Deal: Singapore Airlines business class from New York to Frankfurt for 56,700 miles in business or 17,500 miles in economy

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with the latest information.

While Singapore Airlines has a reputation for offering an exceptional product, booking long-haul premium-cabin awards isn’t easy. You’ll find some award availability using Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan and Air Canada Aeroplan, but you’ll usually find more availability through Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer.

KrisFlyer generally charges more miles than other loyalty programs, even on saver dates. However, the program offers discounts on select award flights each month through its KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes promotion.

Currently, you can book select promo award flights with a 30% discount if you reserve by Dec. 31 and travel between Jan. 1 and 31. This month, you’ll find flights from the U.S. in economy, premium economy and business class, including business class on the world’s longest flight (though there’s no award space at the time of writing).

Here’s how you can maximize this iteration of Singapore KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes.

The deal

Singapore Airlines premium economy — Premium economy seats on Singapore Airlines. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Airline: Singapore Airlines
Routes: New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) and FRA to JFK; San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) and SIN to SFO; Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT); JFK to SIN and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to SIN
Cost: From 17,500 miles (JFK to FRA and FRA to JFK), 26,950 miles (LAX to NRT) and 29,400 miles (SFO to SIN) in economy; 36,400 miles (JFK to FRA and FRA to JFK), 51,100 miles (LAX to NRT), 52,500 (SFO to SIN and SIN to SFO) in premium economy; 56,700 miles (JFK to FRA and FRA to JFK) and 78,050 miles (JFK/EWR to SIN) in business class — note, there are no JFK and EWR to SIN business class awards at the time of writing.
Travel dates: Jan. 1-31
Book by: Dec. 31
Pay taxes and fees with: The Platinum Card® from American Express for 5 points per dollar spent on airfare booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 spent per calendar year), the Chase Sapphire Reserve for 3 points per dollar spent on travel, the American Express® Gold Card for 3 points per dollar spent on airfare booked directly with the airline or on amextravel.com, or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card for 2 points per dollar spent on travel

Sample itineraries

Singapore KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes offers discounted award flights on select routes Singapore Airlines operates. However, only select flight numbers are discounted each month, so you’ll often only get the discount for travel in one direction.

Here’s a look at the Spontaneous Escapes pricing this month on U.S. routes:

Origin	Destination	Discounted award rate
New York (JFK)	Frankfurt	17,500 miles in economy, 36,400 miles in premium economy and 56,700 miles in business class on Flight SQ25
Frankfurt	New York (JFK)	17,500 miles in economy, 36,400 miles in premium economy and 56,700 miles in business class on Flight SQ26
Los Angeles	Tokyo	26,950 miles in economy and 51,100 in premium economy on Flight SQ11
San Francisco	Singapore	29,400 miles in economy and 52,500 in premium economy on Flight SQ31 (economy and premium economy) and Flight SQ33 (only premium economy)
Singapore	San Francisco	52,500 in premium economy on Flight SQ34
JFK	Singapore	78,050 in business class on Flight SQ23 (currently no award space)
Newark	Singapore	78,050 in business class on Flight SQ21 (currently no award space)

Remember, you must still find award availability on the KrisFlyer website. Promo awards may not be available on select dates, even ones not listed as blackout dates. When you search, you’ll see the discounted awards listed as “promo” if available.

Additionally, all of the flights on your itinerary must qualify for the promotion to access the discounted pricing. So, it might be best to book two one-way flights if there’s a promo reward available for just one direction of your flight.

Here are sample search results for some of the Asia routes. The first screenshot is in economy class, while the second is in premium economy.

Here are some options for the Europe flight in economy, premium economy and business class.

Be aware that a flight departing Europe would be subject to higher taxes and fees than a flight from the U.S. Plan to spend 125.47 euros (around $137) on one-way taxes and fees on westbound transatlantic flights per person. Conversely, eastbound transatlantic flights are only subject to $5.60 in taxes and fees.

Check the Spontaneous Escapes homepage for more details.

Earning miles to book this award

It’s relatively easy to earn Singapore KrisFlyer miles. The program is a 1:1 transfer partner with American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One, Citi ThankYou Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards. KrisFlyer is also a 3:1 transfer partner with Marriott Bonvoy, with 5,000 bonus miles offered for every 60,000 points you transfer.

Note that it may take up to 24 hours for the transferred rewards to hit your KrisFlyer account. If they don’t immediately appear, consider calling KrisFlyer to hold award seats until the points post. Doing so will lock in your award seats so you won’t have to worry about the availability disappearing. KrisFlyer generally charges 25 Singapore dollars (about $18) or 2,500 miles to hold award seats.

Bottom line

Singapore Airlines is offering a transatlantic economy-class award for just 17,500 miles and several transpacific premium economy options from just 51,100 miles for its December Spontaneous Escapes promotion. Additionally, you can book flights between New York and Frankfurt for as little as 56,700 miles in business class.

These flights can be a great use of transferable credit card points.