Singapore Airlines Krisflyer sweet spots

This article is a complement to my previous one. The reason why I am focusing on these two FFPs is because for most credit cards in Malaysia, they allow you to credit miles to either Krisflyer or Asia Miles (they also credit to Enrich but that's a pile of crap so we won't go there).

Krisflyer is a zone-based program, which is quite different from Asia Miles' distance-based program. This has both advantages and disadvantages. Advantages are when you are flying to a large zone such as Middle East or Europe; for example, the cost to fly from Singapore to Istanbul (5388 miles), is the same as flying from Singapore to Muscat (3422 miles), even though the distance is considerably greater.

The disadvantage is flying within zones or between two cities that are in two different zones but geographically very close, such as Penang to KL in  Economy (still costs 7,500 miles, the same as Penang to Bali!), or Penang to Bangkok (a ridiclous 12,500 miles!)

However, as a zone-based program, it's a perfect complement to Asia Miles's distance-based program. Since credit cards can redeem points on both programs, you can split the miles as necessary for your maximum benefit.

1.) Malaysia - Middle East. 45,000 Krisflyer miles for a one-way business class ticket from Penang to the Middle East (including Turkey) is a real steal. The distance between Penang and Istanbul exceeds 5,000 miles, so being able to fly 12 hours in SQ business class for only 45,000 Krisflyer miles is incredible value.

Istanbul is so close to Europe that you can fly onwards to most European cities for under RM500 return. Granted, this is in Economy, but the distances are so short anyway that Business isn't really worth it, and not to mention the fact that a lot of intra-Europe flights are just Economy class with the middle seat blocked off.

However, do note that PEN-AMM does not seem to be viable, so if you want to visit Jordan, you'll have to book it under Asia Miles. Apart from Istanbul, SQ also flies to Dubai.

2.) Middle East to Europe. There are plenty of interesting places in the Middle East that are also reasonably safe to visit, such as Turkey, Jordan, Muscat, Dubai etc. While you're there, why not tack on a business class flight to anywhere in Europe for only 25,000 miles one way?

As mentioned earlier, most European short haul "business class" flights are economy class seats with the middle seat blocked off, so Turkish or Egypt Airlines would be the preferred choice here as they have actual business class seats.

The distance between Dubai and London is 3,420 miles, which is a long way for only 25,000 Krisflyer miles.

Incidentally, Malaysia - Middle East (45,000 miles) followed by Middle East - Europe (25,000 miles) is cheaper than Malaysia - Europe (85,000 miles!) So you get to save 15,000 miles each way, and get to visit another city, win-win!

3.) Central Asia to Europe. You really don't want to transit in India if you can help it. Thankfully, both Male (Maldives) and Colombo (Sri Lanka) are also included in this band. Both are wonderful countries for a stopover on the way to Europe, and flying to either of these countries from Malaysia can be very cheap.

From Central Asia, it only costs 47,500 Krisflyer miles to fly business-class to anywhere in Europe. Incidentally, Malaysia - Central Asia in business class is only 35,000 Krisflyer miles, so Malaysia to Central Asia followed by Central Asia to Europe is slightly cheaper than Malaysia direct to Europe.

A dream holiday in Europe with a stopover in Maldives sounds pretty awesome, if you ask me.

4.) Middle East to North America. For only 69,000 Krisflyer miles, you can fly Turkish Airlines business class from Muscat to New York. This is a long flight, clocking in at 7,099 miles total and 16 hours in the air, a bargain.

Unfortunately, it seems that only destinations on the East Coast are available. Still, it's an incredible deal for 16 hours of business class on a highly regarded airline.

5.) Southwest Pacific to Southwest Pacific. For only 28,000 Krisflyer miles, you can fly one-way business class from anywhere in Australia to New Zealand or even Tahiti (theoretically). The reason why I say theoretically is because award space on Air New Zealand is quite difficult to come by.

If you do manage to find award space, Melbourne to Tahiti via Auckland is over 8 hours of flying and 4,187 miles, and usually costs RM10,000+ for a return.