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 June 30 and travel between July 1 and 31. While it only applies to a single route, this could be a great option for anyone looking to beat the high prices of airfare from Europe this summer.
Here’s how you can maximize this iteration of Singapore KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes.
The deal
Airline: Singapore Airlines.
Route: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) and FRA to JFK.
Cost: 36,400 miles and $5.60 on the eastbound flight and 121.64 euros (around $132) on the westbound flight with Spontaneous Escape pricing.
Dates: July 1, 2, 4-31
Book by: June 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, 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.
Unfortunately, the only U.S. route Singapore Airlines is currently offering its Spontaneous Escape award rate on is from Frankfurt to JFK. Only premium economy award rates have been discounted from 52,000 to 36,400 miles one-way.
Origin | Destination | “Promo” awards |
New York. | Frankfurt. | 36,400 miles in premium economy on flight SQ25. |
Frankfurt. | New York. | 36,400 miles in premium economy on flight SQ26. |
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
Although the only discounted U.S. Singapore Airlines flight for July is its fifth freedom flight from JFK to Frankfurt, 36,400 miles can be a great use of transferable credit card points for a premium economy flight going to or from Europe — particularly since July is a peak time for European travel.
Additional reporting by JT Genter, Katie Genter, Ehsan Haque, Benji Stawski and Victoria Walker.