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Singapore Airlines has just announced a big move for its loyalty members in Australia.
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It comes as the major international airline gives its KrisFlyer program a significant boost Down Under, expanding its Kris+ lifestyle rewards app in Sydney and Melbourne — a move that’s been long-awaited.
The expansion means users in Australia can, for the first time, earn and redeem miles at local partners, including popular cafes, restaurants and bars.
It’s a move made possible through the app’s new Beta version that launched on Tuesday.
There are around 100 partner merchants expected to join the program in the first month.
“We are always looking to expand opportunities for our frequent flyer members to earn and redeem their miles and we are excited to bring more partners on board in the months ahead,” SIA’s Regional Vice President South West Pacific, Louis Arul said.
Singapore Airlines Expands Kris+ App in Australia.
In Australia, Kris+ users can earn a rate of up to three miles for every dollar spent at participating merchants via Apple Pay or Google Pay via the app.
It also offers customers the option to redeem their earned miles at a rate of 150 miles for $1 off their bill.
For those who are new to the app, they can enjoy a bonus of up to 2,000 miles just by logging in with their KrisFlyer account and making transactions of at least $15 at Kris+ partners in Sydney and Melbourne before December 31, 2023.
Meanwhile, a 1,000-mile bonus is offered for payments at one participating partner, while a 2,000-mile bonus is available for payments at two or more partners.
Kris+ first launched in Singapore in 2020 and is now available for use at more than 1,500 partner outlets across the country.
It means that for the first time members in Australia can earn points at restaurants and cafes.
With over 1.3 million members, Australia has the largest KrisFlyer membership base outside of Singapore.
It comes as the airline recently announced it will increase its flights from Adelaide and Sydney next year.
Extra flights to Singapore will also provide Australians with more options when travelling to destinations across Europe, South Africa and India, with connections through Singapore Changi Airport.
The airline said subject to regulatory approvals, it would add three Adelaide flights per week from October 27, 2024, bringing its total number of weekly services to the South Australian capital to 10.
In Australia, Kris+ users can earn up to three miles for every dollar spent at participating merchants when using Apple Pay or Google Pay via the app.
The airline will also add a fifth daily flight to Sydney from the same date.
Mr Arul said extra flights were being added in response to the sustained strong demand for travel to and from Australia.
“Locking in these increased services for the year-end peak period provides a great opportunity for Australians to start planning their 2024 travel to secure the best fares possible,” he said.
“These additional flights provide even more options for Australians heading to Europe and Asia, with great connections through Singapore Changi Airport, for business, holiday or to connect with friends and family.”
Scoot, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, is also increasing capacity and will offer 12 weekly return flights between Sydney and Singapore starting in December.
Singapore has picked up in popularity with more Aussies flocking to the hotspot.
“The latest visitation figures demonstrate a strong pent-up demand for travel to Singapore with more than 565,000 Australians visiting Singapore in 2022,” Kimberly Spykerman, area director Oceania at the Singapore Tourism Board, told news.com.au in August.
She said Aussies were the fourth largest source market for visitor arrivals last year.
“In 2022 Singapore saw 6.3 million arrivals – up by 33 per cent when compared to 2019, and tourism activity is expected to recover to pre-pandemic levels by 2024.”
Some of its most iconic and popular attractions are affordable or free.
“For example, entering the UNESCO Heritage Singapore Botanic Gardens is free, as are places of worship in cultural neighbourhoods, while some museums like the Indian Heritage Centre in Little India and the newly-refurbished Peranakan Museum have entry fees of $S8 ($A9) and $S12 ($A13) respectively,” Ms Spykerman said.
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