Many Singaporeans are good at earning KrisFlyer miles.
KrisFlyer miles credit cards, sign-up bonuses, and everyday spending can quickly build up a healthy balance. But once those miles are sitting in your account, a more difficult question appears:
When should you actually redeem them?
It’s a common dilemma. Some people use miles for shopping vouchers or merchandise without realising the value is poor. Others redeem them for cheap flights that barely justify the miles spent. And quite a few simply hoard miles until they expire.
The key issue is simple: not all KrisFlyer redemptions deliver the same value.
Some can unlock flights worth thousands of dollars, while others deliver barely more than a small discount.
Here’s a simple ranking of the best to worst ways to redeem your KrisFlyer miles.
Ranking the best to worst KrisFlyer redemptions
Not all redemption options are equal. Some consistently deliver stronger value per mile than others.
Here’s a simple ranking of the best to worst ways to redeem your KrisFlyer miles.
Rank | Value | Redemptions |
#1 | Best value |
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#2 | Good value |
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#3 | Average value |
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#4 | Poor value |
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#5 | Worst value |
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So why have I ranked them this way? Keep reading.
The simple rule: Aim for >2 cents per mile
To evaluate whether a redemption is worthwhile, it helps to understand value per mile (VPM).
This measures how much value you get from each mile when redeeming them.
As a rough guide:
Value per mile | What it means |
~0.8 to 1 cent | Poor value |
~1.5 to 2 cents | Decent value |
3+ cents | Excellent value |
The formula to find out VPM is simple. Just divide the total dollar amount by the total number of miles:
- So if a flight costs $1,200 or 60,000 miles, you’re going to do the math for $1,200 divided by 60,000 miles, which = ~2 cents per mile.
- If the same flight costs 40,000 miles, the value jumps to 3 cents per mile.
Why premium flights rank highest
Miles deliver the best value when they replace expensive flights—particularly those you might hesitate to pay for in cash.
Long-haul premium cabin flights
This is where KrisFlyer miles often shine.
Business class flights to destinations such as Europe, Australia, or North America can easily cost several thousand dollars in cash.
For instance, a return business class ticket from Singapore to London can often exceed $4,000–$6,000, while a Saver award might require around 184,000 miles.
In scenarios like this, each mile can deliver well over 2–3 cents in value.
Business class travel you wouldn’t normally buy
Many travellers would never pay $4,000 or more for a business class ticket.
Miles make these experiences accessible at a fraction of the cost, which is why frequent flyers often save their miles specifically for premium cabins.
Peak travel periods and last minute bookings
During peak travel periods such as school holidays or year-end festive seasons, airfares can surge significantly. A flight that normally costs $500 might jump to $900 or more during peak dates.
The same case applies if you’re making a last minute booking.
Because KrisFlyer award charts remain fixed, redeeming miles during these periods can deliver better value than paying cash.
KrisFlyer redemptions that offer the least value
Some KrisFlyer redemption options look convenient, but they rarely maximise the value of your miles.
#1 Merchandise and shopping rewards
KrisFlyer allows you to exchange miles for products such as electronics or fashion items.
The catch: the conversion rate is usually weak. In many cases, the value per mile is close to 1 cent or less, far below what flights can offer.
#2 KrisPay conversions
KrisPay allows you to convert miles into digital wallet credits to spend at participating merchants.
Converting miles to KrisPay typically values them at around 1 cent per mile, which is still significantly lower than what flight redemptions can deliver.
That’s why experienced travellers generally treat KrisFlyer miles primarily as flight currency, not as a cashback substitute.
#3 Cheap short-haul economy flights
Using miles for inexpensive regional flights can also be inefficient.
For instance:
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That works out to less than 1 cent per mile.
In many cases, it’s better to pay cash for cheaper flights and reserve miles for more expensive journeys.
Quick case study: Should Jason redeem miles for Tokyo?
If you’re unsure whether a redemption is worthwhile, a quick calculation can help.
Suppose Jason, a Singapore-based traveller, is planning a holiday to Tokyo.
He checks the cash price and KrisFlyer redemption rates for the flight:
Ticket price | Miles redemption rates | |
Economy class | $950 | 54,000 miles |
Business class | $3,800 | 103,500 miles |
Now he calculates the value per mile. The formula is simply ticket price divided by miles redemption.
Economy class | Business class |
$950 ÷ 54,000 miles ≈ 1.76 cents per mile | $3,800 ÷ 103,500 miles ≈ 3.67 cents per mile |
As you can see, even though the business class ticket requires nearly double the miles, each mile delivers much higher value.
In this case, redeeming miles for business class would likely be the stronger redemption.
A quick reminder
When evaluating a redemption:
- Below 1 cent per mile → Usually poor value
- Around 1.5–2 cents → Reasonable redemption
- Above 2 cents → Strong redemption
This quick check helps ensure you’re not accidentally using miles for redemptions that deliver very little value.
Why timing matters when redeeming miles
Even if you target the right type of redemption, timing can make a big difference.
KrisFlyer offers different award tiers that affect how many miles you need.
Saver vs Advantage awards
KrisFlyer redemptions generally fall into 2 categories:
Saver awards | Advantage awards |
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Whenever possible, Saver awards are usually the better choice.
Book early if possible
Award seats are typically released months in advance. Travellers who plan ahead often have a better chance of securing Saver availability.
A practical approach is to start checking flights 6 to ten months before travel.
Flexibility helps
Being flexible with:
- Travel dates
- Flight timings
- Nearby destinations
can significantly improve your chances of finding good redemption options. Sometimes shifting your trip by just a few days unlocks Saver availability.
The bottom line: KrisFlyer miles deliver the most value when used for expensive flights—especially premium cabins. A quick value-per-mile check can help ensure you’re redeeming them wisely.
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