Last week we reported on a new redemption option for your Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles, with selected Malaysia Airlines flights added to the partner award list, as the two carriers move more closely together and form a joint business arrangement on key routes.
This development saw the ability to redeem KrisFlyer miles in both Economy Class and Business Class on the following Malaysia Airlines routes:
- Singapore to and from Kuala Lumpur
- Kuala Lumpur to and from London
While the rates weren’t particularly attractive, effectively matching KrisFlyer Saver / Star Alliance award levels, there were two key potential benefits when booking in Business Class:
- A long-haul option to and from London when Saver award space is unavailable on Singapore Airlines
- A ticket to the ‘Oneworld lounge safari’ at Changi Airport using KrisFlyer miles, with a Singapore – KL redemption.
Business Class awards axed
Unfortunately Singapore Airlines has now removed the Business Class redemption option for award travel using KrisFlyer miles on Malaysia Airlines, effective from 8th March 2024.
Here’s a ‘before and after’ of the KrisFlyer Malaysia Airlines Partner Award Chart.
Indeed our partner award searches, previously showing plentiful availability in Business Class on Malaysia Airlines on these two routes, now reveal no Business Class options at all.
However, there is still extensive redemption availability in Economy Class, as the revised award chart suggests.
Unfortunately this practically removes the two key benefits of this new redemption partnership, only a week after they first became available!
Hopefully the Business Class award options on Malaysia Airlines can be restored in future, because the Economy rates aren’t a particularly good use of your miles on either route.
Kuala Lumpur to / from London
- KUL – LHR (Economy): 49,500 miles + MYR 154 (~S$44)
- LHR – KUL (Economy) 49,500 + GBP 259.89 (~S$443)
Kuala Lumpur to / from Singapore
- KUL – SIN (Economy): 8,500 miles + MYR 74 (~S$21)
- SIN – KUL (Economy): 8,500 miles + S$76.00
What about Oneworld elites?
Oneworld elite members (Sapphire and Emerald tiers) should still be able to access Oneworld lounges at Changi Airport prior to departure on a Malaysia Airlines flight in Economy Class, even if booked using KrisFlyer miles.
To do this, you’ll have to change the FFP linked to your booking to your Oneworld one, via the Malaysia Airlines manage booking portal after securing your redemption. Failing that, it can be done at the check-in desk.
Unfortunately this won’t allow access to the fantastic Qatar Airways Singapore Premium Lounge, which requires guests to be travelling in Business Class in order to cross the threshold.
Nonetheless, you should still be able to use the British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Qantas lounges prior to departure in this case.
Summary
Singapore Airlines added a new KrisFlyer redemption option on selected Malaysia Airlines flights last month, which was good for travel in both Economy Class and Business Class, and that had two potential use cases for our readers.
Unfortunately this week Business Class awards have been scrubbed from the list and also removed from the SIA site, leaving only the relatively poor-value Economy Class options on the table.
These are unlikely to be much use, with the possible exception of Oneworld elites heading from Singapore to KL, who should still be able to try out a ‘lounge safari’ before departure, by adding their respective FFP details to the booking.
It will be interesting to see how the Singapore Airlines – Malaysia Airlines partnership develops further for frequent flyers in both the KrisFlyer and Enrich programmes, following this somewhat rocky start.
(Cover Photo: Airbus)