Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer devalues its Star Alliance reward chart

Singapore Airlines has announced some changes to its Star Alliance reward chart from 16th April 2019.

If you are wondering why you should care, it is because:

Singapore Airlines is a transfer partner from American Express Membership Rewards, HSBC Premier and Heathrow Rewards

There are some very attractive sweet spots in the Singapore Airlines scheme for travel on Lufthansa, SWISS, Turkish and Austrian, amongst others

Our favourite Singapore Airlines redemption is 50,000 miles return in Business Class between the UK and Middle East.  This is an exceptional deal, given that British Airways wants 120,000 Avios on a peak-date for the same flight.  You would probably route via Germany on Lufthansa or Switzerland on SWISS.  Some other Star Alliance ‘sweet spots’ are covered in this HfP article.

Here is the current Star Alliance reward chart (PDF).  The new chart, from 16th April, is here (PDF).

It isn’t a decimation.  The Middle East deal goes from 50,000 miles return to 58,000 miles return, for example.  This is not great but it is still less than 50% of the miles you need with Avios.  If this means that the 58,000 miles rate is semi-guaranteed for the next 3-4 years then I will be happy.

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How to earn Star Alliance miles from UK credit cards (April 2025)

None of the Star Alliance airlines currently have a UK credit card.

There is, however, still a way to earn Star Alliance miles from a UK credit card. 

The route is via Marriott Bonvoy. Marriott Bonvoy hotel loyalty points convert to over 40 airlines at the rate of 3:1.

The best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points is via the official Marriott Bonvoy American Express card. It comes with 20,000 points for signing up and 2 points for every £1 you spend. At 2 Bonvoy points per £1, you are earning (at 3:1) 0.66 airline miles per £1 spent on the card.

There is a preferential conversion rate to United Airlines – which is a Star Alliance member – of 2 : 1 if you convert 60,000 Bonvoy points at once.

The Star Alliance members which are Marriott Bonvoy transfer partners are: Aegean, Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Avianca, Copa Airlines, Singapore Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines and United Airlines.

You can apply here.

Marriott Bonvoy American Express

20,000 points for signing up and 15 elite night credits each year Read our full review