Kris+ offering 30% transfer bonus from KrisFlyer to KrisPay miles

Kris+ has launched a new promotion that offers an uncapped 30% transfer bonus on KrisFlyer miles conversions, from now till 30 September 2024.

Unfortunately, this isn’t in the direction from Kris+ ⮕ KrisFlyer, as some have assumed. Rather, it’s in the direction from KrisFlyer ⮕ Kris+, and while there’s nothing wrong with earning KrisFlyer miles via Kris+, you shouldn’t be spending them this way. 

This promotion does little to change that. Even though the value per mile is boosted from 0.67 cents to 0.89 cents, it’s still relatively low compared to what you could get for an award flight, or even other on-ground redemptions.

S$5 for new Kris+ Users

Get S$5 (in the form of 750 KrisPay miles) when you sign-up with code W644363 and make your first transaction

There’s only a very limited number of circumstances where this could make sense, and most people should pass.

Kris+ offering 30% transfer bonus

From 9-30 September 2024, KrisFlyer members will enjoy an uncapped 30% transfer bonus when they transfer miles from their KrisFlyer account to Kris+.

A minimum transfer of 15 KrisFlyer miles is required, and all amounts will be rounded up to the nearest KrisPay mile (e.g. 19.5 KrisPay miles will be rounded up to 20 KrisPay miles).

KrisFlyer	Kris+
15 KrisFlyer miles	15 KrisPay miles 20 KrisPay miles

All transfers from KrisFlyer to Kris+ are processed instantly, and are non-reversible. In other words, once miles go from KrisFlyer to Kris+, you can’t send them back!

KrisPay miles have a six-month validity, and can be used to pay for purchases at more than 500 participating merchants at a rate of 150 KrisPay miles = S$1. Therefore, under this promotion the value per KrisFlyer mile is boosted from the usual 0.67 cents to 0.89 cents.

Terms & Conditions

The T&Cs of this offer can be found here. 

How does this compare to other options?

This offer is part of a limited-time campaign called KrisFlyer Miles Paradise, which offers boosted value for spending KrisFlyer miles with Kris+, KrisShop or Pelago, as well as conversions to Esso Smiles or LinkPoints. 

But even with the boosted value, spending KrisFlyer miles via Kris+ represents mediocre value compared to alternatives.

As the table shows, where on-ground redemptions are concerned you could derive more value through other options like KrisShop or Pelago.

That said: 

• KrisShop prices can very often be inflated
• Pelago does not allow you to mix miles and cash, requiring you to redeem miles for the entire value of your purchase

Therefore, if you had a small number of miles that were going to expire, and no plans to fly anywhere, then spending them via Kris+ with this transfer bonus would be better than nothing, and that’s the only scenario where I could justify this.

Earning miles via Kris+

While you shouldn’t be spending KrisFlyer miles at Kris+ merchants, you should certainly be earning them. All you need to do is: 

1. Scan the merchant’s Kris+ QR code
2. Enter the amount to be paid, and press “Pay” to pay via Apple/Google Pay

Don’t forget to transfer any KrisPay miles you earn to KrisFlyer within 21 days of the transaction, in their entirety. If you wait longer than 21 days, or spend any of the accrued miles, the balance will be stuck in Kris+ (where they expire after six months).

A big “Transfer to KrisFlyer” button appears after every transaction, so there’s no excuse!

What card should I use with Kris+?

In general, Kris+ retains the MCC of the underlying merchant (though there are some exceptions, most notably for travel agencies), so you can use whatever card you’d normally use for that particular merchant.

When in doubt, the following cards are the safest to use with Kris+, as they earn 3-4 mpd regardless of Kris+ merchant.

💳 Best Cards for Kris+ (All Categories)
Card	Earn Rate	Remarks
DBS WWMC Apply	4 mpd	Max. S$1.5K per c. month
Citi Rewards + Amaze Apply	4 mpd	Max. S$1K per s. month. Do not use Citi Rewards Card alone- no bonuses
KrisFlyer UOB Card Apply	3 mpd	No cap

However, there are also other cards you can use for dining or retail that will earn up to 4 mpd, such as the HSBC Revolution or UOB Lady’s Cards. Refer to the post below for more details. 

What’s the best card to use for Kris+?

Don’t forget that all Kris+ payments must be made in-app via Apple or Google Pay.

Conclusion

S$5 for new Kris+ Users

Get S$5 (in the form of 750 KrisPay miles) when you sign-up with code W644363 and make your first transaction

From now till 30 September 2024, Kris+ is now offering an uncapped 30% transfer bonus from KrisFlyer to Kris+, which boosts the value per KrisFlyer mile to 0.89 cents apiece.

Is that better than normal? Yes. Is that good value? No. This wouldn’t make sense for most people, unless you have a small number of expiring miles that you don’t intend to spend via KrisShop or Pelago.