New KrisFlyer Experiences: Redeem miles for Boeing 737 flight simulator or doggie cruise

Singapore Airlines has launched two new activities on its KrisFlyer Experiences platform, offering KrisFlyer members the opportunity to redeem miles for a Boeing 737 simulator experience, or a dog cruise on the Royal Albatross dining ship. 

Here’s the details of these new experiences: 

All experiences are non-refundable once redeemed, and members can redeem as many of each item as they wish, subject to availability. 

❓ What are KrisFlyer Experiences?

KrisFlyer Experiences launched back in January 2020, allowing members to redeem their KrisFlyer miles for money-can’t-buy experiences. Past experiences have included various online workshops, high-end dining packages, and a KrisFlyer cruise-to-nowhere. KrisFlyer Experiences can be redeemed for the member or his/her friends and family.

Flight Simulators

Family Flight Experience

Family Flight Experience

Take turns to be the Captain of a Boeing 737. From take-off to landing, experience different weather conditions and learn the basics of the autopilot.

Feel the roar of the afterburners as you soar over some of the world’s most iconic cities and landscapes in a F/A-18 fighter jet at supersonic speeds. Then, enjoy the adrenaline and freedom of flight in VR. View the full programme here.

This experience costs 38,000 miles, and once redeemed, can be booked anytime up till 1 December 2021. Two different activities are included:

For avoidance of doubt, it’s not either/or; your redemption allows you to enjoy both of the above activities. The Boeing 737 session takes place at the Singapore Flyer while the VR session is at Funan Mall, so you may book both on separate dates. 

If you were lucky enough to try the Boeing simulator during Inside SIA, do note that this is a different sort. Singapore Airlines’ training centre uses a full flight simulator, with hydraulic jacks to simulate movement. The simulator at Flight Experience is a fixed based simulator, and hence lacks the movement of the former. No prizes for guessing which one is more immersive (or expensive). 

Bookings must be made at least 48 hours in advance, and no cancellation or changes are permitted within 24 hours of the booked time. Booking requests can be sent to singapore@flightexperience.com.sg. 

Young Aviators Enrichment Programme

Young Aviators Programme

If you child is keen to explore aviation as a potential career pathway or simply curious to learn more about what it takes to be a pilot, the Extended Young Aviators Enrichment Program is tailored for them.

Recommended for those ages 6- 18 years old, participants will learn how airplanes fly from professional pilots before turning their knowledge into action in a Boeing 737 flight simulator.

Participants will also get a 30-minute orientation by a professional pilot, 30 minutes of flying and more! View the full programme here.

This experience costs 20,000 miles, and once redeemed, can be booked anytime up till 1 December 2021. It’s a separate programme recommended for children aged 6-18, and includes just the Boeing 737 flight simulator component with 30 minutes of flying time. 

Just like the Family Flight Experience, all bookings must be made at least 48 hours in advance, and no cancellation or changes are permitted within 24 hours of the booked time. Booking requests can be sent to singapore@flightexperience.com.sg. 

Dog Cruise

Dog Cruise (Small/Medium)

Dog Cruise (Big)

During the 2.5-hour cruise, members can look forward a welcome mocktail and a 3-course plated dinner with free flow soft drinks and a specially created KrisFlyer dessert. Your fur kid will also be treated to a 3-course plated dinner and free flow water.

Now I’ve seen everything. For 50,000/60,000 miles, KrisFlyer members can redeem a dinner cruise with their small & medium (<20kg) / big dogs (20kg and above). 

This takes place on the Royal Albatross every Wednesday from 6.30 p.m to 9 p.m. Both humans and pooches get their own three-course dinner; the FAQ helpfully notes that your dog is not allowed to eat from your plate. 

Tickets are changeable, transferable and valid for six months from the date of redemption. Bookings must be made at least 72 hours in advance through reservations@tallship.com.sg.

Unfortunately, the mile doggie is not much of a seafarer, and prefers to spend his days in various states of unconsciousness. 

It’s a tough life. 

Is it worth it?

While KrisFlyer Experiences is supposedly about money-can’t-buy experiences, both of these activities are very much purchasable by the general public.

The retail cost of a 60-minute Boeing 737 experience is S$295, and two VR experiences a further S$65 each. Singapore residents enjoy a further 10% off, so all things considered, you get a value of 1 cent per mile. 

That’s poor enough, but the dog cruise isn’t any better. This normally costs S$494/530 for a couple with a small/medium dog, and S$577 with a large dog. Therefore, the value per mile is roughly 0.96-1.06 cents per mile.

If you like either of these experiences, you’d be much better off paying cash for them.

Conclusion

The latest KrisFlyer Experiences are interesting ones indeed, but neither one represents particularly good value for your miles. Moreover, it’s not even an exclusive event (unlike the KrisFlyer cruise to nowhere); you’re basically using miles instead of cash to pay. 

I’d pass on these if I were you.