Back in late September we reported on a new partnership between the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer programme and luxury hotel booking app HoteLux, which saw a status match being offered to KrisFlyer and PPS Club members that is still ongoing through to the end of 2023.
Part of the deal was also set to be the option to transfer HoteLux points to KrisFlyer miles at various ratios based on your HoteLux membership tier, and this week that option has finally gone live.
Unfortunately the transfer ratios aren’t too attractive, as we mentioned last month, and there’s no opportunity to capitalise on significantly smaller transfer blocks than HoteLux offers for its (better value) hotel vouchers.
That makes this new transfer option relatively unattractive for most of our readers.
What is HoteLux?
HoteLux is a hotel booking app that allows you to access travel advisor rates at over 4,000 luxury hotels worldwide, without the added hassle of actually contracting an advisor, for exclusive perks on your booking and the ability to earn hotel loyalty points, elite night credits and HoteLux Points on your booking.
HoteLux Elite members can tap rates from the likes of Virtuoso, Marriott STARS and Rosewood Elite, including things like third night free offers, additional hotel credit, and elite membership perks, often at the hotel’s best available rate.
Benefits when booking through HoteLux as an Elite or Elite Plus member during your stay include:
- Daily breakfast for two
- US$100 dining or spa credit
- Welcome amenity
- Early check in and late check out (subject to availability)
- Room upgrades (subject to availability)
HoteLux doesn’t take any payment from you – instead your card details are used simply to secure any reservation, and you’ll pay directly at the hotel.
You can download the HoteLux app via the QR code above, or via the App Store or Google Play.
Transfer HoteLux points to KrisFlyer miles
As part of this new partnership, you can now convert your HoteLux Points into KrisFlyer miles.
Unfortunately the conversion ratios are not very attractive.
HoteLux Points to KrisFlyer miles
| HoteLux Membership Status | Conversion Rate |
 HoteLux Elite |
1 Point 3 KF Miles with the following transfer options: • 4,000 Points = 12,000 KF Miles • 5,000 Points = 15,000 KF Miles • 6,000 Points = 18,000 KF Miles |
 HoteLux Elite Plus |
1 Point 4 KF Miles with the following transfer options: • 4,000 Points = 16,000 KF Miles • 5,000 Points = 20,000 KF Miles • 6,000 Points = 24,000 KF Miles |
 HoteLux 1A Club |
1 Point 5 KF Miles with the following transfer options: • 4,000 Points = 20,000 KF Miles • 5,000 Points = 25,000 KF Miles • 6,000 Points = 30,000 KF Miles |
HoteLux points are worth US$0.09 (around S$0.12) each as room vouchers against future stays, in the following denominations:
- US$400 voucher for 4,399 Points
- US$500 voucher for 5,499 Points
- US$600 voucher for 6,599 Points
- US$700 voucher for 7,699 Points
- US$800 voucher for 8,799 Points
Points can be used as part payment for a booking – so you can use the US$400 voucher, for example, for a stay of US$450 (you’ll simply pay the rest separately in this case).
That is usually much better value than you’ll achieve when converting them to KrisFlyer miles.
Otherwise you are effectively ‘buying’ KrisFlyer miles at the following rates:
- Elite: 4 Singapore cents per mile
- Elite Plus: 3 Singapore cents per mile
- A1 Club: 2.4 Singapore cents per mile
That’s unlikely to be of any interest to our readers, since you’ll almost never realise such high valuations for your miles, even when used for future First and Business Class flight redemptions.
However, a transfer of 4,000 HoteLux points to KrisFlyer miles does give you the option to ‘cash out’ a volume of HoteLux points that’s insufficient for a hotel room voucher. That’s perhaps useful if you’ve decided you won’t be adding to your HoteLux Points balance in future.
If you do wish to convert, simply do so via the HoteLux app by clicking your profile name at the top left of the screen after logging in, then clicking on Redeem KrisFlyer Miles.
You will then need to enter your KrisFlyer account membership number and your first and last name as they are registered with KrisFlyer to initiate the transfer.
Ongoing status match for KrisFlyer members
While HoteLux Points to KrisFlyer miles don’t represent good value, as we mentioned last month the platform continues to offer Singapore Airlines frequent flyers holding KrisFlyer Elite Gold status and above a complimentary status match in its programme, as follows.
HoteLux KrisFlyer Status Match
| KrisFlyer Membership Tier | HoteLux Membership Status |
 KrisFlyer Elite Gold |
HoteLux Elite (earn 2 points per US$10) |
 PPS ClubSolitaire PPS Club |
HoteLux Elite Plus (earn 3 points per US$10) |
Your status tier will be upgraded to HoteLux Elite or HoteLux Elite Plus for 12 months, based on your existing KrisFlyer or PPS status tier.
A 12-month subscription to HoteLux Elite usually costs US$349, while HoteLux Elite Plus costs US$499. You can also currently earn HoteLux Elite status for three months by referring five friends to the programme.
Enjoy accelerated status match with HoteLux as a PPS Club or KrisFlyer Elite Gold member! Get ready for an unforgettable journey complete with welcome letters and gifts at select participating hotels – just another way we make sure you feel special every time you travel.
Singapore Airlines
You must submit your status match request no later than 31st December 2023, so if you’re a KrisFlyer Elite Gold member on your way to PPS Club membership and will hit that tier before the end of the year, it’s probably better to hold off applying until then to score HoteLux Elite Plus.
To retain your status after the 12-month match expires you will need to earn a specific number of qualifying nights booked through HoteLux within the upgraded membership year, as follows.
HoteLux Status Retention Requirements
| HoteLux Status | Qualifying Nights Required |
| HoteLux Elite | 15 nights |
| HoteLux Elite Plus | 30 nights |
To apply for the status match, follow the step-by-step instructions provided here.
First booking promotion for PPS Club members
As we also mentioned last month, part of this new partnership includes a cash back promotion on the first HoteLux booking for PPS Club and Solitaire PPS Club members who match to HoteLux Elite Plus status.
PPS Club and Solitaire PPS Club
Cash Back Offer
| Qualifying Booking Value | Cash Back |
| S$1,000 | S$80 |
| S$2,000 | S$160 |
| S$3,000 | S$240 |
| S$4,000 | S$320 |
| S$5,000 | S$400 |
To take advantage of this offer after your status match has been approved, you will need to book and complete your first stay by 31st December 2023.
This 8% cash back will be credited to your PayNow account no later than 31st January 2024.
The registered name of your PayNow account must match your registered name in the PPS Club or Solitaire PPS Club programme, and the lead guest’s name in the hotel booking itself.
Full terms and conditions are available via the HoteLux app.
Summary
HoteLux has now launched its points to KrisFlyer miles transfer option, but as we already knew the ratios announced in late September still apply and therefore such a conversion represents very bad value compared to using the points within HoteLux itself.
Transfer block sizes also aren’t particularly attractive – we were hoping for some smaller-sized blocks to help members extract orphan points out of the scheme, but that probably isn’t something HoteLux really wants you to do!
On the status match front, being able to access HoteLux Elite membership tiers as a KrisFlyer Elite Gold or PPS Club member for 12 months for free is still definitely worth considering, between now and the end of 2023.
There’s also an ongoing cash back offer for your first booking as a PPS Club or Solitaire PPS Club member, but as for points to KrisFlyer transfers – avoid.
(Cover Photo: Capella Hotels and Resorts)