You would think that two airlines in the same alliance and both using a zone award chart would charge the same mileage-redemption rate.
But that’s often not the case, and it’s often an opportunity for saving miles.
(Almost) Free Upgrade to Hawaii
Take the Los Angeles-Honolulu route in Business Class. Singapore Airlines charges 60,000 miles round-trip (only 50,000 Starpoints). United charges 80,000 for Business Class and 45,000 miles for economy. Book via Singapore Airlines and it costs only 5,000 miles more than economy—in effect, almost a free upgrade.
Save 30% on Transcon
and other Domestic Flights in Business Class
For Los Angeles-New York in Business Class, Singapore charges 40,000 miles round-trip (35,000 Starpoints). United charges 50,000 miles for Business Class and 25,000 miles for economy; so for only 10,000 more miles you can get United’s Business Class by booking through Singapore Airlines loyalty program, KrisFlyer— as savings of 15,000 miles or 30%.
No Singapore Miles? No Problem.
American Express Membership Rewards points, Chase Ultimate Rewards points, Citi ThankYou points, and Starwood Starpoints all transfer to Singapore’s loyalty program.
No Credit Card Points? No Problem.
Anyone can get in the game overnight just by buying miles from Amex Membership Rewards at 2.5¢ each (500,000-mile annual limit).
Another terrific way to use Singapore miles for travel on United is between Los Angeles and New York if you’ve missed the 21-day advance-purchase requirement: At 2.5¢ each for points, a Business Class mileage award ticket costs about $1,025 round-trip (including taxes), for a seat that otherwise goes for $2,296 (14-day advance-purchase requirement), and even more if purchased closer to departure.
Transfer time from Amex Rewards points to Singapore miles is often instantly. Citi ThankYou takes about three days and Chase and Starwood generally takes four. If you fly United with any frequency, just keep some miles in your Singapore account, so transfer time doesn’t matter.
Getting United’s International Seats on Domestic Routes
Also see our last report on where to find free “In-Class Seat Upgrades” to get an international seat on United domestic routes.