Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
While Singapore Airlines has a reputation for offering an exceptional product, booking long-haul premium cabin awards isn’t easy. You’ll find some award availability using the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan and Air Canada Aeroplan, but you’ll usually find more availability through Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer.
KrisFlyer generally charges more miles than other loyalty programs, even on saver dates. However, the program offers discounts on select award flights each month through its KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes promotion.
This month, you can book select “promo” award flights with a 30% discount if you reserve by April 30 and travel between May 1 and 31. Here’s how you can maximize this iteration of Singapore KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes.
The deal
Premium economy seats on Singapore Airlines. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Airline: Singapore Airlines.
Route: Varies.
Cost: Varies.
Dates: May 1-31, 2023.
Book by: April 30, 2023.
Pay taxes/fees with: The Platinum Card® from American Express for 5 points per dollar spent on airfare booked directly with the airline (on up to $500,000 spent per calendar year), the Chase Sapphire Reserve for 3 points per dollar spent on travel or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card for 2 points per dollar spent on travel.
Related: 7 takeaways from my 1st Singapore Airlines business-class experience
Sample itineraries
Singapore KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes offers discounted award flights on select routes operated by Singapore Airlines. However, only select flight numbers are discounted each month, so you’ll often only get the discount for travel in one direction.
The following are some of the discounted “promo” award flights with U.S. origins or destinations that you might be able to book with a 30% discount through April 30 for travel between May 1 and 31.
Origin
Destination
“Promo” awards
Frankfurt, Germany.
New York (John F. Kennedy International Airport).
17,500 miles in economy on flight SQ26 (blackout dates of May 25 and 27-30).
36,400 miles in premium economy on flight SQ26 (blackout dates of May 17, 26 and 27).
56,700 miles in business class on flight SQ26 (blackout dates of May 6, 8, 11-14, 17, 18, 21, 26 and 28-30).
Tokyo (Narita International Airport).
Los Angeles.
51,100 miles in premium economy on flight SQ12 (blackout dates of May 1-3, 5, 24 and 28-31).
Singapore.
San Francisco.
52,500 miles in premium economy on flight SQ34 (blackout dates of May 1-15).
Manchester, England.
Houston.
17,500 miles in economy on flight SQ52.
Singapore.
Los Angeles.
29,400 miles in economy on flights SQ36 and SQ38 (blackout dates of May 1-11, 13, 16, 18, 20 and 25-31).
Remember, you must still find award availability on the KrisFlyer website. “Promo” awards may not be available on select dates, even ones that aren’t listed as blackout dates. You’ll see the discounted awards listed as “promo” if there’s availability when you search.
SINGAPOREAIR.COM
Check the Spontaneous Escapes homepage for more details and to see the “promo” awards that don’t arrive or depart from U.S. cities.
Related: You can now convert Singapore KrisFlyer miles to Marriott points — but should you?
Earning miles to book this award
It’s relatively easy to earn Singapore KrisFlyer miles. The program is a 1:1 transfer partner with American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One, Citi ThankYou Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards. KrisFlyer is also a 3:1 transfer partner with Marriott Bonvoy.
If you transfer points and they don’t immediately appear in your KrisFlyer account, consider calling KrisFlyer to hold award seats until the points post. Doing so will lock in your award seats so you won’t have to worry about the availability disappearing. KrisFlyer generally charges 25 Singapore dollars (about $20) or 2,500 miles to hold award seats.
Related: How (and why) you should earn transferable points
Bottom line
With one-way economy-class award flights from Asia to the U.S. starting at less than 30,000 KrisFlyer miles, it’s no question that Singapore Airlines’ Spontaneous Escapes sale can offer great value. These “promo” awards could help make a last-minute trip this May possible.
Economy award flights start at 17,500 miles on the fifth-freedom flight from Frankfurt to New York. Meanwhile, premium economy costs 36,400 miles and business class costs 56,700 miles.
Additional reporting by JT Genter, Katie Genter, Ehsan Haque, Benji Stawski and Victoria Walker.
