KrisFlyer, the loyalty program of the Singapore Airlines Group, and Marriott Bonvoy have partnered to offer reciprocal benefits for their elite members.
Under the partnership, elite members of either program are automatically given elite status on the other program, plus the opportunity to earn higher status through an accelerator challenge.
How Does the Marriott Bonvoy and Singapore KrisFlyer Preferred Partnership Work?
To take advantage of the partnership, you must first link your Marriott Bonvoy and KrisFlyer accounts online.
Your current elite status with either Marriott Bonvoy or Singapore KrisFlyer will dictate what elite status you’ll receive, or what you’ll need to do to earn elite status with the other program.
Using Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status to Earn KrisFlyer Elite Status
Marriott Bonvoy members with Gold Elite status, which can automatically be earned with the American Express Platinum Card, will have to fly with Singapore Airlines twice within six months of linking accounts to earn KrisFlyer Silver status.
On the other hand, Marriott Bonvoy members with Platinum Elite and higher status automatically earn KrisFlyer Elite Silver status. They also have the opportunity to upgrade to KrisFlyer Elite Gold status with just four Singapore Airlines flights within six months of linking accounts.
Using KrisFlyer Elite Status to Earn Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status
KrisFlyer Elite Silver members may earn Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status by staying three qualifying nights at Marriott Bonvoy-affiliated properties, within six months of linking accounts.
KrisFlyer Elite Gold members, as well as Solitaire PPS Club, and PPS Club members, automatically earn Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status. Likewise, they can earn Platinum Elite status by staying 10 qualifying nights at Marriott Bonvoy-affiliated properties, within six months of linking accounts.
“Qualifying nights” include those booked with points or free night certificates, as if you were accruing them to earn Bonvoy Elite status the regular way.
Is This Partnership a Good Deal?
The short answer is yes – any opportunity to get more out of your elite status with a loyalty program is a good thing.
However, it may or may not be worth the added effort to take on an accelerator challenge. Let’s look at the example of earning KrisFlyer elite status and what you get for your efforts.
KrisFlyer Elite Silver members enjoy:
- 25% tier bonus on actual miles flown on Singapore Airlines and Scoot
- Star Alliance Silver membership
- Complimentary seat selection when you fly economy with Singapore Airlines
- Priority reservation waitlist if the flight is full
- Priority airport standby
KrisFlyer Elite Gold status members enjoy:
- Lounge access at over 1,000 Star Alliance lounges worldwide, as well as Virgin Australia and Virgin Atlantic lounges
- Star Alliance Gold membership
- Extra check-in baggage allowance
- Complimentary seat selection when you fly economy on Singapore Airlines
- Priority airport check-in
- Priority boarding
- Priority baggage handling
- Complimentary Shangri-La Golden Circle Gold membership
At the KrisFlyer Elite Silver status level, you really don’t get much in the way of airline and airport benefits. However, KrisFlyer Elite Gold members receive Star Alliance Gold membership, which comes with a lot more benefits when flying with Singapore Airlines or any other Star Alliance partner.
If you’re planning on being in Singapore or Southeast Asia anyway, it could certainly be a good opportunity to earn Star Alliance Gold status by taking four flights, without having to meet the usual higher requirements.
You can, for example, fly cheap short flights between Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia or Medan, Indonesia.
Looking at the other side, leveraging KrisFlyer status for Marriott Bonvoy elite benefits could be worthwhile for Platinum status.
Frankly, Marriott Bonvoy Silver and Gold status benefits really aren’t that exciting. At the Gold level, you’ll be eligible for a 2pm late checkout and a room upgrade, but both benefits are subject to availability.
These elite status levels can also be easily earned by simply holding certain credit cards.
By contrast, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status is a lot more rewarding. You’ll have a better chance of a room upgrade, including select suites, and you’ll enjoy a welcome gift choice, which includes complimentary breakfast.
Marriott Bonvoy Platinum status usually requires 50 qualifying nights, so it’s a lot more attainable under this status challenge with only 10 nights required. Still, there are other ways of getting Platinum status via credit cards that might be even easier.
If you’re considering leveraging one of the programs to receive status with the other, it may be best to wait to link your accounts. Only do so when you’ve already firmed up your travel plans and know that you’ll be able to fulfill the requirements.
As far as we know, this will be an ongoing benefit with no deadline, but a chance to take on the accelerator challenges is likely a one-time thing.
By waiting until you’re able to firm up travel plans on Singapore Airlines, you’ll give yourself the best chance at earning a higher status, as the six-month window begins once you link your accounts.
Conclusion
The new preferred partnership between Marriott Bonvoy and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer presents an opportunity for elite members of either program to enjoy additional benefits with the other.
Depending on your current elite status, you may receive reciprocal elite status automatically, or you may have to fly with Singapore Airlines or stay at Marriott hotels to earn status. You might also have the opportunity to earn a higher status by accomplishing an accelerator challenge.
It’s always good news when we see partnerships across loyalty programs like these, which lead to more comprehensive travel benefits from just one elite status from a program.