5 Award Sweet Spots Using Singapore KrisFlyer Miles

Although Singapore is located far away from the U.S., Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles are quite easy for Americans to accumulate. Singapore partners with Chase Ultimate Rewards®, American Express Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou, Capital One and Marriott Bonvoy. That means you have no shortage of ways to earn KrisFlyer miles.

Based on our analysis, NerdWallet values Singapore KrisFlyer miles at a baseline of 1.5 cents each. But you can get much more value than that by being strategic about your Singapore Airlines miles redemptions.

Here are some of the best uses of Singapore miles, for both domestic and international travel.

» Learn more: How to earn Singapore KrisFlyer miles

The best use of Singapore miles

1. Fly Singapore Airlines from the U.S. to Europe

Singapore Airlines operates two fifth-freedom routes between the U.S. and Europe. You can fly Singapore Airlines from New York City to Frankfurt or Houston to Manchester.

Flying either route in Singapore Airlines economy will cost as few as 25,000 Singapore KrisFlyer miles. That's not bad considering many airline loyalty programs charge 30,000 miles or more. If no Saver award space is available, you may be able to book an Advantage award option for 40,000 miles each way.

Premium cabins aren't quite as competitive but can still provide good value:

• Premium economy: 52,000 KrisFlyer miles each way.

• Business class: 81,000 KrisFlyer miles each way.

• First class: 97,000 KrisFlyer miles each way.

If you can find availability, consider splurging for first class to fly one of the best first class cabins in the sky. Singapore Airlines operates its A380 aircraft from New York to Frankfurt. Sometimes you can find Singapore Airlines' incredible new first-class suites on this route.

» Learn more: What to know about Singapore Airlines lounges

2. Fly partner airlines from the U.S. to Europe

Thankfully, you aren't just limited to the two Singapore Airlines routes for miles redemptions to Europe. You can use KrisFlyer to fly Star Alliance airlines or Virgin Atlantic between the U.S. and Europe.

Award pricing is fairly similar in economy: 29,500 KrisFlyer miles each way on Virgin Atlantic or 30,500 miles each way on a Star Alliance partner. However, pricing diverges for business class awards. Star Alliance business class awards cost 81,000 miles each way, but Virgin Atlantic Upper Class costs an appealing 58,500 miles each way. Just watch out for high fees on Virgin Atlantic awards.

Considering that there are better award rates for these same redemptions, this may not be the best use of Singapore miles. However, these may become more appealing if you can find a transfer bonus to Singapore Airlines.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

3. Fly Alaska Airlines or a Star Alliance airline from the continental U.S. to Hawaii

Hawaii is a fantastic destination, and it is easy to use points to visit this beautiful state. While you can't fly Singapore Airlines between the mainland to Hawaii, you can still use KrisFlyer miles to get there on Star Alliance airlines (such as United) or Alaska Airlines.

While many airline loyalty programs have moved to dynamic award pricing, Singapore Airlines still offers customers an award chart with static pricing. However, award prices vary depending on which partner you fly on.

Economy award flights from the mainland to Hawaii on United Airlines cost 19,500 miles each way. Business class awards cost double that at 39,000 KrisFlyer miles each way.

Even better, you can book awards on Alaska Airlines for as few as 13,000 KrisFlyer miles in economy. The downside is that you'll have to call KrisFlyer to book these awards. Also, the Singapore Airlines award chart doesn't list pricing for awards from the U.S. East Coast to Hawaii. That means you might be be able to book these awards.

Speaking of award flights on Alaska Airlines, read on for more details.

4. Redeem for flights on Alaska Airlines

Award flights to Hawaii aren't the only great option using KrisFlyer miles to fly on Alaska Airlines. The best use of Singapore miles might just be to fly on Alaska Airlines within the continental U.S., Alaska and Canada. Award flights start at 8,500 KrisFlyer miles each way.

But award pricing isn't straightforward. Singapore KrisFlyer divides North America into five zones. Each zone pairing has its own award price, meaning the award chart consists of a grid of 25 zone pairings.

KrisFlyer members can redeem miles for economy class or first class on Alaska. However, the first-class options generally aren’t a great value for your miles.

The cheapest award flights are within Zone 1 (California, Oregon and Washington) and Zone 2 (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Wyoming, Utah and Canada). Flights within these zones cost 8,500 KrisFlyer miles each way. That potentially includes long routes, such as from Phoenix to Edmonton, Canada.

Award flights between the central U.S. (Zone 3) and the U.S. West Coast (Zone 1) cost just a little more at 10,500 KrisFlyer miles. Or, fly from the West Coast (Zone 1) to the East Coast (Zone 4) for 13,500 miles one-way.

Downsides again include having to call KrisFlyer to book these awards and some route options don't have award prices.

» Learn more: Guide to Alaska Airlines partners

5. Add a free stopover

A stopover means intentionally booking a stop at an interim destination on your way to your final destination. For example, you might book a stopover for a few days in Singapore on your way from the U.S. to Thailand.

Not all airlines allow travelers to book stopovers on award redemptions. Instead, you would need to book two different awards if you want to visit two different destinations.

The good news: Singapore Airlines allows stopovers on award flights. However, free stopovers aren't available on all awards. If you book the cheapest Saver awards, you'll only get one free stopover if you book a round-trip award. More expensive Advantage awards get one stopover on one-way awards or two stopovers on round-trip awards.

After changes made in August 2022, stopovers must be limited to 30 days. If you want to stay longer, you'll need to book two different awards.

» Learn more: The best airlines for free stopovers

Singapore KrisFlyer sweet spots recapped

The Singapore KrisFlyer program offers plenty of value, and there are some hidden gems within this program. Earning KrisFlyer miles is easy since the airline partners with many of the top flexible currencies available. Although KrisFlyer might not be the first program you think of, it’s worth investigating if any of these Singapore Airlines miles redemption options work for you.