Singapore Airlines launches the limited edition Singapore Airlines Mahjong Set last month and demand was so strong that it got sold out soon after their release. The mahjong set that features the Airlines’s signature batik motif retails for S$338 or 42,250 miles on KrisShop and scalpers are reportedly reselling it on Carousell for twice the price.
Good news. Singapore Airlines has announced that it has start taking pre-orders for the mahjong set, with delivery scheduled to be in July 2021.
It will, however, be the final batch and it will be the last chance to pre-order for those who are looking to add this to their collection. It is limited to 1 set per customer and a longer delivery lead time may occur in case of an overwhelming response.
Want to get your hands on the set? Click here to pre-order now.
To celebrate 20 years of partnership, American Express (“Amex”) and Singapore Airlines (“SIA”) are holding “The Perfect Vacation at Home Draw”. 20 lucky Card Members will win a 2D1N themed staycation at Shangri-La Hotel Singapore or The Barracks Hotel, 20,000 KrisFlyer miles, and a welcome bag filled with Amex and SIA merchandise to bring home^. Here’s how you can participate in The Perfect Vacation at Home Draw.
Apply for an American Express Singapore Airlines Credit Card
To participate in the Perfect Vacation at Home Draw, start by applying and receiving approval for an American Express Singapore Airlines Credit Card between 1 Dec 2020 and 31 Jan 2021. All American Express Singapore Airlines Credit Cards award 2 KrisFlyer miles per S$1 spent (with no cap) on Singapore Airlines and KrisShop. Moreover, receive 5,000 KrisFlyer miles upon first spend for first-time applicants of the Amex – SIA Credit Card. This is a precious head start in your miles collection journey and one that is not to be underestimated. You can redeem a return to flight to Bali starting from 15,000 KrisFlyer miles!
Without further ado, here are the 4 iconic American Express Singapore Airlines Credit Cards, each with their unique SIA benefits, that you can apply for:
The American Express® Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Credit Card
Receive S$150 Cashback for use on your next purchase on singaporeair.com when you spend S$12,000 on eligible purchases with your American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Credit Card between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021.
The American Express® Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card
Card Members of American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card enjoy an accelerated upgrade to KrisFlyer Elite Gold Membership tier. Simply spend above S$15,000 on eligible purchases on singaporeair.com within the first 12 months upon Card approval to be automatically upgraded to the KrisFlyer Elite Gold Membership tier. This paves the way for more privileges and faster accumulation of your miles.
The American Express® Singapore Airlines PPS Club Credit Card (Exclusively for existing Singapore Airlines PPS Club members)
Card Members of American Express Singapore Airlines PPS Club Credit Card will receive a 50% KrisFlyer miles Redemption Voucher when they spend S$75,000 or more on eligible purchases from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021. This voucher entitles the Card Member to a one-off 50% saving (capped at 50,000 KrisFlyer miles) when he/she redeems the KrisFlyer miles for an eligible redemption award booking. It gets even better as Card Members can receive a Double KrisFlyer miles Accrual Voucher simply by spending S$15,000 or more on eligible purchases on singaporeair.com with their Cards during the same period (capped at 10,000 bonus KrisFlyer miles).
The American Express® Singapore Airlines Solitaire PPS Credit Card (Exclusively for existing Singapore Airlines Solitaire PPS Club members)
The one Card worth its weight in gold is the American Express Singapore Airlines Solitaire PPS Credit Card. Enjoy a complimentary one-sector upgrade from Business class to the Singapore Airlines Suites or First Class by spending S$50,000 or more on eligible purchases on singaporeair.com from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021. This is in addition to receiving a 50% KrisFlyer miles Redemption Voucher (capped at 50,000 KrisFlyer miles) when they spend S$75,000 or more on eligible purchases during the same period.
How to Further Maximise Your Lucky Draw Chances
Since there is no limit to the number of chances you can earn, here’s how you can maximise your chances at The Perfect Vacation at Home Draw. Upon receiving approval for your Credit Card, every cumulative spend of $50 on eligible transactions (local and overseas spend included) earns you 1 chance at the lucky draw.
Receive upsized chances by spending on Singapore Airlines and KrisShop.com (2 chances for every cumulative spend of $50). Furthermore, tell your friends about the amazing benefits and every successful referral nets you 10 chances. Sharing is indeed caring!
There is no need to register for this draw as enrolment is automatic. Who knows you could be one of the lucky 20 winners on 5 March 2021*? Click here to find out more^!
^Restrictions, Terms and Conditions apply.
*All winners will receive a call on 5 March 2021 or within 7 business days for more details on how to redeem The Perfect Vacation at Home Prize. Card members can also revisit this site to see if you have won.
You may have come across in the news that earlier this year in February and August, the S$112 million Aviation Sector Assistance Package and S$187 million Enhanced Aviation Support Package were rolled out respectively.
There is no doubt that the aviation sector is one of the hardest-hit sectors in Singapore and abroad due to COVID-19. To give you an idea, we have some numbers. The report has it that the number of passenger traffic movements at Changi Airport last month saw a 98 per cent year-on-year decline.
“Given ongoing border restrictions and the resurgence of COVID-19 in many countries over winter, air travel will not recover soon. It is therefore critical that we maintain our support for the sector to help aviation companies and workers tide through the crisis,” said the CAAS.
Also, with selected aviation firms putting in place safety measures to enable air travel, many may require additional infrastructure, equipment, and workforce aid. The authority highlighted that firms would not be able to recoup these costs from passengers at the moment.
Government funding & rebates to calm the storm
Image Credits: The Straits Times
“To help mitigate some of these costs, the Government will provide funding to support the development, adoption and deployment of innovative technologies and measures to protect our airport workers and aircrew from contracting COVID-19,” added CAAS in its media release.
There will also be some rebates between Apr 1 this year and Mar 31 next year to appease the situation. Specifically, the CAAS will not charge Certificates of Airworthiness fees for Singapore-based airlines.
On top of the abovementioned, they will also drop licence charges for those providing scheduled air services. Licence fees for ground handling and catering services at Changi and Seletar airports can also enjoy a 50 per cent deduction.
CAAS noted that such measures would cost about S$39 million in full.
Sustenance of aviation workers
Image Credits: todayonline.com
With the ongoing pandemic with no clear end in sight, many aviation workers with lesser working hours have had income drops, while some have to settle with no-pay leaves.
In response, the CAAS mentioned that they would work with SkillsFuture Singapore, Workforce Singapore, NTUC LearningHub, and the NTUC Aerospace and Aviation Cluster to help these workers build up their skills. In turn, this will enable them to switch to other job openings within the sector.
“Pilots need years to get their licence and certification. To ensure that we have a sufficient number of pilots for the eventual recovery, we will also work with SkillsFuture Singapore to provide funding support to Singapore-based airlines to re-train their pilots and keep their skills current,” CAAS commented.
As for local pilots, Senior Minister of State for Transport Chee Hong Tat said the authorities would help convert their licences to fly other aircraft types from now on.
Mr Chee further remarked that retrenched Singaporean pilots working for foreign airlines who have returned to Singapore could apply for a Singapore pilot licence. This will allow them to work with a local airline in the future.
According to the CAAS, such measures to sustain workers amount to about S$20 million.
“Together, we will tide through this arduous journey and take our place in the skies again,” Minister for Transport Ong Ye Kung said in a recent year-end video.
Singapore Airlines has announced that they will be giving 15% more KrisFlyer miles when you convert your bank reward points from now till 27 December 2020. For example, 10,000 DBS Points will now get you 23,000 miles instead of 20,000 KrisFlyer miles.
KrisFlyer is the frequent flyer programme of Singapore Airlines and members can also redeem their miles in numerous ways – from flight tickets and upgrades on Singapore Airlines, SilkAir, Scoot and other partner airlines, to using miles to pay for flights, hotel stays, car rentals, purchases on KrisShop.com and more.
This promotion is valid across local participating banks in Singapore including UOB, OCBC, Maybank, Standard Chartered Bank, HSBC, Citibank, Bank of China, American Express, Diners Club International — and also other participating foreign banks.
Alternatively, you can also use the Kris+ app to convert DBS (Singapore) or UOB (Singapore) reward points to miles^ instantly to enjoy the same 15% bonus miles.
How to convert
Log in to your bank rewards account.
Convert your bank reward points to KrisFlyer miles, with a minimum of 10,000 KrisFlyer miles in a single transaction to qualify for bonus miles.
Receive 15% more miles on your base KrisFlyer miles converted in your KrisFlyer account.
For more information on the T&Cs and FAQs, click here.
Were you anticipating Singapore Airlines’ (SIA) ‘flight to nowhere’? While some may treat it as a joke, others are dying to get on a plane, even if it means landing back on home ground. That’s why earlier in August, Taiwan’s EVA Airlines offered something similar on a Hello Kitty-themed plane. It was definitely a well-received ‘getaway’ for some grounded travellers.
“An idea for a one-off short tour flight, or a ‘flight to nowhere’, was also initially considered but not pursued after the review,” said SIA.
With that said, the public can instead look forward to a range of new experiences launched by SIA. Discover Your Singapore Airlines is the theme behind the airline’s latest curation with these activities:
Restaurant A380 @Changi
Inside Singapore Airlines
SIA@Home
Restaurant A380 @Changi
Image Credits: Singapore Airlines
From Oct 24 to 25, SIA’s A380 will be welcoming diners. If you’re looking for a memorable dining experience on the world’s largest passenger aircraft, don’t miss out on dining onboard with SIA. You may choose your cabin classes accordingly.
Try out the signature international Singapore Airlines dishes or enjoy the best dishes from their Peranakan menu, specially designed by local chef Shermay Lee. Your meals will come with two complimentary alcoholic drinks and free flow of other beverages.
If you want to get a rare behind-the-scenes look at private access areas and explore SIA’s award-winning interiors furnished by renowned international designers, sign up for their exclusive pre-dining tour! Limited slots are available.
Other perks include limited-edition souvenirs and exclusive shopping discounts. For more information on Restaurant A380 @Changi, click through the link to view.
Inside Singapore Airlines
Image Credits: Singapore Airlines
Just for two weekends, specifically Nov 21 to 22 and Nov 28 to 29, SIA will be opening their doors to give the public a rare inside look of its SIA Training Centre. You will gain insights over 70 years of SIA heritage. Also, here’s your chance to witness for yourself how SIA’s iconic cabin crew uniform and cabin products have evolved over the years.
Those who’ve always been curious about SIA’s training program will be able to take a look at how their training is conducted. The tour will also feature the latest cabin products and flight simulators.
Peeps who are bringing kids along will be glad to know that there are complimentary craft activities. Engage with hands-on activities prepared for you like shaping balloons into animals and making your own batik roses.
Prefer to dine comfortably at home instead? SIA’s got you with SIA@Home. You can order a home-dining experience for two created by world-renowned International Culinary Panel chefs. Pair it with your choice of wine or champagne.
For the perfect re-creation of SIA’s First Class or Business Class experience at home, you may want to purchase the all-inclusive package. It comes with the exquisite tableware and luxurious amenities one can expect onboard SIA flights.
