Should I break my one rule?

I’ve made very clear the point that economy class redemptions do not make sense. And that’s just common sense. If you want to redeem your miles for economy class flights you’re better off using a cashback card and using the cashback to buy economy class tickets. Because the 1-2 cent per mile value you get from economyย is arguably less than a cashback card giving you ~3% on average.

However, I would like to confess that I am considering breaking that one rule for Koh Samui.

Koh Samui Airport is a funny story. The airport is actually privately owned by Bangkok Airways. ย Therefore, Bangkok Airways has the right to set whatever landing fees it damn well wishes. And they do.

Consider this table of SQ economy prices for flights to Thailand (for the dates I’m looking at

Route Lowest SQ Price Distance Cost per Mile
SIN-USM $803 626 mi $1.28
SIN-BKK ย $218 897 mi ย $0.24
SIN-HKT $238 ย 608 mi $0.39

See how Samuiย is ridiculously more expensive than Phuket or Bangkok? Shows you the marvels of competition, doesn’t it?

I’m planning a trip to burn my Starpoints at the Vanna Belle Koh Samui, which by all accounts is a great SPG aspirational property.ย Revenue rates at this property go for S$750 upwards, taxes included.

vannabelle1

It normally costs 40,000 points a night, but there’s a 35% redemption offer with the SPG Paradise is Closer promotion from now till March. This brings down the cost to 26,000 points per night. Still hefty, but at least vaguely realistic.

paradisecloser

Getting there is the problem. SQ’s flights to USM, as mentioned, price at a ridiculous $803 per person.

usmrevenue

Redeeming miles, on the other hand, costs 21,250 miles + $163 in taxes.

usmmiles

This is a value of 3 cents a mile, just below the 4-5 cent threshold of business class.

It is mighty tempting to spend those miles, if only to save some money. But on the other hand, it’s an economy class redemption and I can’t bring myself to spend my hard earned miles on that.

Suggestions?

Aaron Wong
Aaron Wong
Aaron founded The Milelion to help people travel better for less and impress chiobu. He was 50% successful.

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Rio

if i were you , definitely i wont pay that much for +-3 hours flight on economy for the cost of flight that almost can get me to Europe.

If u dont mind spend some time for transiting, Air Asia fly very cheap from KLIA2 to Surat Thani airport (this week i saw they sell for March for about 60 SGD return ! ) and from there you can buy shuttle+ferry package to Koh Samui for about 300-500 THB .

Again if u dont want sacrifice comfort definitely this is not an option

Rio

Yes, i did that option before. Flight from KLIA to Surat Thani leave around mid day. From airport its very easy to go to Samui since almost every tourist who land at this airport will go to Samui. There are many agent that sold shuttle+ferry package (60 min shuttle + around 90 min ferry ). Again you will waste about 2 day travel here (departing and leaving) but i believe you will spend less than 250 SGD (SIN-KL return about 100 SGD and KL-Surat Thani return also about 100 SGD if u book not really near the date ) I… Read more »

Joshua

I think Rio is onto something.
Another suggestion is to extend your holiday… fly out to Bangkok, spend a few days there (at another Starwood branch), fly into KS by Bangkok Airways at a cheaper rate. Do the reverse on the return leg.

There is a chance that you will have some change to spare with the airfare difference, while skimming off an extra holiday.

Shyh Jie

I flew to USM in Aug 2014 with the following flights:-

SIN-PEN-SIN with Tigerair
PEN-USM-PEN with Firefly (Tues, Thurs and Sat only)

Managed to secure promo fares for both bookings and spent S$250 in total. It’s probably more expensive for your travel dates but it is certainly cheaper than the direct MI flight.

Fred

I would say the reason to visit Samui would be the determining factor.
I redeemed for the Silkair Biz class which was nothing compared to SQ Biz but it was for a special occasion and over a public holiday weekend when the rates of economy was extremely high.
I chose Samui as it was near enough and I was keen to go somewhere new as I had been to Bali 3 times recently.
For the beach, it is nowhere near the Maldives, for the food, nowhere near Bangkok and same for the massage.

Fred

Definitely underwhelmed by Samui. I did the new Sheraton ( my review is in a 6-month backlog) which is very near the Vana Belle. So if you do stay there, the beach is very nice.
But as I mentioned, Maldives resorts (those requiring seaplane) is really much better for beaches. I was at W Maldives and Angsana Ihuru and the beaches are wonderful thanks to the staff upkeeping.
I just discovered your site recently and was thinking if I could link my blog ( which is purely for interest) or post reviews.