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It costs fewer Singapore miles to fly United economy flights to Europe than the same flight costs with United miles, and neither award has fuel surcharges.
Conclusion: book United economy awards to Europe with Singapore miles instead of United miles.
From Singapore’s award chart:
- 27,500 miles one way in economy to Europe (United charges 30k)
- 65,000 miles one way in Business Class (United charges 57.5k)
- 80,000 miles one way in First Class (United charges the same)
Singapore does not collect fuel surcharges on awards of United flights, so those economy awards on United flights are just cheaper with Singapore miles, which are so easy to get because Singapore miles are a transfer partner of Chase, AMEX, Citi, and SPG points.
How to Book a Singapore Award on United Flights to Europe
I want to fly from Washington DC to Madrid in May, and though I’d prefer to fly Business Class or First Class, my top priority is getting on United’s direct flight on the route to save time.
I searched united.com for award space and found Saver award space for the day I want. Singapore Airlines will have access to all the Saver award space listed on united.com if you search without logging in. United charges 30,000 miles + $5.60 for the flight.
I called Singapore at 213-404-0301 and fed the agent the date, flight number, and cabin of the flight I wanted. She found space immediately and priced it at 27,500 Singapore miles + 32 SGD (~$23.50).
Why does Singapore charge about $18 extra in taxes on the one way flight? According to ITA Matrix, the flight I want has three taxes, fees, and charges. United only collects the September 11th Security Fee while Singapore collects that plus the US International Departure Tax. That accounts for the $18 difference, which is well worth paying to save 2,500 miles.
Note that the United paid flight also has a stiff fuel surcharge of $248. Singapore does not collect fuel surcharges on awards on United flights.
I priced out other Singapore awards using direct United flights like Chicago to London and connecting flights like Tampa to Washington to Madrid.
All these awards were the same 27,500 Singapore miles and $23.50.
What I’m Not Saying
I’m not saying Singapore miles are better than United miles to Europe.
- Singapore collects fuel surcharges on most other common partners, and United never collects fuel surcharges.
- For United flights, Singapore charges more miles than United for Business Class awards and the same amount for First Class awards
But for United economy flights to Europe, Singapore miles offer a better deal than United miles.
This is compounded by the fact that Singapore miles are easier to get than United miles.
Getting the Miles
Singapore miles are a partner of every transferable points program.
Bottom Line
Pretty soon here I’ll probably book a United economy flight to Europe. Instead of spending 30,000 harder-to-get United miles, I’ll spend 27,500 transfer-partner-of-everyone Singapore miles on the exact same flight.
Both awards are fuel surcharges free, and the Singapore awards to Europe just have about $18 more in taxes.
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Everything would be perfect if only there were more flights available on United itself. Most of the time there are seats available with partners, i.e. LH, LOT, Swiss, etc. instead.
United economy space isn’t so bad, but I’d always like more.
Everything would be perfect if only there were more flights available on United itself. Most of the time there are seats available with partners, i.e. LH, LOT, Swiss, etc. instead.
United economy space isn’t so bad, but I’d always like more.
What about using miles from LHR-USA? Are there any discounts on airport fees using Singapore miles?
No. All programs collect the same airport and government taxes.
Except in your post you detail how United does not collect the same tax as SQ (the international departure tax)?
What about using miles from LHR-USA? Are there any discounts on airport fees using Singapore miles?
No. All programs collect the same airport and government taxes.
Except in your post you detail how United does not collect the same tax as SQ (the international departure tax)?
What happens if you fly to fra w united and the next leg w lufthansa, the fuel surcharge kicks in right? Say ord to fra to bud?
Yes, you pay the applicable fuel surcharge for FRA-BUD on Lufthansa.
What happens if you fly to fra w united and the next leg w lufthansa, the fuel surcharge kicks in right? Say ord to fra to bud?
Yes, you pay the applicable fuel surcharge for FRA-BUD on Lufthansa.
GTK. Still, Chase UR to Singapore transfers are not instantaneous. Personally, I don’t bank SQ miles, so a difference of (2,500 miles, less $18) might not be worth my extra time (and possibly risk) to snag the flight a few days later.
Good point. You have to weigh that risk.
GTK. Still, Chase UR to Singapore transfers are not instantaneous. Personally, I don’t bank SQ miles, so a difference of (2,500 miles, less $18) might not be worth my extra time (and possibly risk) to snag the flight a few days later.
Good point. You have to weigh that risk.
Why are some United Saver Business pricing out at 70,000 vs 57,500? I was looking specifically at EWR-LIS.
NVM – partner flight…got it
Why are some United Saver Business pricing out at 70,000 vs 57,500? I was looking specifically at EWR-LIS.
[…] This week I posted that it is cheaper to use Singapore Airlines miles to book United flights to Europe in economy than it is to book the same flights with United miles. Check out that full post. […]
In addition, a stopover could booked on an one-way SQ award, right?
For a $100 fee (plus additional taxes on the next segment.) I don’t think that’s generally worth it intra-Europe where you can book many flights for under $100.
What if United has no saver awards available? Can you book standard? And if so, what does Singapore charge?
No, as with every type of miles, partners can only book Saver space.
Does anyone know – if you are a United 1k – and use Singapore miles on a United Flight- can you get Economy Plus seating?
Yes you can…as soon as you add your United account number to the reservation.
[…] Citi, and American Express points. Any other use for which Singapore miles are valuable (like United flights to Europe, Singapore Suites, and awards to South America with a few stopovers) can also be leveraged by […]
[…] from a low tax country–like Spain or Switzerland–to the United States on a one way award with Singapore miles (on a United flight) for a very cheap European vacation. Returning from London will incur expensive departure […]
[…] from a low tax country–like Spain or Switzerland–to the United States on a one way award with Singapore miles (on a United flight) for a very cheap European vacation. Returning from London will incur expensive departure […]