How miles transfer to Singapore Airlines works
You can move miles from certain airline and credit card loyalty programs into your Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer account. Singapore Airlines accepts transfers from roughly 15 partner programs, though not all programs participate. The transfer itself is usually when ready or takes one business day, and the miles land in your KrisFlyer account at a 1:1 ratio — one mile from your source program becomes one KrisFlyer mile.
The programs that transfer to Singapore Airlines include American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Points, Marriott Bonvoy, and Hilton Honors, among others. Each program has its own transfer rules: some let you move miles in any amount, others require a minimum transfer (often 1,000 or 2,500 miles), and some charge a fee per transfer. You initiate the transfer through your account with the source program, not through Singapore Airlines.
Before you transfer, confirm that your KrisFlyer account exists and is active. If you don't have one, you'll need to create it first at the Singapore Airlines website. Once your account is set up, you can link it to your transferring program and move miles over.
Key Takeaways
- Singapore Airlines accepts mile transfers from about 15 partner programs including American Express, Chase, Citi, Marriott, and Hilton, but you must initiate the transfer from your source program's website, not from Singapore Airlines.
- Miles transfer at a 1:1 ratio and usually arrive within one business day, though some programs charge a fee per transfer or require a minimum amount like 2,500 miles.
- You need an active KrisFlyer account before you transfer; create one at singaporeair.com if you don't already have one.
- Different programs have different rules about how often you can transfer, minimum amounts, and whether transfers are reversible, so check your specific program's terms before moving miles.
Which programs let you transfer to Singapore Airlines
American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Points, and Marriott Bonvoy are the largest and most commonly used transfer partners. Hilton Honors, IHG One Rewards, Hyatt World of Hyatt, and several smaller programs also transfer to KrisFlyer. The full list changes occasionally as partnerships end or begin, so check the Singapore Airlines transfer partners page to see the current roster.
Credit card programs tend to have the fewest restrictions. American Express Membership Rewards, for example, lets you transfer in increments of 1,000 miles with no stated maximum or fee. Chase Ultimate Rewards requires a minimum of 1,000 points per transfer and charges no fee. Citi ThankYou Points has a 1,000-point minimum and also charges no fee.
Hotel loyalty programs often have higher minimums. Marriott Bonvoy requires a minimum of 5,000 points per transfer. Hilton Honors requires 10,000 points minimum. These higher minimums mean you need to accumulate more before you can move miles over, but the transfer itself is still free and when ready.
Step-by-step process for transferring miles
Start by logging into the account with the program you're transferring from — American Express, Chase, Citi, Marriott, or whichever partner you use. Look for a section labeled "Transfer Points," "Redeem," "Manage Points," or similar. The exact name varies by program.
Select Singapore Airlines or KrisFlyer as your transfer destination. You'll be asked to enter your KrisFlyer account number. This is a nine-digit number that appears on your KrisFlyer membership card or in your account settings at singaporeair.com. Double-check the number before you proceed — a wrong digit will send your miles to someone else's account.
Enter the number of miles you want to transfer. Make sure it meets your program's minimum (usually 1,000 to 10,000) and doesn't exceed any maximum your program sets. Review the transfer details, confirm any fees that explore, and submit. Most programs show you a confirmation number when ready.
The miles typically arrive in your KrisFlyer account within 24 hours. Some programs, like American Express, deliver them within minutes. Check your KrisFlyer account balance to confirm the miles landed. If they don't appear after two business days, contact the program you transferred from — Singapore Airlines generally cannot reverse or resend transferred miles.
Transfer minimums, maximums, and fees by program
| Program | Minimum Transfer | Maximum Transfer | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Membership Rewards | 1,000 miles | None stated | None |
| Chase Ultimate Rewards | 1,000 points | None stated | None |
| Citi ThankYou Points | 1,000 points | None stated | None |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 5,000 points | None stated | None |
| Hilton Honors | 10,000 points | None stated | None |
| IHG One Rewards | 5,000 points | None stated | None |
Most transfer partners charge no fee for moving miles to Singapore Airlines. A few programs, particularly smaller or regional ones, may charge a small fee per transfer — typically $5 to $10 — but the major credit card and hotel programs listed above do not. Check your specific program's terms before you transfer if you're using a partner not listed here.
Maximums are rarely enforced by the major programs, meaning you can transfer your entire balance if you want to. However, some programs limit how many times you can transfer per month or per year. American Express, for example, allows transfers to Singapore Airlines as often as you want. Chase and Citi also have no stated frequency limits. Marriott and Hilton do not publicly state frequency limits either, though it's wise to space out large transfers a few days apart to avoid triggering fraud alerts.
What to do if your transfer doesn't arrive
If your miles don't show up in your KrisFlyer account within two business days, log back into the program you transferred from and look for your transfer confirmation number. This number proves the transfer was submitted and is your first piece of evidence if something went wrong.
Contact the customer service team for the program you transferred from, not Singapore Airlines. Tell them your confirmation number, the date of transfer, the amount, and your KrisFlyer account number. They can check whether the transfer was processed on their end and, if it was, whether Singapore Airlines received it. If the transfer was never sent, they may be able to cancel it and refund your miles. If it was sent but didn't arrive at Singapore Airlines, the programs usually cannot recover the miles — you would need to contact Singapore Airlines directly with the confirmation number.
Singapore Airlines customer service can be reached through their website or by phone. Have your KrisFlyer account number and the transfer confirmation number ready. Response times vary, but they typically investigate within one to two weeks. If the miles were sent to your account but you don't see them, they may be held in a pending status that clears after a few more days.
Why you might transfer miles to Singapore Airlines instead of using them elsewhere
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles can be used for flights on Singapore Airlines itself, as well as on partner airlines including United, Lufthansa, Swiss, Turkish Airlines, and others. The redemption rates vary — some flights cost fewer miles than you'd pay with other airline programs, and some cost more. If you're planning a specific trip on Singapore Airlines or one of its partners, it's worth comparing the mile cost to what you'd pay with miles from your source program.
Some people transfer miles to Singapore Airlines because they've accumulated more miles than they can use in their primary program, or because they're chasing a specific flight that's cheaper in KrisFlyer than elsewhere. Others transfer to consolidate miles from multiple programs into one account, since you can transfer from American Express, Chase, Citi, and Marriott all into the same KrisFlyer account.
Before you transfer, check the Singapore Airlines award chart to see what your target flight costs in miles. Compare that to the cost in your source program. If the KrisFlyer cost is lower, the transfer makes sense. If it's higher, you may be better off using your miles where they are.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer miles from Singapore Airlines back to American Express or Chase?
No. Transfers to Singapore Airlines are one-way only. Once miles land in your KrisFlyer account, they cannot be moved back to American Express, Chase, Citi, or any other program. This is why it's important to confirm the redemption value before you transfer.
Do I need a Singapore Airlines credit card to transfer miles?
No. You can transfer miles from any partner program into KrisFlyer without holding a Singapore Airlines credit card. You only need an active KrisFlyer account, which is free to create.
How long do transferred miles stay in my KrisFlyer account?
KrisFlyer miles don't expire as long as you have account activity at least once every three years. Activity includes earning miles, redeeming miles, or even just logging into your account. If your account goes inactive for three years, your miles may be forfeited.
Can I transfer miles from a spouse's or family member's account to my KrisFlyer?
No. You can only transfer miles from a loyalty program account that is registered in your name. The account holder and the KrisFlyer account owner must be the same person. Some programs allow family pooling, but that's a separate feature and doesn't involve Singapore Airlines.
What happens if I enter the wrong KrisFlyer account number?
Your miles will be transferred to the account number you entered, even if it's incorrect. Singapore Airlines generally cannot reverse transfers or move miles between accounts after the transfer completes. This is why confirming your KrisFlyer number before you submit is critical.