Last month, I wrote about rumours that KrisFlyer Elite Silver would be introducing an extra baggage allowance, a small but welcome addition to a status tier that historically has had close to zero benefits.
We now have official confirmation of this new benefit, and the good news is that’s not all- KrisFlyer Elite Silvers are getting priority boarding and check-in too!
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โ ๏ธ Story update: Singapore Airlines has now removed these new benefits from their website, which suggests the details may have leaked ahead of time. A spokesperson provided the following statement: “Singapore Airlines will be refreshing our KrisFlyer Elite Silver membership benefits. More details will be announced in due course.” |
New KrisFlyer Elite Silver benefits
Here’s a rundown of the new KrisFlyer Elite Silver benefits.
Additional baggage allowance
KrisFlyer Elite Silver members will now enjoy an extra check-in baggage allowance on Singapore Airlines and Scoot.
For countries where the weight concept is used (everywhere except Canada and the USA), members will receive an extra 10kg allowance, on top of the usual entitlement.
| ๐งณ Weight Concept (Flights to/from all countries except Canada/USA) |
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| Regular Allowance | KrisFlyer Elite Silver | |
| Suites & First Class | 50kg | 60kg |
| Business Class | 40kg | 50kg |
| Premium Economy Class | 35kg | 45kg |
| Economy Class | ||
| Flexi | 30kg | 40kg |
| Standard | 30kg | 40kg |
| Value/Lite | 25kg | 35kg |
For countries where the piece concept is used (Canada and USA), members will receive an extra one bag, on top of the usual entitlement (effectively matching the KrisFlyer Elite Gold entitlement). The additional bag can weigh up to 32kg in First and Business, or 23kg otherwise.
| ๐งณ Piece Concept (Flights to/from Canada/USA) |
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| Allowance | KrisFlyer Elite Silver | |
| Suites & First Class | 2x 32kg | 3x 32kg |
| Business Class | 2x 32kg | 3x 32kg |
| Premium Economy Class | 2x 23kg | 3x 23kg |
| Economy Class (all fare types) | 2x 23kg | 3x 23kg |
With regards to Scoot, this benefit only applies if your itinerary includes a transfer to Scoot from Singapore Airlines, or to Singapore Airlines from Scoot.
Pure Scoot itineraries do not qualify. When flying on Scoot, KrisFlyer Elite Silver members will continue to enjoy an additional 5kg baggage upgrade with a minimum purchase of 20kg.
There is no additional check-in baggage benefit when travelling on Star Alliance or any of SIA’s other partners.
Priority check-in
KrisFlyer Elite Silver members will now be able to check-in at specially designed check-in counters with the KrisFlyer Elite Silver logo, where available. I would expect these to be available at Changi Airport Terminal 2 and 3, at a bare minimum.
Priority boarding
KrisFlyer Elite Silver members will now enjoy priority boarding “before Economy Class passengers”.
Here’s where Krisflyer Elite Silver members rank in the overall hierarchy:
- Passengers who require special assistance, as well as those with infants and toddlers
- Suites and First Class passengers
- Business Class passengers and PPS Club members
- Premium Economy Class passengers, KrisFlyer Elite Gold and Star Alliance Gold members
- KrisFlyer Elite Silver (though in practice this could be lumped into the previous group)
- Economy Class passengers (further split into 3-4 zones depending on aircraft)
Overview: KrisFlyer Elite Silver benefits
Following this change, here’s a summary of the current benefits for KrisFlyer Elite Silver members, with KrisFlyer Elite Gold included by way of comparison.
| โ๏ธ Overview: KrisFlyer Elite Silver & Gold | ||
| KrisFlyer Elite Silver |
 KrisFlyer Elite Gold |
|
| Elite Miles Req. (in 12-mth period) |
25,000 | 50,000 |
| Mileage Bonus | 25% | 25% |
| Priority Waitlist | โ | โ |
| Free Seat Selection | โ
(Standard) |
โ
(Forward and Standard) |
| Birthday Bonus | โ
(1,500 miles) |
โ
(1,500 miles) |
| Discounted Service Fees | โ | โ |
| Extra Baggage | โ | โ |
| Priority Check-in | โ | โ |
| Priority Boarding | โ | โ |
| Priority Baggage | โ | |
| Lounge Access | โ | |
| Waived Service Fees | โ | |
| Shangri-La Jade Fast Track | โ | |
| Heathrow Express Upgrade | โ | |
In addition to the newly-added perks, KrisFlyer Elite Silvers will continue to enjoy a 25% mileage accrual bonus, free Standard seat selection, and some semblance of priority when it comes to waitlisting for flights (keep in mind this does not refer to award redemptions, but rather waitlisting for commercial flights). There’s also a handful of benefits when flying on Scoot, most notably priority check-in and boarding, and free standard seat selection.
For a full rundown of the perks of KrisFlyer Elite Silver, refer to the article below (I’ll be updating it soon to reflect the new benefits).
Earn Elite miles on the ground
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| Details |
If you’re just shy of qualifying for KrisFlyer Elite Silver, remember that from 5 March to 4 June 2024, PPS Club and KrisFlyer members can earn PPS Value and Elite miles respectively for spending made at:
- Kris+ (both in Singapore and Australia)
- KrisShop
- Pelago
Earn rates for PPS Club and KrisFlyer members are as follows:
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| PPS Club | KrisFlyer | |
| Earn Rate | 1 PPS Value per S$3 spent* | 1 Elite mile per S$1 spent** |
| Cap | 2,500 PPS Value | 5,000 Elite miles |
| *Or 1 PPS Value per A$3 spent via Kris+ in Australia **Or 1 Elite mile per A$1 spent via Kris+ in Australia |
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PPS Club members will earn 1 PPS Value per S$3 spent, with an overall cap of 2,500 PPS Value, while KrisFlyer members will earn 1 Elite mile per S$1 spent, with an overall cap of 5,000 Elite miles. Caps apply for the entire campaign period.
Status credits earned via Kris+ will post instantly (unless you visit Pelago via Kris+, in which case they’ll be credited within 14 days after 4 June 2024).
Refer to the article below for the full details.
Details: Earn PPS Value or KrisFlyer Elite miles without flying
Conclusion
KrisFlyer Elite Silver members will now enjoy new perks when flying on Singapore Airlines, such as an additional check-in baggage allowance, priority check-in and priority boarding. These are benefits that were previously reserved only for KrisFlyer Elite Golds, and it’s nice to see SIA finally showing the love to its entry-tier elites too.
What do you make of these new KrisFlyer Elite Silver benefits?
How about priority baggage handling?
Thank goodness priority bad handling isnโt included – feels like half of the bags are prority tagged already as it is
This is important!
Looks like no change and classify the same with EY baggage?
yay
Puts Gold tier on the shame
Does priority boarding works for groups in the same itinerary or only for individuals?
in theory it is only for the member, in practice companions are permitted (within reason!)
Based on past travel experiences in 2022-2023 (KFEG), the gate agent will either allow me to bring 1 companion (e.g. 1 child) during boarding or at most my whole family of 4. But this is more likely an exception and not a rule. So, YMMV.
Just to be on the safe side, you can inquire about this to the gate agent, but don’t throw a tantrum if the gate agent restricts priority boarding only to the member.
This appears broadly in line with United’s “Premier Access” and sounds reasonable enough! For those that travel light with a priority pass, this works out pretty nicely.
Taking flight from Singapore to Guangzhou today. Was informed at the gate that that silver member cannot enjoy priority boarding yet. The boarding lane sign board also does not include silverโฆ Guess itโs gonna take some time for it to hit the ground or to be โrefreshedโ
Was hoping perhaps there would be a Krisflyer Elite Silver lounge in Changi where KFES would gain access to and in overseas stations with SKL, KFES would gain access for self (no guesting benefit).