KrisFlyer Access Awards: Singapore Airlines' new (and questionable) level of awards.

We had written it and for the past few days, those who use KrisFlyer miles will have noticed something new: among the usual options Saver e Advantage, a third item appeared, called Access Award.

This novelty was introduced along with the price increase, which was contained, of prize tickets that saw increases between 5 and 15%, as we had already explained.

At first glance it seems like a mistake - "467,000 miles for a single route in Suites from Singapore to London?!" - but no, it's all true, for the same price as what I spent with Marika now with this new fare we get one ticket, in fact it is even more expensive.

Singapore Airlines has officially introduced a system of dynamic prices For prize tickets.

Basically: if there is still at least one paying seat for sale, you can also book it with miles. But at what price? It is the same philosophy behind the ticket paid in cash&miles mode

Don't panic (yet): it's not a devaluation... for now

The Access Awards They do not replace Saver and Advantage, but stand alongside them. They are designed for those who must fly with Singapore Airlines and can't find a single free award seat.

Imagine you have to leave for New York in three hours, perhaps for a family emergency:

• Before you could only pay cash or use the very bad "Cash + Miles" (1 cent per mile, to cry).
• Now you can use the miles to any place still available, also the last one left in the cabin.

What changes from traditional awards

Type of award	Price	Availability	Date changes	Cancellation	Stopover
Saver	Fixed (premium table)	Limited	25 USD	75 USD	1 (A/R only)
Advantage	Variable	Major	Free	50 USD	2 (round trip) - 1 (one way)
Access	Dynamic (commercial availability)	Last place available	Free	50 USD	2 (round trip) - 1 (one way)

So yes, Access Awards are the most flexible, but also the most expensive.

How "dynamic" pricing works

Singapore Airlines talks about "dynamic pricing," but in reality, fares follow four fixed levels calculated as multipliers of Saver or Advantage awards. From a minimum of x1.3 to a maximum of x2.

Translated: if a flight in Business "Advantage" from Milan to Singapore (now) costs 141,500 miles, Access can go as high as 283,000 miles, but as you can see the price varies because the multiplier is different depending on the class available.

It is basically a potential dry doubling on the (already expensive) price of the advantage.

When it makes sense to use them (spoiler: almost never)

It may sound absurd, but even in this situation it could be "interesting" to use access tickets, of course they are rare really circumstantial:

• Emergency: you have so many miles and zero time, you have to leave right away
  
• During peak demand: Chinese New Year, Christmas, August holiday--if the prize places are gone, Access can save you
  
• Expiring miles: if you can't spend it on Saver or Advantage, Access is a lesser evil

Because it is not (yet) the end of the world

The Access Awards do not replace the old options, but they fill a void: that of sold-out flights where before you could only pay cash.

Most importantly, they don't touch the Savers, which remain the best way to squeeze value from your miles. The real risk will only come if Singapore Airlines decides in the future to reduce availability Saver, pushing everyone toward the dynamic model.

My frequent flyer opinion

In a world where more and more companies are switching to the "revenue model", Singapore Airlines chose a compromise. Access Awards give you a freedom you didn't have before - but at great cost.

Those who travel often know this: the miles are not infinite, Better to use them intelligently, not "just to spend them." So the golden rule remains: Saver first. Advantage if needed. Access only if desperate.

In conclusion

I say this with a "light" heart since I just got off the best first class in the world:

• It is not a devaluation, but a new level of flexibility.
• You can reserve even the last remaining seat at the cost of many more miles.
• Useful only in emergencies or high season.

"If you need 400,000 miles for a ticket, maybe it's better to pay cash and keep the miles for something more sensible. Like a Qsuite, or a nice week at the Conrad."

• krisflyer