KrisFlyer changes skin: costs increase and dynamic redemption arrives. Is this the end of the golden age?

It is hard not to feel some displeasure reading the latest announcement by Singapore Airlines. After years in which KrisFlyer remained one of the last bastions of elegance in the skies and transparency on the ground, he too bends-though gracefully-to the logic of the market.

From the next September 1, 2025 will begin a new phase, with new ways of accumulation. But it is from November 2025 That things will really change: debuts Access, the much-feared (and expected) dynamic redemption, and along with it a general remodeling of premium tables.

Translated: fixed award charts are about to become a memory.

Easier accumulation, but it's just sugar on the rim of the glass

Singapore Airlines tries to make the pill less bitter by allowing KrisFlyer and PPS Club members to earn points even without flying.

As of September 1:

• Members PPS Club will gain 1 PPS Value for every 3 SGD spent on Kris+, KrisShop and Pelago (maximum 2,500 per year)
• Members KrisFlyer Elite will gain 1 Elite Mile for every 1 SGD spent on the same platforms
  • Elite Silver: maximum 5,000 miles per year
  • Elite Gold: maximum 10,000 miles per year

Is this good news? Yes, but marginal. Because what worries us - and pains us - comes two months later. And especially because those who, like me, have been accumulating in Krisflyer for years by not living in Asia will not have a great chance to take advantage of this advantage in an easy way.

From November 1, 2025: a significant devaluation

Singapore Airlines will launch Access, its new option of dynamic redemption. Simply put, you can use the miles to get a Guaranteed seat on any Singapore Airlines flight, even when classic award availability is over.

Too bad the price in miles will be variable, and therefore unpredictable. It will depend on demand and may fluctuate throughout the year.
Yes, there will still be Saver and Advantage tables-but for how much longer?

The company ensures that the Access places will not replace those Saver/Advantage. But we know how it goes: one day there will be a "fixed" premium, the next day it will be only "dynamic."

The fake good news: (only) "moderate" increases

The company announced that current award charts will increase effective November 1, 2025. An increase that is presented as "modest"-and indeed for some premiums it is-but which marks the collapse of predictability we loved so much in KrisFlyer.

The few pieces of good news:

• Economy Saver cheaper (-5%) for intra-Asia and Pacific (Zones 1-9) flights.

But then come the increases:

• Business and First Saver Zones 1-9: +5%
• All classes Saver From/to Europe and the U.S. (Zones 11-13): +5%

Zone 10 (Africa, Middle East, Turkey): +10-20%

 And if you were thinking of using the Advantage rates, prepared:

• Economy: +5-10%
• Business: +15-18%
• First Class: +15%

Even flights with Star Alliance and partners increase

More expensive premiums to/from Europe: increases across the board

As of November 1, 2025, KrisFlyer will update all award tables, and if you are flying to or from Italy or Europe, be prepared to pull out more miles.

Here's what will change for rates Saver, the most convenient-and of course the most desired.

Economy Saver:

• To/from Europe (Zones 11-13): +5%
• Example: Singapore - Europe
  • First: 44,000 miles
  • After: 46,000 miles

Business Saver:

• To/from Europe: +5%
• Example: Singapore - Europe (e.g., Milan, Frankfurt, Zurich)
  • First: 111,500 miles
  • After: 117,000 miles

First/Suites Saver:

• Estimated increase: +5% here as well
• More iconic awards-such as a Singapore-Zurich or Singapore-Frankfurt suite-will cost more, although the company has not yet released all the new detail figures.

And that's only for Saver premiums. If you use the rate Advantage, get ready to heavier beatings:

• Business and First: +10-15%
• For some routes, the increase goes up to +18%

Dynamic redemption: Access is the Trojan horse

As if the increases were not enough, since November Singapore Airlines will also introduce Access, a new "checkout"-style mode of using miles, with flexible prices Demand-based.

Translated:

• Want to fly on Christmas or August bank holiday? You'll pay (many) more miles.
• The award chart becomes a vague reference, not a guarantee.
• As long as there is paying seat availability, you can redeem it--but at what price?

The Access awards join (for now) Saver and Advantage. But we know how that works out: more room for the dynamic, less room for those seeking the fixed premium.

You only have until October 31, 2025

Singapore Airlines gives you one last gift: the chance to freeze the current premium rates until October 31, 2025.
The calendar is open until 355 days in advance, so you can already book up to October 2026.

After that date:

• Each new reservation will use the new award chart
• If you change class, route or type of award after November 1, you will have to pay the difference in miles
• Only the date change will be free (with Access and Advantage)

The end of innocence

It is not just the arrival of dynamic redemption. It's not just the increases - more or less bearable.
It is the feeling of saying goodbye to a program that, so far, has withstood trends. Which did not (yet) distort the value of miles. Which treated its members as people, not just as profit segments.

KrisFlyer was one of the last oases of clarity, elegance and predictability.
With Access and the new tables, That oasis begins to dry up.

In conclusion

Singapore Airlines has not raised award fares since 2022. It had to happen sooner or later. But this time it's not just an update-it's the beginning of a new, much more uncertain chapter. If you have miles, use them now. If you are planning a trip, lock it in by October.

Because after that, the sky could cost you a lot more. Not just in miles.

• krysflier
• depreciation