Singapore Airlines’ elite ladder should be familiar to most people by now, with Solitaire PPS Club at the pinnacle, followed by PPS Club, KrisFlyer Elite Gold, and KrisFlyer Elite Silver.
To qualify, members must accumulate sufficient PPS Value or Elite miles, which can be a tall order, made even harder by the fact that it’s currently not possible to earn status credits on the ground. For perspective, the 50,000 Elite miles necessary for KrisFlyer Elite Gold are the equivalent of three round-trips journeys to San Francisco!
Tier | Qualification Requirement (in 12-month period) |
50,000 PPS Value | |
25,000 PPS Value | |
50,000 Elite miles | |
25,000 Elite miles | |
N/A |
But maybe you don’t have to do that. If you have the right credit card or hotel status, there are ways for you to short-circuit the qualification process- some of which don’t even require you to fly at all!
I’m not going to waste your time by talking about fast tracks to PPS Club status, because there aren’t any. Singapore Airlines carefully guards the pearly gates to this programme, and the only instances I’ve heard of complimentary PPS status are for the C-suite of MNCs who commit to major spending with SIA.
There are, however, fast tracks to KrisFlyer Elite Gold and KrisFlyer Elite Silver, which we’ll discuss in this post.
Fast track: General rules to note
Before we talk about specific fast-track opportunities, here’s three important pointers to note.
Qualification, not requalification
Fast-tracks are for qualification, not requalification.
In other words, if you’re an existing KrisFlyer Elite Gold/Elite Silver, you cannot use these fast-tracks to requalify for KrisFlyer Elite Gold/Elite Silver. Put it another way: an existing KrisFlyer Elite Gold cannot attempt a fast-track to KrisFlyer Elite Gold. He would need to wait till his status gets downgraded to KrisFlyer Elite Silver or lower before applying.
โ๏ธ Exception: KrisFlyer Elite Silver |
Shangri-La Jade/Diamond and Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador, Titanium or Platinum members who are already KrisFlyer Elite Silvers will get a 12-month extension of their status when they register for the KrisFlyer Elite Gold fast-track. See below for further details |
One membership year only
Status earned via fast-track offers is only valid for 12 months. If you want to extend your status beyond that period, you’ll need to meet the regular requalification threshold (i.e. 25,000 Elite miles for Silver, or 50,000 Elite miles for Gold).
For example, if I complete a fast-track to KrisFlyer Elite Gold and my account is upgraded on 15 April 2024, I will enjoy this status till 30 April 2025. If I want to retain KrisFlyer Elite Gold beyond this date, I will need to accumulate 50,000 Elite miles by 30 April 2025.
Single use only
Each fast-track opportunity can only be utilised once, so you’ll want to time it carefully to coincide with a period where you know you’ll be travelling enough to make the benefits worthwhile.
However, I’ve clarified with Singapore Airlines that there is no restriction on using multiple fast-tracks from different programmes, so long as each is only used once. For example, you can only use the KrisFlyer Elite Gold fast-track from the AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend once, but after you lose your KrisFlyer Elite Gold status, you can then make use of the fast-track from the AMEX HighFlyer Card.
AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend: KrisFlyer Elite Gold
AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend Cardholders can enjoy a fast-track to KrisFlyer Elite Gold when they spend at least S$15,000 on Singapore Airlines ticket purchases within the first 12 months of card approval. If you miss that opportunity, you won’t get another chance to try in the following membership year, barring a promotion.
Singapore Airlines tickets must be:
- Purchased on singaporeair.com or the SingaporeAir mobile app
- Originating from Singapore
- Charged in Singapore Dollars
However, real world experience says that the “originating from Singapore” requirement is not strictly enforced. 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.
Eligible spending includes paying for taxes and surcharges on a KrisFlyer award ticket with your card (whether the award flight is on Singapore Airlines or one of its partners). However, Scoot tickets are not included, unless they’re sold as part of a combined itinerary on singaporeair.com.
There is no requirement that the purchased tickets need to be flown by the cardholder. Think about the scenario of someone who often buys air tickets for his entire family. He can’t accrue the Elite miles on their tickets (only the person whose name is on the ticket can), but can nonetheless achieve KrisFlyer Elite Gold through his total card spending.
From time to time, American Express runs promotions that allow you to meet the minimum spend through transactions other than Singapore Airlines flight bookings. The most recent offer, which ended on 31 May 2024, reduced the total spend to S$12,500, of which only S$2,500 had to be on Singapore Airlines flight bookings.
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 or the SingaporeAir mobile app 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 KrisFlyer Elite Gold membership tier. This benefit will not be applicable to Card Members who are existing PPS Club or KrisFlyer Elite Gold members. *excludes ticket purchases via Pay Small (from 10 Nov 2022 onwards, ticket purchases via Pay Small will be included). 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. |
AMEX HighFlyer Card: KrisFlyer Elite Gold
AMEX HighFlyer Cardholders can enjoy a fast-track to KrisFlyer Elite Gold when they spend at least S$15,000 on the Singapore Airlines Group within the first 12 months of card approval. If you miss that opportunity, you won’t get another chance to try in the following membership year, barring a promotion.
The Singapore Airlines Group is defined as:
- Singapore Airlines
- Scoot
- KrisShop
Note how this is a wider scope than the AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend, because it includes not just Singapore Airlines, but Scoot and KrisShop as well. There is also no requirement that the purchases be made in Singapore Dollars, or that that the flights originate from Singapore.
I’ve highlighted the key differences between the two fast-track offers in the post below.
KrisFlyer Elite Gold fast-track: AMEX KrisFlyer Ascend vs AMEX HighFlyer Card
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. |
Shangri-La Circle: KrisFlyer Elite Gold or Silver
Shangri-La Circle Tier | Instant Match | Accelerated Status |
(3 flights within 4 months) |
||
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As part of the Singapore Airlines x Shangri-La Infinite Journeys partnership, Shangri-La Circle Jade or Diamond members can register to get instant KrisFlyer Elite Silver status for 12 months.
A further upgrade to KrisFlyer Elite Gold is granted if they complete:
- Jade: Three qualifying flights within four months of registration
- Diamond: One qualifying flight within four months of registration
If a Shangri-La Circle Jade or Diamond is already a KrisFlyer Elite Silver, registration for Infinite Journeys will extend their existing membership’s expiry date by a further 12 months.
โ What are qualifying flights? |
Qualifying flights include any commercial booking on Singapore Airlines in any booking class, and exclude the following:
A round-trip journey will count as two flights. For more information on how qualifying flights are counted, refer to this article (it’s written in the context of the Marriott Bonvoy fast track, but the same definition applies to Infinite Journeys as well). |
Marriott Bonvoy: KrisFlyer Elite Gold or Silver
Marriott Bonvoy Tier | Instant Match To… | Status Accelerator Challenge |
(4 flights in 6 months) |
||
N/A | (2 flights in 6 months) |
As part of the Singapore Airlines x Marriott Bonvoy partnership, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador, Titanium or Platinum members can register to get instant KrisFlyer Elite Silver status for 12 months.
A further upgrade to KrisFlyer Elite Gold is granted if they complete four qualifying flights within six months of registration.
Marriott Bonvoy Gold members can register and earn KrisFlyer Elite Silver for 12 months if they complete two qualifying flights within six months of registration.
If a Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador, Titanium or Platinum is already a KrisFlyer Elite Silver, registration will extend their existing membership’s expiry date by a further 12 months.
โ What are qualifying flights? |
Qualifying flights include any commercial booking on Singapore Airlines in any booking class, and exclude the following:
A round-trip journey will count as two flights. For more information on how qualifying flights are counted, refer to this article (it’s written in the context of the Marriott Bonvoy fast track, but the same definition applies to Infinite Journeys as well). |
KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card: KrisFlyer Elite Silver
Review |
KrisFlyer UOB Credit Cardholders can enjoy a fast-track to KrisFlyer Elite Silver if they spend at least S$5,000 on Singapore Airlines Group transactions within the first 12 months of approval
The Singapore Airlines Group is defined as:
- Singapore Airlines
- Scoot
- KrisShop
Fast Track T&Cs: KrisFlyer UOB Card
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Cardmembers, with card opened date from 1 May 2022, who meet a minimum Singapore Five Thousand Dollars (S$5,000) Singapore Airlines Group Related Card Transaction on the Card within the first Card Membership Year, will be upgraded to the KrisFlyer Elite Silver membership tier within six (6) weeks from the last calendar month of the first Card Membership Year |
Keep in mind that the upgraded status will take a while to appear. Qualifying cardholders will receive their status upgrade within six weeks from the last month of the first membership year. So, hypothetically, you could hit the qualifying spend on your first day of approval, and still have to wait 13+ months to get your status!
What are the benefits of KrisFlyer Elite Gold and Silver?
As a recap, here’s the key benefits awarded to KrisFlyer Elite Gold and silver members.
โ๏ธ Overview: KrisFlyer Elite Silver & 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 |
For more details on each tier of membership, do refer to my detailed guides below.
Conclusion
While we shouldn’t expect to see any fast-track offers to PPS, there are a number of ways to earn KrisFlyer Elite Silver or Elite Gold without actually having to chalk up 25,000 or 50,000 Elite miles. In the (admittedly edge) case of a Shangri-La Diamond member, a one-way ticket to Kuala Lumpur would be enough to trigger the upgrade!
Do keep in mind that these are “single use” opportunities, so be sure to utilise them when you know you’ll be travelling more.
Any other fast-tracks for KrisFlyer Elite status you’re aware of?
You can status match to Gold. I use Qatar airway Gold to match
Hello Aaron, would commercial tickets bought with cash first then later upgraded with miles count as qualifying flights? I saw you mentioned cash + miles count but unsure about upgrades. Thank you!
Hi just wanted to update that the โoriginating from Singaporeโ requirement IS strictly enforced. I tried booking for a multi-city trip and paid for it in SGD (had to pay more because of the poor conversion rate by SIA), but they still did not count the transaction as my eligible spending so I couldnโt get my KFEG