The Ya Kun of the Miles Game: Why KrisFlyer Will Always Be Singapore's Default

If you were to ask any miles enthusiast in Singapore which frequent flyer programme offers the absolute best value on paper, you might hear whispers of Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, or even EVA Air Infinity MileageLands. Like most good responses to vague questions, the answer is almost always - it depends. These programmes often boast lower redemption rates or unique sweet spots that mathematically beat Singapore Airlines. Yet, if you look at the actual balances of most Singaporean credit card holders, the vast majority of points are destined for one place: Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer. Why is this the case? If other programmes are better or cheaper, why does the Lion City stick so stubbornly to its home carrier? The answer lies in a simple analogy: KrisFlyer is the Ya Kun Kaya Toast of the miles world.

Image generated by Gemini AI.

You know exactly what you are getting with Ya Kun. Is it the most artisanal, single-origin coffee bean? No. Is it the cheapest cup of kopi you can find in a hawker centre? Also no. But it is reliable, it is accessible on almost every street corner, and it offers a consistent product that hits the spot. It is the path of least resistance. Similarly, KrisFlyer might not always offer the best value or the warmest service, but it offers the lowest barrier to entry.

The Transfer Partner Monopoly

The single biggest reason for KrisFlyer’s dominance is the sheer volume of transfer partners. In Singapore, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to miles-earning credit cards, but the transfer pipeline is heavily skewed. Whether you are holding a card from DBS, UOB, American Express, Standard Chartered, or Maybank, you can be almost certain that your points transfer to KrisFlyer.

Photo Credit: UOB

Compare this to other programmes:

• Qatar Airways Privilege Club: Primarily Citi, HSBC and HeyMax (or via British Airways Executive Club).

• EVA Air Infinity MileageLands: Citi, American Express, HSBC and HeyMax.

For the average consumer who holds a mix of cards, pooling points into a single foreign frequent flyer programme is often a logistical nightmare (not to mention the transfer costs associated with each transfer). KrisFlyer is the universal bucket that catches drops from every faucet.

Photo Credit: Andy Luten

Direct Flights vs. The Scary Stopover

While miles hackers are often happy to fly Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong or Malaysia Airlines via Kuala Lumpur to save significantly on fares or miles, the average Singaporean traveller values one currency above all others: Convenience. Flying with a foreign carrier usually means a transit in their home hub. For many, the idea of a stopover is daunting as it adds time, complexity, and the fear of missing a connection.

However, seasoned travellers know that if you are flying in Business Class or hold elite status, a stopover is not necessarily a burden. It is a chance to stretch your legs in flagship lounges like The Pier, First in HKG or the Malaysia Airlines Platinum Lounge in KUL. The cost savings (in terms of cash and miles) of flying indirect can be massive, yet most Singaporeans will happily pay the direct flight premium just to get it over with.

Obviously, Singapore Airlines offers the most comprehensive network of direct flights from Changi Airport. If you want to get to Paris without detouring through the Middle East or Europe, KrisFlyer is often your only realistic ticket, regardless of the higher cost.

Photo Credit: Singapore Airlines

The Service Gold Standard

There is an undeniable emotional component to flying with Singapore Airlines, though it is a double-edged sword. For many, redeeming their first award ticket is a rite of passage. It is not just about the transport; it is about the Book the Cook Lobster Thermidor and the iconic Sarong Kebaya (or even a customary birthday cake that has been getting quite a bit of media attention lately).

However, the reality of the onboard experience is often quite different from the marketing. Singapore Airlines delivers a product that is undeniably efficient, but often described by frequent flyers as formal but somewhat clinical.

The food is generally excellent and I dare say it ranks amongst the best in the region, but the service can feel incredibly sterile. There is a robotic perfection to it that lacks the genuine warmth or personality you might find on other carriers. In many ways, Singapore Airlines’ greatest competition is its own past; it used to be better, warmer, and more personal. Despite this soulless efficiency, it remains the preference because it is predictable and safe. You know exactly what you will get, and for a risk-averse Singaporean traveller, that consistency beats the gamble of trying a new airline.

Photo Credit: KrisShop

The Ecosystem: Earning Beyond Flying

The learning curve for KrisFlyer is practically non-existent because the programme has integrated itself into our daily lifestyles. You do not need to fly to earn miles.

• Kris+: This app has been a game-changer for those in Singapore (as well as for those living in selected cities abroad), allowing users to plenty of miles on dining and shopping instantly.

• Pelago: Earning miles on travel activities and bookings.

• KrisShop: Burning (albeit at poor value) or earning miles on duty-free.

This ecosystem makes the programme feel tangible. Seeing miles trickle in from a lunch at a partner restaurant reinforces the loyalty loop in a way that earning miles with a distant carrier like EVA Air simply cannot.

Photo Credit: EVA Air

The Safe Recommendation

Finally, there is the social proof. When a friend asks, "Which credit card should I get?" or "How do I use my miles?", the answer is almost always geared towards KrisFlyer. It is the safe recommendation. If you recommend that a friend transfers their points to British Airways to redeem a Japan Airlines flight, and they encounter a booking engine glitch or a lack of award space (due to poor planning), you look like the bad guy. If you recommend KrisFlyer, they log in, they see the flight, they book it - it all works without much resistance.

People will always tell you that Business Class on Singapore Airlines is the best. While seasoned travellers know that best is subjective (and competition from the likes of EVA Air, Cathay Pacific, and Middle Eastern carriers is fierce), the reputation of Singapore Airlines ensures that KrisFlyer remains the gold standard for the mass market.

Photo Credit: Singapore Airlines

Conclusion

Is KrisFlyer the best programme in the world? Mathematically, perhaps not always. The service might be more sterile than in the golden days, and you certainly pay a premium for the convenience of avoiding stopovers. However, is it the best programme for a Singaporean looking for a consistent, hassle-free, and emotionally satisfying travel experience? Absolutely. Just like our beloved Kaya Toast, it might not be the fanciest option on the menu, but it is the one we keep coming back to, time and time again.