Best way to get Krisflyer points? Altitude better? Life Miles?

[bhazelbrown]

Jealous of my 16 yo nephews ability to get flight bargains, I asked him what to do if you want to fly SIA... He suggested lifemiles. On checking, it doesn't seem much cheaper than Krisflyer unless you get the bonus 100% thing. I have the Westpac Krisflyer card, and use that, but then there seems to be Altitude rewards as well...

Do the contributors here have any opinions on what's the best way to boost our ability to go business class (or better? ) on SIA?

 

[Glider_]

As you may be aware, SIA does not allow Lifemiles bookings (or any other FF program) further out than 2weeks from date of Departure for flights leaving Australia. So it's not possible to plan & book far in advance using just Lifemiles. This restriction is not in place for other destinations from Singapore as far as I know.

So my strategy is to use the Citibank Signature fee-free-for-life card to accumulate points that are transferred to Krisflyer and use them to fly business to/from Perth to position myself in Singapore. The KF points used direct with SIA do not have the t-14 restriction so can be booked far in advance. At the same time I use Lifemiles purchased during the regular 100% promos (paid for with my Citibank card for extra points) to take me the rest of the way. So my bookings end up being at least two tickets. I usually book my Lifemiles outbound and inbound journeys on separate tickets to make any changes a little bit easier as having to talk to their call centre can be a nightmare.

 

[bhazelbrown]

Thanks glider, I had missed the t-14 restriction. But lifemiles from Singapore? That's an idea worth trying!

 

[VAG newbie]

Thanks glider, I had missed the t-14 restriction. But lifemiles from Singapore? That's an idea worth trying!

I booked a trip for 4 this Aug using lifemiles flying SQ J ex-SIN to Europe. (Arriving in CDG, departing from ZRH), both on A380 and managed to snatch the bulkhead seats, which has full foot stool rather than a little cubby to put your foot in lie flat mode = full size bed! All you need is buy a cheap connecting flight between AUS to SIN. We booked with SQ Y ($780 rt pp), and we could check-in all the way without collecting bagguage and clearing customs in SIN. So definitely worth considering.

The issue with this trick is risk of missing the connecting flight if the incoming flight is delayed. As they are booked as 2 separate tickets and any missed connection is considered a "no show", even if the fault was SQ's.

Or what you can do is, book the flights in Y (refundable fare) and wait till T-14, if SQ available, book it and cancel the Y booking, if not, at least you got a seat. Or if you are Lifemiles point rich, book in J with TG initially and wait for SQ at T-14. If available, book the SQ and cancel the TG booking and pay $50. You can always call LM to change the booking, but it will cost you $150.

The other way to get lots of KF points, is to use your Altitude card to pay tax. Although the earn rate will drop by half from tomorrow, so if you still have outstanding tax bill, pay them today!

There is another trick of "buying" KF miles for about 1.6c each (AUD) using your altitude card. I won't disclose it here in case Wespac shut it down like what they did to ATO. If interested, PM me. (No, it's not illegally buying points from US)

 

[VAG newbie]

A few people have PM'd me about the trick. While I don't mind sharing but a few have bounced back when I tried to reply cuz their inbox was full. So make sure you clear it up before PM me.

Also to save everyone asking me, if you do not meet the following criteria, then it probably won't work, It's not as simple as buying Lifemiles or USDM that everyone can "buy" it. It's not really "buying" miles directly.

A few conditions needs to be met before this trick will work:

1. You need to have a good points earning card that can covert points to KF without cap. In my case, the altitude black AMEX card. Others like Citibank Visa and real AMEX card that earns MR points will do, but you earn less points.
2. You need to have good credit limit, at least $10,000 more than your usual spending to make it worthwhile. If not, try to apply for an increase in limit.
3. You need to be patient and spread the earning over a period of time . We are talking more like months, but not years, depending on your goal.

If you meet the above criteria and is still interested, Pm me and I am happy to share it.

 

[Andyc]

PM Sent.
....as I'm sure a quite a few others have done too.

 

[drron]

One other benefit of lifemiles.In January we are flying RGN-SIN.You can't buy or redeem this flight through SQ.But I was able to get it as a LM award.

 

[VAG newbie]

Whoa guys! I received more than 50 PMs in the last 24 hrs, even tho I don't mind sharing it's starting to get too much. Almost every 30 min there is a new request and my inbox is flooded! I had to keep clearing!

I know everyone is desperately to find a new way to boost up KF points since ATO payment is not as attractive from today. So I expect requests will keep coming.

However, as I still have a full time job and a family life, I can't really sit in front of a computer all day to reply PMs. So I might have to stop here. I hope you understand.

Please note, any trick if it becomes viral and everyone does it (or even abuse it) will definitely raise suspicion with the bank and they'll change the T&Cs just to benefit them. ATO is a perfect example! While I'm sure Westpac still gets a good cut from the 1.45% fee, because many people do it now, and since tax is unavoidable payment, it is a huge profit to Westpac, that's why they still award points, but only half as much.

A similar trick was recently killed in the US. It was nothing illegal or wrong with the trick, the banks simply just tweaked the T&C and the whole thing is gone!

So, my apologies here for anyone else who wants to know. And for those that I've replied to, please don't publish it on a blog, I don't mind you share the info, but please share it sparingly.

 

[dajop]

One other benefit of lifemiles.In January we are flying RGN-SIN.You can't buy or redeem this flight through SQ.But I was able to get it as a LM award.

You can redeem I believe, but not online, have to call Krisflyer, should still be able to negotiate 15 pv discount.

 

[Austff]

Thanks OP ...

 

[VAG newbie]

My inbox is still swarmed with PM requests. I've PM'd back the trick as well, but I really have to stop here.

Not only that I can't keep up, but what if some of the requests were from a bank employee? The trick is not illegal and doesn't breach the T&C just like ATO payments, but as banks are always greedy in charging customers with every opportunity (as if so far the fees aren't high enough), I have no doubt that if this trick goes viral, the banks will kill it.

Westpac has already killed ATO and stopped KF platinum card, so we are left with no other options.

For those already received my PM, please just pass it to people that you know. I am afraid some of those whom I PM'd actually work for banks, and I might be too late.

 

[VAG newbie]

I've received a few feedbacks from the fellow members after hearing the trick. They were aware of it already but have heard stories that some people got their account frozen.

So for those whom have received my PMs, do it at your own risk and do it wisely as I suggested. Don't be greedy!

 

[smit0847]

I've received a few feedbacks from the fellow members after hearing the trick. They were aware of it already but have heard stories that some people got their account frozen.

So for those whom have received my PMs, do it at your own risk and do it wisely as I suggested. Don't be greedy!

Could someone please PM me the trick details? Im very interested.

Thanks

 

[FrankC]

Could someone please PM me the trick details? Im very interested.

Thanks

Me too please

And don't want to swamp VAG newbie with more PM

 

[zoom&boom]

Plus one if possible from someone.
Totally understand if not possible.

 

[SponsorSFC]

I would also appreciate a PM with the details of the trick.

Thanks

 

[drron]

You can redeem I believe, but not online, have to call Krisflyer, should still be able to negotiate 15 pv discount.

Did think of calling but able to do online with lifemiles and it was cheaper.

 

[yohy?!]

I've received a few feedbacks from the fellow members after hearing the trick. They were aware of it already but have heard stories that some people got their account frozen.

So for those whom have received my PMs, do it at your own risk and do it wisely as I suggested. Don't be greedy!

If accounts are starting to be frozen theyre obviously onto it, might as well just publish it here so the thread actually makes sense when you read it

 

[zoom&boom]

Anyone out there willing to share the trick?
Happy with a PM.

 

[csidler]

Would love to hear the trick too please