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 economy 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. Â 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 | Â $218 | 897 mi | Â $0.24 |
| SIN-HKT | $238 | Â 608 mi | $0.39 |
See how Samui 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. Revenue rates at this property go for S$750 upwards, taxes included.
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.
Getting there is the problem. SQ’s flights to USM, as mentioned, price at a ridiculous $803 per person.
Redeeming miles, on the other hand, costs 21,250 miles + $163 in taxes.
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?
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
the alternative, which i failed to mention, is that i could get a dirt cheap flight to bangkok and buy a separate unmarried segment on thai/bangkok airways from BKK-USM. I have priced that out to be around S$600 but again since i can’t marry the segments i need to leave enough time inbetween the flights (even without check in baggage). So that takes away another 2-ish hours+ on what is supposed to be a quick regional getaway. you’re right that the cash outlay is ridiculous though. i’m going to look at that air asia option you mentioned but i think… Read more »
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 »
your idea sounds super tempting, but i just can’t spare the time. I mean, getting to KLIA, then to Surat Thani, then the shuttle/ferry. Like you said, ~2 days of additional travel. Still, it’s a good idea for people who put price above everything else. Will compile all these great tips in a subsequent post, thanks man!
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.
yup- that’s another option i should consider. means having to use another day of precious leave though…
you know what the annoying thing is? the SQ website advertises promotional fares of S$368 to USM. but i can’t find them on ANY dates at all.
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.
will definitely check this out. the drawback of course is having to budget time for transfers on what is supposed to be a short regional getaway. i believe i could do the same via BKK but i dont believe i could get a price as good as $250
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.
Thanks Fred. I’ve never flown Silkair biz before but can’t really see any compelling reason to do so given the short duration of the flight.
it sounds like you were underwhelmed by samui (which hotel did you stay in?). i had considered the maldives but the good resorts in the maldives can only be reached by seaplane which tacks on a ridiculous amount (US$500? if i recall correctly) to your trip cost. i’m going to save that one for the honeymoon
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.
fred- check your email, thanks!