Status: checked against official sources; automated independent review
GUIDE
How to use KrisFlyer upgrade awards on paid tickets
KrisFlyer upgrade awards are redemptions that spend KrisFlyer miles, the currency of Singapore Airlines' KrisFlyer programme, on moving an already-booked flight into a higher cabin, and the programme's terms list upgrade awards on Singapore Airlines, Star Alliance and other partner airlines as one of the things miles can be used for. [5]
Facts checked: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
- An upgrade award spends KrisFlyer miles to move a paid booking into a higher cabin, and the terms name Singapore Airlines, Star Alliance and other partner airlines as the airlines where miles can be redeemed this way. [5]
- KrisFlyer miles are the redeemable currency; Elite miles are tracked for the sole purpose of setting Elite Silver and Elite Gold status and cannot be used for award flights, upgrade awards or airfares. [5] [6]
- Membership is personal, and miles, status credits and benefits cannot be transferred, with an exception for accounts held by minors where miles can move to a linked parent or guardian. [5]
- Singapore Airlines may change the award structure, award levels and award availability without prior notice, and awards on partner airlines depend on the partner staying in the programme. [5]
What is a KrisFlyer upgrade award?
The rules described on this page are those of Singapore Airlines' KrisFlyer programme, as published in its terms and conditions at 18 October 2026, and they apply to KrisFlyer members using miles from their own account. [5] In those terms, "upgrade" is grouped with award tickets, redemption tickets, PPS Value and KrisFlyer Milestone Rewards as part of the programme's benefits, and Singapore Airlines reserves the right to modify all of them. [5]
The clearest statement of what miles buy sits in the section on using miles: members may redeem KrisFlyer miles for award tickets, upgrade awards and redemption tickets on Singapore Airlines, Star Alliance and other partner airlines. [5] Miles are a redemption currency rather than cash, because KrisFlyer miles may not be exchanged for cash or vouchers. [5]
| Use | Where it applies |
|---|---|
| Upgrade awards | Singapore Airlines, Star Alliance and other partner airlines [5] |
| Award tickets and redemption tickets | Singapore Airlines, Star Alliance and other partner airlines [5] |
| Part or all of a fare, airport taxes and selected ancillaries | Singapore Airlines bookings made on singaporeair.com [5] |
| Economy Class award tickets | Selected Scoot flights booked on FlyScoot.com or the Scoot mobile app [5] |
Who can use KrisFlyer miles for an upgrade?
A KrisFlyer membership is strictly personal and only for the member's use, and it cannot be transferred, sold or bartered. [5] Membership, including the membership card, Elite miles, PPS Value, KrisFlyer miles and other benefits, is not transferable, except that miles in an account held by a minor can be moved to a linked parent or guardian's account once the account-linking requirements are met and the relevant service fee is paid. [5] Each member may hold only one account, and joint accounts are not permitted. [5]
Miles are credited to the person who does the qualifying activity: on flights, to the member who travels, regardless of who paid for the ticket; on non-flight transactions, to the member who performs the transaction with the partner. [5] Membership is open to individuals aged two and above, and applicants aged between 2 and 16 need parental or legal guardian consent. [5]
For airfare redemptions made on singaporeair.com, the terms allow a member to redeem miles for all or part of their own airfare or the airfare of any of their five redemption nominees. [5] Miles held in an account as Elite miles are a separate currency and cannot be spent on upgrades. [5] [6]
How are award levels and availability set?
The award structure, the award levels and the availability of awards are all things Singapore Airlines may modify at its sole discretion and without prior notice, so the miles an upgrade costs and whether an upgrade can be had are not fixed promises. [5] Members are responsible for keeping themselves informed of the current terms, and continued participation in the programme is treated as acceptance of them. [5]
Each redemption of KrisFlyer miles is subject to a minimum number of miles, which is published on singaporeair.com and can change from time to time. [5] Awards from programme partners depend on the partner's continued participation in KrisFlyer, so a partner's withdrawal can affect what is on offer. [5]
What limits and exceptions apply?
For redemptions of KrisFlyer miles against Singapore Airlines and Scoot fares, the terms exclude tickets purchased through travel agents, Singapore Airlines ticket offices or call centres, and Scoot ticket offices or call centres. [5] Miles also cannot pay for corporate fares, group fares, or any fare that includes a flight segment not operated by Singapore Airlines, such as codeshares, interline and round-the-world itineraries. [5] Tickets redeemed fully or partially with KrisFlyer miles are non-endorsable regardless of the fare conditions. [5]
- Suspension. While a membership is suspended the member cannot use accrued KrisFlyer miles, status credits, benefits or rewards, and those with limited validity may expire during the suspension. [5]
- Termination. If membership is terminated or the member is permanently excluded, accrued miles, status credits, rewards and other benefits are revoked and forfeited without compensation. [5] A member may also end membership in writing, in which case outstanding miles and rewards are forfeited. [5]
- Inactivity. An account with no recorded earning activity for 45 consecutive months or more may be closed without prior notice, as may an account with no recorded activity for 24 months or more from the date membership began. [5]
- Death. Membership ends immediately on the member's death, and miles, status credits and rewards earned but not redeemed are forfeited; they are not personal property and cannot be bequeathed. [5]
Frequently asked questions
Can I pay for an upgrade with Elite miles?
No. Elite miles are tracked separately for the sole purpose of determining Elite Silver and Elite Gold status, and they cannot be used for award flights, upgrade awards or airfares. [5] [6] Upgrade awards are listed as a use of KrisFlyer miles. [5]
Can I move my miles to another person's account so they can upgrade?
Not generally. KrisFlyer membership is personal and miles, status credits and benefits are not transferable; the exception is miles held in a minor's account, which can be moved to a linked parent or guardian's account when the linking requirements are met and the fee is paid. [5]
Can I use miles to upgrade a ticket I bought through a travel agent?
The terms exclude miles redemptions for tickets purchased through travel agents, Singapore Airlines ticket offices or call centres, and Scoot ticket offices or call centres. [5]
Can Singapore Airlines change how many miles an upgrade costs?
Yes. Singapore Airlines may modify the award structure, award levels and availability of awards at its sole discretion without prior notice, and members are responsible for keeping up to date with the current terms. [5]
Which airlines can a KrisFlyer upgrade award be used on?
Miles can be redeemed for upgrade awards on Singapore Airlines, Star Alliance and other partner airlines. [5] Awards from programme partners depend on the partner's continued participation in KrisFlyer. [5]
Sources
Sources accessed on 18 October 2026. It covers Singapore Airlines' KrisFlyer programme only; the upgrade rules of other airlines and alliances, including other Star Alliance members, and of hotel or credit-card programmes, are not covered.
- KrisFlyer terms and conditions, Singapore Airlines, checked 18 October 2026
- KrisFlyer Elite Silver and Elite Gold qualification, Singapore Airlines, checked 18 October 2026