Spontaneous Escapes have been announced for September 2022, with 30% off redemptions for selected Singapore Airlines routes in Business Class, Premium Economy Class and Economy Class.
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| Spontaneous Escapes |
As a reminder, the KrisFlyer devaluation on 5 July 2022 saw an 8-16% increase in the cost of Saver awards. This means that Spontaneous Escapes won’t be as cheap as they were at the start of the year, though obviously a 30% discount is better than none at all.
Do note that Spontaneous Escapes awards sometimes do not appear on the Singapore Airlines mobile app. If you’re encountering this issue, try using the desktop website instead.
Spontaneous Escapes: Ground Rules
All Spontaneous Escape awards must be booked and ticketed by 31 August 2022 and are for travel between 1-30 September 2022 (blackout dates may apply).
Singapore Airlines has rejigged its booking interface to show Spontaneous Escapes awards under a special Promo category. This is the one you should select when making your booking.
You might recall that prior to COVID, Spontaneous Escapes were a subset of Saver awards. This created a problem, namely that if you wanted to book a regular Saver award (because it came with added flexibility, unlike Spontaneous Escapes awards), you couldn’t actually do it!
Now that Spontaneous Escapes are a separate Promo category unto themselves, you have the freedom to choose to pay regular Saver prices if you so wish.
Spontaneous Escapes awards are strictly non-cancellable and non-changeable (SIA’s free rebooking policy doesn’t apply here, and in any case ended on 31 July 2022). How does that translate in a post-COVID world? Singapore Airlines has made the following concession:
For (i) any flights cancelled by SIA, or (ii) if a SQ-operated flight was removed from a Participant’s booking due to Covid-19 and governmental regulatory changes, the miles redeemed in the unused portion of the ticket will be refunded into the relevant Participant’s KrisFlyer account with no additional fees charged.
However, requests to change any booking details, or to retain the ticket for future use will not be granted. Participants may submit their request via the Assistance Request form.
-Spontaneous Escapes T&Cs
I need to make something clear: the above applies to regulatory changes, not conditions as they exist at the time of booking. For example, Japan is currently closed to the world. If you book a speculative Spontaneous Escapes booking for Japan this month and Japan doesn’t open by the time you travel, you have no basis to go to Singapore Airlines asking for a refund.
In contrast, Bali is currently open to visitors. If you book a Spontaneous Escapes booking for Bali, and Bali subsequently closes, then yes, you will have grounds for a refund.
It should also be noted that the T&Cs don’t address what happens if you can’t travel due to contracting COVID-19. I assume the onus is on you to buy travel insurance that covers miles & points bookings.
Which travel insurance policies covers miles and points bookings?
Here’s the other things you should know about Spontaneous Escapes deals.
| ❓ Spontaneous Escapes: The Basics |
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What if you have an existing award?
If you’ve already holding on to a confirmed award on a flight that is now under Spontaneous Escapes, you will need to:
- Book the Spontaneous Escapes rate
- Cancel the existing booking and pay the redeposit fee (US$75 for Saver, US$50 for Advantage)
I strongly recommend doing it in this order, in case the Spontaneous Escapes award space disappears in the meantime. It does mean you’ll need sufficient miles on hand, of course.
Depending on your luck, miles may be recredited immediately to your account, but can take up to 4-6 weeks. If you need them urgently, the CSO can put in a request to expedite the process. Needless to say, YMMV.
My picks for this month
The last three months have been extremely sparse for Spontaneous Escapes, and September is more of the same, unfortunately.
Europe and North America make a return, but only in Economy and Premium Economy Class- and the latter only between Frankfurt and New York JFK.
Bangkok and Bali are missing, while even the ever-reliable Ho Chi Minh drops off the radar this month. Da Nang is only available in Economy Class (9,450 miles) with almost half the month blocked off, while the only Business Class options are Hanoi and Manila (both 16,800 miles).
Options to South Asia are relatively more abundant, with Bangalore, Chennai, Dhaka, Colombo, Mumbai and New Delhi all available for 31,000 miles in Business Class.
Full list of Spontaneous Escapes
Business & Economy Class
South East Asia
West Asia & Africa
Europe
USA & Canada
Premium Economy Class
Premium Economy awards are also available, but honestly, I think you’re better off avoiding these. The comfort gap between Premium Economy and Business Class is wide (a recliner seat, no matter how good it is, will never beat a full flat bed), whereas the comfort gap between Economy and Premium Economy is marginal.
Therefore, I’d prefer to look for a destination offering 30% off Business Class awards.
West Asia & Africa
South West Pacific
Europe
USA & Canada
Conclusion
Spontaneous Escapes have been announced for September 2022, but just like the past three months there isn’t a lot to get excited about this time round. The reality is that load factors on SIA have almost reached pre-COVID highs, which leaves fewer seats for awards, much less deep discount ones.
Do remember to ticket your awards by 31 August 2022 (waitlists don’t count!), and purchase travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage should the worst happen.
What will you be booking for Spontaneous Escapes?
Based on SIAs reported load factors for June and July, they are even higher than precovid. If you look into the breakdown by region – Americas, Europe and Southwest Pacific in particular.
Overall load factor is only brought down by the lack of opening on North Asian borders.
indeed. as an SIA shareholder, my main question is: where lambo?
wen lambo
Hi Aaron, will I be able to clear the waitlist if I don’t have enough miles to meet the revised redemption award requirement by buying extra miles? This is because I waitlisted prior to the devaluation.
your balance doesnt affect your chances of clearing the waitlist. all that matters is you have enough miles at the time of redemption.