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 Aug. 31 and travel between Sep. 1 and 30. And this month, there’s an economy class option to Asia and premium economy options to Asia and Europe.
Here’s how you can maximize this iteration of Singapore KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes.
The deal
Airline: Singapore Airlines
Route: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Frankfurt Airport (FRA), LAX to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to SIN
Cost: From 29,400 miles and $5.60 with Spontaneous Escape pricing
Travel dates: Sep 1-30, 2023
Book by: Aug. 31, 2023
Pay taxes/fees with: The Platinum Card® from American Express for 5 points per dollar spent on airfare booked directly with the airline or through America Express Travel (on up to $500,000 spent per calendar year), the Chase Sapphire Reserve for 3 points per dollar spent on travel, the American Express® Green Card for 3 points per dollar spent on travel or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card for 2 points per dollar spent on travel
Related: Footrests and fine dining: Manchester to Houston in Singapore Airlines A350 premium economy
Sample itineraries
Singapore KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes offers discounted award flights on select routes Singapore Airlines operates. However, only select flight numbers are discounted each month, so you’ll often only get the discount for travel in one direction.
Here’s a look at the Spontaneous Escape pricing this month on U.S. routes:
Origin | Destination | Discounted award rate |
Los Angeles | Singapore | 29,400 miles in economy on SQ35 and SQ37 |
New York | Frankfurt | 36,400 miles in premium economy on flight SQ25 |
Frankfurt | New York | 36,400 miles in premium economy on flight SQ26 |
Los Angeles | Tokyo Narita | 51,100 miles in premium economy on flight SQ11 |
Tokyo Narita | Los Angeles | 51,100 miles in premium economy on flight SQ12 |
San Francisco | Singapore | 52,500 miles in premium economy on flights SQ31 and SQ33 |
Singapore | San Francisco | 52,500 miles in premium economy on flights SQ34 |
Remember, you must still find award availability on the KrisFlyer website. “Promo” awards may not be available on select dates, even ones not listed as blackout dates. When you search, you’ll see the discounted awards listed as “promo” if available.
Check the Spontaneous Escapes homepage for more details and 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, with 5,000 bonus miles for every 60,000 points you transfer.
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
Singapore Airlines is offering an economy class option for under 30,000 miles to Singapore and several premium economy options from just 36,400 miles for its August Spontaneous Escapes promotion. These flights can be a great use of transferable credit card points.
Additional reporting by JT Genter, Katie Genter, Ehsan Haque, Benji Stawski and Victoria Walker.