Pelago finally made its debut on Kris+ last month, marking the occasion with a beefy earn rate of 10 mpd. This was significantly better than the 3 mpd you’d normally earn from booking on the Pelago website directly, and also allowed customers to bypass Pelago’s usual cap of 5,000 miles per booking.
The upsized earn rate expired at the end of October, but Pelago has been quick to launch another offer that runs till 31 December 2024.
While it’s slightly lower this time at 9 mpd, it’s still 3X the usual rate, and is stackable with credit card miles for a total return of up to 13 mpd.
Kris+ offering extra 9 mpd on Pelago
From 1 November to 31 December 2024, all Pelago bookings made via the Kris+ app will earn an extra 9 mpd, on top of credit card miles.
All you need to do is update your Kris+ app to the latest version, then look for the Pelago icon at the top of the screen. This will send you to the Pelago website, where you’ll select your activity and make payment via the Kris+ app.
The 9 mpd rate is applicable to anything you can find on Pelago, whether it’s tours, attraction tickets, eSIMs, spa treatments, airport transfers, bus tickets, train tickets and more.
You might recall that activities booked directly through the Pelago website are capped at a maximum of 5,000 miles per booking, which given the usual 3 mpd earn rate would be triggered by any spend of more than S$1,667.
For example, if I were to spend S$1,792.64 on a helicopter tour for four, I would earn at most 5,000 miles if I made my booking via the Pelago website (S$1,792.64 x 3 mpd, capped at 5,000).
But there’s no such caps for bookings made via Kris+, so in this case I’d enjoy 16,128 miles instead (S$1,792.64 x 9 mpd)! Even better, these miles are awarded instantly, unlike the usual Pelago arrangement where miles are credited a week after completing the experience.
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’s the drawback of making Pelago bookings via Kris+?
One important thing to note is that Pelago bookings via Kris+ do not allow the use of promo codes. This means that if you have a Singapore Airlines PNR, you won’t be able to enjoy the 10% discount offered to passengers.
In that situation, you’re trading an extra 6 mpd for a 10% discount, which may or may not make sense depending on how much you value a mile (keep in mind the 10% discount is capped at S$50).
Needless to say, you also won’t be stack Shopback or heymax cashback or miles when paying via Kris+.
What card to use with Pelago?
Pelago transactions made on Kris+ will code as MCC 4722 Travel Agencies and Tour Operators, so you can pay with the following cards to earn up to an additional 4 mpd.
| Card | Earn Rate | Remarks |
 UOB Lady’s SolitaireApply |
4 mpd | Max S$2K per calendar month. Must choose Travel as bonus category Review |
 UOB Lady’s CardApply |
4 mpd | Max S$1K per calendar month. Must choose Travel as bonus category Review |
 DBS Woman’s World CardApply |
4 mpd | Max S$1.5K per calendar month Review |
 KrisFlyer UOB CardApply |
3 mpd | No cap Review |
Avoid using the Citi Rewards Card, as MCC 4722 is classified as a travel transaction and explicitly excluded from earning the bonus 4 mpd rate for online transactions. Also, the HSBC Revolution is no longer an option, following the January 2024 removal of MCC 4722 from its bonus whitelist.
Conclusion
From now till 31 December 2024, all Pelago bookings made through Kris+ will be rewarded with a very generous 9 mpd, which yields up to 13 mpd once credit card miles are factored in. Those using the KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card could also earn an uncapped 12 mpd, which is quite simply excellent.
From 2025, the earn rate through Kris+ will drop to 3 mpd, matching the rate you’d get when booking through the website directly. So make hay while you can, and lock in any bookings you’re able to before the deadline.
Pelago bookings through Kris+ unfortunately does not accept promo codes. I find this quite a conundrum as using an SIA booking reference for promo code gets you 30% (?) off, which is quite hefty. If you use Pelago’s website, you still get 3 mpd + 4 mpd stackable using credit card. It’s a bit of a trade off