100,000 Points: Across the Ocean – Singapore
About This Series
Booking your first long-haul award flight can feel intimidating.
A weekend getaway is one thing. Crossing an ocean with points is another.
This series explores realistic ways to reach destinations around the world using around 100,000 points or less. That may mean flying economy, premium economy, or when award space and transfer partners align, even business class.
Because points and miles are constantly changing, I believe they’re meant to be used—not saved forever waiting for the perfect redemption.
The goal isn’t to chase unicorn awards.
It’s to help you book the trip you’ve been dreaming about.
Why Singapore?
My first trip to Asia wasn’t supposed to include Singapore.
I was flying from Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok when my friend and I decided to turn the journey into an adventure by spending the day in Singapore before continuing on to Thailand.
In just one day, we managed to see many of the city’s highlights. But instead of feeling like I had “done” Singapore, it had the opposite effect.
It gave me just enough of a taste to know I wanted to come back.
Singapore has a little bit of everything. You can wander through Gardens by the Bay, admire the skyline from Marina Bay, explore neighborhoods like Chinatown and Little India, eat incredible meals at world-famous hawker centers, and finish the day with a rooftop view of one of the most impressive skylines in Asia. It’s a city that’s easy to navigate, incredibly clean, and makes a fantastic introduction to Southeast Asia.
Four years later, I’m planning to return, this time for several days instead of a single day. That makes Singapore a fitting place to launch this series because I’m doing the same research many readers are: comparing award programs, weighing different routes, and figuring out how to make the trip happen.
Quick Trip Snapshot
| Topic | Quick Take |
|---|---|
| Best weather | Singapore is warm year-round (around 80–90°F / 27–32°C). While rain is possible in any month, February through April are generally among the sunniest times to visit. |
| High season | December through February and major school holidays tend to bring the highest hotel prices. |
| Shoulder season | April–May and September–October often strike a great balance between weather, crowds, and value. |
| How long to stay | Three to four days is enough for a first visit, though Singapore also pairs well with a longer Southeast Asia itinerary. |
| Language | English is one of Singapore’s official languages, making it one of the easiest destinations in Asia for first-time visitors. |
| Getting around | Singapore’s MRT is clean, affordable, and connects nearly every major attraction, making a rental car unnecessary. |
| Budget | Singapore is one of Southeast Asia’s more expensive cities, but world-class meals at hawker centers can still cost less than $10. |
| Airport & Connections | Even if you’re only connecting through Singapore, don’t rush out of the airport. Changi Airport is consistently ranked among the world’s best, with indoor gardens, the Jewel complex, the HSBC Rain Vortex—the world’s tallest indoor waterfall—and enough attractions that many travelers intentionally schedule a longer layover to experience it. |
| Currency (SGD) Singapore Dollar | Credit cards are widely accepted, though it’s helpful to carry a little cash for some hawker stalls and small vendors. |
What Makes Long-Haul Awards Different
Long-haul award travel takes a little more planning than booking a domestic flight or weekend getaway. Before comparing airline programs, here are four concepts that will help you make better redemption decisions.
1. Set realistic expectations
My goal isn’t to showcase unicorn redemptions that require months of searching or incredible luck. Instead, I focus on awards that most travelers have a reasonable chance of booking.
Business class across the ocean for around 100,000 points is possible, but it usually requires flexibility. You may need to book close to a year in advance (or at the last minute), adjust your travel dates, depart from a different airport, or settle for premium economy or economy instead.
The more constraints you have, the fewer options you’ll find.
2. Don’t overlook positioning flights
Many of the best award flights depart from major gateway airports rather than your hometown.
If you need a separate ticket to reach your international departure airport, that’s called a positioning flight.
Whenever possible, arrive the morning of an evening departure, or the night before an early morning flight. Building in extra time is often much cheaper than missing an international award ticket.
When comparing options, don’t forget to include positioning flights, airport hotels, and your time in the overall cost of the trip.
3. Always compare the entire itinerary
The cheapest award isn’t always the best award.
A flight that costs a few thousand more points may save hundreds of dollars in taxes, eliminate an overnight hotel, reduce travel time, or avoid multiple connections.
Don’t evaluate flights by the mileage price alone.
Evaluate the entire journey.
4. Understand the rules before you transfer
Credit card points are incredibly flexible, until you transfer them to an airline or hotel program.
Once they’re transferred, the move is permanent, there is no ability to transfer them back.
Before transferring points:
- Confirm the award space is actually available.
- Understand the airline’s cancellation and redeposit fees.
- Check whether the airline’s miles expire.
- Don’t rely solely on award-alert tools, phantom award space is real, and availability can disappear quickly.
If you find an award that fits your plans, don’t assume it’ll still be there tomorrow.
Transfer only when you’re ready to book.
Flying to Singapore
Singapore is served by Singapore Airlines, the country’s flag carrier and one of the world’s most highly regarded airlines.
From the United States, Singapore Airlines operates nonstop service from New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Los Angeles (LAX), and San Francisco (SFO). These are among the longest nonstop flights in the world and are often the most desirable award redemptions to Singapore.
Unless you already live near one of these airports, you’ll likely need a positioning flight before beginning your international journey. As we discussed earlier, don’t focus only on the points required. Consider the total cost of the trip, including domestic flights, airport hotels, taxes, and travel time.
In the sections below, we’ll start with Singapore Airlines before exploring other airline programs that can also get you to Singapore using points.
While the most straightforward way to book Singapore Airlines is through its own KrisFlyer program, the airline is also a member of Star Alliance, which means you can often book the same flights through partner programs like United MileagePlus or Air Canada Aeroplan. The tradeoff is that partner programs typically have access to fewer award seats than you’ll see when booking directly through Singapore Airlines.
Singapore KrisFlyer
Transfer partners: Amex • Capital One • Chase • Citi
Why Book Through KrisFlyer?
Singapore Airlines is the country’s flag carrier and the only airline offering nonstop service between Singapore and the New York area, with flights from JFK and Newark (EWR). It also operates nonstop flights from Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO), making KrisFlyer the natural place to start your search.
One feature that sets KrisFlyer apart is its stopover program, which lets you add time in Singapore before continuing to another destination on eligible itineraries. If you’re planning a larger Southeast Asia trip, it’s worth exploring before booking.
Redeeming Points
Singapore Airlines offers three award pricing tiers:
| Award Type | Best For |
|---|---|
| Saver | Lowest mileage price and the best value. |
| Advantage | More availability for additional miles. |
| Access | Highest mileage price and generally best reserved for fixed travel dates. |
During my searches, I consistently found Saver Economy awards for 46,000 miles one way on the JFK–Frankfurt–Singapore routing, putting a roundtrip just under this series’ 100,000-point target.
One thing I noticed during my searches was that Saver doesn’t always mean immediately bookable. On some dates, the lowest-priced award was only available via Singapore Airlines’ Saver Waitlist, meaning your redemption request must clear before your seat is confirmed.
Because waitlist requests are never guaranteed, I wouldn’t rely on them when planning a trip. Instead, I’d continue searching for dates with confirmed Saver availability or consider another program if your travel dates are fixed.
During my searches, I focused primarily on Saver Economy awards because they fit this series’ goal of reaching Singapore for around 100,000 points. However, I also found Saver Premium Economy availability on Singapore Airlines’ nonstop flights from the United States. Award prices started at 79,000 miles from Los Angeles (LAX) and 84,500 miles from both Newark (EWR) and New York (JFK). If you’re based near one of these gateway airports and value the convenience of a nonstop flight, Premium Economy could be a worthwhile splurge—especially on the outbound journey. You could then book a lower-priced Economy award for the return and still enjoy a more comfortable trip without committing to the much higher cost of Business Class.
United MileagePlus
Transfer partners: Bilt • Chase
Why Book Through United MileagePlus?
United doesn’t fly nonstop to Singapore, but its extensive U.S. route network and Star Alliance partnerships make it one of the easiest programs to use.
Unlike some programs that primarily work from a handful of gateway airports, United offers award availability from cities across the country. During my searches, I found one-stop itineraries departing from Denver (DEN), Newark (EWR), Washington D.C. (IAD), Houston (IAH), Chicago (ORD), New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), and Seattle (SEA).
Redeeming Points
I consistently found one-way Economy awards starting around 60,500 miles plus about $50 in taxes.
Don’t be afraid of an extra domestic connection if it means starting from your home airport on a single award ticket. Instead, focus on minimizing unnecessary international layovers, which can add hours to an already long journey.
During my searches, I also found Premium Economy (United Premium Plus) available on the nonstop San Francisco (SFO)–Singapore (SIN) route for 65,000 miles + $5.60 one way. For an additional 4,500 points over Economy, I’d strongly consider booking a positioning flight to San Francisco and splurging on the upgrade. On a journey lasting well over 16 hours, that’s a small premium for a much more comfortable flight.
Atmos Rewards
Transfer partners: Bilt
Why Book Through Atmos Rewards?
Atmos Rewards is the combined loyalty program of Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. While neither airline flies to Singapore, the program offers access to excellent partner airlines like Cathay Pacific and Starlux, making it one of the strongest options for travelers departing from the West Coast.
Redeeming Points
During my searches, I consistently found one-way Economy awards for 42,500 points plus about $40 in taxes, with connections through Taipei (TPE) or Hong Kong (HKG).
At 42,500 points each way, Atmos Rewards comfortably fits within this series’ 100,000-point target while keeping out-of-pocket costs relatively low. If you’re based near Seattle (SEA), San Francisco (SFO), or Los Angeles (LAX), this is one of the most compelling options to consider.
Atmos Rewards also has one of my favorite award search tools. The monthly calendar makes it easy to identify the cheapest travel dates at a glance, and the fare type drop-down lets you quickly compare Main, Premium Economy, and Business award availability.
During my searches, Main cabin awards were plentiful, while Premium Economy availability was noticeably more limited. That’s where having flexible travel dates can really pay off. I still found several dates offering Premium Economy for just 55,000 points—an upgrade I’d seriously consider for a flight of this length.
Flying Blue
Transfer partners: Amex • Bilt • Capital One • Chase • Citi • Rove
Why Book Through Flying Blue?
Flying Blue, the joint loyalty program of Air France and KLM, won’t offer the shortest journey to Singapore, but it provides another option for travelers with flexible transferable points, especially those departing from Atlanta (ATL).
Redeeming Points
During my searches, I regularly found one-way Economy awards for around 62,500 miles.
One thing I noticed was a significant difference in taxes depending on the routing. Flights traveling east through Europe, with connections in Paris (CDG) or Amsterdam (AMS), typically carried $200–250 in taxes and fees. Meanwhile, itineraries traveling west through Asia, with connections in Seoul (ICN), were closer to $50 in taxes, making them the better overall value despite the longer route.
When comparing Flying Blue awards, don’t just look at the mileage price. The routing you choose can have a dramatic impact on your out-of-pocket costs.
Emirates Skywards
Transfer partners: Amex (5:4) • Bilt (1:1) • Capital One (2:1.5) • Citi (1:0.8)
Why Book Through Emirates Skywards?
Emirates offers another interesting way to reach Singapore, particularly for travelers departing from Dallas (DFW). Rather than crossing the Pacific, these itineraries route through Dubai (DXB), giving you the opportunity to experience one of the world’s premier connecting hubs.
Redeeming Points
During my searches, I consistently found one-way Economy awards for 42,500 Skywards miles plus roughly $300 in taxes and fees.
The advertised award price doesn’t tell the whole story. Because several transferable currencies no longer transfer to Emirates at a 1:1 ratio, you’ll actually need more credit card points than the award chart suggests.
To book a 42,500-mile award, you would need approximately:
| Transfer Partner | Credit Card Points Needed |
|---|---|
| Bilt (1:1) | 42,500 |
| Amex (5:4) | 54,000 |
| Citi (1:0.8) | 54,000 |
| Capital One (2:1.5) | 57,000 |
When comparing transfer partners, always calculate how many credit card points you’ll actually need, not just the airline miles shown on the award chart.
Is Booking with Points Worth It?
The premise of this series is simple: Can you visit incredible destinations for around 100,000 points?
Based on the sample searches in this article, the answer is yes. But these are just examples—award pricing and availability change constantly, so your results may vary.
Booking with points isn’t always the easiest option. You may need to position to another airport, be flexible with your travel dates, or piece together an itinerary that works. Sometimes, after weighing all of those factors, paying cash is simply the better choice, and that’s okay. The goal isn’t to use points on every trip. The goal is simply to travel more.
Which Flight Would I Book?
If I were planning this trip today, the first award I’d search for would be Singapore Airlines Premium Economy booked through United MileagePlus. Partner availability can be elusive, but at 65,000 United miles, I’d happily position to San Francisco for the added comfort on a flight lasting more than 16 hours. I’d even turn the positioning flight into a one-day stop and spend another day exploring San Francisco before continuing to Singapore.
For the journey home, my priorities would be different. Rather than positioning again, I’d probably book a Singapore Airlines Saver Economy award into New York (JFK) and make the short trip back to Philadelphia.
That was my biggest takeaway from researching Singapore. The best redemption wasn’t necessarily the one requiring the fewest points—it was the one that made the journey more enjoyable. Sometimes that meant spending a few extra miles for Premium Economy. Other times it meant positioning to another airport.
Whether you fly Economy, Premium Economy, Business Class, or a mix of all three, the real value of points isn’t chasing the perfect redemption. It’s using them to build the trip that’s right for you.
So You Found the Flight…But Do You Have the Points?
Finding award availability is only half the battle.
The good news is that earning 100,000 points is often easier than people think. Between welcome bonuses, everyday spending, and a little planning, many travelers can earn enough points for a trip like this without ever stepping on a plane.
If you’re just getting started, these articles will help:
- Capital One Venture X Review – Learn why it’s one of my favorite premium travel cards and how its welcome bonus can unlock trips like this.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred: My Favorite Beginner Travel Card – The card I recommend for most people starting their travel rewards journey.
- Are You Building, Earning, or Burning? – My framework for deciding when to save points, when to earn more, and when it’s finally time to book.
Where Would You Go With 100,000 Points?
Would you spend 100,000 points flying to Singapore, or is another destination calling your name?
Follow Along With the Series
Every article in the 100K Across the Ocean series answers the same question:
How far can 100,000 points really take you?
Next, we’re heading to a country known for:
- 💃 Tango
- 🏔️ Glaciers
- 🍷 Malbec
- 🥩 World-famous steak
- 🐧 Penguins
Can you guess the next destination before it’s published?