Singapore Devaluation! Award Rates Going up on January 24th

Singapore Airlines has announced a devaluation of their award chart.  At this point, are we surprised?

The carrier last devalued its chart just over a year ago, in December 2017.  Singapore is sending out emails to members of their Krisflyer awards program this week.  Per usual, the airline is touting “enhancements” to their award chart (airline parlance for”use those miles now, because we’re going to try to make them worthless!).

The beautiful Singapore Airlines A380

What are the Major Changes?

I’m going to assume here that most of our readership is US-based, so I’ll be focusing on those changes.

Here’s the old chart (good until January 23rd, 2019):

…and the new chart (effective January 24th):

These are the values it costs for one-way flights in economy (green), business (blue), and first/suites (orange).  Moving left to right, each column corresponds to a Zone int he Singapore Airlines award chart.  The prices are for one-way flights from the US to:

1. Singapore
2. Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei
3. Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos
4. South China, Hong Kong, Taiwan
5. Beijing, Shanghai (blank)
6. India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh
7. Japan, South Korea
8. Australia (only Perth and Darwin)
9. New Zealand, rest of Australia
10. Africa, Middle East, Turkey
11. Europe

Overall, the changes aren’t major.  More of a “death by papercuts” issue.  Still, the Suites redemption is increasing from 210 Krisflyer miles one-way to 222, about a 5.7% increase.  I’m not really a suites kind of guy, but there’s no denying it’s a great redemption when you have the points to spend!

Details on the Changes

Some of the changes that jumped out at me (tailored to US flyers):

• West Coast to Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, etc.in First/Suites – 210,000 miles to 222,000 miles (5.7% increase)
• East Coast and Houston to Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, etc. in First/Suites – 225,000 miles to 237,000 miles (5.3% increase)
• West Coast to South China, Hong Kong, Taiwan in First/Suites – 160,000 miles to 172,000 miles (7.5% increase)
• East Coast and Houston to South China, Hong Kong, Taiwan in First/Suites – 250,000 miles to 265,000 miles (6% increase)
• West Coast to Australia and New Zealand in First/Suites – 275,000 miles to 290,000 miles (5.4% increase)
• East Coast and Houston to Australia and New Zealand in First/Suites – 280,000 miles to 295,000 miles (5.3% increase)
• West Coast to Africa, Middle East, Turkey in First/Suites – 255,000 miles to 270,000 miles (5.8% increase)
• East Coast and Houston to Europe in First/Suites – 130,000 miles to 140,000 miles (7.6% increase)

Basically a 5 to 7% increase of first and suites class.

Check out the beautiful city of Singapore! It’ll just cost you a bit more than it used to…still worth it.

From a quick survey, before my eyes started crossing from all the numbers, I don’t think there are any increases to the economy award numbers.  Looks like Singapore is keenly aware of the value of their business/first product, and is trying to decrease the number of points bookings on its stellar first class product.

The best policy is always – earn and burn.  Your miles won’t usually increase in value…so if you have Krisflyer miles (or Ultimate Rewards to transfer) book before January 24th!

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