Krisflyer Miles+Cash coming

[anat0l]

As reported by the Australian Business Traveller:

Singapore Airlines introduces KrisFlyer 'Miles + Cash' airfares - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

...and on a SQ website...

Pay with KrisFlyer miles on singaporeair.com

(Both look genuine)

From first looks, it seems this is similar to Qantas' Points+Pay scheme, rather than something like BD DC Miles+Cash or AV LM Miles+Cash, so fairly poor-ish value.

I don't have enough KrisFlyer miles to test the system, though.

 

[dajop]

Very much like points + pay on QF, with a slider to increase number of points which reduces the cash component. Basically each mile spent saves 1.02c (SG) or each 1000 miles saves $10.20 SGD OR for ex-AU itineraries it works out to be ~ 0.87 c per mile or $8.70 for each 1000 miles.

Also a watch out, this will reduce KF earn by the proportion paid for with miles for the fare.

On a practical level, not useful for J/F redemptions, and for economy - take MEL-SIN return as example, would only be beneficial (over a saver award on the route) when the cash fare <$800 AUD return. Probably most useful for orphaned miles and people needing to use up expiring miles.

 

[doctau]

I received the mail about it this morning, and since I have 13k miles expiring in November took a look.

Those 13k are worth about 110 AUD off the cost of the flight, so I agree that it'll mostly be useful for people who have expiring miles and were going to fly anyway. Being able to buy non-award seats with points could be useful if you urgently need to fly and there is no award availability, but probably not a good use of your points otherwise.

 

[yongkang]

I got the email as well! Basically, SingaporeAir is doing the same as Qantas devaluing the points/miles what they called enhancement. I hate SQ the same as QF because they charge a lot for redemption award tickets.

 

[cove]

Yes SQ has made your points worth around a cent each for the calculations I tried but it probably varies a bit.

 

[Nizar]

I hate SQ the same as QF because they charge a lot for redemption award tickets.

Lol you are kidding yeh ?
You can't even compare the two QF to Europe in J you are looking at 256k points versus 127k points on SQ with the 15% online discount lol they are incomparable

 

[cove]

The only issue with SQ is the 3 year expiry of points which you can make into 4 years by booking almost a year ahead.
SQ has been wonderful for us on points runs to US and Europe.

 

[yongkang]

Lol you are kidding yeh ?
You can't even compare the two QF to Europe in J you are looking at 256k points versus 127k points on SQ with the 15% online discount lol they are incomparable

Good to know SQ has a better deal for Europe route. If you look at the Asia routes, SQ and QF charged almost the same (sometime higher than QF).

 

[dajop]

The only issue with SQ is the 3 year expiry of points which you can make into 4 years by booking almost a year ahead.
SQ has been wonderful for us on points runs to US and Europe.

Actually you can leverage the T&C make it almost 5 years, as the ticket you issue is valid for 12 months from date of first travel on that ticket.

If you look at the Asia routes, SQ and QF charged almost the same (sometime higher than QF).

Where are the routes that SQ charge higher than QF? After taking into account 15% online booking discount, many Asia routes are substantially less on "face" value when using KF miles (for points earnt via CC at same rate per $ spent. However, minimum pts guarantee, status bonus, and 100% earn in all categories tilt things back to QF when accruing miles through flying).

 

[yongkang]

Actually you can leverage the T&C make it almost 5 years, as the ticket you issue is valid for 12 months from date of first travel on that ticket.



Where are the routes that SQ charge higher than QF? After taking into account 15% online booking discount, many Asia routes are substantially less on "face" value when using KF miles (for points earnt via CC at same rate per $ spent. However, minimum pts guarantee, status bonus, and 100% earn in all categories tilt things back to QF when accruing miles through flying).

For award tickets, SQ uses less miles than QF points, however the service/fuel charge for both are higher.

 

[Nizar]

However, minimum pts guarantee, status bonus, and 100% earn in all categories tilt things back to QF when accruing miles through flying.

So true... the sweet spot depends on individual circumstances I suppose but I'm still tossing up between pursuing WP or just moving everything over to AA.

 

[JohnK]

Probably most useful for orphaned miles and people needing to use up expiring miles.

At least there is now an option if you are in that boat.