Best Frequent Flyer Plans to Upgrade Your Travels in 2022
Being a part of a good frequent flyer program is the key to traveling in comfort. Earning miles and climbing tiers, can allow you to enjoy lounge visits and business class seats without spending a single extra cent.
Now that travel is opening up again, it is even more important to choose the best program out there. This is especially the case if you plan on making up for lost time after these past two years. Currently, fully vaccinated Singaporeans can travel to countries like Australia, Belgium, Fiji, Greece, Maldives, the United Kingdom and many more, quarantine and test-free.
But what is the best program out there? Which airline is going to give you the best deal with the most perks from tier to tier?
If you have flown Singapore Airlines before, you are probably no stranger to the Krisflyer Rewards Program.
Upon sign up, you immediately receive access to members-only promotions deals and offers, as well as become an instant member of Star Alliance. This allows you to fly with other Star Alliance partners and earn Krisflyer miles. Some airlines in Star Alliance include ANA, Air India, Asiana Airlines, Thai Airways, and United Airlines. Singapore Airlines also partners with Scoot, which is a great option for short-haul budget flights if you are feeling a bit thrifty.
Singapore Airlines also has one of the farthest reaches in the world, and it can very well become your one-stop-shop for all your travel needs. If you include SQ’s Star Alliance partners, this rewards program allows you to fly to over 1,000 destinations in 192 countries.
Furthermore, upon becoming a Krisflyer member, you can earn miles through shopping with over 3,300 of their non-airline partners so that your every whim and need can be translated to more miles even when you’re not flying.
KrisFlyer Membership Benefits
Membership Tier Requirement Benefits Star Alliance Status
KrisFlyer None
Accumulate Elite miles to redeem KrisFlyer Milestone Rewards
Members-only promotional deals
Mix miles and cash to purchase flights, baggage and select seats
Personalised in-flight entertainment
Discount on flight add-ons
30MB 2-hour free WIFI
None
KrisFlyer Elite Silver 25,000 miles
25% tier bonus on actual miles flown on Singapore Airlines and SilkAir
Complimentary Standard Seat selection in Economy Class
BoardMeFirst and an additional 5kg with every baggage allowance purchase when travelling with Scoot
Star Alliance Silver
KrisFlyer Elite Gold 50,000 miles
Worldwide lounge access, including Star Alliance lounges (for Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia)
Priority check-in, boarding and baggage handling
Complimentary Forward Zone and Standard Seat selection in Economy Class
15% off Extra Legroom seats
Star Alliance Gold
Each tier's benefits include those of the preceding tier.
Star Alliance Membership Benefits
Star Alliance Status Benefits
Star Alliance Silver
Priority Reservations Waitlist
Priority Airport Standby
Star Alliance Gold
Priority Airport Check-in & Boarding
Priority Baggage Handling
Extra Baggage Allowance
Airport Lounge Access (1000 worldwide)
Gold Track Airport Security
Each tier's benefits include those of the preceding tier.
SkyTeam is another massive airline alliance featuring some big names like KLM, Delta Airlines, and Korean Air among others. When it comes to alliances, they are one of the newer kids on the block, but with 19 partner airlines that cover 1,150 destinations and 175 countries, they sure do pack a punch.
Earning miles on SkyTeam is akin to any other major alliance. Join one of the partner airlines’ frequent flyer programs to earn or spend miles on any flight via a SkyTeam alliance partner.
SkyTeam Alliance Membership Benefits
SkyTeam Alliance Status Benefits
SkyTeam Elite
Extra Baggage Allowance
Priority Check-in
Priority Baggage Drop-off
Priority Seating
Priority Boarding
Priority Airport Standby
SkyTeam Elite Plus
Lounge Access
Guaranteed Reservations on Sold-out Flights
SkyPriority Recognition
Priority at Transfer Lanes
Priority at Immigration and Security Lanes
Priority Baggage Handling
Each tier's benefits include those of the preceding tier.
Most of you are no stranger to Qatar Airways. The airline recently just won Skytrax’s World’s Best Airlines award for the sixth consecutive year, a feat other airlines have yet to meet. If you want the one of the best experiences the aviation industry has to offer, consider putting this rewards program at the top of your list.
Their frequent flyer program – Privilege Club – allows you to earn miles, or Avios, as they call it, which can be spent on flight upgrades, hotels and duty free shopping.
Like most airlines, Qatar Airways is also part of an airline alliance called Oneworld. Boasting membership from renowned airlines like British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas, the Oneworld alliance connects customers to 900 destinations in over 170 countries and territories. The Oneworld alliance also can let you unlock over 1,000 lounges and priority lanes, making your entire travel experience all the more comfortable.
Additionally, if you love traveling in style and do not mind spending some extra money for a truly luxurious experience, Qatar Airways has partnered with hotel changes like the Hilton Hotels, Hyatt Hotels, and the ever-so-famous Waldorf Astoria Hotels where customers can earn and spend Avios.
Privilege Club Membership Benefits
Membership Tier Requirement Benefits Oneworld Status
Burgundy None
100% mileage per family member on all flights eligible for earning Avios
100% mileage per family member on non-air partner transactions
Priority stand-by
Flexi awards
Shop & pay with Avios at Qatar Duty Free and Oryx Gallery
None
Silver 150 Qpoints
25% tier bonus on eligible flights by Qatar Airways
Priority check-in
Priority boarding
Preferred seats
15kg extra baggage allowance, or one piece (depending on your route)
Lounge access
Ruby
Gold 300 Qpoints
75% tier bonus on eligible flights by Qatar Airways
20kg extra baggage allowance, or one piece (depending on your route)
40 Qcredits to redeem for upgrades, excess baggage and much more
Al Maha Services 'meet and assist' gold service
Discount on online redemptions
Sapphire
Platinum 600 Qpoints
100% tier bonus on eligible flights by Qatar Airways
25kg extra baggage allowance, or two pieces (depending on your route)
60 Qcredits to redeem for upgrades, excess baggage and much more
No Avios expiry
Emerald
Each tier's benefits include those of the preceding tier.
Oneworld Membership Benefits
Oneworld Membership Status Benefits
Ruby
Access to Business Class priority check-in
Access to preferred seating
Priority on waitlists and when on standby
Sapphire
Access to Business Class lounges
Priority boarding & baggage handling
Extra baggage allowance
Emerald
Fast track lane access
Access to First Class priority check-in
Access to First Class lounges
Each tier's benefits include those of the preceding tier.
Last but certainly not least in this list of best rewards programs comes Emirates with their Skywards Membership. Emirates has been long hailed as the largest airlines in the world, if not one of the best. With over 3,600 flights per week travelling to 81 different countries across six continents around the world, there will be no limit to where you can fly with Emirates.
Their rewards program is also one of the best out there. For one, points gained is not per dollar spent, but by distance travelled. So, if you plan early and book smart you can receive cost savings on your flight without compromising on the miles you’re going to earn.
One stark con to flying with the Emirates rewards plan as compared to the others mentioned before is that Emirates is currently not part of an alliance. This means that their reach both in terms of flights, range of prices, and lounges does not extend very far.
Nevertheless, Emirates has stacked up their own set of strong business partnerships. For airlines they have partnered with Air Mauritius, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Qantas, EasyJet and many more. This gives Emirates a range of flights and prices similar to other airlines in alliances.
Moreover, their hotel partners are rather hard to beat. These span from affordable options like Holiday Inn and Crown Hotels to luxurious retreats offered by St Regis and JW Marriott. They also share a relationship with Standard Chartered Singapore that allows customers to exchange 3.5 Card Rewards Points to 1 Mile.
Privilege Club Membership Benefits
Membership Tier Requirement Benefits
Blue None
Book Emirates rewards with Skywards Miles online (including flights and upgrades)
Special member-only offers and travel packages by tier
Earn Miles and book rewards with global partners
Waitlist priority
Buy instant upgrades with Miles at check-in
Wi-Fi access
Silver 25,000 Tier Miles or 25 Flights
Complimentary seat selection
12kg Excess baggage allowances
25% Bonus Skywards Miles when flying Emirates
Priority check in and boarding
Complimentary lounge access
Check in at Business Class counters
Gold 50,000 Tier Miles or 50 Flights
Priority service through our Contact Centres
Guaranteed seats, even on fully-booked flights
16kg Excess baggage allowances
50% Bonus Skywards Miles when flying Emirates
Priority baggage delivery
Platinum 150,000 Tier Miles
‘Last seat’ Classic Flex Plus reward* tickets
Gold Partner nomination
No Expiry of Skywards Miles
20kg Excess baggage allowances
75% Bonus Skywards Miles when flying Emirates
Each tier's benefits include those of the preceding tier.
One of the best ways to earn miles is through spending with a credit card. At first glance this may not seem very helpful but that is truly not the case. By spending on your daily expenses as you usually would, the miles slowly add up, giving you a free upgrade to business class before you know it.
Consider this if you almost always fly with SIA and tend to travel on a budget
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Pros
3 mi per S$1 on SIA, SilkAir, Scoot & KrisShop
Up to 3 mi on dining, transport, online shopping & travel
Expedited KF Elite Silver status, Scoot privileges
10,000 annual bonus renewal miles
Cons
Just 1.2 mi on non-category overseas spend
No lounge access perks
No spend-based fee-waiver
PROMO: GET a Dyson Supersonic (worth S$649) or Sony WH-1000XM5 (worth S$569) or EverDesk +Lite (worth S$599) or S$350 Cash via PayNow.
Consider this if you’re looking for a well-rounded, accessible travel credit card
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Pros
Frequent traveler perks
Low fees
Flexible miles redemption
Cons
Lacks luxury perks
Not suitable for occasional travel
PROMO: None currently available
Consider this if you’re looking for great perks with no annual fees
more details less details
Pros
Great for online travel bookings
Cons
Those willing to pay an annual fee for more bonus miles
Affluent travellers who are willing to pay a high fee for luxury travel perks
Even though the place you may be visiting does not require you to have travel insurance, it is still a great idea.
While the coronavirus may seem like a chapter for the history books already, the possibility of contracting the virus is still there and travel insurance protects you from incurring sky-high medical bills overseas, especially in countries where treatment can be quite expensive.
Consider this if you are looking for a high value plan that can benefit you on any type of holiday
Promotion:
Coverage & Benefits
Premium Plan Business Plan First Plan
1-Week Global Trip Premium S$32.25 S$43.50 S$57.75
Annual ASEAN Premium S$143.20 S$204.00 S$224.80
Trip Cancellation S$7,500 S$10,000 S$15,000
Baggage Loss/Damage S$3,000 S$5,000 S$7,500
Medical Expenses S$200,000 S$500,000 S$1,000,000
Analyst's Review
FWD's travel insurance is a good option whether you're travelling alone, as a group or with a family due to its robust benefits and attractive prices that will appeal to a wide consumer base. FWD's 20-25% off promotions come on top of already competitive prices, which makes any of its 3 travel insurance plans great value options. Regardless of destination or trip duration, FWD's premiums end up 15-30% below average, while still providing coverage that extends beyond basic medical and trip inconvenience.
For instance, it includes coverage for loss of passport and money theft, travel agency insolvency and payment of rental car excess, as well as up to S$2,000 of coverage for your sports equipment that costs only an additional S$8. Additionally, if you want some perks besides just a discount, FWD sometimes has special promotions that include vouchers for things such as CapitaVouchers.
Consider this if you are looking for a high value plan that can benefit you on any type of holiday
Promotion:
Coverage & Benefits
Benefits Limit Extra Cost Excess
1-Week Global Trip Premium 32.25 43.50 57.75
Annual ASEAN Premium 143.20 204.00 224.80
Trip Cancellation S$7,500 S$10,000 S$15,000
Baggage Loss/Damage S$3,000 S$5,000 S$7,500
Medical Expenses S$200,000 S$500,000 S$1,000,000
Analyst's Review
FWD's travel insurance is a good option whether you're travelling alone, as a group or with a family due to its robust benefits and attractive prices that will appeal to a wide consumer base. FWD's 20-25% off promotions come on top of already competitive prices, which makes any of its 3 travel insurance plans great value options. Regardless of destination or trip duration, FWD's premiums end up 15-30% below average, while still providing coverage that extends beyond basic medical and trip inconvenience.
For instance, it includes coverage for loss of passport and money theft, travel agency insolvency and payment of rental car excess, as well as up to S$2,000 of coverage for your sports equipment that costs only an additional S$8. Additionally, if you want some perks besides just a discount, FWD sometimes has special promotions that include vouchers for things such as CapitaVouchers.
Consider this if you are choosing travel insurance based on affordability
Promotion:
Coverage & Benefits
Entry Plan Savvy Plan Luxury Plan
1-Week Global Trip Premium S$65.00 S$56.55 S$71.50
Annual ASEAN Premium S$206.00 S$190.45 S$209.95
Trip Cancellation S$5,000 S$5,000 S$10,000
Baggage Loss/Damage S$2,000 S$2,000 S$3,000
Medical Expenses S$200,000 S$500,000 S$1,000,000
Analyst's Review
Etiqa's Tiq travel insurance plans are a great option for people on a tight budget who are willing to sacrifice some, but not all, benefits in exchange for affordability. Before discounts, Etiqa's pricing is not necessarily competitive—in fact, its top tier Business Plan actually costs more than the industry average. However, Etiqa's generous promotions 45% off (with an additional 10% off every Friday) and 35% off for Annual Trip plans create plans that are some of the cheapest on the market (around 35% below average).
In terms of coverage, you'll receive standard trip cancellation, delay, misconnection and curtailment coverage in addition to flight overbooking, personal belongings and bankruptcy of a travel agent. Though trip inconvenience and personal accident coverage is below average until you get to its Business Plan option, Etiqa's above average medical, hospital allowance, hospital visitation and emergency evacuation coverage may appeal to consumers who are looking for a medically-inclined budget plan.
Consider this if you are choosing travel insurance based on affordability
Promotion:
Coverage & Benefits
Entry Plan Savvy Plan Luxury Plan
1-Week Global Trip Premium S$65.00 S$56.55 S$71.50
Annual ASEAN Premium S$206.00 S$190.45 S$209.95
Trip Cancellation S$5,000 S$5,000 S$10,000
Baggage Loss/Damage S$2,000 S$2,000 S$3,000
Medical Expenses S$200,000 S$500,000 S$1,000,000
Analyst's Review
Etiqa's Tiq travel insurance plans are a great option for people on a tight budget who are willing to sacrifice some, but not all, benefits in exchange for affordability. Before discounts, Etiqa's pricing is not necessarily competitive—in fact, its top tier Business Plan actually costs more than the industry average. However, Etiqa's generous promotions 45% off (with an additional 10% off every Friday) and 35% off for Annual Trip plans create plans that are some of the cheapest on the market (around 35% below average).
In terms of coverage, you'll receive standard trip cancellation, delay, misconnection and curtailment coverage in addition to flight overbooking, personal belongings and bankruptcy of a travel agent. Though trip inconvenience and personal accident coverage is below average until you get to its Business Plan option, Etiqa's above average medical, hospital allowance, hospital visitation and emergency evacuation coverage may appeal to consumers who are looking for a medically-inclined budget plan.
Consider this if you are looking to for cheap coverage for global destinations and hotel or rental car perks
Promotion: HLAS: 50% off + NCD + Free Coverage
Coverage & Benefits
Basic Plan Enhanced Plan Superior Plan
1-Week Global Trip Premium S$49.20 S$43.60 S$56.80
Annual Asia (inc. ASEAN) Premium S$178.00 S$187.00 S$223.50
Trip Cancellation S$5,000 S$7,000 S$12,000
Baggage Loss/Damage S$3,000 S$5,000 S$7,000
Overseas Medical Expenses S$150,000 S$250,000 S$500,000
Analyst's Review
If you are looking to travel outside of the ASEAN region, HL Assurance's travel insurance plans are great for the budget global traveller. The 60% off Single Trip plan and 50% off Annual Trip plan promotion makes the HLAS Enhanced Plan's premiums 42% below average for global trips. However, while coverage isn't the highest compared to its more expensive peers, it does provide robust trip inconvenience and medical coverage compared to plans in a similar price point. For example, there is coverage for lost items, trip curtailment, postponement, cancellation and delays, as well as rental car excess (the excess you owe if you get into a car accident abroad), medical expenses and hospital cash benefit both abroad and back in Singapore.
Other promotional perks that certain consumers may find useful is its S$50 hotel booking voucher for the Single trip plan (for its first 2,000 customers) and 10% off car rental for its annual plan. You can redeem the the voucher through the Changi Recommends website and the car rental discount is redeemable through Hertz.
Consider this if you are looking to for cheap coverage for global destinations and hotel or rental car perks
Promotion: HLAS: 50% off + NCD + Free Coverage
Coverage & Benefits
Basic Plan Enhanced Plan Superior Plan
1-Week Global Trip Premium S$46.40 S$61.60 S$00.00
Annual Asia (inc. ASEAN) Premium S$204.00 S$224.80 S$00.00
Trip Cancellation S$5,000 S$7,000 S$12,000
Baggage Loss/Damage S$3,000 S$5,000 S$7,000
Overseas Medical Expenses S$150,000 S$250,000 S$500,000
Analyst's Review
If you are looking to travel outside of the ASEAN region, HL Assurance's travel insurance plans are great for the budget global traveller. The 60% off Single Trip plan and 50% off Annual Trip plan promotion makes the HLAS Enhanced Plan's premiums 42% below average for global trips. However, while coverage isn't the highest compared to its more expensive peers, it does provide robust trip inconvenience and medical coverage compared to plans in a similar price point. For example, there is coverage for lost items, trip curtailment, postponement, cancellation and delays, as well as rental car excess (the excess you owe if you get into a car accident abroad), medical expenses and hospital cash benefit both abroad and back in Singapore.
Other promotional perks that certain consumers may find useful is its S$50 hotel booking voucher for the Single trip plan (for its first 2,000 customers) and 10% off car rental for its annual plan. You can redeem the voucher through the Changi Recommends website and the car rental discount is redeemable through Hertz.
As you plan your next long-awaited vacation (or two, or three), consider signing up for an airline rewards program based on your long-term wants and needs. Depending on where you’re based, where you like to travel to, and how often you plan on travelling, some plans might be more worth it than others.
And while you are pondering on your next holiday retreat, be sure to sign up for a miles credit card to maximise your rewards, as well as travel insurance to give you the peace of mind you need when being whisked away to a splendid vacation.
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