How to hack your way to Singapore with points

For many globe-trotting Australians – especially those using points – Singapore Changi Airport can feel like a second home. But rather than merely passing through, we’d highly recommend making Singapore your final destination. If you haven’t already, make sure to read about our latest Singapore experience, including our in-depth travel guide.

In this guide, we’ll take you through the best ways to fly to Singapore using frequent flyer points or miles. We’ll also look at how to earn and redeem those points and miles. We cover some of the best ways to earn and redeem points too when staying in Singapore. And finish up with some handy tips and tricks every point hacker should have up their sleeve.

Flying to Singapore on points

The three main airlines flying between Australia and Singapore are Qantas, Jetstar and Singapore Airlines. British Airways and Emirates also have one daily return flight each. So if you’ve got a stash of Qantas Points, Velocity Points or KrisFlyer miles, you’re in luck!

The number of points or miles needed to fly to Singapore from Australia is shown below. This can vary depending on which rewards program you use, as well as the airline you choose to fly. We’ve indicated the points required for the various non-stop routes available. When connecting via another city, the points needed may be higher.

Flying Qantas or Jetstar to Singapore with points

If you’re looking to redeem Qantas or Jetstar reward seats, you can use Qantas Points. The number of points required is shown in the tables below.

(one-way) using Qantas Points	Economy	Premium Economy*	Business	First*
Perth to Singapore	20,300	N/A	57,000	N/A
Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to Singapore	25,200	51,300	68,400	102,600

(one-way) using Qantas Points	Economy	Business
Melbourne to Singapore	21,500	51,300

Ways to earn Qantas Points

The best way to earn Qantas Points quickly is to successfully sign up for a Qantas Points-earning credit card that has a large sign-up bonus attached to it. You can find our latest bonus points offers at Best Qantas Points credit card deals.

The number of bonus Qantas Points you can earn from these deals is usually more than enough to get you to Singapore and back in style. And yes, we’re talking Business Class!

Nearly all Qantas Points-earning credit cards automatically transfer Qantas Points from your credit card spend into your Qantas account on a monthly basis. So there’s no need to worry about transfer rates and manually converting points into your account.

There are also many other ways to earn Qantas Points. Make sure to read our guide to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program to ensure you’re not missing out on any key opportunities.

Flying Singapore Airlines to Singapore with points

When looking to redeem Singapore Airlines reward seats, you can use either Velocity Points or KrisFlyer miles. We take a look at both options for you.

Using Velocity Points

The number of Velocity Points needed to fly Singapore Airlines is shown below.

(one-way) using Velocity Points	Economy	Premium Economy*	Business	First/Suites*
Darwin to Singapore	20,000	N/A	38,000	N/A
Perth to Singapore	25,000	N/A	55,000	N/A
Adelaide and Cairns to Singapore	27,000	N/A	57,000	N/A
Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to Singapore	29,000	52,500	67,000	Not bookable

Ways to earn Velocity Points

There are a number of lucrative credit card sign-up bonus promotions for Velocity Points-earning cards. To check these out, make sure to visit our Best Velocity Points credit card deals page.

Often, you can earn up to 150,000 Velocity Points – again more than enough to jet you to Singapore and back in style. Most Velocity Points-earning credit cards are part of a bank’s flexible reward program. This means you can manually transfer those bank reward points into your Velocity Frequent Flyer account at leisure. Note that each bank applies its own conversion rate, so the number of Velocity Points added to your Velocity account may be different to the number of bank points transferred.

For example, American Express Membership Rewards (MR) transfers MR points to Velocity at a rate of 2:1. So if you transfer 100,000 MR points to Velocity, you’ll receive 50,000 Velocity Points. You can check your card’s transfer ratio to Velocity using the ‘Best Velocity Points credit card deals’ link above.

And like the Qantas program, Velocity also has many different ways to earn those valuable Velocity Points. Make sure to read our Velocity Frequent Flyer guide for more information.

Using KrisFlyer miles

The number of KrisFlyer miles needed to fly Singapore Airlines is shown below.

(one-way) using KrisFlyer miles	Economy	Premium Economy*	Business	First/Suites*
Perth and Darwin to Singapore	21,500	N/A	40,500	N/A
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Cairns to Singapore	30,500	51,000	68,500	93,500

Note as well that KrisFlyer miles can be used to book Scoot flights, including those between Australia and Singapore. Scoot is Singapore Airlines’ low-cost offshoot, similar to how Jetstar is part of the Qantas Group. However, the use of KrisFlyer miles here is only possible on a ‘miles and cash’ basis – similar to an ‘any seat’ award. That’s where miles are used to ‘buy’ an airfare, rather than redeem for a reward seat. As such, we haven’t included Scoot here.

Ways to earn KrisFlyer miles

Many banks in Australia count Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer as a travel partner in their flexible rewards program. This means it isn’t too hard to earn KrisFlyer miles from credit card spending in Australia. You can find our latest KrisFlyer credit card deals on our Best KrisFlyer credit card deals page.

Like Velocity, KrisFlyer miles-earning credit cards are generally part of the bank’s flexible rewards program. So again, the choice of when to transfer your bank reward points to your KrisFlyer account is up to you. Transfer rates can vary between banks. You can use the above link to see the current transfer ratios for your card to KrisFlyer.

Note that KrisFlyer miles expire three years after they have been credited to your account. So make sure to strategically transfer your credit card reward points to your KrisFlyer account. We recommend only converting your reward points into KrisFlyer miles when you’re ready to book travel.

Flying British Airways to Singapore with points

Here’s an option that many overlook. British Airways has a daily Sydney-Singapore-London flight. But you don’t have to fly to London to get aboard BA. You can fly solely between Sydney and Singapore: and book those flights using points.

Using Qantas Points

Here’s how many Qantas Points you’ll need to fly BA to or from the Lion City.

(one-way) using Qantas Points	Economy	Premium Economy	Business	First
Sydney to Singapore	30,200	59,000	75,000	107,700

It’s worth pointing out that these flights can also be booked via Qatar Airways Privilege Club (Avios). Privilege Club is a new transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards. But be mindful, Qatar’s program doesn’t allow the use of Avios on BA Premium Economy. For that, you could convert your Avios between Privilege Club and BA’s own Executive Club program. But if you’re aware of those paths, it’s fair to say, you don’t need our help here.

Flying Emirates to Singapore with points

Another airline among the mix is Emirates. The carrier offers a daily Melbourne-Singapore-Dubai route. But as with BA, you don’t have to be flying through to that final destination. You can fly Emirates solely between Melbourne and Singapore.

Using Qantas Points

Here’s what you can expect to part with when using Qantas Points for your Emirates journey to Singapore.

(one-way) using Qantas Points	Economy	Business	First
Melbourne to Singapore	30,200	59,000	107,700

The same flights can also be booked through the Emirates Skywards program. But again, if you’re the kind of traveller already stocked up on Skywards miles, you already know how to spend them on Emirates flights.

Exploring Singapore Changi Airport

Arriving and departing at Changi

I recently returned from a luxurious trip to the Lion City for Point Hacks. As I land at Singapore Changi Airport, I’m surprised to see that I’m one of only a few passengers from a full A350 flight making my way to immigration. Most people make a beeline for the transit board, likely en route to Europe, the Middle East or other cities in Asia.

The good thing is I have no immigration lines to contend with. In fact, the immigration officer looks relieved that he’s going to have something to do. Before I know it, I’m on my way to the bag carousel.

I can see from a distance that my bag (and literally just my bag) is rotating on the baggage belt, making my Priority Baggage tag from flying Business Class quite redundant! I pick up my bag and make a beeline for the taxi rank. Before I know it I’m on my way to the Hilton. All up, 15 minutes from de-boarding to taxi. Not bad at all.

Transiting through the airport

If instead, you’re transiting through Changi Airport, there are plenty of flight monitors around the airport to guide you towards your connecting flight. There are four terminals at Changi, and depending on which terminal you land in you may have a long walk to your next flight. Luckily, the airport is very well connected, with automated people movers and shuttle buses ferrying passengers from one terminal to the next.

Lounges at Changi

Changi Airport is home to many airline and third-party lounges, so we won’t go through all of them here. But take a look at just some of the lounges that await, depending on your airline, cabin class, frequent flyer status and lounge membership.

Qantas, Emirates and British Aiways passengers

• Qantas International Business Lounge – open to Business Class, Qantas Gold, oneworld Sapphire, Skywards Gold and above. (No access for Skywards members flying British Airways).
• Qantas International First Lounge – reserved for First Class, Qantas Platinum, oneworld Emerald, Skywards Platinum and above. (Again, no access for Skywards elites flying British Airways).
• British Airways Lounge – open to oneworld Business and First Class. Also open to Qantas Gold and higher, as well as other oneworld Sapphire and Emerald. (No access on Emirates flights or for Skywards elites).
• Emirates Lounge – open to Business and First Class passengers of Qantas and Emirates. Also available for Gold members and above of Qantas Frequent Flyer and Emirates Skywards travelling with either airline.
• Qatar Airways Premium Lounge – available only when travelling with a oneworld airline in Business or First Class. Note, this excludes Emirates, and there’s no access via status, either.

Here’s a look at the Qantas International First Lounge at Changi:

Jetstar passengers

• Qantas International Business Lounge – open to Jetstar Business Class (Max fares only), Qantas Gold and Qantas Club members.
• Qantas International First Lounge – available for Qantas Platinum frequent flyers and above.
• Blossom Lounge – available for Jetstar Business Max passengers only. It’s a more convenient choice, being in Terminal 4 from which Jetstar departs.

Singapore Airlines passengers

• The Private Room – reserved for passengers flying Singapore Airlines First Class and Suites.
• SilverKris First Class Lounge – open to Singapore Airlines’ Solitaire PPS Club members.
• SilverKris Business Class Lounge – welcoming Singapore Airlines’ Business Class travellers, as well as PPS Club members.
• KrisFlyer Gold Lounge – open to KrisFlyer Gold, Star Alliance Gold and Velocity Gold and Platinum.

The entrance to The Private Room is subtle, as it’s a very exclusive space. [Photo by Chris Chamberlin for Point Hacks]

The new bar is sure to catch your eye in the SilverKris First Class Lounge. [Image courtesy of Singapore Airlines]

Frequent flyers also have a new space to enjoy with the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge. [Photo by Chris Chamberlin for Point Hacks]

The Jewel

The Jewel is undoubtedly the crown of Singapore Changi Airport. Once home to a long-term carpark, the area now boasts a five-story shopping complex complete with high-end retailers that will satisfy even the most ardent shopaholic.

But The Jewel is so much more than just a shopping centre. It’s arguably best known for the HSBC Rain Vortex, which sits at the centre of the complex and gushes water down 40 metres to the basement. It’s a stunning display both day and night. My tip? Make sure to view the vortex from different levels, including from two floors below ground. The viewpoint is simply magical.

The other striking feature of The Jewel is the Shiseido Forest Valley, a lush tree-filled garden with picturesque walking trails. Each trail takes about 30 minutes – factoring in necessary photo time – and there’s ample space en route to sit and soak it all in.

Other attractions within The Jewel are mostly located on the top floor. These include the Mirror Maze, the Hedge Maze, the Canopy Park and the Manulife Sky Nets (walk or bounce – it’s your call). I also traversed the glass Canopy Bridge, which offers spectacular views of the Rain Vortex and Forest Park. But if you’re scared of heights as I am, you may want to think twice before looking down!

Leaving and entering The Jewel

Just note that The Jewel is located outside of immigration, so make sure you have plenty of time between connections to get out and then back into the terminal.

If you have a short connection but are itching to see The Jewel, you can take a people mover between Terminals 2 and 3, which travels straight through The Jewel without the need to pass immigration. On my visit in May 2022, the track between Terminals 2 and 3 was suspended due to limited airline operations in Terminal 2. But it’s back open now.

Watching and listening to the Rain Vortex is very calming.

What a view! Note the control tower in the background.

It’s amazing to see a plantation of trees within an airport.

The Canopy Bridge is a must-do, with great views of the entire Jewel.

Walk or bounce – it’s your choice on the Sky Nets.

Jewel is also home to a convenient line-up of early check-in counters.

And if you can’t check-in early, you don’t need to cart your luggage around. Just store it here and enjoy the Jewel.

Earning and using points on hotels in Singapore

Being a global city, Singapore has no short supply of accommodation options. Many of the large hotel chains are represented here. But you’re certainly not limited to just those chains should you be looking for a niche hotel experience.

We run through your accommodation options below, and when it pays from a points-perspective to choose one option over another.

Book directly with the hotel

Booking directly with the hotel is generally the safest bet if you’re looking to accrue points. After all, if the hotel loses your booking, it’s their fault! But there are also specific situations where you definitely want to book directly – and alternatively, times when you probably don’t. So we’ll look at each in turn.

If you hold elite status in any of the major hotel chain loyalty programs, then you will nearly always want to book directly with the hotel. This is because tier-status benefits are provided only when you book directly. Book using a third-party provider and your tier benefits are forfeited, no matter how many times you flash your shiny membership card at check-in.

Hotel chains with a large presence in Singapore (and by extension their loyalty programs) include Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, IHG One Rewards and Accor Live Limitless.

There may be times when booking directly is not the preferred option, such as when third-party booking providers are offering sale prices not offered by the hotel. Or when you’re looking to earn rewards with a points program other than the hotel’s own loyalty system. As such, we take a look at your third-party provider options below.

Book using a third-party provider

Aside from the few reasons above, a clear benefit of using a third-party provider is that you’re not locked into just the chain’s hotel brands. If you’re after a unique hotel experience or want to stay at the closest possible location to where you need to be, then third-party providers will offer you more options. But large hotel chains are generally also bookable with these providers.

While this list is not exhaustive, the following are likely to be the main providers to consider for your next stay in Singapore.

If you want to earn Qantas Points on Singapore hotels

If you’re looking to earn Qantas Points from your next hotel stay in Singapore, then this one is a no-brainer: head over to the Qantas Hotels site. Qantas members can earn three Qantas Points per dollar spent on hotels in Singapore, while Points Club members earn 25% more points, and Points Club Plus members an impressive 50% more.

At various times, there are Qantas Hotels offers available where you can earn bonus points on your hotel stay when booking during a sale period. A popular offer is earning triple points, allowing you to earn nine Qantas Points per dollar spent, so make sure to look out for these promotions.

And you can also redeem your Qantas Points for hotel stays. While redeeming points for hotel stays was never a good use of your points, Qantas recently made this redemption option much more appealing. The airline reduced redemption rates on hotel stays by 30-45%.

If you want to earn Velocity Points on Singapore hotels

If Velocity Points are more your thing, then make sure to visit the Velocity-Expedia portal. Velocity members can earn three Velocity Points per dollar spent on all hotels in Singapore. And like Qantas Hotels, triple points promotions are consistently offered, allowing members to earn nine Velocity Points per dollar spent.

If you want to earn KrisFlyer Miles on Singapore hotels

For those looking to add to their KrisFlyer account balance, Rocketmiles is your best bet. Rocketmiles allows you to book accommodation and earn rewards points, which can be transferred to one of over 50 reward programs. While Qantas and Velocity don’t feature on the partner reward list, KrisFlyer certainly does. So this program is a great way to earn KrisFlyer miles from your future hotel stays.

If you want to earn bonus Velocity Points or KrisFlyer miles on Singapore hotels

For readers who hold a Commonwealth Bank Credit Card, then Kaligo can be a good choice for you. This is because Kaligo is a bonus partner of the Commbank Awards Program. Card members can earn up to 15 Commbank Award Points per dollar spent at Kaligo – worth up to 7.5 Velocity Points or five KrisFlyer miles per $1.

If you want exclusive benefits at luxury hotels

If you’re lucky enough to sport an American Express Platinum Card or Centurion Card, then you’re eligible to take advantage of Fine Hotels + Resorts. Not only do you get great deals on room rates at premium properties, but also a bundle of perks such as room upgrades, complimentary breakfast for two guests, a US$100 property, F&B or spa credit and a guaranteed 4 pm late check-out – just to name some.

And of course, you’ll earn American Express Membership Rewards Points, which can be transferred to one of 10 leading airlines (or 11, including Qantas, if you hold a Platinum or Centurion Card).

If you want to save on the cost of accommodation

Eligible guests can save on the cost of their accommodation by taking advantage of a free night or travel credits.

If you hold certain American Express Cards that offer a travel credit, you can use this credit against the cost of the accommodation. In many instances, this will cover a full night’s accommodation, or at the very least, substantially reduce the cost. The current Amex Cards that offer travel credits are:

• American Express Platinum Card – $450
• The American Express Explorer Card – $400
• The American Express Platinum Edge Card – $200

Also, if you hold an Accor Plus membership, either by paying for the program or as a benefit of the American Express Platinum Card, then you will receive a ‘Stay Plus’ free night at any Accor-branded hotel in Singapore (and over 800+ properties in 18 countries throughout the Asia-Pacific).

Point Hacks’ tips and tricks

Finally, looking for some tips and tricks to maximise the value of your points on your next trip to Singapore? Or what to do if you have a long transit at Changi Airport? Then make sure to keep these points in mind.

• Compared to other airlines, Singapore Airlines has relatively low fees and charges, as they don’t add fuel surcharges to their own award redemptions. So while the points cost may be similar to other airline loyalty programs, the overall cost is much cheaper with Singapore Airlines when you factor in the fees and charges.
• Notwithstanding the changes to KrisFlyer in 2022, Singapore Airlines continues to offer complimentary stopovers for return Saver Awards, allowing members to take a break in between flights while paying the lower one-way award rate throughout. Stopovers, however, are now limited to a maximum of 30 days, which is still quite generous and allows plenty of time to explore a new destination.
• Make sure to check the aircraft you’re on when redeeming points for your flight. The cabin seats can differ greatly – even within the same cabin. This is especially the case with Singapore Airlines. Be sure to read our Business and First Class seats and suites guide for more information.

Even more tips to get the most out of your Singapore journey

• To find the best seats for your Singapore journey, consider checking out SeatGuru. Just select your airline and the aircraft you’ll be flying on. SeatGuru then allocates each seat a red, yellow, green or neutral grey-coloured rating. As you’d expect, you want to aim to snag a green seat and stay away from the red.
• If you have a long transit at Changi, don’t forget to take advantage of the early check-in and baggage storage facilities at the Jewel. You can then enjoy hours of shopping or just casually walking around unencumbered, freeing you up to take in the sights of the scenic rainforest and Rain Vortex.
• If shopping and walking aren’t your thing but sipping wine and tasting good food is, you may want to consider lounge hopping. This is generally possible when you hold a Business or First Class ticket, or have top-tier status with either a oneworld or Star Alliance airline like Qantas or Singapore Airlines. Given that Changi Airport is a popular transit hub, many airlines have their own lounges, which provide a great range of options for eligible passengers and some awesome lounge-hopping opportunities.

And there concludes our guide to hack your way to Singapore! Time to put those hard-earned points to use.

Additional reporting by Chris Chamberlin. Featured image courtesy of Kin Pastor/Pexels.