Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer offers generally good value and availability on the carrier’s own award flights. One of the best ways to maximise a KrisFlyer award redemption is to add stopovers.
Imagine taking a break at an intermediate destination before continuing on to your final destination – without paying any more miles for the flight. That usually requires two separate awards. But with a KrisFlyer stopover, you only pay for one award and enjoy a stopover for free (perhaps with a slight increase in airport taxes).
Previously, you could also pay US$100 for additional stopovers on Singapore Airlines award tickets. However, this has now been discontinued.
You’d normally expect to stopover in Singapore, given that’s the carrier’s home city. But thanks to a little-known quirk called ‘fifth freedom flights’, you could stopover in Asia, Europe or North America instead! These are flights operated by Singapore Airlines between two foreign countries outside of Singapore)
With some savvy planning, you could fly to New York via Frankfurt and back from Los Angeles via Tokyo, enjoying stopovers in all those cities along the way. And it won’t cost you any more miles than it would if you were just transiting through those cities. What a bargain!
Where can I stop over using KrisFlyer miles?
| Last updated: 24 January 2024 |
Apart from Singapore, other cities you can stop in with KrisFlyer miles include:
In Asia
- Tokyo on the way to/from Los Angeles (SQ11/12)
In Europe
- Frankfurt on the way to/from New York (SQ25/26)
- Manchester on the way to/from Houston (SQ51/52)
- Milan on the way to/from Barcelona (SQ377/378)
How do KrisFlyer award stopovers work?
When you redeem your KrisFlyer miles for a Singapore Airlines award, you can get zero, one or two stopovers included for free. That depends on what type of award you book. It’s no longer possible to pay for additional stopovers.
With a stopover, you can break up your journey and spend some time (more than 24 hours) at the connecting city in your itinerary. It’s a great trick to get two holidays for the price of one.
If you spend under 24 hours in a destination, that’s classed as a transit and you don’t need to break up the ticket.
| Award type | Free stopovers |
|---|---|
| One-way Saver | 0 |
| One-way Advantage | 1 |
| Roundtrip Saver | 1 |
| Roundtrip Advantage | 2 |
Singapore Airlines gives you one complimentary stopover on a roundtrip Saver Award. For example, you can fly return from Australia to New York and stopover in Singapore on the way there for free. Or, if you’re on SQ25/26 via Frankfurt, you could choose Frankfurt instead of Singapore.
Advantage awards are more expensive but include one free stopover each way (two for a return journey). Ideally, you’ll still want to book your ticket as a Saver Award because it is much cheaper than an Advantage Award. The downside is there is less Saver availability overall, and you only get one free stopover.
When you use a stopover in a KrisFlyer award booking, the number of miles needed won’t change. You won’t have to pay for the two flights separately, which will save you lots of miles. Taxes will usually increase slightly.
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- Sign-up Bonus:
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- Annual Fee:
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- The Westpac Altitude Rewards Black has up to 200,000 Altitude Points plus a reduced first year annual card fee on offer for new cardholders, the points can be redeemed for up to $950 in e-gift cards or transferred to Velocity Frequent Flyer, KrisFlyer or Cathay miles at a 3:1 ratio. The card offers high points earn rates plus ongoing benefits, including Priority Pass lounge invites.
How can I save with KrisFlyer stopovers?
Here’s the mileage needed for Australian KrisFlyer members to redeem a Saver award to popular destinations:
| Origin | Destination | Economy | Premium Economy | Business | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perth/Darwin | Europe | 47,500 | 77,000 | 119,500 | 160,500 |
| US West Coast | 56,500 | 99,000 | 127,500 | 180,000 | |
| US East Coast | 60,500 | 104,500 | 136,500 | 180,000 | |
| Rest of Australia/NZ | Europe | 58,500 | 101,000 | 130,500 | 183,500 |
| US West Coast | 60,500 | 104,500 | 136,500 | 188,000 | |
| US East Coast | 66,000 | 109,000 | 145,500 | 188,000 |
From that table, let’s use Sydney-New York (US East Coast) for 291,000 miles return in Business Class as an example. A possible itinerary could be Sydney-Singapore-New York (on SQ24, one of the world’s longest flights), followed by New York-Frankfurt-Singapore-Sydney on SQ25 via Frankfurt.
But what if you wanted to stop in Frankfurt on the way home and enjoy a European sojourn? That’s possible with a stopover – free on a return Saver award. On the way back, you can fly New York-Frankfurt, spend some time in Europe, and continue on Frankfurt-Singapore-Sydney. The overall price is still 291,000 miles in Business Class.
If you were to book this routing with separate flights in Business Class, then it would cost:
How do I book a KrisFlyer stopover?
You can book a free stopover easily online.
- Go to the KrisFlyer flight search tool (or simply go to the Singapore Airlines homepage).
- Select ‘Redeem flights’ and login to your KrisFlyer account when prompted.
- Enter your flight search using your origin and final destination.
- On the next screen, BEFORE you select flights, click on the prompt to add a stopover.
- Find award flight availability on all flights (or change dates until you do).
- Follow the instructions to add the stopover to your trip, then proceed to payment.
As always, there needs to be award availability on all flights for this to be booked.
Summing up
Using stopovers to literally travel further with your miles is a great way to push the boundaries of your KrisFlyer balance. You can stop over in Singapore and a number of appealing mid-point cities, including Tokyo, Milan, Frankfurt and Manchester.
Of course, you could go one step further and fly around the world in Business from 280,000 KrisFlyer miles! It’s certainly not easy to book, but it represents even better value for your miles.
This article was originally written by Nelson Yap and Matt Moffitt.
The point values are horrendously out of date. 192k points vs 129k points from Melbourne to New York w/ stopover.
hi, do i get a free hotel or transport if i get a free stop over ?
Thank you for updating this! I didn’t know about the Milan and Copenhagen stopovers before. Did the Manchester one and it was great “road less taken” experience 🙂
Hi Matt,
When booking online, the system alerts you that a ‘stopover’ is available on the route. However once you select the stopover location (say Frankfurt) and date, there’s another alert that says ‘if you select stopover then Saver Award is not applicable, Advantage Award will apply’.
On confirming stopover selection, the page refreshes and only Advantage Awards are offered for flight selection.
So adding a stopover for US$100 is possible only if using Advantage Award, and not applicable for Saver Award.
You may want to check and update your article.
Hi Matt,
I was looking at Singapore rewards flights (velocity member who transferred half her points for safekeeping last year)
I am wanting to stopover in Singapore on my way to lax next year (hopefully if it’s open) but with the stopover – if I booked one of the flight options that already has a layover (one has closed to 40 hours) would I be able to leave the airport and book a hotel ? I just wasn’t sure if that’s not allowed and I had to “book” the stopover option ?
Hi Kelly, there is nothing stopping you from leaving the airport between a 40-hr layover, except for the usual Visa entry requirements. However, depending on how long the transit is, you may or may not be able to access your checked luggage. This can be confirmed at check-in.
Hi there,
Does anyone know where to find on the Singapore Airlines website the rules about the USD100 stopover? I ask because I called Singapore Airlines and tried to get them to add a USD100 stopover in Singapore for me (on a HKG-PER one-way saver fare), but they denied this is possible (despite my protests to the contrary).
Thank you in advance for any help!
Hi Amy, that’s very strange! You should have been able to! You can find the following text on Page 2 of the KrisFlyer award chart:
Hi Nelson
I am currently based in Perth, Australia and planning a trip to Tokyo and Bangkok on my way back.
Is it possible to use one of the stopover tricks free or otherwise for the vacation. If so how can this be achieved? Obviously I will be flying Singapore Airlines utilising my Krisflyer miles.
I look forward to your reply.
Hi,
Are open jawstickets possible on award flights? Do you need a return ticket?
That is can I go syd-SIN-LHR and then Frankfurt to JFK on the same award with making my own way from LHR to Frankfurt?
Thanks,
Dale.
Hi again Nelson, thank you for the previous response to my question.
I just got off the phone with SQ trying to book the $100 stopover in MAN. My route is PER-SIN-MAN-IAH. The miles cost for Saver is 110k which is consistent with the online booking tool. But the agent presented me with a total of SGD 611 fee to pay, which already include the stopover fee. Doesnt look right to me because if booked online the taxes will only cost AUD173.60 (without a stopover)
Does this look about right? How much cash did you end up paying when you booked you stopover trip?
I have been trying to book SQ Award Business on Perth-NY via Frankfurt on a certain date and always found it as ‘waitlist’. But just as Matt mentioned, Perth-Houston via Manchester was all open!! I presume i could book/secure those now and still waitlist for my original preference?
Hi Novi, Yes you can book and that flight, then call up and waitlist for the flight you want on the same itinerary.
Great guide, just a few questions, from a amatuer
looking to do a few first class suites on preferbly the a380 to europe and USA (not at the same trip) Been reading this guide
Enough Points : YES
Stop Over Possible: YES
No limit for Stop Over: YES
First Class availabel: YES
Free stop over: YESS
so say I wanted to Melb to Singapore (3 days to JFK)
or
Melb to Singapore to EU
in first class suites, the points are about 300k return Plus surcharges,
is the best way to call and book, or waitlist multiple flights and hope for the best?
If I have understood the question correctly, I would suggest that if there are seats available, go ahead and book them online. If you have any problems, then give them a call.
Oops sorry I need to be clearer.
My question shortened is it seems first class is hard to come by on saver redemption.
What is the best way to get them and once wait listed how long or realistic is it to get the m filled
Ah, I understand better now. The short answer is that First Class redemptions can be hard to come by, especially for more than one person. To increase your chances, I would suggest looking being flexible with your dates, flexible with your destinations and booking far in advance. You may also consider Business Class as it’s still a fantastic product and has more availability! Read more here. Hope that helps!
Hi there,
Great guide! Am planning on putting this theory into action for a round-the-world Business Class trip late 2019, for two people: MEL – SIN – FRA – JFK (make own way to) LAX – ICN – SIN – MEL. However, after many, many dummy searches, I’m finding it impossible to track down any Business Class availability from FRA – JFK. Plenty of availability on multiple test dates for all other sectors, though.
Just wondering if anybody has had any success in booking this sector before?
Thanks!
I do know that it is hard to find Business and First Class award seats on Singapore Airlines’ flight between JFK and Frankfurt but that it is easier to find space on the Manchester – Houston flight, if your plans provide for that flexibility.
Firstly, thanks to the team at pointhacks for the site. Secondly, considering using AMEX gateway points to fly from Perth to Barcelona (economy 86,000). Does this rule out a free stopover?
Given my AMEX balance is roughly 125k how would be the best way to boost the points to redeem a business flight. Many thanks.
I’d recommend saving those points for a Business Class redemption, not an Economy one. A one-way Business Class ticket on Singapore Airlines from Perth to Barcelona costs 95,000 KrisFlyer miles. You could get a stopover for $100 USD on this one-way ticket. Around 127,000 Amex Gateway points will transfer over using the 4:3 ratio.
Hi Matt,
I agree with Matt, I think your points are best saved a business class redemption, where you could end up getting as much as 4 to 6 cents per point value.
Whereas an economy class redemption, the most value you will get is around 1.7 cents.
I don’t think it’s possible to stop over in JNB for SIN-CPT vv for free. SQ does not have cabotage rights in ZA. KF will need to book an SA one way in such a case at *A redemption rates for the CPT-JNB / JNB-CPT sector
Good points, Graham. I have added a note into the guide.
Hi Guys,
Having recently flown Singapore Airlines Syd – Sin – Paris one way in Suites using our pooled points (we made sure we got the middle two suites so we could have the double bed!), I’m already keen to plan the next trip and I’m all over the points!
One question – if I wanted to do Sydney – Sin – Frankfurt – JFK, and use Frankfurt as the European gateway, would I be able to pay $100USD on a saver redemption and stop over there for say 2 months, or is there a time limit? Wanting to keep it open for probably at least 6 – 8 weeks to get some proper euro travel. Any body know? thanks
No time limit other than the flights being open on the travel calendar (just under 12 months from now)!
Hi Matt, I did do a dummy one for a stop in Frankfurt and it said the date had to be between 1 – 30 days, so appears a month is max, is that right?
I see on the map Manchester is a stop/could be a stop on the way over to JFK too, so I wonder if I could do SYD – SIN – FRA (Stop) – MAN (Stop) – JFK? I’d be happy to pay $100 USD for each stop if that means I get my 2 months in EU…
Hi. I just called Krisflyer hotline to request for a redemption price on the following round trip itinerary with additional stopovers:
SG to Istanbul (SQ)
Istanbul to Ljubljana (Turkish Air)
Ljubljana to Istanbul (Turkish AIr)
Istanbul to SG (SQ)
I was quoted 140k Krisflyer miles +200usd per pax, where the agent insisted the cost for the SQ legs are 45k each, while the Turkish Air legs are 25k miles each for business saver. Should it not be 100k miles + 200usd per pax for the redemption according to the Star Alliance redemption chart please? Appreciate your help in understanding this please, cheers.
Nice guide – do you know if the free stopover on a return ticket is also available on a Star Alliance award booked via SQ? I believe the $100 per extra stopover option isn’t available but hoped they still offered one free stopover…
Hi Alan,
Thank you and yes the free stopover is allowed on a return ticket with Star Alliance, and up to 3 stops at $100 each.
But beware that on the Star alliance award, you will have to pay the fuel surcharge with Singapore Airlines.
Thanks, Nelson – good to know re stopovers. I thought Singapore didn’t file YQ charges for their fares now since the changes in March, so there wouldn’t be any extra for that? My only *A flight would be a quick AKL-WLG hop on Air NZ so no significant charges from them and getting it in business would be handy to have checked baggage allowance.
Whilst asking qns, I take it no issue with open jaw either? (could be handy as a backup in case availability didn’t work for me on the way back and I wanted to stay in SYD for a bit without paying for extra stopover)
Singapore Airlines doesnt charge fuel surcharges on Singapore Airlines/Silk Air awards only.
if you book a star alliance award which includes singapore airlines, you will get hit with fuel surcharges.
this is a guide to the star alliance redemption with KF
https://www.pointhacks.com.au/krisflyer-star-alliance-stopovers-guide/
Thanks for your guide, looks great.
Interesting re surcharges – my reading from another article was that the SQ flights would still be YQ-free?? – http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2017/03/01/singapore-devaluation-loophole-save-miles-booking-first-class-awards-adding-domestic-positioning-flight/
Hi Alan,
I have spoken to Krisflyer about this and flights on Singapore Airlines booked under Star Alliance award will attract a fuel surcharge.
Not sure if the Onemileatatime website has called to KF to confirm this, usually they do make assumptions without verifying facts.
But you can ring KF to confirm this.
Thanks, Nelson.
If KF tells you that no fuel surcharge will charged by Singapore Airlines booked under Star Alliance award, let me know.
PS sorry one other qn – I take it there’s no issue having the connecting flight AKL-WLG in economy? Totally forgot that domestic fares are single-class, but presumably that’s not an issue? Thanks 🙂
yes you can book mixed cabin fares, including flying economy on a business class award. but you will be charged business class award rates.
Excellent, thanks. This would still be within SW Pacific zone so shouldn’t have any extra points cost.
Now that I read this, Can i fly Singapore to Maldives, stop over at Dubai?
Thank you
The techniques in this guide cover Singapore Airlines operated flights only, and Singapore don’t fly between Dubai and the Maldives. No KrisFlyer partner that I am aware of flys Dubai – Maldives generally either. So, in short, no!
Love this guide and looking forward to booking myself a suites trip for 2018.
Can anyone tell me how far in advance Singapore Airlines make award seats available? Is it exactly 365 months or is it some other number?
D’oh. 365 days, I mean, of course.
Singapore Airlines Krisflyer opens award seats 350 days out, I’d recommend jumping on it straight away to avoid missing out because SQ is a very popular airline.
Hello Fellow Point-Hackers
Is there some kind of false economy going on here that I don’t understand?
I’ve just looked up a return economy flight PER-LHR. Cost will be 68,000 KF Points (after 15% online discount) plus $993 taxes. I’ve also looked up the cost of the same return flight on skyscanner and the total all-inclusive cost is $1,275. This seems ridiculous. There’s no way 68,000 points are worth only $283. I’d get far more value from these points if I converted them at the required dilution rate and used them for domestic flights in Australia.
Am I missing something here? Are KF points only worth using for international flights if going Business Class???
Hi Tracy,
I don’t like to tell people what to do with their points because it is up to each individual what they do with their points.
Having said that, I find redeeming points for business or first class gives the highest value per point.
Particularly in the case of Singapore Airlines/Krisflyer where fuel surcharges are involved.
Your travel plan is a perfect example, a revenue flight costs $1275 and points booking is 68,000 points and $993.
So you are using 68,000 points to save only $282, giving you a dollar value of $0.0041 per point/mile, not even 1 cent.
Lets says the surcharge for business class will be around $1000 + 165217 points (approximately although I think its slightly less) and a revenue fare is around $8000.
So using 165,217 points has saved you $7000, giving you a value of $0.042 per point/mile or 4.2 cents.
Thanks Nelson. Yes – it seems to be worthwhile for Business Class but not Economy.
Business Class would be 145,000 points after discount, plus ~$1,150 which is a much more favourable dollar-per-point proposition. The only problem is that I don’t have 144,500 points!!
Looks like I’ll be converting my current points to Virgin… and that way instead of saving $282 on the international flight – I can redeem the 68,000 points (even after applying the 1.35 dilution factor) for almost three PER-East flights in the future which is worth around $800.
Ah yes, I’m not good with maths off the top of my head.
How many points do you have? Do you have an AMEX credit card that transfers points to KF?
Alternatively you can look at buying KF miles during redemption, but that is last resort because its 4 US cents per point.
You are bang on – KrisFlyer Miles are poor value for Economy redemptions. On the flip side, you can use Velocity Points with very low taxes, but with more points needed. There’s a trade-off, but it could be worth it. We covered a comparison of Velocity vs KrisFlyer taxes a while ago here.
Thanks Nelson, i appreciate the insights!
Ill report back…
Kf may be cheap notionally, but has anyone ever successfully booked a saver reward flight????
EVERY single flight i checked, and ive checked HUNDREDS, for a business saver ticket, is “wait listed”
Even 11 months out…
Im looking ADL into Europe anywhere…
And i have no firm dates in mind..
What am i doing wrong??
I have over 5 million points, mostly warehoused in Amex MR, i have over 500k points sitting in KF, and i might as well have 0…
Why did i transfer any in again?
Oh thats right, i had to to be able to search comprehensively… bait and switch??
Im unimpressed.
Whats the point in a rewards programme if u cant ever redeem anything?
Mark
Mark, KF releases a certain number of seats per day per flight.
Unfortunately Adelaide only has one Singapore Airlines flight a day.
It also depends on how many seats you are after? for 1 or 2 passengers?
I would suggest that you look at departing from Melbourne or Sydney where there are more 5 or 6 daily flights, so there are more award seats available to use.
Also with a points balance of over 5 million membership rewards in AMEX, I’d look at flying F class instead, its only 30-40k points more.
Otherwise you can waitlist for seats and wait for Singapore’s krisflyer team to clear your waitlist.
Thank you for the suggestion Keitg, unfortunately I can’t split it as my son is travelling with my husband and I. We are also celebrating his birthday on the day so we have to be together.
Will SQ open more slots closer to the date of travel if there are still empty seats left? or they are just completely inflexible about this?
They might open up more, but there is no hard and fast rule on this. Part of playing the points waiting game, unfortunately.
Dear fellow pointhackers, is there any way to bypass the SQ quota issue? We are travelling SYD-SIN-NRT (stopover 1 night in SIN). My family has been cleared for Suites on SIN-NRT (total of 3 people), but we couldn’t get onto the first class waitlist for SYD-SIN because there are only 2 redemption spots available. I can see 6 seats still available (SQ has also confirmed 6 seats left) on their first class SYD-SIN flight but they just fit 3 of us into the waitlist.
I am not prepared to pay for SYD-SIN (on business) and then SIN-NRT(First) as they will charge many more points for travelling in different classes for each segment. Only half of the points would be needed if I travelled first class all the way to NRT.
I am a little disappointed but is still quietly hoping.
Thank you.
No way around this really. What about splitting your travel group, 2 + 1 to allow you to pick up the two award seats available and then someone else travel on another flight?
Hi Keith whats the maximum stop over duration?
AFAIK there isn’t one – the limit would be as far out as you can ticket the next flight (11 months ish from date you are booking).
Hi Keith,
Cheers.
Lets say i book Perth to Frankfurt, use a stopover and then fly to JFK. Can that last leg be a waitlisted flight?
Does Singapore allow you to tack on a free one-way like united on your departure city on the return? For example on UA I can book DTW-GRU-DTW (stop)-LAX for the same price as a round trip to DTW-GRU.
Is it possible to booked a mixed class one-way award ticket with stopover?
I would like to book JFK-FRA in Business class at the standard award cost of 80,000 KF. Then stay in Frankfurt a few days and book FRA-SIN in Suites at the saver award cost of 107,500 KF.
Is it possible to book this trip and just pay the 107,500 (91,375 after 15% discount)?
Thanks!
It could be possible – check out this post on OMAAT for more.
Keith,
I’m not sure if SG have changed things since you wrote this but after spending a long time searching I can’t find a Business fare from Mel – Fra return for less than 161500 miles + $1050AUD. Please let me know if I’m missing something but can’t see the value in this. Thanks in advance.
Josh
Hey Josh – which part are you struggling with, the taxes and surcharges? Not much can be done about those, especially out of cities like Frankfurt and London which up their taxes vs others.
From a points POV it’s a decent deal – Qantas would charge 256,000 Qantas Points return with (I expect) similar surcharges, while Asia Miles would be 175,000 miles return, or Velocity at best would be 250k Velocity return with Etihad (unless transferred over to KrisFlyer, which would be 218,000 Velocity points before the transfer).
Hi Josh,
Keith is right, a return for 161,500 miles is pretty good, considering Virgin Velocity charge 218k and Qantas charge around 256k.
Also Qantas/Emirates fuel surcharge would be around $1270, which is $200 more than SQ.
Unfortunately if you pick London and Frankfurt, the departure taxes are a lot higher than other EU cities.
Yeah, I knew there was the $100USD fee, but completely forgot/oblivious to the Airport/Departure tax. It’s just that you see all these articles and even the SQ website saying you can have a stopover for FREE or for $100 USD, but there’s no mention of Airport/Departure tax.
Hi Tim, airport and departure taxes are out of control of Singapore Airlines, cities such as london charge APD which could add hundreds of dollars to a ticket, including award redemptions.
I managed to do MEL-SIN & SIN-LHR with stopover in SIN. They charged some sort of airport/departure tax for adding a stopover of roughly $140USD ($560 AUD charged for 2 pax for a stopover in SIN). Is this right? All I’ve read is that there is a fee for adding a stopover for a one way trip but no mention of taxes added on.
Hi Tim,
Did you book the award as one return, or two awards? You mention one-way trips, so I’m just trying to work out if you booked the award as 1 return trip.
Yes airport/departure taxes are normally charged for stopover cities.
Yeah, booked as 1 award MEL-LHR with stopover in SIN.
Hi Tim,
If it is only a 1-way award, Singapore charges a $US100 fee.
Whereas if you booked a saver return award, then you get one free stopover.
Stopovers can also help you get around the dreaded “quota” problem, where you need to find award space for your full itinerary. With SQ, even when each leg is showing as separately available, you can only redeem a ticket when the full itinerary is showing as available and bookable on the website, which on trips like SYD-JFK is less common. Splitting each leg up not only makes it more likely you will find space amongst component sectors, but also gives you more flexibility to find space.
I recently redeemed MEL-SIN-JFK in First and Suites for two people by finding availability a few days apart for each sector. If you can persuade them to put your itinerary on hold (tough, but possible), you can even build it piece by piece, add waitlist segments, and so on. The trip was amazing, even my wife was impressed.
Thanks longroad, Great insight! this is definitely a plus with the Krisflyer program. Not only do you get to stopover and see more cities on 1 award, but you also have greater flexibility on finding award seats.
SQ MEL to JFK in F and Suites would have been heavenly!