Last Updated on November 4, 2026 by Tyler Morgan
KrisFlyer is the loyalty program of the Singapore Airlines Group, and it is free to join. Most people think the only way to earn KrisFlyer miles is to fly Singapore Airlines, but if you live in the US, flying is usually the slowest way to build a balance. Credit card points, partner airlines, hotel programs and a handful of shopping platforms can all feed your account.
This guide covers nine ways to earn KrisFlyer miles in 2026, with the earning rates Singapore Airlines and major points sites publish, plus the rules that trip people up: expiry, transfers between accounts, missing miles and bookings made through travel agents.
Quick Answer
You earn KrisFlyer miles by flying Singapore Airlines, Scoot and Star Alliance partners, and by transferring points from American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou and Capital One (1:1 on most cards) or Marriott Bonvoy (3:1). You can also earn through KrisShop, Kris+, Pelago and other partners. Miles are valid for three years.
Key Takeaways
- For US travelers, transferable credit card points are the fastest way to earn KrisFlyer miles. Singapore Airlines does not offer a US co-branded card.
- On Singapore Airlines flights, you earn from 50% of the miles flown on the cheapest economy fares up to 200% in Suites and First.
- The Singapore Airlines and Alaska Airlines partnership ended. Alaska flights from January 1, 2026 no longer earn KrisFlyer miles.
- KrisFlyer miles expire three years after you earn them, and activity does not reset the clock. You can pay to extend expiring miles once.
- You cannot pool or transfer miles to another member, but you can name up to five redemption nominees who can fly on your miles.
How KrisFlyer Miles Work
KrisFlyer has two kinds of miles. KrisFlyer miles are the currency you spend on award flights, upgrades and other rewards. Elite miles are earned when you fly Singapore Airlines, Scoot and partners, and they count toward status. Elite Silver requires 25,000 Elite miles within 12 consecutive months, and Elite Gold requires 50,000.
Above those tiers sits the PPS Club, which is based on spending in premium cabins (Business, First and Suites) on Singapore Airlines. PPS Club members’ miles do not expire while they keep their membership.
KrisFlyer miles from Basic, Elite Silver and Elite Gold accounts are valid for three years from the month you earn them. If miles are about to expire for the first time, you can extend them for 1,200 miles or US$12 per 10,000 miles. The extension lasts six months for regular members and 12 months for Elite Silver and Elite Gold members, and miles that have already expired cannot be extended.
Ways 1–3: Earn KrisFlyer Miles by Flying
1. Fly Singapore Airlines
On Singapore Airlines, the miles you earn depend on the distance flown and your booking class. According to Singapore Airlines’ FAQ, Suites and First (A and F) earn 200% of the miles flown, most Business classes earn 125–150%, Premium Economy earns 100–125%, and Economy earns between 50% and 100% depending on the fare. The Points Guy notes that Elite members get an extra 25% on eligible Singapore Airlines flights.
Two things to know: award tickets and redemption upgrades do not earn miles, and if you upgrade a paid ticket, you earn based on the original booking class.
2. Fly Scoot
Scoot is Singapore Airlines’ low-cost arm. For Scoot-only itineraries, you generally earn 1 KrisFlyer mile per Singapore dollar spent on fares and selected add-ons (card processing fees do not count). Scoot flights also earn 2.5 Elite miles per KrisFlyer mile. Add your KrisFlyer number at least 24 hours before departure.
3. Fly Star Alliance and other partner airlines
Singapore Airlines is a Star Alliance member, so you can credit eligible flights on partners such as United, Lufthansa, ANA, Air Canada and Air India to KrisFlyer. Each partner uses its own earning chart, and discounted economy fares may earn little or nothing, so check the partner’s chart on singaporeair.com before you choose where to credit a flight.
Warning: Singapore Airlines’ partnership with Alaska Airlines ended on October 1, 2025. Alaska flights flown from January 1, 2026 do not earn KrisFlyer miles, and new Alaska award bookings with KrisFlyer miles are no longer possible. Ignore older articles that still list Alaska as an earning partner.
Way 4: Transfer Credit Card Points (the Fastest Option in the US)
Singapore Airlines does not have a co-branded credit card in the US, but every major US transferable points program sends points to KrisFlyer.
| Program | Transfer ratio | Typical timing |
|---|---|---|
| American Express Membership Rewards | 1:1 | Usually instant |
| Chase Ultimate Rewards | 1:1 | Usually within 48 hours |
| Citi ThankYou Rewards | 1:1 on most cards (check your card’s ratio) | Usually under 24 hours |
| Capital One Miles | 1:1 | Usually instant |
The golden rule: find award space first, then transfer. Transfers cannot be reversed, and converted points can only go to your own KrisFlyer account. Watch for periodic transfer bonuses from these banks, which can lower the cost of an award noticeably. Once your miles land, our step-by-step KrisFlyer booking guide shows how to use them.
Way 5: Convert Marriott Bonvoy Points
Marriott Bonvoy converts to KrisFlyer at 3 points to 1 mile, with a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 points you transfer. That means 60,000 Bonvoy points become 25,000 KrisFlyer miles. The Points Guy says these transfers usually post within 48 hours. Because the ratio is poor, this works best when you need to top up a balance for a specific award, rather than as your main strategy.
Ways 6–8: Earn on Shopping, Dining and Experiences
6. KrisShop
KrisShop, the Singapore Airlines Group’s shopping platform, earns up to 4 KrisFlyer miles per Singapore dollar. The Points Guy estimates that is roughly 5 miles per US dollar.
7. Kris+
Kris+ is a lifestyle app for spending with partners in Singapore. You earn up to 6 KrisPay miles per Singapore dollar, and KrisPay miles convert to KrisFlyer miles at 1:1 within 21 days. It is most useful if you live in or visit Singapore regularly. If you are planning a trip, our guide to the best time to travel to Singapore can help you time it.
8. Pelago
Pelago, the group’s tours and activities platform, earns 3 KrisFlyer miles per Singapore dollar spent on experiences.
Way 9: Partner Promotions, Cruises and Buying Miles
Singapore Airlines runs time-limited KrisFlyer promotions with hotel, retail and travel partners. Recent examples on its site include bonus miles through KrisFlyer Cruise, a 20% bonus on ELEMENTS (Hong Kong) point conversions and miles at Shinsegae Duty Free in Korea. Check the KrisFlyer promotions page before you book hotels, car rentals or cruises.
If you are close to an award, you can also buy the remaining miles during an online redemption. You need at least half the miles required, and the rest cost US$0.04 per mile. Purchased miles are used immediately and are non-refundable.
How to Redeem, Upgrade and Share KrisFlyer Miles
- Award flights: Book Singapore Airlines, Scoot and Star Alliance awards on singaporeair.com. Our guide to how many KrisFlyer miles you need covers typical prices, and our Singapore Airlines Suites cost guide shows what the top cabin costs in cash and miles.
- Upgrades: Miles can be used for Saver or Advantage upgrade awards. Access redemption tickets cannot be upgraded.
- Hotels: KrisFlyer vRooms lets you mix miles and cash at more than 350,000 hotels, with a 1,500-mile minimum, though these bookings do not earn miles. You can also convert miles to Marriott Bonvoy (3 points per 4 miles), ALL Accor and Shangri-La Circle. Hilton Honors is not a listed conversion partner. Our KrisFlyer miles for hotel stays guide compares the options.
- Sharing: Miles cannot be transferred or pooled between members. Instead, add up to five redemption nominees, who can use your miles for award tickets and upgrades. Adding a nominee is free, but you cannot change one for six months, and removing one may cost miles or a fee depending on your tier.
Missing Miles and Travel Agent Bookings
Miles from Singapore Airlines flights usually appear within 2 to 4 weeks, and from non-airline partners within 6 to 8 weeks. If they do not show up, log in and use the Make a claim form. Retroactive claims are accepted for flights in the last six months, or flights taken up to 30 days before you joined KrisFlyer.
Booking through a travel agent or online travel site is generally fine for earning, as long as the fare is eligible and your KrisFlyer number is on the booking. Industry and agency discount tickets do not earn miles, and travel agencies cannot issue KrisFlyer award tickets. Make sure the name on the booking matches your passport and KrisFlyer account.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I earn KrisFlyer miles from Singapore Airlines?
Join KrisFlyer for free and add your membership number to every Singapore Airlines, Scoot or Star Alliance booking. Beyond flying, transfer points from Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou or Capital One, convert Marriott Bonvoy points at 3:1, and earn through KrisShop, Kris+, Pelago and KrisFlyer partner promotions.
Can you earn points on Singapore Airlines flights?
Yes. Paid Singapore Airlines tickets earn KrisFlyer miles based on distance and booking class, from 50% of miles flown on the cheapest economy fares to 200% in Suites and First. You also earn Elite miles toward status. Award tickets do not earn miles. You can instead credit eligible flights to another Star Alliance program.
How do KrisFlyer miles work on Singapore Airlines reservations?
Add your KrisFlyer number when you book, through Manage Booking or at check-in. Miles usually post within 2 to 4 weeks of the flight. They are valid for three years from the month earned, and you can spend them on award seats, Saver or Advantage upgrades, hotels through KrisFlyer vRooms, and partner rewards.
Can I transfer or gift Singapore Airlines miles?
Not to another adult member. KrisFlyer does not allow pooling or member-to-member transfers, and points converted from credit cards must go to your own account. Instead, you can name up to five redemption nominees who can fly on your miles. A limited exception lets miles in a linked minor’s account move one way to a parent or guardian.
How do I claim missing Singapore Airlines miles?
Wait 2 to 4 weeks after a Singapore Airlines flight (6 to 8 weeks for non-airline partners). If the miles are still missing, log in to your KrisFlyer account and submit the online Make a claim form. Claims are accepted for flights in the last six months, or up to 30 days before you enrolled.
Can I buy Hilton hotel rooms with Singapore Airlines points?
Hilton Honors is not one of KrisFlyer’s listed conversion partners. KrisFlyer miles convert to Marriott Bonvoy, ALL Accor and Shangri-La Circle, and you can use miles plus cash at more than 350,000 hotels through KrisFlyer vRooms. In most cases, paying cash or using hotel points gives better value than spending miles on hotels.
Can I earn Singapore Airlines miles when I book through a travel agent?
Generally yes, if the fare is eligible and your KrisFlyer number is on the booking. KrisFlyer’s terms exclude industry and agency discount tickets from earning, and travel agencies cannot issue award tickets. Make sure the booking name matches your passport and KrisFlyer account, and claim any missing miles within six months.
Sources
- Singapore Airlines – PPS Club and KrisFlyer – earning on flights, Kris+, KrisShop, Pelago and current promotions.
- Singapore Airlines – Earning and redeeming KrisFlyer miles FAQ – booking class accrual, Scoot earning, expiry and extension, nominees, buying miles, upgrades.
- Singapore Airlines – KrisFlyer terms and conditions – travel agent and discount ticket rules, transfers between accounts.
- Singapore Airlines – Other ways to redeem miles – KrisFlyer vRooms and hotel point conversions.
- Singapore Airlines – Claim missing miles – posting times and the six-month claim window.
- Singapore Airlines – Termination of SQ and Alaska Airlines partnership FAQ – end dates for earning and redeeming on Alaska.
- The Points Guy – Ultimate guide to Singapore KrisFlyer – transfer partners and timing, Marriott ratio, no US co-branded card.
