Both the AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend and AMEX HighFlyer Card offer a KrisFlyer Elite Gold status accelerator perk, which allows cardholders to earn status by spending at least S$15,000 in the first year of membership, instead of flying the usual 50,000 Elite Miles.
On first glance, these appear to work the same way. In fact, in my KrisFlyer Elite Gold guide (since corrected), I combined the two under the same section.
But I recently discovered this isn’t the case. There is a difference in how the minimum spend is defined, which makes the status accelerator much easier to accomplish via the AMEX HighFlyer Card.
KrisFlyer Elite Gold fast-track: Ascend vs HighFlyer
Here’s a summary of how the KrisFlyer Elite Gold fast-track offer compares for the AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend versus the HighFlyer.
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| AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend | AMEX HighFlyer Card | |
| Min. Spend | S$15,000 in first 12 months of approval | |
| Eligible Spending |
Flights must originate from Singapore and be charged in SGD |
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| Status Validity | 12 months from date of upgrade | |
Minimum spend
To achieve KrisFlyer Elite Gold, both the AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend and AMEX HighFlyer Card require you to spend at least S$15,000 within the first 12 months of approval.
Do note the timeframe. If you fail to achieve this within the first 12 months of approval, you won’t have the option to try again in your second or subsequent year, unless American Express runs a separate promotion like the one we saw in February 2024 (which was for AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend Cardholders only, and reduced the minimum spend to S$12,500).
Eligible spending
AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend Cardholders must spend at least S$15,000 on Singapore Airlines tickets which are:
- Purchased on singaporeair.com (includes both commercial and award tickets)
- Originating from Singapore
- Charged in SGD
Spending can be either on commercial tickets, or taxes and surcharges on award tickets. Strangely, the T&Cs are silent as to whether purchases on the SIA mobile app count- I assume they do.
Do note that Scoot tickets will not qualify (unless they’re sold as part of a combined itinerary on singaporeair.com), nor will one-way tickets originating from overseas.
| โ How strict is this? |
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Based on data points I’ve seen, the “originate from Singapore” requirement is not set in stone. If you’re booking a ticket to Singapore and the SIA website lets you pay in SGD (there’s usually a dropdown box appearing on the final screen, though not always), then such transactions would count. Keep in mind that this is an unofficial loophole that could be patched at any time, so do it at your own risk. |
AMEX HighFlyer Cardholders must spend at least S$15,000 on Singapore Airlines Group transactions, defined as:
- Singapore Airlines
- Scoot
- KrisShop
Clearly, this is a much more generous scope, since Scoot and KrisShop can be included in the minimum spend.
Moreover, there are no restrictions on the originating point, nor the currency of the Singapore Airlines tickets.
Validity
Regardless of whether you obtain your KrisFlyer Elite Gold from the AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend or AMEX HighFlyer Card, the status will be valid for 12 months from the date of upgrade. If you wish to retain your status beyond this period, you must accumulate 50,000 Elite miles, the same as anyone else.
For example:
- John completes his S$15,000 spend and gets upgraded to KrisFlyer Elite Gold on 15 April 2024
- His status is valid till 30 April 2025
- To enjoy status beyond this date, he must accumulate at least 50,000 Elite miles by 30 April 2025
The status accelerator can only be enjoyed once per account lifetime. For example, if you enjoyed the status accelerator via the AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend three years ago, you can’t enjoy it again even if you cancel and reapply for the Ascend.
However, there is nothing stopping you from enjoying the status accelerator once from the AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend, and then again from the AMEX HighFlyer Card (a point I’ve clarified with an SIA spokesperson).
Terms & Conditions
For reference, here’s the relevant sections from the T&Cs for both the AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend and AMEX HighFlyer Card.
Fast Track T&Cs: AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend
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American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card Members who charge S$15,000 or more on eligible Singapore Airlines ticket purchases made directly online at singaporeair.com to their Card within the first 12-months upon Card approval, will be upgraded to the KrisFlyer Elite Gold membership tier within 6 weeks from the time that you meet the spend criteria. Eligible ticket purchases are for travel originating from Singapore only and must be purchased in Singapore Dollars. For Card Members who are already KrisFlyer Elite Silver members, you will be upgraded to the The Elite Gold status is valid for one (1) year from date of upgrade only. Requalification is based on standard requalification terms under the KrisFlyer programme. For information on the benefits of being an Elite Gold member and requalification into Elite Gold status, please visit: KrisFlyer and Singapore Airlines terms and conditions apply. Singapore Airlines reserves the right to vary these terms and conditions or terminate this benefit without prior notice at their own sole discretion |
Fast Track T&Cs: AMEX HighFlyer Card
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American Express Singapore Airlines Business Credit Card Members who charge S$15,000 or more on eligible spend with the Singapore Airlines Group within the first 12 months of Card Membership, will be eligible for an upgrade to the KrisFlyer Elite Gold membership tier (โUpgradeโ) or to nominate a registered corporate traveler to receive the Upgrade. The Upgrade will not be available to nominees of Card Members who are existing PPS Club or KrisFlyer Elite Gold members, or who have previously qualified for the Upgrade on the Card. If there is more than one basic American Express Singapore Airlines Business Credit Card Member (as determined with reference to your unique business or company registration number), only the first basic Card Member who meets all the required eligibility criteria will be entitled to receive the Upgrade (or nominate a registered corporate traveller to receive the Upgrade). The KrisFlyer Elite Gold status will be valid only for the first qualification and shall take effect from the date of successful redemption. You must comply with the redemption instructions, Terms and Conditions stipulated failing which the Upgrade may lapse. Subsequent re-qualification shall be in accordance with Singapore Airlines Terms and Conditions for KrisFlyer Elite Gold membership qualification. For current information on the benefits of being KrisFlyer Elite Gold member and re-qualification towards KrisFlyer Elite Gold membership, please visit: https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/sg/ppsclub-krisflyer/krisflyer/krisflyer-elite-gold/. Singapore Airlines reserves the right to vary these Terms and Conditions or terminate this benefit without prior notice at their sole discretion. |
Conclusion
AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend and AMEX HighFlyer Cardholders both enjoy a fast-track to Krisflyer Elite Gold status, but even though the minimum spend is the same at S$15,000, the scope of spending is very different.
It’s much easier to meet the minimum spend with the AMEX HighFlyer Card, since there are no currency or origination restrictions on Singapore Airlines tickets, and Scoot/KrisShop spending can count too.
On the other hand, the AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend occasionally cuts the minimum spending requirement, or makes it easier to accomplish by including all retail spend instead of just Singapore Airlines transactions. More importantly, these promotions also make the fast-track available to cardmembers in their second and subsequent years, something I have yet to see the HighFlyer Card do.
Remember, you only get to enjoy the fast-track offer once per account lifetime, so make it count!
Sorry I know the post says one fast track per account lifetime, but just to be sure, does that mean if I got it via Highflyer, I wonโt qualify through Ascend even if I hit the promo? Has anyone tried both routes before?
it’s something i’m wondering myself. have sent AMEX a question on it
Wasnt aware that fast track offer is per account lifetime only ๐ What happened if i’ve signed up before – never hit the express track during the 1st year of card approval and continues to be a card user right now. Do i still qualify for the year i pay my renewal fee or even if it means surrendering and wait for a year after as a new card signup?
Does he spend means that the flight needs to be flown? As in if my offer ends in Apr and I purchase tickets for Jun, does it meet the qualifications to upgrade to gold? I noticed that you can also use amex paysmall for the Singapore air purchase
all that matters is that the transaction has been charged, not necessarily that the flight is flown.
With regards to the once-per-lifetime fast track, is this per SQ account or just for this credit card? i.e., if I lose the status from this offer, would I be able to fast track again with another program such as Shangri-La Jade?
I qualified krisflyer elite gold in Aug 2024 thanks to the AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend Cardholders promo when they reduced the minimum spend to S$12,500.
Suppose I apply high flyer in sep 2024, and qualified for $15k spend by Aug 2025, will that qualify me to retain krisflyer elite gold?