS Club and 5,000 for Solitaire.[23][27][29]Earning KrisFlyer Miles
On Flights
KrisFlyer miles are primarily earned through air travel on Singapore Airlines (SQ), its low-cost subsidiary Scoot, and partner airlines, with accrual calculated as a percentage of the actual distance flown based on the booking class and cabin. On Singapore Airlines flights, members earn miles at varying rates depending on the fare type; for example, Economy class bookings typically accrue 50% to 100% of the miles flown, Business class 125% to 150%, and Suites and First Class 200%. Scoot flights follow a similar distance-based model but with lower base rates, such as 10–20% for Economy and 25% for Business classes, and earning remains unchanged; Scoot award redemptions have been available using KrisFlyer miles since August 2025.[30][29] Star Alliance partners, comprising 26 airlines including United Airlines, Lufthansa, and All Nippon Airways (ANA), allow KrisFlyer members to earn miles on eligible fares operated by these carriers, with accrual rates ranging from 25% to 150% of the distance flown depending on the fare class and airline-specific rules. For instance, full-fare Economy (Y class) or Business (B, C, J classes) bookings often earn 100% or more, while deeply discounted Economy fares may earn as low as 25%. The frequent flyer partnership with Virgin Atlantic ceased effective April 24, 2025, ending both earning and redemption capabilities.[30][31] Other airline partners include Virgin Australia for limited domestic and international routes, where accrual follows specified multipliers; for example, full Y or B class fares earn 100% of miles flown, with lower rates for discounted bookings. Elite status provides additional bonuses on base miles earned from Singapore Airlines flights: KrisFlyer Elite Silver members receive a 25% bonus, Elite Gold members 50%, and PPS Club members 75%. These bonuses apply only to SQ-operated flights and do not extend to partners.[32][24][25] For program qualification, Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM) toward KrisFlyer Elite Silver or Gold status are earned solely on flights operated by Singapore Airlines, Scoot, or Star Alliance member airlines. For Singapore Airlines and Star Alliance flights, EQMs are calculated at 100% of the distance flown regardless of class, plus any applicable bonuses. For Scoot flights, 2.5 Elite miles are earned per KrisFlyer mile accrued. PPS Value, required for PPS Club qualification, is earned only on Singapore Airlines premium cabins (Suites, First, and Business), at a rate of 1 PPS Value per SGD 1 spent on the ticket fare (excluding taxes and surcharges), with no accrual on Scoot or partner flights.[33][29][23]Through Partners and Spending
KrisFlyer members can earn miles through co-branded credit cards issued in partnership with banks such as American Express, Citibank, DBS, and UOB in Singapore. These cards typically offer accelerated earning rates, such as up to 3 KrisFlyer miles per Singapore dollar (SGD) spent on Singapore Airlines purchases and 1.2 to 2 miles per SGD on other eligible local and foreign currency transactions, depending on the card variant.[34][35] Points from various bank rewards programs can be transferred to KrisFlyer miles, including American Express Membership Rewards at a 1:1 ratio with a minimum transfer of 1,000 points, and Citibank PremierMiles or Rewards Points at competitive rates varying by country. Hotel loyalty programs like Marriott Bonvoy allow transfers at a 3:1 ratio, with a bonus of 5,000 KrisFlyer miles for every 60,000 points transferred in a single transaction and a minimum transfer of 3,000 points. Transfers from these partners generally require a minimum of 1,000 KrisFlyer miles equivalent and are credited within 15 to 21 business days, subject to name matching on accounts.[36][37][38][39] Lifestyle partners within the Singapore Airlines ecosystem provide opportunities to earn miles on everyday spending. KrisShop, the airline's online retail platform, awards 2 to 4 KrisFlyer miles per SGD 1 spent on purchases, including inflight shopping. The Kris+ app enables earning up to 6 miles per SGD 1 at participating dining and retail outlets in Singapore, Sydney, and Melbourne, while Pelago, for travel experiences and bookings, offers 3 KrisFlyer miles per SGD 1 on eligible transactions. Starting 1 September 2025, qualifying spends on Kris+, KrisShop, and Pelago contribute to elite status qualification, with KrisFlyer members earning 1 Elite mile per SGD 1 spent and PPS Club members earning 1 PPS Value per SGD 3 spent, capped at 20% of the annual requirement (e.g., 5,000 Elite miles for Silver renewal or 10,000 for Gold).[40][4][41][5] Hotel partnerships allow earning on stays and transfers, with Marriott Bonvoy offering up to 2 KrisFlyer miles per US$1 spent at participating properties; a limited-time promotion from 18 August to 18 November 2025 grants 250 bonus miles upon new member signup. Car rental partners include Hertz, which provides up to 500 KrisFlyer miles per qualifying leisure rental outside Asia (250 within Asia or on commercial rates worldwide), and Avis, awarding 500 miles per non-contracted retail rental (250 on corporate rates) plus 1,000 bonus miles on the first rental.[42][11][43][44] Additional earning avenues cover dining and groceries through partners accessible via Kris+, with rates up to 6 miles per SGD 1 at select outlets. Time-limited promotions enhance these opportunities, such as earning 500 bonus KrisFlyer miles per eligible stay at Langham Hospitality Group properties from 1 October 2025 to 28 February 2026.[45][46]Using KrisFlyer Miles
Redemption for Travel
KrisFlyer members can redeem miles for award flights on Singapore Airlines, Scoot, and partner airlines, with three primary award types designed to balance availability and cost. Saver awards require the fewest miles but have limited seats based on capacity controls, making them ideal for flexible travelers seeking the best value. Advantage awards cost approximately 60% more miles than Saver but guarantee availability in cabins where paid seats exist, including one complimentary stopover of up to 30 days on round-trip bookings. Access awards, introduced on November 1, 2025, offer dynamic pricing for any remaining seats not covered by Saver or Advantage inventory, typically 20-60% more miles than Saver depending on route and demand, providing a flexible option for last-minute or high-demand travel.[47][5][48] Redemptions on Singapore Airlines follow a zone-based chart for one-way flights, with round-trip awards requiring double the miles; for example, a Saver award from Singapore to the US West Coast costs 70,000 miles in Economy or 103,500 miles in Business Class, subject to availability and separate payment of taxes and fees.[49] Scoot, Singapore Airlines' low-cost subsidiary, introduced its own fixed award chart in August 2025, allowing Economy Class redemptions starting at 1,500 miles one-way for short regional routes like Singapore to Malaysia, expanding options for budget-conscious travel within Asia. Upgrades using miles are also available on eligible paid Economy tickets, such as from Economy Standard to Premium Economy for 43,500 miles one-way on long-haul routes like Singapore to the US, with Saver upgrades offering lower rates but limited space.[50][5][51] Partner redemptions extend KrisFlyer miles to over 1,000 destinations via Star Alliance carriers and select non-alliance partners like Virgin Australia, with bookings handled through KrisFlyer services or progressively online. For instance, domestic flights on ANA within Japan can be redeemed for as few as 6,000 miles in Economy Class one-way, highlighting sweet spots for short-haul travel. However, redemptions on Virgin Atlantic ended on April 24, 2025, limiting options on that carrier.[52][53][54] Award bookings generally require a minimum stay of two days and a maximum of three months, with taxes, fees, and surcharges paid separately in cash; changes to confirmed awards may incur fees, but no additional miles are needed for date adjustments after November 1, 2025, if the original rate applies. KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes provides monthly discounted Saver awards, offering up to 30% off select routes for travel in the following month, bookable online with non-changeable, non-cancellable terms to encourage spontaneous trips.[47][55] Significant updates took effect on November 1, 2025, including a 5% increase in Saver award rates for flights to and from Europe and the US across all classes, such as Business Class to Europe rising from 77,000 to 80,850 miles one-way, alongside 10-20% hikes for Africa and the Middle East; Advantage rates rose 10-15% overall. These changes, combined with the Access tier and Scoot awards, aim to align redemptions with demand while maintaining accessibility for members.[5][56]Non-Travel Redemptions
KrisFlyer members can redeem miles for a variety of non-travel rewards, including shopping, dining, and experiences through dedicated platforms. On KrisShop, the official e-commerce site, miles are redeemed at a rate of 100 KrisFlyer miles per SGD 1, with a minimum of 1,000 miles per transaction; members may also mix miles and cash for purchases of luxury goods, electronics, and fashion items.[57] Similarly, via the Kris+ app, miles can be transferred 1:1 to KrisPay for offsetting spends at over 1,700 partner outlets, including dining, retail, and wellness services, at an improved rate of 100 miles per SGD 1 effective July 1, 2025, with a minimum redemption of 10 miles.[19][58] For lifestyle and accommodation options, Pelago enables redemptions for hotels, activities, and tours at 100 miles per SGD 1, minimum 1,000 miles, without mixing cash. KrisFlyer Experiences offers exclusive events, adventures, and premium stays, while KrisFlyer vRooms provides hotel bookings and car rentals starting from 1,500 miles, allowing miles-cash combinations. Partner hotel programs, such as Marriott Bonvoy, allow conversion of KrisFlyer miles to points at a 2:1 ratio (minimum 3,000 miles, maximum 180,000 annually), which can then be used for stays; for example, a standard room at select properties may require around 30,000 KrisFlyer miles equivalent for one night.[57][59][60] Additional uses include donating miles to charities like Make-A-Wish Singapore, with a minimum of 1,000 miles per donation (up to 100,000 per transaction), supporting educational and travel needs for beneficiaries. Family members can pool miles through linked accounts, allowing parents to transfer up to 50,000 miles annually from a child's account for a fee of USD 5 or 500 miles per 5,000 miles transferred. Members may also purchase additional KrisFlyer miles at USD 0.04 per mile in 1,000-mile increments (minimum 1,000), subject to annual limits, to top up for redemptions.[61][62][63] Non-travel redemptions generally yield a value of approximately 0.8 to 1 cent per mile, lower than the 1.5 to 2+ cents often achieved with flight awards, making them suitable for smaller balances or supplementary rewards. KrisFlyer miles expire three years after earning, based on the FIFO (first-in, first-out) principle, but validity can be extended by six months via a service fee of 1,200 miles or USD 12 per 10,000 miles, or through any qualifying redemption like a Kris+ offset.[64][65][66]Elite Status
Qualification and Tiers
KrisFlyer elite status is achieved through accumulating Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs), also referred to as Elite miles, for the Silver and Gold tiers, while the higher PPS Club and Solitaire tiers are based on PPS Value earned primarily from premium cabin spending on Singapore Airlines flights.[6][12] To qualify for KrisFlyer Elite Silver, members must earn 25,000 Elite miles within 12 consecutive months, while Elite Gold requires 50,000 Elite miles over the same period.[6] Elite miles from flights are calculated as the actual distance flown multiplied by a class-specific multiplier on Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Star Alliance carriers, and select partners; for example, a Business Class flight booked in the D fare class earns 125% of the flown miles as Elite miles.[30][67] Non-flight Elite miles can contribute up to 20% of the qualification threshold, limited to 5,000 for Silver and 10,000 for Gold; starting September 1, 2025, eligible spends on Kris+, KrisShop, and Pelago earn 1 Elite mile per SGD 1 spent (or AUD 1 in Australia), after deducting taxes and fees.[6][5] PPS Club membership requires 25,000 PPS Value within 12 consecutive months, granting access to enhanced privileges, while the top-tier Solitaire PPS Club demands 50,000 PPS Value over the same timeframe for its most exclusive benefits.[12] PPS Value is earned exclusively from revenue tickets in Singapore Airlines Suites, First, or Business Class, at a rate of 1 PPS Value per SGD 1 of base fare and applicable surcharges (converted from other currencies using IATA rates), excluding airport taxes; for instance, a SGD 5,000 Business Class fare would yield 5,000 PPS Value.[12][68] From September 1, 2025, non-flight contributions are possible, earning 1 PPS Value per SGD 3 spent (or AUD 3 in Australia) on Kris+, KrisShop, and Pelago, capped at 2,500 for PPS Club and 5,000 for Solitaire.[5][12]| Tier | Qualification Requirement | Primary Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Elite Silver | 25,000 Elite miles | EQMs |
| Elite Gold | 50,000 Elite miles | EQMs |
| PPS Club | 25,000 PPS Value | PPS Value |
| Solitaire PPS Club | 50,000 PPS Value | PPS Value |