More SIA KrisFlyer miles needed to redeem flights or upgrade seats to Europe, US

From Nov 1, travellers will need to spend more air miles to redeem air tickets or upgrade their seats on certain flights through Singapore Airlines' frequent flier programme.

But they will have a new redemption option - called Access - to secure seats on their preferred flights, using air miles.

The flag carrier announced a slew of changes to its rewards programme KrisFlyer on Aug 25, including a new way to earn points towards upgrading one's status tiers within the programme.

From Nov 1, air miles needed to redeem or upgrade several types of flights will increase between 5 per cent and 20 per cent:

• Europe and the US: Saver award rates to increase by 5 per cent across all cabin classes
• Africa, Middle East, Turkey: Award rates to go up by 10 per cent to 20 per cent
• Asia, south-west Pacific: Saver award rates for business and first/suites classes to increase by 5 per cent

Advantage award rates across all zones and cabin classes - except for Africa, Middle East and Turkey - will go up by 10 per cent to 15 per cent. For the three destinations, the Advantage rates will go up by 5 per cent for economy flights, 18 per cent for business class, and 15 per cent for first class.

But members can save when flying within Asia and the south-west Pacific under the Economy Saver award level, as the miles needed will decrease by 5 per cent.

Options for Advantage redemptions are generally more limited but cost fewer miles and allow fewer stopovers than Saver redemptions.

Redemption bookings confirmed and ticketed before Nov 1 will be based on current rates, said SIA.

The change applies to flights on Singapore Airlines, Star Alliance and partner airlines.

It is the first adjustment to these rates since July 2022, Singapore Airlines noted.

Also from Nov 1, the airline will introduce Access, a new redemption option that gives members more opportunities to use their air miles to secure confirmed seats on their preferred flights.

"Mile requirements will differ based on the demand for seats and may vary throughout the year," the airline said in its press release, adding that the new option is an addition to the award seats.

From Sept 1, KrisFlyer members can earn points towards upgrading or maintaining their status tiers by paying for shopping and dining in Singapore and Australia through SIA's lifestyle rewards app Kris+.

These points, called Status Credits, can also be earned when shopping at SIA's retailer KrisShop and making bookings on SIA's travel experiences platform Pelago.

Mr Bryan Koh, SIA's divisional vice-president of loyalty marketing, said the increase in flight redemption avenues "creates more opportunities for members to qualify for or renew their tiered membership status, and secure seats for travel".