The cost of Singapore Airlines' rewards has increased for both the airline and its Star Alliance partners, as well as shortly for its non-alliance partners.
New partner airline award ticket charts have just been published by the airline and will go into effect on August 1, 2022.
Those trying to redeem miles on Alaska Airlines and Virgin Atlantic, among other carriers, will be impacted by these enhanced awards.
The airline made a number of "revisions" to its award charts and stopover feature public last month.
The cost of select award tickets will increase by more than 12% starting on July 5, 2022.
On August 1, 2022, its stopover feature will likewise become more limited.
Let's examine these devaluations more closely and what they signify for you.
Alaska and Virgin Atlantic have new KrisFlyer award charts.
In an earlier announcement about award increases, Singapore Airlines stated that "upward revisions will be made to Award Levels for non-alliance partners," and that these revisions would be "implemented gradually."
Indeed, Singapore has now made available updated charts for redemptions on Alaska Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia, Vistara, and Juneyao Air.
Tickets purchased after August 1, 2022, will be subject to the revised award rates.
Loyalty Lobby was the first to report on these developments.
For instance, starting on August 1 there will be an increase in price for purchasing a one-way Alaska Airlines Singapore KrisFlyer award ticket from Zone 4 (which includes California to Hawaii and New York to California) to Zone 5 (Alaska and Hawaii).
Prices for first class will increase from 44,500 to 50,500 miles, while those for economy will increase from 12,000 to 13,500 miles.
A similar hike in consumer redemption charges is also included in KrisFlyer's new Virgin Atlantic award chart, with new rates typically being roughly 17.5 percent higher than prior ones.
Customers from the United States will concentrate on the rise from 25,000 to 29,500 miles required to reserve a one-way economy flight on Virgin Atlantic from North America to Europe.
Tickets in Upper Class will cost more on the same itinerary, going from 50,000 to 58,500 miles.
Keep in mind that there are sizable fuel fees on all redemptions.
Singapore Airlines increases the cost of all awards.
Award rates for Singapore Airlines flights, upgrades, and partner flights increased by around 10% as of July 5, 2022.
According to Singapore Airlines, these adjustments are necessary to "maintain the sustainability of the KrisFlyer program" and are a response to rising costs.
On the airline's website, you may see the most recent Singapore Airlines award chart.
For visitors from the United States, the most significant changes are.
Much while this is not the greatest devaluation in recent memory, Singapore Airlines' already above-average award chart has become even more expensive.
For instance, flying first class on Singapore Airlines' flagship A380 from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) through Frankfurt Airport (FRA) in Germany will now cost you 148,500 miles.
That amounts to a 12.5% increase over the airline's current award schedule.
If a wait listed reward clears on or after July 5, according to a Singapore Airlines spokeswoman, the revised award pricing will be in effect.
As of July 5, the cost of prizes from Star Alliance partners also increased.
Too many adjustments have occurred to name them all, but some of the most significant devaluations for American passengers include
For passengers traveling from the U.S. mainland to Hawaii, the partner award devaluation is particularly challenging.
One of the finest award bargains on these flights has historically been provided by Krisflyer, allowing members to purchase flights on United Airlines for just 17,500 miles one-way.
You will now pay 19,500 miles, which is still a great value but represents an increase of 11.5%.
On July 5, the cost of upgrades on Star Alliance and Singapore Airlines increased.
Prior to the adjustment, however, these prizes were rarely a wise use of miles.
30-day maximum for stopovers
On some award kinds, Singapore Airlines allows stopovers, but there may be a $100 stoppage cost.
Previously, these award tickets allowed you to enjoy a stopover for as long as you wished, allowing travelers to effectively book two flights for the price of one.
For instance, you might schedule a flight from New York to Frankfurt in July, "stopover" there for six months, then resume your flight from Frankfurt to Singapore in January.
Singapore's stopover function can be used in a variety of inventive ways, of course.
However, this ruse will end on August 1.
All stopovers may not exceed 30 days after that date.
Fortunately, stopovers continue to be available for travelers wishing to make a brief (or extended) stopover en way to another location.
In conclusion
It is regrettable but not surprising that Singapore Airlines and non-alliance partner awards have been devalued.
Airlines are beginning to notice the additional weight of miles on their balance sheets after more than two years of awarding miles through co branded alliances and other promotional promos.
Airlines must lower the value of miles on their balance sheets as a result of this and growing fuel and operating costs.
The major strategy for accomplishing this is to increase the price of award tickets.
However, this hurts frequent flyers of Singapore Airlines and those who want to use credit card points transferred to KrisFlyer to book upscale prizes like Singapore Suites and business class on the longest journey in the world.
Keep in mind that practically all of the main transferable points programs are partners with Singapore Airlines.
The purpose of this is to remind you to continuously redeem your points and miles as you accumulate them.
The longer you hang onto them, the less probable it is that their value will rise because they rarely do.
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