AMEX Perfect Vacation: Win Shangri-La & Barracks Hotel staycations, plus 20,000 KrisFlyer miles

When Singapore Airlines launched KrisFlyer back in 1999 (replacing Passages, a shared frequent flyer program with MAS and Cathay), it wasted no time in seeking out a co-brand card partner.

Barely a year later, American Express was announced as the airline’s first-ever cobrand card issuer, launching the product simultaneously across Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Taiwan. The earn rate for Singaporeans? A paltry 1 mile for every S$1.60 spent, or just 0.63 mpd. Those were the days…

20 years have passed since then, and to mark two decades of partnership, American Express and Singapore Airlines are running a Perfect Vacation at Home Draw. Up for grabs are 20 staycations at the Shangri-La/Barracks Hotel, plus 400,000 KrisFlyer miles. 

How do I earn chances?

No registration is required. This draw is open to anyone holding an American Express Singapore Airlines cobrand consumer card, i.e:

• AMEX KrisFlyer Credit Card
• AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend
• AMEX Solitaire PPS Club Card
• AMEX PPS Club Card

From 1 December 2020 to 31 January 2021, cardmembers will accrue chances based on their spending and referrals, awarded as follows:

• Every cumulative spend of S$50 on eligible transactions will earn 1 chance.
• Every cumulative spend of S$50 on eligible transactions with Singapore Airlines and KrisShop.com will earn 2 chances
• Every successful referral for the KrisFlyer Credit Card or KrisFlyer Ascend will earn 10 chances

Note how the S$50 spending is “cumulative“- it need not be in a single transaction. For example, if I make three transactions of S$10, S$40 and S$60, I’ll receive a total of two chances (S$110 spend). 

Eligible transactions refers to anything other than those specifically excluded by American Express, such as GrabPay top-ups, SPC transactions and insurance payments. Supplementary cardholder spending will accrue to the principal cardholder when determining eligible transactions.  

What are the prizes?

There are a total of 20 prizes to be won. Each prize includes:

• A one-night hotel stay for two adults from 1-30 April 2021 at either the Shangri-La Hotel or Barracks Hotel
• 20,000 KrisFlyer miles
• Two sets of welcome gifts consisting of American Express and Singapore Airlines merchandise

The welcome gifts will be presented during the hotel stay, while the 20,000 KrisFlyer miles will be credited to your account within 30 days after the hotel stay. 

Do take note that according to the T&C, winners will be allotted a date and location at random, and cannot change to a different date or hotel. In other words, you don’t have a say in the matter, so I hope your calendar is clear! 

But really, you can’t go wrong with either hotel. The Shangri-La staycation will be in a Valley Wing Deluxe Room, which comes with breakfast in the Summit Room, afternoon tea and evening canapes in the Valley Wing Lobby Lounge, and all-day champagne at the Champagne Bar. I recently visited the Valley Wing; check out the full review here. 

While the Shangri-La Valley Wing is private and exclusive, it’s still relatively crowded (131 rooms) compared to the Barracks (40 rooms).

The Barracks Hotel staycation will be in a Premier Room with Pool Access- these ground floor units are considered relatively more desirable because you can step off your patio directly into the pool. All guests will enjoy breakfast, all-day refreshments and evening cocktails at The Living Room lounge. I visited this hotel on a media stay when it first opened; check out my impressions here. 

The draw will be conducted on 1 March 2021, and winners will be informed on 5 March 2021 or within 7 business days after the draw date. The full T&C of this campaign can be found at the bottom of this page. 

Conclusion

With all the AMEX Offers we’re seeing recently, there should be plenty of opportunities to put some spending on your KrisFlyer cobrand cards. Lucky draw chances will be accrued automatically, so there’s no further action needed on your part. 

While you don’t have a say in which hotel you get, both should provide a very pleasant staycation experience indeed.