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As the only way to book an award in the enviable Singapore Suites First Class. But that's far from the program's only sweet spot.
KrisFlyer miles can also unlock stopovers on award tickets, allowing you to visit an additional destination without redeeming extra miles in some cases. Combined with KrisFlyer's extensive transfer-partner network and access to Star Alliance airlines, this can be a valuable way to stretch your rewards further.
In this guide, we'll explain how KrisFlyer stopovers work, the rules that govern them, and how to book one on your next award ticket.
Overview of the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Program
If you're unfamiliar with Singapore KrisFlyer, you should take some time to familiarize yourself with the frequent flyer program. As a member of the Star Alliance, you can use KrisFlyer miles not only for Singapore Airlines flights but also for tickets with its swath of partners.
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer award charts
Singapore Airlines publishes one award chart for its own flights and separate award charts for Star Alliance and other partner airlines.
It's critical to keep in mind which chart applies to the award you wish to book. If your itinerary includes Star Alliance partner flights — including itineraries that combine Singapore Airlines and Star Alliance partners — the Star Alliance award chart (caution: PDF link) applies. Other partner awards are generally ticketed separately and follow their own rules.
Note that the Start Alliance award chart shows prices for round-trip tickets, but you can book a one-way award for half the cost.
The award chart for Singapore Airlines flights (caution: PDF link) features three award levels — Saver, Advantage, and Access. Saver awards are cheaper than Advantage awards and much cheaper than Access awards — Singapore’s newer, higher-priced redemption option that can make additional seats available when Saver or Advantage awards are not available.
What Is a Stopover?
A stopover refers to a planned break in your journey that exceeds the maximum connection time normally allowed on an itinerary. While domestic connection limits vary, most international itineraries consider any layover longer than 24 hours a stopover.
For example, instead of connecting briefly in Munich on the way from New York to Istanbul, you could spend a few days there before continuing to Istanbul on the same ticket. Some airline loyalty programs even allow this without charging additional miles.
Related: What Is the Difference Between a Layover and a Stopover?
Singapore Airlines Stopover Rules
If you're considering redeeming KrisFlyer miles and adding a stopover, here are the rules to know:
- On Singapore Airlines-operated flights, one complimentary stopover is permitted on a round-trip Saver award or a one-way Advantage or Access award. Round-trip Advantage and Access awards include two complimentary stopovers. Stopovers are not permitted on one-way Saver awards.
- On Star Alliance award tickets, one complimentary stopover is permitted on round-trip awards. Complimentary stopovers are not permitted on one-way awards, wholly domestic itineraries, within the country of departure on an international itinerary, on itineraries containing only European cities, or on itineraries between the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- Award stopovers are limited to a maximum of 30 days. If you'd like to stay longer, you'll need to book separate award tickets.
- Additional paid stopovers are no longer permitted on KrisFlyer award tickets. For tickets issued on or after August 1, 2022, Singapore Airlines limits award tickets to the complimentary stopovers included with the applicable award type. If you want a stopover longer than 30 days — or more stopovers than your award allows — you’ll need to book separate award tickets.
KrisFlyer Award Routing Rules
Beyond the Singapore Airlines stopover rules, you should be aware of the other rules that apply to tickets booked using KrisFlyer miles.
- Star Alliance award itineraries are limited to a maximum of six flight segments.
- Star Alliance and other partner segments may not be waitlisted. However, Singapore Airlines segments can be waitlisted as part of a Star Alliance award.
- You cannot backtrack as part of an award. For example, you can't fly from New York to Dubai, then backtrack to Europe before continuing to East Asia.
- One open jaw is permitted at the origin or destination on a round-trip award. For example, you can fly from San Francisco to Singapore and return from Singapore to New York.
Related: How To Redeem Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Miles
How To Search and Book Singapore KrisFlyer Awards
To search for KrisFlyer awards, visit singaporeair.com and select the “Redeem flights” option on the booking form. You'll need to log in to your KrisFlyer account before searching for award availability. If you don't already have an account, you can create one for free.
From there, enter your origin, destination, travel dates, and preferred cabin to search for available award flights.
Unlike some programs, you can only search for one cabin class at a time with Singapore Airlines. Search results default to showing a week of availability at a time, and you can toggle among Singapore Airlines flights, Star Alliance airlines, and other partners.
Below are examples of award availability for flights between San Francisco and Singapore on Singapore Airlines. Note that Saver, Advantage, and Access prices are listed, and that you would be waitlisted for some of these options.
Now that you know how to search for Singapore Airlines award flights, let's tackle how to book a Singapore Airlines stopover.
How To Add a Singapore Airlines Stopover on Award Itineraries
You take a slightly different route to search for a Singapore KrisFlyer award with a stopover. To see the stopover option, you'll need to search for an itinerary and an award type that permits stopovers.
In this search, I'm looking for a business-class award between San Francisco and Sydney. Notice the additional stopover field that wasn't available in the earlier San Francisco-to-Singapore search.
To add a stopover, click the “Add Stopovers” button. This opens a form where you can select your stopover city and departure date for the next flight segment.
Once you've selected your stopover, the search will return selections for both flights. Each segment includes its own weeklong calendar view, making it easier to compare dates if your travel plans are flexible.
For example, here's the first leg:
And here's the second leg:
In my case, I found dates for both flights that didn't require a waitlist. After selecting your flights, KrisFlyer will display an itinerary summary before you proceed through the normal booking process.
Most importantly, adding the stopover didn't increase the cost of the award. The itinerary priced at 251,000 miles — the same amount required for the itinerary without the stopover in the earlier search.
How To Earn Singapore KrisFlyer Miles
One of the strengths of the Singapore KrisFlyer program is its list of transfer partners. From flexible rewards to hotel points, it's easy to grow your balance of KrisFlyer miles.
Singapore KrisFlyer transfer partners
The table below lists all current Singapore Airlines transfer partners. In most cases, transfers from credit card rewards programs offer better value than hotel points transfers due to more favorable transfer ratios.
Best credit cards for earning KrisFlyer miles
The easiest way to earn a lot of Singapore KrisFlyer miles is via transferable credit card rewards. Several rewards programs offer 1:1 transfers to Singapore KrisFlyer. Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One Rewards, and Citi ThankYou Rewards are three of our favorite options.
Here's a quick look at some of the best travel rewards cards that offer point transfers to Singapore Airlines:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Rates & Fees)
- Welcome bonus: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Earning rates: Earn 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services, gas and EV charging, vacation homes, and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Welcome bonus: Earn 75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
- Earning rates: Earn 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day. 5 Miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
- Citi Strata Premier® Card (Rates & Fees)
- Welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
- Earning rates: Earn 10X points per $1 on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com; 3X points per $1 spent on air travel and other hotel purchases; and 3X points at gas stations, EV charging stations, restaurants, and supermarkets.
$95Rates & Fees
- 5X points on Lyft rides through September 2027
- 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3X points on dining at restaurants worldwide
- 3X points on gas and EV charging
- 3X points on vacation homes at top brands like Airbnb, Vrbo and more
- 3X points on eligible streaming services
- 3X points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)
- 2X points on all other travel
- 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases
$95
- 5X miles per dollar on purchases through Capital One Entertainment
- 5X miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 2X miles per dollar on all other purchases
$95Rates & Fees
- 10X on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
- 3X – Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases
- 3X – Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Restaurants
- 3X – Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Supermarkets
- 3X – Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Gas and EV Charging Stations
- 1X – Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on All Other Purchases
Final Thoughts
The ability to add a stopover on Singapore Airlines is an aspect of the KrisFlyer program that flies under the radar. Besides adding a stopover in Singapore itself, you can also add one in places where Singapore Airlines operates fifth freedom flights (e.g., Tokyo or Frankfurt). While limited to only a handful of cities, you could use a stopover to break up your trip and discover somewhere new.
One caveat is that Singapore Airlines often relies on waitlisted award space, particularly in premium cabins. Finding an itinerary that can be confirmed immediately may require some flexibility, but adding a stopover can make a long itinerary more enjoyable by turning a connection point into a destination.
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For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Rates & Fees), and Citi Strata Premier® Card (Rates & Fees)
