Singapore Airlines ends aid to frequent flyers, KrisFlyer points expire again

In early 2022 Krisflyer, Singapore Airlines' loyalty program, had surprisingly announced yet another protection of its frequent flyers. Not only had he renewed expiring statuses ex officio, but had also communicated that all qualifying miles would be automatically transferred to the next collection.

The motivation behind this decision? Last winter travel seemed to be free again except to discover later, with the arrival of Omicron, that things were not so defined.

Now the end of the aid season also arrives for the Krisflyer program: in fact, as of Feb. 1, 2023, there will be a return to pre-pandemic rules.

The expiration of miles

From the outbreak of the pandemic and the resulting border and flight blockade in 2020 Singapore Airlines had decided to suspend the expiration of miles to all its members.

Slowly then the borders began to open, and now that only China and Hong Kong are in fact missing from the roll call, it is also time for Krisflyer to say no more aid.

This means that as of January 31, 2023, the natural expiration of miles will be reinstated and no more validity extensions will be granted. 

Krisflyer points, what you need to know

Unlike with other loyalty programs, it is good to remember that Krisflyer points expire 36 months after being accumulated, there is no possibility of extending its validity by doing other activities, even if you have the Gold level, the highest in the SQ program.

Krisflyer points expire after 36 months from when they were accumulated, it doesn't matter if it is a classic earning with a flight or if it happened through partners, online shop or if it is bought points.

Of course, you don't have to decide which points to use when you book an award ticket; the system consumes the oldest ones chronologically. So what will happen at the beginning of next year? All holders of points earned before January 31, 2019 will see them disappear overnight.

How to know the expiration of points

It is possible to check all the details of your account, including the expiration of points and of course status, via APP or via the official website. Just log in with your account and under miles consult the validity.

How to use up the miles

Of course, booking one or more award tickets, either for yourself or for friends and family. The important things to know are:

1. Points must be used by the expiration day To book a ticket, not to fly by the expiration date
2. It is possible to use Krisflyer points to Book a ticket with Singapore Airlines or one of the Star Alliance partner carriers
3. Award tickets are super flexible and can be booked almost a year later, to be exact 355 in advance of the start date of the trip. Seat availability is loaded at 8 a.m. (Singapore time).

IMPORTANT in case the passenger decides to cancel the ticket booked with expiring miles, it is good to know that the miles will be lost forever, there will be no grace period to reschedule a trip. Different discussion, however, if it is the airline for some reason that cancels the flight.

You can pay to extend the validity of miles

Singapore frequent flyer members also have. a second way to save the miles, or pay to extend the validity for an additional 6 months.

However, it is not a cheap solution: for every 10 thousand Singapore points you want to renew you have to pay 12$ or alternatively use 1200 KF points.

In case you hold Silver or Gold status, the paid extension will be worth twice as much, so 12 months. 

Warning. Before investing money, it is good to be sure that you intend to use the points. To save 100k SQ points, in fact, you have to spend 120$ or throw 12 thousand SQ points out the window. Of course, if you are chasing a first-class suite on the A380 or aiming for a round-the-world ticket it may make sense, otherwise much better to avoid.

Let me tell you about my situation

I am Gold Singapore, a status I obtained through a Triangulation of benefits, no longer available, Of American Express Platinum.

My Gold level was set to expire at the end of August 2022 and I was able to renew it with a number of flights, I still took advantage of the free 12-month status extension and, thanks to the fact that the miles I have been translated to the new collection, I actually have enough miles in my pocket to renew my card until August 2024.

As Singapore Airlines is a Star Alliance member, thanks to Gold status I can take advantage of many benefits, such as lounge access when I fly with Lufthansa, United and other carriers in economy.

In conclusion

Singapore was one of the few companies to renew statuses even in 2022, almost all other carriers have returned to full capacity in recent months and "forced" frequent flyers to start earning their stripes in the field again.

Certainly 2023 will see a dramatic decline in status holders in all programs. Not only will all protective actions fall, but those who have not started traveling as much as before will be forced to do so without the benefits of status anymore.

For everyone else, this means less crowded lounges, more opportunities for room upgrades at hotels, fewer lines at priority gates, and generally even more attention from carriers and hotel chains.

• goodbye helpers
• krisflyer