New Benefits from Singapore Airlines' frequent flyer programme - KrisFlyer

From 27 October 2003, Singapore Airlines' (SIA) frequent flyer programme, KrisFlyer, is introducing greater benefits and more enhanced services for its members.

The latest enhancements will introduce new features such as one-way award redemptions, and the ability to purchase "top-up" miles. These additional features to the KrisFlyer programme are the result of an extensive customer research survey conducted by the airline at the end of 2002.

"Its all about choice - we want to offer KrisFlyer members more options and rewards for flying with us. In response to members' feedback, these latest features provide yet more ways to redeem miles for meaningful rewards, " said SIA's Senior Vice-President Marketing, Mr Tan Chik Quee.

The new benefits in the KrisFlyer programme include:

One-way award redemptions

KrisFlyer members will be able to enjoy one-way award redemptions to any destination, for 70 per cent of the miles required for the equivalent return journey.

New First and Raffles (Business) Class categories

A new category of unrestricted awards for First and Raffles (business) Class travel, will offer greater award redemption choices, extended validity and two free stopovers per round trip.

Existing First and Business Class awards will be renamed First Saver and Business Saver respectively.

Reduced rates for additional stopovers

Additional stopovers can now be redeemed for just 10,000 miles per stopover - irrespective of class of travel - instead of the usual 15,000, 25,000 and 40,000 miles required for Economy, Raffles (business) and First Class awards, respectively.

Revamped Award Redemption Charts

Improved award charts will include more flight zones to ensure that each region is more accurately represented. For example, with the revamped chart, a Singapore-Adelaide return economy Saver redemption will now cost 20 per cent less, at 40,000 miles, compared to the existing 50,000 miles.

The revamped award charts will have 23 flight zones, compared to the existing 12 zones.

Purchase of top-up KrisFlyer miles

Members who do not have sufficient KrisFlyer miles to redeem for a particular award ticket can now top-up their accounts by purchasing up to 30 per cent of the required KrisFlyer miles with cash.

Each block of 1,000 KrisFlyer miles costs US$40.

Reduced miles needed to change redemption group nominees online

KrisFlyer members who wish to change their redemption group nominees can now do so online, at www.krisflyer.com or www.singaporeair.com at a reduced cost of 60 per cent of the miles currently required.

Extension on miles validity for KrisFlyer Elite and PPS Club members

KrisFlyer Elite and PPS members can extend the validity period of their miles accrued for up to one year as compared to the existing six months. The service fee for extending the validity period will still apply.

KrisFlyer now has 75 global partners, ranging from airlines, hotels and a travel agency to credit cards, an insurance company and a telecommunications provider. The latest partner to join the KrisFlyer programme is Club 21, a luxury fashion distributor based in Singapore.