Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
While Singapore Airlines has a reputation for offering a solid product, booking its premium cabin, long-haul award flights isn’t easy. You’ll find sporadic award availability using the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan or Air Canada Aeroplan, but you’ll usually find better availability through Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer.
KrisFlyer generally charges more miles than other loyalty programs, even on saver dates. But each month, the program offers discounts on select award flights through its KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes promotion.
This month, you can book select award flights with a 30% discount if you reserve by March 31 and travel between April 1 and 30. Here’s how you can maximize this iteration of Singapore KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes.
The deal
Airline: Singapore Airlines.
Route: Varies.
Cost: Varies.
Dates: April 1-30.
Book by: March 31.
Pay taxes/fees with: The Platinum Card® from American Express (5 points per dollar spent on airfare booked directly with the airline, on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), the Chase Sapphire Reserve (3 points per dollar spent on travel) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2 points per dollar spent on travel) for travel protections on your award flight.
Sample itineraries
The example one-way awards I show below have at least four available seats. Although there are some blackout dates noted on the Spontaneous Escapes homepage, there’s currently award space on other dates in April, too.
The taxes and fees are $5.60 per person on all the following flights.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) for 36,400 miles in premium economy and 56,700 in business class
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT) for 26,950 miles in economy and 51,100 miles in premium economy
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) for 29,400 in economy and 52,500 miles in premium economy
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to SIN for 56,350 miles in premium economy
There are many other routes available as well, so check the Spontaneous Escapes homepage for all the details.
Earning miles to book this award
As a 1:1 transfer partner with American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One, Citi ThankYou Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards, Singapore Airlines makes it relatively easy to earn miles. In our tests, transfers from Capital One to KrisFlyer are generally instantaneous, while transfers from Amex, Citi and Chase may take up to 24 hours.
If you’re transferring points from the latter three credit card programs, consider calling KrisFlyer to hold award seats while your credit card points transfer. This will lock in your award seats, so you won’t worry about disappearing inventory. 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 between the U.S. and Asia starting at less than 30,000 KrisFlyer miles, it’s no question that Singapore Airlines’ Spontaneous Escapes sale can offer great value (and potentially be the perfect fit for a last-minute spring break trip).
Premium economy award flights start at 36,400 miles on the fifth-freedom flight from New York to Frankfurt, while business class costs 56,700 miles. You’ll only need to pay $5.60 in taxes and fees on U.S. departures.
Additional reporting by Ehsan Haque, JT Genter, Victoria Walker and Benji Stawski.
