A unique feature of Velocity and KrisFlyer is the ability to transfer points between the two programs at a ratio of 1.55:1.
I’d imagine that most of us have faster-growing balances with Velocity Frequent Flyer than we do with Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer. That’s given the breadth of Velocity Points earning opportunities in Australia.
But does it ever make sense to transfer your Velocity Points to KrisFlyer for Singapore Airlines redemptions? A few years ago, yes, it did make sense. But with changes to award charts and transfer rates, now the answer is: (almost) never.
Two important points
Firstly, Singapore Airlines releases more award space to its own KrisFlyer members than to its partners, e.g. Velocity. Therefore, what you see as available on the KrisFlyer website might not be bookable through Velocity.
It may not make sense on a point-by-point comparison to transfer your points to KrisFlyer. However, limited availability through Velocity means that you may have to transfer your points to KrisFlyer in order to secure a seat.
Secondly, on the routes researched, taxes charged by KrisFlyer were less than $5 above those charged by Velocity. Therefore, we can just make a comparison based on the difference in points pricing.
Should you transfer Velocity Points to KrisFlyer for Singapore Airlines Suites & First Class?
If you want to travel in Singapore Airlines Suites or First Class, you’re best off using KrisFlyer miles (if you have access to them). Only transfer your Velocity Points to KrisFlyer if Velocity doesn’t show the same award availability (which is likely).
| From Singapore to | KrisFlyer miles | Velocity Points | Velocity Points transferred to KrisFlyer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | 40,500 | 56,000 | 62,775 |
| Beijing/Shanghai/Delhi/Mumbai | 53,000 | 56,000 | 82,150 |
| Sydney/Melbourne | 85,000 | 114,000 | 131,750 |
| Between Frankfurt & New York | 86,000 | 95,000 | 133,300 |
| London/Paris/Frankfurt | 125,000 | 134,000 | 193,750 |
| New York | 132,000 | 203,000 | 204,000 |
If we take the example of flying from Sydney to Singapore in Suites or First Class, that would cost you 85,000 KrisFlyer miles. Directly through Velocity, it would cost you 114,000 Velocity Points.
However, you might not have access to the same award availability through Velocity. Therefore, you may need to convert 131,750 Velocity Points to 85,000 KrisFlyer miles to book this award.
Should you transfer Velocity Points to KrisFlyer for Singapore Airlines Business, Premium Economy and Economy Class?
If you have access to KrisFlyer miles, then that is the best way to book a flight in Singapore Airlines Business, Premium Economy or Economy Class. Do you only have Velocity Points? See if you can access award space through Velocity. If not, then you may choose to transfer your Velocity Points to KrisFlyer.
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.)
| From Sydney/Melbourne to | Cabin | KrisFlyer miles | Velocity Points | Velocity Points transferred to KrisFlyer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore | Business | 62,000 | 65,000 | 96,100 |
| Premium Economy | 47,000 | 52,500 | 72,850 | |
| Economy | 28,000 | 35,000 | 43,400 | |
| Tokyo | Business | 91,000 | 104,000 | 141,050 |
| Premium Economy | 71,500 | 84,000 | 110,825 | |
| Economy | 42,000 | 56,000 | 65,100 | |
| London | Business | 116,000 | 139,000 | 179,800 |
| Premium Economy | 91,500 | 112,500 | 141,825 | |
| Economy | 53,000 | 75,000 | 82,150 |
Booking a Premium Economy flight from Australia to London would set you back 91,500 KrisFlyer miles. Conversely, you could pay 112,500 points through Velocity.
Singapore Airlines is more generous in releasing Premium Economy and Economy award seats to its partners (compared to Suites, First and Business Class). Therefore, you are likely to find availability for this redemption. If not, however, you could transfer 141,825 Velocity Points to KrisFlyer.
That’s a steep price to pay, though. Instead, I’d recommend looking at flying Etihad Business Class for 139,000 Velocity Points.
Summing up
Based on these examples, it seems that:
- KrisFlyer redemptions on Singapore Airlines flights are cheaper than Velocity redemptions on a point-for-point basis
- it (almost) never makes sense to transfer your Velocity Points to KrisFlyer for Singapore Airlines redemptions
However, if you do transfer to KrisFlyer, you can:
- access more award availability
- book seats up to 355 days before departure (instead of 330)
- get a free/cheap stopover
- book a round-the-world ticket
You can read more about these benefits in this guide.
Unfortunately, I cannot provide any specific recommendations.
However, Velocity Frequent Flyer is a company that is fully owned by the Virgin Australia Group and is profitable. Further information regarding their financial performance can be found at https://www.asx.com.au/asx/share-price-research/company/VAH. Look at the announcements dated 26 February 2020.
The Group has also provided an update on the COVID-19 Response and can be accessed from the above link dated 13 March 2020.
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
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.
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?
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.
Have you found any different routes where the taxes differ more substantially? Would love to hear if so!
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
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.
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.
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…
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
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 🙁
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
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.
Many thanks for the wonderful info you provide. I recommend the site to all my friends!
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.
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!