Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer: how to get started

Most KrisFlyer members in Australia have never earned a mile on a Singapore Airlines flight. They earn by transferring bank points or Velocity Points, then book some of the best business class seats out of Australia.

Here's how KrisFlyer works for Australians, how to dodge its unusual expiry rule and what a reward seat costs.

What is KrisFlyer?

KrisFlyer is Singapore Airlines's frequent flyer program. It's free to join, and its currency is miles. You can use them on Singapore Airlines and Scoot, and on Star Alliance partners. Singapore Airlines is also a Velocity partner, which matters for Australians.

How Australians earn KrisFlyer miles

Bank points. Amex Membership Rewards and several Australian bank programs transfer to KrisFlyer, typically at 3 or 4 bank points per mile. Points transfer partners has every ratio.

Velocity. You can convert Velocity Points to KrisFlyer miles at 1.55 Velocity Points per mile, with a 5,000-point minimum.

Flying. Singapore Airlines and Star Alliance flights earn miles, though most Australians credit Singapore flights to Velocity instead.

The expiry rule and how to avoid it

KrisFlyer miles expire three years after they're credited, no matter how active your account is. That's unusual: most programs only expire points after a period of inactivity.

The workaround is to hold your points somewhere else until you've found a seat. Leave them in your bank program, or move them to Velocity, where points don't expire while your account is active. Transfer to KrisFlyer only when you're ready to book. Velocity runs transfer bonuses from bank programs a couple of times a year, which can make the Velocity route cheaper than transferring direct.

Saver vs Advantage

Example Saver prices, one way in business class:

• Perth to Singapore: 42,500 miles
• Sydney or Melbourne to Singapore: 72,000 miles
• Perth to Europe via Singapore: from 131,500 miles

Correct as of October 2026, after KrisFlyer raised prices by up to 20% on 1 November 2025. Taxes and charges are extra.

Watch for Spontaneous Escapes, KrisFlyer's monthly sale that discounts selected Saver awards by around 30%.

KrisFlyer or Velocity for Singapore Airlines?

You can book Singapore Airlines seats with Velocity Points too. Sometimes Velocity is cheaper. Point Hacks found an East Coast to Singapore business seat costing 74,000 Velocity Points on Velocity's own chart, versus 111,600 Velocity Points if converted to KrisFlyer. Check both before you transfer.

Why airlines put expiry clocks on miles

Unused miles are a liability on an airline's books: a promise to provide a seat one day. A fixed expiry date caps how long that promise lasts and nudges members to redeem. It also explains why Singapore Airlines lets you extend expiring miles for a fee, which recovers some value from members who'd otherwise lose them.

What I'd do to get started

1. Join KrisFlyer for free so the account is ready.
2. Keep your points in your bank program or Velocity.
3. Search for Saver seats on the Singapore Airlines site.
4. Compare the Velocity price for the same seat.
5. Transfer only once the seat is there, then book straight away.