Business Class award availability to/from Singapore (as of August 2022)

As Singapore-based travellers begin to “revenge travel”, we are seeing very limited (sometimes none) Business Class award availability to/from Singapore’s Changi Airport.

Let’s take a look at how far ahead you need to plan, to snag award seats through popular Frequent Flyer Programs in Singapore, without breaking your (miles) bank.

Best way to search for oneworld award availability

The easiest way to find Qatar Airways and Finnair award availability is on American Airlines’ website, aa.com. This is because, you will be able to set filters like “non-stop flights only” and “business class only” and have a lovely calendar view of award availability.

Use aa.com just as a reference and always cross-check on your Frequent Flyer Program (FFP) of choice.

Pro tip: Search one segment at a time (e.g. to/from Doha/Helsinki) and search non-stop flights only, so that you only see Qatar Airways/Finnair availability.

Best way to search for Star Alliance award availability

One of the best ways to search for Star Alliance award availability is on United Airlines’ website, united.com. Like aa.com, you will get to see a calendar view of available award space to save lots of time.

This is a great way to search for Turkish Airlines award availability.

Unfortunately, this method cannot be used to search for Singapore Airlines Business Class award space. To redeem Krisflyer miles on Singapore Airlines, visit singaporeair.com.

Qatar Airways Privilege Club

Transfer partner: Citibank, Standard Chartered

The best way to use Avios from Privilege Club is for Business Class flights on Qatar Airways between Singapore and Europe. For this route, you will need 75,000 Avios + ~S$300 in taxes/fees.

Click here and here to read my reviews on Qatar Airways Business Class.

Additional note: Qatar Airways has completely blocked award seats from mid-November to mid-December because of the FIFA World Cup event.

Europe

For flights from Singapore to European cities, I am seeing availability from October 2022 onwards. For the reversed itinerary from Europe to Singapore, I am seeing some availability from mid-September 2022 onwards.

And yes, you can still fly Qatar Airways First Class at the rate of Business Class, believe it or not!

Related: Award Mispricing: Fly Qatar Airways First Class at the rate of Business Class!

Singapore Airlines Krisflyer

Transfer partners: All banks in Singapore

One of the best ways to use Krisflyer miles is for Business Class flights on Singapore Airlines between Singapore and Istanbul/Johannesburg/Cape Town. For these routes, you will need 56,500 miles + ~S$52 in taxes/fees.

Johannesburg/Cape Town

For flights to/from the South African cities, I am seeing good Saver availability from September 2022.

Istanbul

Istanbul is a popular choice among Krisflyer members as it brings them to the “front door” of Europe for about half the amount of miles required!

I am seeing very limited Saver award availability for flights to Istanbul in January and March 2023.

Europe

For flights to/from Europe, I see some Saver availability from October 2022.

Japan/Korea

I see very limited availability to/from Tokyo and Osaka from January 2023.

For flights to/from Seoul, South Korea, I see very limited Saver availability from September 2022 and very good availability from late December 2022.

Australia/New Zealand

Comparing to what I shared in last month’s article, award flights to/from Australian cities are disappearing fast! There is now very limited Saver availability from October 2022

For Auckland, New Zealand I see limited Saver availability from February 2023.

North America

I am seeing some Saver availability for flights to the USA from late December 2022.

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles

Transfer partners: DBS, UOB, Citibank, AMEX, HSBC, Maybank

As most Cathay Pacific aircrafts are still grounded due to border restrictions in Hong Kong, the best way to use Asia Miles right now is for Business Class flights on Finnair between Singapore and Europe. For this route, you will need 70,000 miles + ~S$100 in taxes/fees.

Unfortunately, I am seeing zero availability between Singapore and Europe until mid-2023. UPDATE 6 AUG 2022: I am now seeing some award availability to/from Singapore.

Alternative 1: Position to Bangkok to redeem Finnair Business Class with Asia Miles with good availability from November 2022.

Alternative 2: Redeem Asia Miles for Qatar Airways flights to/from Europe. For this route, you will need 70,000 miles + a hefty ~S$700 in taxes/fees. I recommend using DBS Woman’s World card to receive 4 miles per dollar on the cash component.

Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles

Transfer partner: Citibank

The best way to use miles from Miles&Smiles is for Business Class flights on Turkish Airlines between Singapore and Europe. For this route, you will need 45,000 miles + ~S$300 in taxes/fees.

Unfortunately, I am seeing zero availability between Singapore and Europe until mid-2023. There are some availability to/from Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta (new 787-9 seats) in the next few months, if you are willing to reposition.

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

Transfer partner: None (Buy miles or earn through flying)

The best way to use miles from Mileage Plan is for Business Class flights on Japan Airlines between Singapore and Japan/Korea for 25,000 miles + ~S$70 in taxes/fees and between Singapore and North American cities for 65,000 miles + ~S$110.

Related: Sweet Spots: Best ways to redeem Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles in 2022

Japan/Korea

I am seeing very limited award availability for flights to Japan/Korea from October 2022 onwards.

North America

Japan Airlines flies to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Vancouver and New York. I am seeing very limited award availability from March 2023.

Bottom line

Booking a Business Class award seat requires more work these days and it helps to know how early you should start planning.

If you are not able to find award availability on a preferred date and your miles are not expiring anytime soon, consider travelling within the region in the coming months or take advantage of one of the great airfares that I have shared recently.