Million Mile Secrets reader, Traci, commented:
Thanks for all of the great information! I’m wondering if I can transfer points from a Chase Sapphire Preferred and Citi ThankYou Premier card to Singapore Airlines. Then book a trip on United Airlines from Salt Lake City to San Juan, Puerto Rico?
That will work, Traci!
Singapore Airlines miles are a great way to book United Airlines awards flights!
I’ll explain how to book these flights and how it may even save you money!
How to Use Singapore Airlines Miles to Book United Airlines Flights to the Caribbean
You can use Singapore Airlines miles to book award flights on Star Alliance partners like United Airlines. And you don’t have to pay fuel surcharges on United Airlines flights!
To book your award seat, start by checking for flights at the United Airlines site.
Note: Make sure you can find flights first! Once you transfer your points to Singapore Airlines you can NOT get them back!
Once you find flights that fit with your travel plans, call Singapore Airlines at 312-843-5333 to make your reservation.
Singapore Airlines charges the same amount of miles on United Airlines as you’d pay booking directly. For a round-trip flight, you’ll need:
- 35,000 Singapore Airlines miles in coach
- 60,000 Singapore Airlines miles in Business Class
- 80,000 Singapore Airlines miles in First Class
Using Singapore Airlines Miles Can Save You Money!
If your plans change, getting a refund on canceled award flights you booked with United Airlines miles will cost folks without elite status $200. However, Singapore Airlines only charges $30 to redeposit your miles!
Even if you only want to make changes to your itinerary, you’ll have to pay a fee of $75 (21 or more days before travel) to $100 (less than 21 days before travel) with United Airlines. But if you use your Singapore Airlines miles, making a change to your itinerary costs just $20.
All the Ways to Earn Singapore Airlines Miles
It’s easy to earn lots of Singapore Airlines miles because you can transfer points from all 4 flexible points programs.
1. AMEX Membership Rewards
Link: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Link: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Link: AMEX EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card
Link: Premier Rewards Gold Card from American Express
AMEX Membership Rewards points transfer at a 1:1 ratio to Singapore Airlines in increments of 1,000 points.
And you do NOT have to pay excise fees because it’s not a US airline.
It usually takes ~24 hours for the miles to show up in your Singapore Airlines account.
2. Chase Ultimate Rewards
Link: Chase Freedom
Link: Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card
Link: Chase Ink Plus
Link: Chase Sapphire Preferred
You can earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points with these cards:
| Personal Cards | Business Cards |
|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | Chase Ink Business Preferred |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred Card | Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card |
| Chase Sapphire (No Longer Available to New Applicants) | |
| Note: Points earned from the Chase Freedom, Freedom Unlimited, Sapphire, and Ink Business Cash cards can only be transferred to travel partners if you also have a Chase Sapphire Reserve, Sapphire Preferred, Ink Business Preferred, Ink Plus, or Ink Bold card. |
But you need the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Ink Bold (no longer available), or Chase Ink Plus to transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards points directly to partners like Singapore Airlines at a 1:1 ratio.
You can transfer in 1,000 point increments and in my experience transfers go through on the same day.
2. Citi ThankYou Points
Link: Citi Prestige
Link: Citi ThankYou Premier Card
There are lots of ways to earn Citi ThankYou points:
| Cards With Points That Directly Transfer to Travel Partners | Cards With Points That Transfer ONLY If You Have a Card From First Column |
|---|---|
| Citi Prestige® Card | CitiBusiness ThankYou (No Longer Available) |
| Citi Chairman | Citi AT&T Access More (No Longer Available) |
And as long as you have the Citi Presitge, Citi ThankYou Premier, or Citi Chairman card (no longer available), you can transfer your Citi ThankYou points to Singapore Airlines at a 1:1 ratio.
You have to transfer in 1,000 point increments and it will typically take ~2 days for the miles to post to your Singapore Airlines account.
3. Starwood Points
Link: Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express
Link: Starwood Preferred Guest® Business Credit Card from American Express
You can also transfer Starwood points you earn with the AMEX Starwood personal and small business cards to Singapore Airlines. Plus, when you transfer in increments of 20,000 points, you’ll get a 5,000 point bonus!
Bottom Line
You can use Singapore Airlines miles to book flights from the US to the Caribbean on United Airlines. You’ll pay the same amount of miles for your flight and you can transfer points to Singapore Airlines from all 4 flexible points programs:
Before you transfer your points, make sure you can find a Saver award flight on the United Airlines site that works for you. When you’re ready to book, give Singapore Airlines a call at 312-843-5333.
I hope that helps, Traci!