Joining the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer loyalty program is a fantastic way to enhance your flying experience. Upgrading to business class can be a luxury worth pursuing. For many travelers, the KrisFlyer program from Singapore Airlines offers an avenue to upgrade. But how many KrisFlyer miles are needed to get an upgrade to business class? Let’s dive into the specifics.
How many krisflyer miles to get an upgrade to business class with Singapore Airlines?
The number of KrisFlyer Miles required to get an upgrade to business class is variable and not fixed for all destinations. Depending on your flight route and cabin class, the number of miles needed for an upgrade can differ. For instance, a journey from Zone 1 (Singapore) to Zone 2 (Malaysia, Indonesia) requires 17,000 miles for a one-way Economy Standard to Business Class upgrade. If you’re flying economy class from Sydney to Delhi, you’d need approximately 40,000 KrisFlyer miles to upgrade to business class for a one-way trip. The miles required can vary based on several factors.
Criteria for the Variation
Flight route and zones
The number of Kris Flyers required for upgrade will depend on the starting and destination zone.
- Zone 1: Singapore
- ZONE 2: Malaysia, Indones
- ZONE 3: Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia & Laos
- ZONE 4: South China, Hong Kong SAR, China & Taiwan, China
- ZONE 5: North China (Beijing & Shanghai
- ZONE 6: South Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Maldives & Bangladesh)
- ZONE 7: Japan & South Korea
- ZONE 8: Australia (Perth & Darwin)
- ZONE 9: Australia (excl. Perth & Darwin) & New Zealand)
- ZONE 10: Africa, Middle East & Turkey
- ZONE 11: Europe
- ZONE 12: USA (West Coast) & Canada
- ZONE 13: USA (East Coast & Houston)
Original booking class
- Economy Standard,
- Economy Flexi,
- Premium Economy Standard,
- Premium Economy Flexi.
A variation within each class is the Saver/Advantage booking.
Type of upgrade
Further, the number of miles required varies as per the upgrade made. It is different for:
- One-way Economy Standard to Business Class Upgrade (Economy Standard includes booking classes M, H, and W)
- One-way Economy Flexi to Business Class Upgrade Economy Flexi includes booking classes Y, B, and E
- One-way Premium Economy Standard to Business Class Upgrade Premium Economy Standard includes booking class P, L
- One-way Premium Economy Flexi to Business Class Upgrade Premium Economy Flexi includes booking classes S and T.
Sample Update Cost Using KrisFlyer Miles
One-way Economy Standard to Business Class Upgrade (Economy Standard includes booking classes M, H, and W) SAVER
| Z1 | Z2 | Z3 | Z4 | Z5 | Z6 | Z7 | Z8 | Z9 | Z10 | Z11 | Z12 | Z13 | |
| Z1 | – | 17 | 18.5 | 26 | 35 | 35 | 42.5 | 32 | 58.5 | 47.5 | 86.5 | 90 | 93.5 |
| Z2 | 17 | – | 18.5 | 26 | 35 | 35 | 42.5 | 32 | 58.5 | 47.5 | 86.5 | 90 | 93.5 |
| Z3 | 18.5 | 18.5 | – | – | – | 35 | 42.5 | 32 | 58.5 | 47.5 | 86.5 | 90 | 93.5 |
| Z4 | 26 | 26 | – | – | – | – | – | 33 | 59.5 | 60.5 | 92.5 | 79 | 102 |
| Z5 | 35 | 35 | – | – | – | 52.5 | – | 48.5 | 77 | 60.5 | – | – | 105 |
| Z6 | 35 | 35 | 35 | – | 52.5 | – | 61 | 51.5 | 77 | 60.5 | – | 100 | 105 |
| Z7 | 42.5 | 42.5 | 42.5 | – | – | 61 | – | 55.5 | 83.5 | 72.5 | 98 | 85.5 | 110.5 |
| Z8 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 48.5 | 51.5 | 55.5 | – | – | 64.5 | 92.5 | 94.5 | 105 |
| Z9 | 58.5 | 58.5 | 58.5 | 59.5 | 77 | 77 | 83.5 | – | 27 | 82 | 104 | 108.5 | 112.5 |
| Z10 | 47.5 | 47.5 | 47.5 | 60.5 | 60.5 | 60.5 | 72.5 | 64.5 | 82 | – | – | 111 | – |
| Z11 | 86.5 | 86.5 | 86.5 | 92.5 | – | – | 98 | 92.5 | 104 | – | 28.5 | – | 55 |
| Z12 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 79 | – | 100 | 85.5 | 94.5 | 108.5 | 111 | – | – | – |
| Z13 | 93.5 | 93.5 | 93.5 | 102 | 105 | 105 | 110.5 | 105 | 112.5 | – | 55 | – | – |
Note:
- Z1, Z2, etc. indicate the zone.
- All the figures are in thousands.
Check the Upgrade cost in detail here.
Is Using KrisFlyer Miles Worth the Upgrade?
Definitely! Not only do you get to experience the luxury of business class, but members with Star Alliance status also enjoy perks like priority boarding, free checked bags, and in-flight service discounts.
But, from a purely numerical standpoint, it might not always be the most economical choice. Upgrades can sometimes cost nearly as many miles as redeeming a seat outright. For instance, a flight from Perth to Singapore requires 40,500 miles for Business Class, while an upgrade is 32,000 miles from Economy Standard. Hence, it is generally advisable to redeem a seat directly, unless someone else is covering your ticket cost or you wish to upgrade a ticket you’ve already purchased.
KrisFlyer Miles Upgrade Calculator
The KrisFlyer miles calculator on Singapore Airlines’ website helps you determine how many miles you’d need for your desired upgrade. It’s user-friendly and provides results based on your input destinations.
How to Upgrade Your Flight?
To upgrade a Singapore Airlines flight, you need to log in to your KrisFlyer account and search for available ‘Saver’ reward seats on the same date and route as your existing booking. If such seats appear, you can typically upgrade. However, do note that upgrade availability might not always align with reward seat availability.
Steps to upgrade online:
- Go to ‘Bookings’ in your KrisFlyer account.
- Select the flight you want to upgrade and click ‘Manage Booking’.
- Click on ‘Upgrade flights’, then ‘Redeem with miles’.
- Choose the flight(s) you wish to upgrade.
- Verify the number of KrisFlyer miles required for the upgrade.
ciated with these upgrades, especially when upgrading from Economy to Business or First Class.
Other Uses of KrisFlyer Miles
KrisFlyer miles aren’t just for flight upgrades. You can also use them for:
- Redeeming award tickets on partner airlines
- Booking hotel stays or car rentals
- Shopping on krisshop.com
- And more!
Earning KrisFlyer Miles
Every dollar spent on Singapore Airlines flights, hotel bookings, car rentals, and other activities earns you KrisFlyer miles. Additionally, signing up for a credit card associated with Singapore Airlines can boost your miles, thanks to exclusive cardholder benefits.
FAQs
1. Can KrisFlyer members use the lounge?
Yes, KrisFlyer members with sufficient status can access Singapore Airlines lounges and enjoy their amenities.
2. How to get a free upgrade to business class on Singapore Airlines?
While there’s no guaranteed method, accumulating and redeeming KrisFlyer miles is one of the best strategies. Additionally, credit card rewards and special promotions can offer opportunities for upgrades.
3. How much does it cost to upgrade to business class?
The cost varies based on the flight route, duration, and availability. Using KrisFlyer miles can significantly reduce the monetary cost.
4. What is the cheapest way to upgrade from economy to business?
Directly redeeming a business class seat using miles is often cheaper than upgrading an economy ticket.
5. Can I ask for a free upgrade to business class?
While you can always inquire, free upgrades are rare and usually based on factors like overbooked flights or loyalty status. You can always inquire at the check-in desk or when boarding, especially if you have a loyalty status with the airline.
Takeaway
Upgrading to business class can provide a more comfortable and luxurious flying experience. While using KrisFlyer miles is one way to achieve this, it’s essential to weigh the benefits against the costs and consider all available options.
