The Points Analyst flags that Singapore Airlines is offering business class award space between New York JFK and Frankfurt over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays and then most days in 2024 through end of the schedule.
- These flights are bookable using 81,000 Singapore Airlines miles each way and Singapore is a transfer partner of Chase, American Express, Citibank and Capital One.
- About half of dates appear bookable using 60,000 Air Canada Aeroplan miles each way and Air Canada is a transfer partner of Chase, American Express, Capital One and Bilt.
There are no fuel surcharges booking these flights through either program.
Perhaps oddly, while Alaska Airlines has in recent times also had access to some long haul premium cabin Singapore Airlines award space, it’s been less space than Air Canada has shown and these seats don’t appear to be coming up on Alaska’s award search. I did not check Lufthansa Miles & More availability, Lufthansa also sometimes has access to Singapore space that United does not.
Bear in mind that while transfers from a variety of frequent flyer currencies to Aeroplan are instant, they’re not all instant if you move miles to Singapore’s own KrisFlyer program, though they’ve become instant for Amex transfers. Singapore will often let you put seats on hold pending a transfer if you call – if you get told no hang up and call back.
Singapore Airlines generally has a good but not great business class seat – it’s fully flat with direct aisle access, and the bulkhead offers amazing space, but you wind up angling your legs under the seat in front of you. The soft product is excellent – food (including “Book the Cook” where you choose in advance what the airline will have for you to eat on board if you wish), service, and the KrisWorld entertainment system. You can use United’s Polaris lounges where available from Singapore’s gateways in the U.S. (though there is not one at JFK).
And since Singapore is a member of Star Alliance, it’s possible to include United Airlines domestic award seats to get to and from these flights in the U.S. using Singapore’s Star Alliance award chart if United saver space is available. That holds true when redeeming through Air Canada Aeroplan as well. It’s also possible to book onward connections in Europe and Asia.
Source: View From The Wing