Last month we reported on changes to the perks offered to KrisFlyer UOB credit and debit cardholders when flying with SIA’s budget subsidiary Scoot, that apply when booking tickets though the dedicated UOB portal on the Scoot site.
The revised benefits were initially supposed to come into effect from 19th March 2024, but the day before that happened UOB announced that the changes would be postponed by a month, until 23rd April 2024 instead.
Today, five days prior to the new cutover date, the bank has confirmed that it is now pushing back the changes “till further notice”, in a statement published on the product landing page.
“The revisions to privileges on Scoot for KrisFlyer UOB Credit Cardmembers will be postponed till further notice. In the meantime, cardmembers can still enjoy the current privileges on Scoot stated in the Terms and Conditions governing KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card.”
UOB
Crucially this news means the booking flexibility waiver enjoyed by KrisFlyer UOB cardholders who book via the dedicated UOB portal on the Scoot site is still in effect, and will remain so for the foreseeable future.
On the flip side, however, some of the positive changes that were set to be introduced are now also on the back-burner for now.
Changes to Scoot privileges for KrisFlyer UOB cardholders
Here’s how the current Scoot privileges for KrisFlyer UOB cardholders were supposed to be changing last month (and then this month, and now… who knows when!)
Scoot Privileges for UOB cardholders
| Benefit | Current | Future |
| 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 was that free standard seat selection would have been extended to companions of KrisFlyer UOB cardholders travelling on the same booking, a policy that was set to save money for couples or groups who wish to sit together.
This enhancement will now not be happening until some unknown date in the future, so for now seat selection for companions remains chargeable.
However, there’s arguably better news about the postponement of these changes, because two of the negative aspects due to come were:
- The free additional 5kg baggage allowance for those purchasing at least 20kg of baggage allowance as part of their booking was set to become only a benefit for the main (principal) KrisFlyer UOB cardholder, and would no longer be extended to companions travelling on the same booking.
- Scoot was also withdrawing its booking flexibility waiver privilege from all KrisFlyer UOB cardholder bookings.
These things now also aren’t happening until some future date, which in our book is great news for many cardholders.
Crucially, it that means that a one-time change (for the first change) per flight itinerary is still on offer for KrisFlyer UOB cardholders, provided the booking includes the main cardholder.
There were no changes proposed for priority check-in and boarding, so these perks continue to apply for all travellers on a KrisFlyer UOB cardholder booking, regardless of when the bank finally gets round to implementing the new privileges.
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 (current or future), with payment also made via your card.
Scoot benefits for KrisFlyer and PPS Club members
The proposed changes to benefits for KrisFlyer UOB cardholders flying Scoot appeared to be designed to ensure there was basically no difference in perks between booking as a KrisFlyer Elite Silver or Gold member, or via the dedicated portal using your KrisFlyer UOB card.
The new benefits were effectively set to be harmonised, but that’s now not going to happen any time soon.
Here are the benefits that KrisFlyer Elite Silver and Gold members, plus PPS Club and Solitaire PPS Club members, receive when travelling with Scoot, which 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
Only PPS Club members get additional benefits when flying Scoot, which include booking flexibility waiver and, since June 2023, SilverKris lounge access for Solitaires.
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 |
Other KrisFlyer UOB credit card benefits
Aside from these (admittedly mediocre) 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 & Kris+ spend |
3 mpd dining & travel |
| READ OUR REVIEW | |||
| KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card | ||
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1.2 mpd general spend |
3 mpd SIA & Kris+ spend |
3 mpd travel & dining |
| READ OUR REVIEW | ||
Summary
KrisFlyer was seeking to align its status perks for Scoot privileges between its Elite members and those simply holding the KrisFlyer UOB credit and debit cards last month, and that meant the latter were due to see some changes.
After an initial postponement, the plans have now apparently been shelved for the foreseeable future, with UOB stating that existing benefits for its cardholders will remain in place “till further notice”.
That’s good news if you’re a fan of the booking flexibility benefit, and regarding additional baggage allowance for your companions travelling on the same booking, but unfortunately seat selection for companions will remain chargeable for now.
(Cover Photo: MainlyMiles)
With regard to Scoot benefits for KF Gold members- previously I was able to book Scoot flights via OTAs (because they were cheaper compared to booking directly with Scoot) and still add the booking to my Scoot flights via their “manage booking” to enjoy the KF Gold benefits.
Recently though, the ability to add the KF number has been removed from the “Manage Booking” page. Going forward, does that mean that KF Gold members will only enjoy the benefits of they book directly with Scoot?
Still able to update your KF number in the new manage booking for Scoot with OTA’s PNR, all you need is additional click…