Singapore Airlines' KrisFlyer program, part of the Star Alliance, is highly regarded, especially for its premium cabin award redemptions. However, its miles are subject to a strict 'hard expiry' policy.
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Miles Expiration Policy
KrisFlyer miles have a fixed expiration date. Miles earned are valid for 36 months (three years) from the date they are credited to your account. They expire at the end of the equivalent month, three years later.
For example:
- Miles credited on May 15, 2025, will expire on May 31, 2028.
- Miles credited on December 1, 2025, will expire on December 31, 2028.
Crucially, account activity does NOT extend the validity of KrisFlyer miles. Earning more miles (e.g., by flying, transferring from partners like Amex, Chase, Citi, Capital One, or Bilt) or redeeming miles does not reset the 3-year clock on miles you've already earned. Each batch of miles has its own distinct 36-month lifespan.
Note: While standard miles expire, miles held by top-tier PPS Club members may have different validity rules as part of their elite benefits.
This 'hard expiry' policy requires members to be diligent about tracking when their miles were earned and planning redemptions before the deadline.
Keeping Track and Using Miles
Since activity doesn't prevent expiration for standard KrisFlyer miles, the only way to avoid losing them is to redeem them before their specific 3-year expiration date.
- Check your KrisFlyer account statement regularly. It details how many miles are expiring and in which month.
- Plan your redemptions, such as booking award flights on Singapore Airlines or Star Alliance partners, well in advance of the miles' expiration. KrisFlyer also allows redemptions for upgrades and sometimes non-flight options.
- Singapore Airlines occasionally offers the option to pay a fee to extend the validity of expiring miles for a short period (often 6-12 months), but this is usually not the best value compared to redeeming them.
Official Policy
For the most accurate details, including specifics for PPS Club members and extension options, always consult the official KrisFlyer program documentation:
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer FAQ (Look for sections on mileage validity and expiration)
Extending the Validity of Singapore KrisFlyer Miles
Singapore KrisFlyer miles come with a fixed expiration policy. If your miles are nearing expiration, you have the option to extend their validity:
- Standard members can extend expiring miles for six months by paying either $12 or 1,200 miles.
- KrisFlyer Elite Silver and Gold members receive a 12-month extension for the same fee.
It is worth noting that the older method of booking an award, changing the date, and then canceling to redeposit miles is no longer allowed. Any miles that reach their expiration date are forfeited and will not be returned.
Earning Singapore KrisFlyer Miles
Accumulating KrisFlyer miles is straightforward thanks to a wide range of airline and non-airline partners. You can earn miles in the following ways:
- Flights: Earn miles when flying with Singapore Airlines, Scoot, or Star Alliance carriers such as Lufthansa and Avianca. Additional partner airlines include JetBlue and Alaska Airlines.
- Hotels: Credit stays at major brands like IHG, Accor, and Hilton.
- Car Rentals: Earn miles with Avis, Budget, and other rental partners.
- Shopping and Lifestyle: Earn through retail and lifestyle partners worldwide, including the Bicester Village Shopping Collection.
For members based in Asia, there is a broader set of options, including co-branded KrisFlyer credit cards issued in several countries.
Boosting Your KrisFlyer Miles Balance
If you are short of miles for an award redemption, KrisFlyer’s strong lineup of transfer partners provides plenty of flexibility.
| From Program | To Program | Transfer Ratio | Minimum Transfer | Average Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Membership Rewards (Germany) | Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | 3:2 | 1,500 | Unknown |
| Amex Membership Rewards (United States) | Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | 1,000:1,000 | – | 21 hours |
| Amex Membership Rewards (United Kingdom) | Removed as partner (Jan 2025) | – | – | Unknown |
| Capital One | Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | 100:100 | 1,000 | 18 hours |
| Chase Ultimate Rewards | Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | 1,000:1,000 | – | 1 day |
| Citi ThankYou Rewards (United States) | Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | 1,000:1,000 (some cards 1,000:700) | – | 20 hours |
| Marriott Bonvoy | Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | 3:1 | 3,000 | 4 days |
| Brex Cash | Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | 3:2 | 500 | 5 hours |
| DBS Points | Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | – | – | 1 day |
| HSBC Rewards (UK) | Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | – | – | 2 days |
| HSBC Rewards (Canada) | Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | 10,000:3,600 | 25,000 | Unknown |
Singapore KrisFlyer Elite Status
Singapore Airlines offers two primary KrisFlyer elite tiers: Elite Silver and Elite Gold. These require 25,000 and 50,000 elite miles, respectively, within a 12-month period. Elite miles are earned by flying Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Juneyao Air, Star Alliance carriers, and select partners.
KrisFlyer Elite Silver
Silver is the entry-level tier, with benefits including:
- Free selection of standard seats in economy on Singapore Airlines
- Automatic seat assignment when flying Scoot
- Priority waitlisting, standby, and boarding
- Star Alliance Silver recognition
- 25% bonus miles on eligible Singapore Airlines flights
KrisFlyer Elite Gold
Gold provides significantly more perks, such as:
- Free selection of forward zone or standard seats in economy on Singapore Airlines
- Automatic seat assignment on Scoot
- Extra baggage allowance
- Priority check-in, security, boarding, and baggage delivery
- Star Alliance Gold recognition, including worldwide lounge access
- Access to Singapore Airlines, Virgin Australia, and Star Alliance partner lounges
- United Club access when traveling domestically on United Airlines flights in the U.S.
- 25% bonus miles on eligible Singapore Airlines flights
KrisFlyer Milestone Rewards
KrisFlyer also offers Milestone Rewards, which are unlocked based on the number of elite miles flown in a calendar year. Only miles flown on Singapore Airlines and Scoot count. Rewards range from Scoot vouchers and KrisPay credits at lower levels, to cabin upgrades and mileage bonuses at higher thresholds:
- 20,000 elite miles: 25% bonus miles on one segment
- 40,000 elite miles: 5,000 KrisFlyer miles redemption discount
- 75,000 elite miles: Confirmed cabin upgrade on a short-haul Singapore Airlines segment
- 100,000 elite miles: Confirmed upgrade from economy to premium economy on one Singapore Airlines flight
PPS Club and Solitaire PPS Club
Above KrisFlyer Elite is PPS Club, which is based on spending rather than miles flown. Members must earn 25,000 PPS Value in a membership year, with 1 PPS Value earned per Singapore dollar spent on airfare and surcharges in premium cabins only.
The higher Solitaire PPS Club requires 50,000 PPS Value in a year and offers even greater privileges. PPS members enjoy premium perks such as complimentary Wi-Fi and guaranteed economy reservations, making it one of the most exclusive frequent flyer statuses in the industry.
Summary
While KrisFlyer miles expire on a set schedule, members can pay a modest fee to extend their validity. The program also offers numerous ways to accumulate miles, from flights and hotels to shopping and co-branded credit cards. With a wide range of flexible transfer partners, KrisFlyer is an excellent program for consolidating points across different currencies and redeeming them for valuable award flights.
Disclaimer: Program terms and conditions, including elite status benefits and expiration rules, can change. This guide is for informational purposes only. Verify details directly with Singapore Airlines.