HoteLux adds KrisFlyer miles conversions and status match for Elite Gold & PPS Club members

HoteLux is a hotel booking app that lets users book travel advisor rates such as Hyatt Prive, Marriott STARS, Rosewood Elite, Shangri-La Luxury Circle and Virtuoso at more than 4,000 luxury hotels worldwide. These rates typically include extra perks such as free breakfast, room upgrades, late check-out and a US$100 hotel credit. 

Last month, HoteLux launched a partnership with Singapore Airlines that offers KrisFlyer Elite Gold and PPS Club members an instant 12-month Elite and Elite Plus membership respectively.

At the same time, a points transfer partnership was teased too. Conversions have now gone live, and unfortunately, they’re not very exciting.

Transfer HoteLux points to KrisFlyer miles

HoteLux members can now convert HoteLux points to KrisFlyer miles at the following ratios:

Only three conversion blocks are available:

• 4,000 HoteLux points
• 5,000 HoteLux points
• 6,000 HoteLux points

To convert HoteLux points to KrisFlyer miles, tap on your name at the top left hand corner, and then Redeem KrisFlyer Miles. 

You’ll be prompted to provide your membership number, as well as the first and last name as they appear on your account. No conversion fees are applicable.

Each HoteLux member can redeem KrisFlyer miles once per 12 months “among the three given options accordingly”. It’s unclear whether this means you can redeem each block a maximum of once per 12 months, or whether you can redeem HoteLux points for KrisFlyer miles a maximum of once per 12 months.

Either way, I wouldn’t be too worried because you shouldn’t be redeeming HoteLux points for KrisFlyer miles in the first place.

HoteLux points are worth around US$0.09 (~S$0.12) when redeemed for hotel vouchers. Should you choose to convert them to KrisFlyer miles, the implicit opportunity cost is:

• Elite: S$0.04 per mile
• Elite Plus: S$0.03 per mile
• 1A Club: S$0.024 per mile

That is way too much to be paying for miles.

Moreover, it’s not like KrisFlyer miles conversions offer a way of cashing out orphan points. The minimum conversion block is 4,000 points, and if you managed to reach that threshold, you’d be better off redeeming something else from the HoteLux rewards catalogue instead.

That’s all the more because HoteLux has finally improved its voucher system. It used to be that a US$X voucher could only be used for a booking of US$X or less. Now, you can top up the difference with a credit card.

Revolutionary, eh?

HoteLux status match

Singapore Airlines Tier	HoteLux Status	Earn Rate
KrisFlyer Elite Gold	HoteLux Elite	2 points per US$10
Solitaire PPS & PPS Club	HoteLux Elite Plus	3 points per US$10

From now till 31 December 2023, KrisFlyer Elite Gold and Solitaire PPS/PPS Club members can apply for an instant match to HoteLux Elite and HoteLux Elite Plus. 

This usually retails for US$349 and US$499 respectively, but with HoteLux practically giving away status to every credit card and loyalty programme out there, I have yet to hear of one person paying cash for a membership.

This status is valid for 12 months, during which members must meet the minimum qualifying nights to retain their status for a further 12-month period:

• HoteLux Elite: 15 nights via HoteLux
• HoteLux Elite Plus: 30 nights via HoteLux

To get a status match, you’ll need a copy of your current KrisFlyer membership card, which can be obtained from your profile on singaporeair.com (Login > Profile > membership card). The digital membership card on the SingaporeAir mobile app will not be accepted.

Once done, follow these steps to get your status match processed:

Your account will be upgraded in 5-7 business days. Status matches are not available to members who have participated in a previous status match, or received an elite status exception in the past. 

As an added incentive, Solitaire PPS and PPS Club members who match to HoteLux Elite Plus can enjoy a cashback promotion on their first booking.

The qualifying stay must be completed (i.e. check-out) by 31 December 2023, and the cashback will be transferred via PayNow by 31 January 2024. 

The registered PayNow account name must match with the registered name in your PPS Club and Solitaire PPS Club, as well as the guest’s name in the booking information. 

You can find the full T&Cs at the bottom of this page.

Mastercard offers status matches too

If you’re not a Singpaore Airlines elite customer, you can still enjoy a HoteLux membership courtesy of Mastercard. 

• World Mastercard cardholders enjoy complimentary 12 months HoteLux Elite Membership + 1,000 HoteLux points
• World Elite Mastercard cardholders enjoy complimentary 12 months HoteLux Elite Plus Membership + 2,000 HoteLux points

I’m willing to bet you have at least one World Mastercard in your wallet right now, so like I said: no one should be paying for a HoteLux membership.

Free HoteLux membership for World and World Elite Mastercard cardholders

Conclusion

Download HoteLux app

HoteLux’s new partnership with Singapore Airlines offers points conversions to KrisFlyer miles and a status match for elite passengers. While the latter may have its uses, the former is pretty much worthless at the current ratios. Anyone who earns 4,000 HoteLux points or more is much better off using it for a hotel voucher, especially since HoteLux now allows topping up. 

All things considered, I consider HoteLux a useful app to have because the vast majority of travel advisors still rely on emails or phone calls for bookings. I have no idea why, in this day and age, but HoteLux spares you all that.