I’d imagine that most of us have faster-growing balances with Velocity Frequent Flyer than we do with KrisFlyer, given the breadth of Velocity points earn opportunities in Australia in and beyond Velocity credit card partners.
A unique feature of Velocity and KrisFlyer is the ability to transfer points between the two programs at a ratio of 1.55:1.
However, whether you use one program or another will depend on the specific Singapore Airlines redemption you have in mind – and you’ll need to compare the costs in both Velocity and KrisFlyer to calculate. This guide aims to show you how.
We have updated this guide to reflect the recent devaluation between the transfer rate of Velocity Points and Krisflyer Miles.
Two important points
Firstly, Singapore Airlines releases more award space to its own KrisFlyer members than to its partners, e.g. Velocity, so what you see as available on the KrisFlyer website might not be bookable through Velocity.
That means while it may not make sense by a points-by-points comparison to transfer your points to KrisFlyer, limited availability through Velocity may mean that you have to transfer your points to KrisFlyer in order to secure that seat.
Secondly, on the routes researched, taxes charged by KrisFlyer were less than $5 above those charged by Velocity, so we can just make a comparison based on the difference in points pricing.
From 1 January 2019, Velocity award redemptions on Virgin Australia became more expensive due to added ‘Carrier Charges’.
First and Suites Class
If you want to travel in Singapore Airlines First Class or Suites Class, it definitely pays to do your calculations comparing what it would cost to redeem directly through Velocity versus transferring to KrisFlyer.
As you can see from the table below, there is no hard-and-fast rule:
| From Singapore to | KrisFlyer miles needed | Velocity points needed | Velocity points transferred to KrisFlyer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | 37,500 | 56,000 | 58,125 |
| Shanghai | 50,000 | 56,000 | 77,500 |
| Beijing/Mumbai/Delhi | 50,000 | 78,000 | 77,500 |
| Sydney/Melbourne | 80,000 | 95,000 | 124,000 |
| London/Paris/Frankfurt | 115,000 | 134,000 | 178,250 |
| New York | 120,000 | 203,000 | 186,000 |
| Between Frankfurt and New York | 76,000 | 95,000 | 117,800 |
You can find more information in our full guide on using your points to book Singapore Airlines First Class/Suites Class
Business, Premium Economy and Economy Class
To work out which airline is best for redeeming your points for these cabins, I’ve compared the pricing of one-way Singapore-operated flights from Sydney and Melbourne to three destinations: Singapore, Tokyo and London.
The points needed for each destination are the same from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra – figures from Perth and Darwin are lower.
An example of what we’re aiming for: the best value way to travel in Singapore Airlines Business Class, here one of their regional Boeing 777s
| From Melbourne/Sydney to | KrisFlyer miles needed | Velocity points needed | Velocity points transferred to KrisFlyer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore (Economy) | 28,000 | 35,000 | 43,400 |
| Singapore (Business) | 58,000 | 65,000 | 89,900 |
| Tokyo (Economy) | 42,000 | 56,000 | 65,100 |
| Tokyo (Business) | 83,000 | 104,000 | 128,650 |
| London (Economy) | 53,000 | 75,000 | 82,150 |
| London (Business) | 105,000 | 139,000 | 162,750 |
My conclusions
Based on these examples, it seems that:
- On a points-by-points basis, KrisFlyer redemptions on Singapore Airlines flights are always cheaper than Velocity redemptions
- While keeping your points in Velocity for First and Suites Class redemptions seems to work most of the time, transferring them to Krisflyer can sometimes be cheaper
How to do your own comparison: an example
Step 1: Find your desired route and cabin on the Velocity award chart (Table 2 for Singapore Airlines redemptions) and KrisFlyer award chart
Step 2: Write down the two prices, e.g. a one-way Business Class seat to London will cost you 139,000 Velocity points or 105,000 KrisFlyer miles
Step 3: Multiply the KrisFlyer price by 1.55 to see how many Velocity points you’d need to transfer, i.e. 105,000 KrisFlyer miles x 1.55 = 162,750 Velocity points
Step 4: If that pricing is higher than booking through Velocity, then you should book through Velocity. If it is lower, then you should transfer your Velocity points to KrisFlyer. In the London case, it is cheaper for both Business Class and Economy redemptions to be booked through Velocity directly.
Summing up
It pays to do your research, specially now that the transfer rate between the two programs have been devalued.
If you don’t have the time to though, chances are you’re better keeping your Velocity points where they are for most Singapore Airlines redemptions, although the figures can vary for First and Suites Class awards.
However, if you’re lucky enough to have a KrisFlyer balance, then you’ll (almost always) pay less overall than redeeming through Velocity.
Booking direct using Krisflyer v Velocity is the time they become available. Recently I was wanting to book a one way flight Milan to Sydney with SQ. I booked via Krisflyer on the 8.10.18 for flights on the 27.09.19 – this date is still not available on Velocity.
As an example, today – 30.10.18 – I can book a flight next year via Krisflyer for 19.10.19 but Velocity for 25.09.19
Thanks Matt and the Poinhacka team for your invaluable tips and inputs!
Hello,
If booking SQ award flight via Velocity website, could we still take advantage of the $100 stopover or is it only for KF redemption?
Thank you.
Good question—stopovers only available with a KrisFlyer redemption.
Thanks for the info Matt.
Also if I am aiming for Business class reward ticket Singapore-New York in Jan 2020, will it make more sense to transfer my Velocity to krisflyer now before the Devaluation takes place?
You’ll get better value by transferring now. My caveat to that is that everything in the frequent flyer world can change without notice, so the transfer rate and options could change again but I see that as unlikely in the short term.
I’ve found a very interesting fact when trying to book the Singapore Airline business class from Melbourne to Phnom Penh using Velocity point. Some of the reward flights is not available if I select One-Way nor it is available when I select Return on some dates, but it does available when I select Return on specific dates. For example, if I select MEL-PNH outbound on 15 Feb 18 and return on 21 Feb 18, no reward flights showing on 15 Feb 18. It does not show any reward flights either if I select MEL-PNH one-way on 15 Feb. However, if I select the same flight but with the return date on 20 Feb, then there are reward flights showing on 15 Feb 18. Does anyone know any restrictions which causes this problem?
Newby here…using Singapore to fly to London soon in business class. Planning to also fly with Singapore next year to Greece in economy. I have both Velocity and Kris Flyer membership. Which would be better to accrue the business class points in so I can use them to (hopefully) redeem economy flights next year? Thanks!
This guide can help you figure that out.
Hi..I’m a little bit confused….can I actually get a “saver” fare through Velocity from MEL-LHR?…or are these restricted to SQ only?….and if saver is available through Velocity, how many point for First / Suites?…I seem to recall it is 295k Krisflyer (plus taxes)
You’ll find the pricing for Singapore Airlines awards in Table 2 of the Velocity award chart. You can separately price the segments, i.e. Melbourne to Singapore, Singapore to London. Should come out to 229,000 Velocity points.
Hi Matt….looks like table 2 first class is restricted to Etihad onlt (as per note 9)…..so I’m guessinf that I need to contact VA for required miles and availability…..the question was more related as to whether “saver” seats will be available (with associated mile reduction)..or just “standard” as per the definition in Krisflyer??..so with KF, saver MEL-LHR is less miles than standard….do VA offer the same miles differentiation..or is there only “one” miles amount for First
First Class award seats on Singapore Airlines can be booked with Velocity Points but you have to call to do it (as per note 9: “To redeem Points for a Singapore Airlines First Class Reward Seat, you can contact our Membership Contact Centre”). There is just one level of pricing on these awards through Velocity, as opposed to saver vs standard with KrisFlyer.
Will booking sq flights using velocity points affect the flexibility for changing dates? I note that Velocity has fees attached to changing the dates for award flights whereas Krisflyer does not. Am unsure if the Velocity fee only applies to Virgin flights or also for Sq award seats booked via velocity.
Just found a great example of doing your sums before redeeming rewards bookings with either program. Just booked for two of Bangkok-Singapore-Istanbul J on Singapore Airlines.
Using Singapore’s rewards chart which is zonal it worked out to be 45,000 each KrisFlyer points plus small amount of taxes. Sent 121,500 Velocity points to KrisFlyer and paid $68 taxes for our two rewards tickets.
The same rewards flights for two booking directly with Velocity chart which is based on miles would be 184,000 Velocity points plus $68 in taxes.
It pays to check. Over 60K Velocity points different is about as big a discrepancy as I have seen.
Its a real sweet spot in Singapore’s charts.
The article doesn’t even touch on the biggest considerations when making a decision between the 2 and that is the taxes and surcharges which differ greatly between the 2 and when taken into account make it a no brainer.
“On the routes researched, taxes charged by KrisFlyer were less than $5 above those charged by Velocity, so we can just make a comparison based on the difference in points pricing.”
Have you found any different routes where the taxes differ more substantially? Would love to hear if so!
Small typo. In the comparison calcs above, you write :
Step 3: Multiply the KrisFlyer price by 1.35 to see how many Velocity points you’d need to transfer, i.e. 139,000 x 1.35 = 141,750
When you should have written
Step 3: Multiply the KrisFlyer price by 1.35 to see how many Velocity points you’d need to transfer, i.e. 105,000 x 1.35 = 141,750
Aside from that, it’s an awesome guide, thanks for sharing
You’re right! Thanks for pointing it out. Figures updated.
My wife and I have just booked a Business Class return journey on Thai.
Sector is Sydney-Mumbai-Sydney.
We are members of Royal Orchid, Velocity, Kris Flyer etc. etc
Could you please opine: which is the best of these, for having points credited for our above journey?
Many thanks for your advice and sorry for the bother.
Not a bother at all. This post should help you out.
Taipei is a route that can be better served with transferring points to SQ
Under SQ it’s in the 58K redemtpion band.
Under Velocity it will cost you 92K points. A transfer to SQ would require just 78.3K points or a nearly 14K points saving.
Then there’s the issue of HKG. Seems nearly impossible to get a reward seat with VA but SQ has decent availability.
The two important points at the start of the article are likely to be key, if not the over-riding considerations for international premium travel:
1) First class only through KF
2) More availability in business class via KF
The comparison is almost entirely academic when in most cases for international travel (IME) you need to be redeeming directly through KF for SQ awards!
Consider also those KF points are good for all Star Alliance…
Caution trough on when you transfer to KF, given expiry of points…
Hi,
Im about to buy melbourne-bangkok economy return. Via SQ
Is it better to buy straight from SQ to earn Krisflyer or better of through virgin website to get velocity. Which one has higher earning rate?
Thank you
Thank you for letting us know the implications arising from the recent change in KF. While it is true that if you have only Velocity points it would make sense to use those for redemptions on SQ (if they are available). However, I would say that most of us have accrued points with flexible programs (such as Amex Ascent) and could transfer those to KF at 1 for 1 for lower redemption value and if needed pay slightly more by transferring any shortfall from Velocity to KF. In addition, as already pointed out it is easier to redeem KF points and more importantly, redeem KF points for better scheduled flights. I much prefer an overnight stopover in SIN when flying between SYD and Europe of SYD and Japan. Often, Velocity gives you the options of flights that are scheduled at unattractive times (at least in my opinion).
Isn’t sq availability much better to its own FF members than to other FF other members (incl velocity)?
Yes, that is an important consideration! I have updated the guide to reflect that. Thank you!
Do both airlines now charge the same in taxes and fees etc?
Yep, on the three routes above, taxes charged by KrisFlyer were less than $5 above those charged by Velocity.
The drama being on popular routes, its almost impossible to get a SQ reward flight, however redeeming a reward flight directly with SQ for a popular flight is not “impossible” but is difficult.
Ohh noo, I just realised I did something stupid.
I didn’t know, SQ Business Class can be redeemed through Velocity.
I actually transferred all my Velocity to SQ and redeem Business. singapore to Tokyo and Singapore to Melbourne
Sad 🙁
Hi Matt
You mention the elimination of fuel surcharges on Singapore Airlines when booking with KrisFlyer. Are the fuel surcharges on Singapore Airlines still applicable when redeeming flights via Velocity? It would be handy if we could see the $ value of any additional charges required booking via either KrisFlyer / Velocity in the above examples in order to really make a decision.
Thanks
Nope, now they’re basically the same. I have updated the guide to make that clearer.
Just wondering whether there is any guides available in terms of costs associated with using krisflyer miles to upgrade flights to business class?
We are looking at booking mixed economy/premium economy CBR-SIN-LHR (i.e. economy to Singapore, Premium Economy to London) and are happy to pay the base fare then upgrade using krisflyer points (Transferred from velocity points). But I cant find anything about the extra fees this might have in terms of Singapore Airlines fees and charges will put on those points upgrades.
We don’t have many upgrade guides, but AusBT have a good one for KrisFlyer.
Hi there, “Aside: if you have to book any non-saver redemptions, opt for KrisFlyer” with regards to this advice, I am considering booking a Velocity Any Seat Award flight rather than the Kris Flyer as I have quite a few Velocity points to burn, it’s the same amount in taxes and I will be chasing Status Credits to maintain Velocity Gold. My understanding is I will earn status credits and points on this type of redemption as I have done with domestic Any Seat Rewards. Am I correct, and that there is no points earn on a Kris Flyer Standard award?
Many thanks for the wonderful info you provide. I recommend the site to all my friends!
How do you search for flights to Tokyo via Perth? The website won’t allow multi-city searches when paying with points, and searching direct results in no options via Perth.
Good Morning
Am new to this site and appreciate advice. Have recently flown BNE-LON and return 2.5 times all on Etihad on sale tkts. Have listed Velocity as my FF. Very few points accrued on these flts.
Would I have been better off gathering the frequent flier points in the Etihad scheme rather than Velocity?
I am about to embark on Qatar to London and have listed Qantas as my FF program.
Any advice appreciated.
Hey Kate – hard to say as it depends on the exact class of ticket you ended up purchasing. Etihad can offer more miles, but then they often need many more to redeem for Etihad flights, and Velocity Points are much easier to earn from many partners in Australia. It’s possible, but I’d be surprised if you got this ‘wrong’.
I just went through this exercise to book PER to UK flights for Xmas. This post would have been great 2 weeks earlier as its a lot clearer than my jumbled notes and assumptions!
I opted for 2 X PER-AUH-LHR in J @ 220,000 points. I paid $145 in taxes total (instead of an extra 15k points). One thing to note is that if you choose to do this Virgin sting you for the $30 per passenger credit card booking fee, so I had to add another $60 on top – bit rich on a $145 fare!
In a similar situation, I added more points to the points/cash slider until I got the cash outlay for taxes under $50 – then there was no $30 credit card booking fee. I’d assumed this was a good use of the points value. Also, as I booked each leg of the trip separately I noticed there wasn’t a credit card booking fee on my points return journey (Madrid > Sydney > Melbourne).
Timely article. Very helpful.
I thought Sydney to London is 175,000 Velocity points on Singapore ? At least that’s what the table says… https://www.velocityfrequentflyer.com/content/Redeem/Airlines/PointsTables/
It is, I screwed up. Now corrected along with calcs and conclusions.