UOB’s KrisFlyer co-brand credit and debit cardholders have been able to benefit from some useful privileges when flying on SIA’s budget subsidiary Scoot, when booking tickets though the dedicated UOB portal on the Scoot site.
These perks include complimentary advance seat selection, priority check-in, extra baggage allowance and booking flexibility.
While they certainly aren’t game-changing, they are almost akin to a ‘Scoot Gold’ membership of sorts.
These perks were amended last month, effectively harmonising them with Scoot perks for KrisFlyer Elite Silver and Gold members. That means one positive and two negative changes rolled out for Scoot bookings made from 19th March 2024 onwards via the UOB portal with these cards.
Changes to Scoot privileges for KrisFlyer UOB cardholders
Here’s how the former Scoot privileges for KrisFlyer UOB cardholders have recently changed.
Scoot Privileges for UOB cardholders
| Benefit | Till 18 Mar 2024 |
From 19 Mar 2024 |
| Free standard seat selection (main cardholder) |
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| Free standard seat selection (companions) |
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| Extra 5kg baggage allowance* (main cardholder) |
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| Extra 5kg baggage allowance* (companions) |
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| Priority check-in and boarding (all travellers) |
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| Booking flexibility waiver (all travellers) |
* When min. 20kg baggage is purchased
As you can see, the positive news is that free standard seat selection has been extended to companions of KrisFlyer UOB cardholders travelling on the same booking, which will save money for couples or groups who wish to sit together.
Priority check-in and boarding has also been retained for all travellers on a KrisFlyer UOB cardholder booking.
On the negative news side, the free additional 5kg baggage allowance for those purchasing at least 20kg of baggage allowance as part of their booking is now only a benefit for the main (principal) KrisFlyer UOB cardholder, and is no longer extended to companions travelling on the same booking.
Scoot has also withdrawn its booking flexibility waiver privilege from all KrisFlyer UOB cardholder bookings.
This previously permitted a one-time change (for the first change) per flight itinerary, provided the booking included the main cardholder.
Since June 2022, Scoot offers a MultiFlex ticket option when booking. This allows unlimited flight date and time changes with no change fees (fare difference still applies), up till four hours prior to departure.
The additional fee starts at S$20, but can be as high as S$40 on longer flights. Unfortunately, KrisFlyer UOB cardholders receive no discount when purchasing the MultiFlex add-on.
Remember you will need to make your bookings via the dedicated UOB portal on the Scoot site in order to benefit from any of these perks, with payment also made via your card.
Scoot benefits for KrisFlyer and PPS Club members unchanged
As you may be aware, KrisFlyer Elite Silver and Gold members, plus PPS Club and Solitaire PPS Club members, already receive some very similar benefits when travelling with Scoot, though these apply regardless of the booking and payment method, provided your membership is linked to your booking.
Scoot Privileges for KrisFlyer & PPS Club members
| Benefit | Membership Tier | ||
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| Free standard seat selection (all travellers) |
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| Extra 5kg baggage allowance* (member) |
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| Priority check-in and boarding (all travellers) |
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| Booking flexibility waiver (all travellers) |
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| SilverKris Lounge Access (member + 1 guest) |
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* When min. 20kg baggage is purchased
As you can see, there is basically now no difference in perks on Scoot between booking as a KrisFlyer Elite Silver or Gold member, or via the dedicated portal using your KrisFlyer UOB card, with the benefits now effectively streamlined as a result of these latest changes.
Only PPS Club members get additional benefits when flying Scoot, which include booking flexibility waiver and, since June 2023, SilverKris lounge access.
You can find full up-to-date details of all KrisFlyer Elite Silver and Gold earning and benefits, and PPS Club earning and benefits, in our dedicated articles linked below.
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| KrisFlyer Elite Silver: Earning & Benefits READ OUR GUIDE |
KrisFlyer Elite Gold: Earning & Benefits READ OUR GUIDE |
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| KrisFlyer Elite Silver: Earning & Benefits READ OUR GUIDE |
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| KrisFlyer Elite Gold: Earning & Benefits READ OUR GUIDE |
The KrisFlyer UOB credit card has a great sign-up offer
While taking out a KrisFlyer UOB credit card isn’t something you’re likely to be doing only to benefit from these mediocre Scoot perks, if you’re new-to-bank there’s a great welcome offer running until the end of this month.
That involves a rare uncapped 25,000 miles sign-up bonus, when you spend S$2,000 in the first 60 days, a great opportunity to jump in with this card, which usually features one of UOB’s ‘gambling’ sign-up promotions, with a limit on how many applicants can receive the bonus (and no guarantee you’ll be among them).
Aside from Scoot perks, the KrisFlyer UOB credit card offers an uncapped 3 mpd earn rate on the following spend:
- Kris+
- KrisShop
- Scoot
- Singapore Airlines
- “Accelerated Miles” categories like dining, food delivery, online shopping, travel and transport*
* With S$800+ spend per year at SIA Group partners excluding Kris+
We recently updated our full review of the KrisFlyer UOB credit card, so be sure to check it out to help you decide whether it’s worthy of a place in your wallet.
| KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card | |||
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1.2 mpd general spend |
3 mpd SIA Group spend |
2.4 mpd dining & travel |
| READ OUR REVIEW | |||
| KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card | ||
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1.2 mpd general spend |
3 mpd SIA Group spend |
2.4 mpd dining & travel |
| READ OUR REVIEW | ||
Summary
KrisFlyer has aligned its status perks for Scoot privileges between its Elite members and those simply holding the KrisFlyer UOB credit and debit cards, and that means the latter have seen some changes.
The key fallout is the removal of booking flexibility, with Scoot’s paid MultiFlex option now the only way to secure some free changes to your booking, while companions travelling on your booking will also lose their 5kg additional baggage allowance.
On the plus side, free seat selection is now extended to companions on your booking, while priority check-in and boarding perks remain untouched.
(Cover Photo: MainlyMiles)
The standard seat selection is useless. Only given choice for last 2 rows.