As Singapore-based travellers continue 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.
Business Class award availability
Unfortunately, general award availability for medium and long haul flights has gotten worse this month and there is no sign that this airline award scarcity has peaked.
Here’s what’s available for Business Class flights between Singapore and popular destinations.
Additional note: Award availability shown are for the lowest rates from each Frequent Flyer Program (i.e. no “Advantage” rates and waitlisting).
| Destination | Availability in Business Class |
|---|---|
| Jakarta | Krisflyer: 21k miles Availability: Some in Sep, plenty from Oct |
| Bali | Krisflyer: 21k miles Availability: Some in Oct, plenty from Nov |
| Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines | Krisflyer: 24k miles Availability: Plenty from Sep |
| Japan | Krisflyer: 52k miles Availability: Limited till Jul |
| Alaska: 25k miles Availability: Limited till Mar, plenty from Apr | |
| South Korea | Krisflyer: 52k miles Availability: Limited till Dec, plenty from Jan |
| Alaska: 25k miles (Seoul only, via Tokyo) Availability: Some from Sep (Mostly mixed cabin) | |
| Perth | Krisflyer: 40.5k miles Availability: Limited from Dec |
| Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide | Krisflyer: 68.5k miles Availability: Limited from Dec |
| Alaska: 65k miles Availability: Limited from Oct | |
| New Zealand | Krisflyer: 68.5k miles Availability: Limited from Mar |
| Alaska: 65k miles Availability: Limited from Jan | |
| Dubai | Krisflyer: 56.5k miles Availability: Limited from Mar |
| Istanbul | Krisflyer: 56.5k miles Availability: Limited from Jan |
| South Africa | Krisflyer: 56.5k miles Availability: Limited from Sep |
| Europe | Krisflyer: 103.5k miles Availability: Limited from Oct |
| Asia Miles: 70k miles Availability: Limited from Jan | |
| Qatar: 75k miles Availability: Limited from Sep | |
| Turkish: 45k miles Availability: Zero till Jul | |
| Alaska: 60k miles Availability: Limited from Jan | |
| U.S., Canada | Krisflyer: 107k – 111.5k miles Availability: Limited from Dec |
| Alaska: 65k miles Availability: Limited from Feb |
Consider positioning in a neighbouring city
It’s not all doom and gloom.
Singapore-based travellers can book separate tickets to position themselves in neighbouring cities like Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Jakarta where Business Class award availability (non-Krisflyer) are a lot better!
Do your own calculations to see if the cost and time lost during positioning are worth it.
Bank transfer partners
Here’s a quick look at where you can transfer miles/points from Singapore credit cards:
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.
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.