Information is accurate at the time of writing.
There is a certain magic in the air during Japan’s cherry blossom season, when the country’s landscapes transform into a delicate sea of pink and white. The fleeting beauty of sakura, as the blossoms are known, is both a symbol of renewal and the impermanence of life, drawing thousands of visitors each year to witness the spectacle. Sakura season typically starts in late-March into April and can extend into early May.
If experiencing Japan’s sakura season is on your bucket list this year, we’ve got essential travel tips for you. Don’t miss any opportunity to earn KrisFlyer miles when you book your flights, hotels, car rentals and even travel activities or e-sims. Witness the breathtaking cherry blossoms in cities like Tokyo and Kyoto while making your journey more rewarding, knowing you’ve made your trip more affordable with miles.
Travelling during peak season in Japan can cause a dent in your wallet. If you have expiring miles in your KrisFlyer account, now might be the best time to redeem your KrisFlyer miles on flights, hotels or travel essentials while saving up your extra cash for your Japan shopping sprees.
Ready to start planning? Read our guide below and log in to your KrisFlyer account to start earning or redeeming miles.
And if you are travelling to Japan with Singapore Airlines or Scoot, tag us on Instagram (@krisflyer.official) and use the hashtag #MilesBetterWithKF for a chance to be featured on KrisFlyer platforms.
There are plenty of ways you can earn miles for this bucket list trip to Japan. Flying remains one of the fastest ways to earn them, and when paired with our extensive network of partner airlines, the opportunities are endless. Not only do flights with Singapore Airlines and Scoot earn you miles, but you can also rack them up when travelling with our trusted partners like ANA, Lufthansa, Air New Zealand, Eva Air, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines, and more.
The percentage of actual miles flown that you earn depends on your booking class, as well as your cabin class. You can also calculate this using the Singapore Airlines miles calculator on the airline website.
Example:
If you’re travelling from Singapore (SIN) to Tokyo’s Haneda International Airport (HND) in Business Flexi Class (tickets with booking classes J, Z or C), you’ll earn a whopping 150% of the actual miles flown—that’s 9,880 miles for a single trip!
Not to mention the extra 25% tier bonus for our PPS Club, KrisFlyer Elite Gold, and Elite Silver members on eligible flights.
Remember to add your KrisFlyer membership number to your booking for the miles to be credited to your account.
Find out more about the mileage accrual levels here.
We recommend signing up for our co-branded credit cards so that you can stack on more KrisFlyer miles when you use them to pay for your flights.
| Co-branded credit cards (Singapore) | Earn rate |
| The American Express® Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Credit Card | 2 miles for every S$1 spent on eligible Singapore Airlines and Scoot flight bookings, in addition to miles earned for initial spending upon card approval. T&Cs apply. |
| The American Express® Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card | |
| The American Express® Singapore Airlines PPS Club Credit Card | |
| The American Express® Singapore Airlines Solitaire PPS Credit Card | |
| KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card | 3 miles for every S$1 spent on eligible Singapore Airlines and Scoot flight bookings. T&Cs apply. |
If you prefer to not fork out any cash for your flights, saving your money instead for your shopping sprees in Japan, then redeeming your miles for award flights could be an option. Redeem your miles early to secure your preferred flights and maximise savings, especially during peak travel seasons. According to the Singapore Airlines Saver Award Chart, redeeming a return Economy Class flight to Japan requires 54,000 miles.
Don’t miss out on our monthly KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes to enjoy 30% off Saver award tickets to selected destinations worldwide in the Singapore Airlines network.
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Looking to wake up every day to the majestic view of Mount Fuji from your very own private balcony? Or perhaps, a luxurious ryokan stay with a private onsen tucked amidst nature’s embrace is what you’re after?
KrisFlyer miles aren’t just about covering flights, they can also make your stay in Japan truly effortless. With KrisFlyer vRooms, you can use your miles to pay for accommodation and car rentals, making trip planning seamless. With our wide range of hotel partners, you will definitely find something to suit your budget and needs. They include Accor, Agoda, Capella and Patina, Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, Fullerton & Sino Hotels, Far East Hospitality, Hilton, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, Marriott Bonvoy, Shangri-La Circle and many more. You can earn KrisFlyer miles when you make an eligible hotel booking with these partners. Do also keep a lookout for exclusive partner promotions every month on www.krisflyer.com and earn bonus miles on your bookings.
As part of our partnerships with Shangri-La Circle, Marriott Bonvoy and ALL – Accor Live Limitless, KrisFlyer members who are also members of these loyalty programmes can also choose to convert miles to points and vice versa. Those points can then go towards earning you extra perks like upgrades, free nights, spa and dining vouchers and more.
Being a member of both loyalty programmes also comes with additional bonuses. For example, eligible KrisFlyer and Marriott Bonvoy members can enjoy a complimentary status match as well as an accelerated tier upgrade with eligible flights and hotel stays.
Find out more at www.krisflyer.com/marriott.
In an expansive country like Japan which has so much to offer, getting a car rental comes in handy to ensure you get to soak in as many sights as possible. Notwithstanding the fact that the public train system in Japan is simply ace, going out and about in a car just makes it so much easier, especially if you’re travelling as family.
Look no further than our car rental partners like Avis, HERTZ, Europcar, SIXT and QEEQ.COM, and earn miles when you make a booking.
Do also keep a lookout for exclusive partner promotions every month on www.krisflyer.com and earn bonus miles on your bookings.
Dreaming of exploring the vibrant streets of Tokyo or taking in Japan’s breathtaking landscapes during peak season? Make it happen with KrisFlyer vRooms. Mix miles and cash to pay for over 350,000 hotels and 29,000 car rental locations worldwide for your next road trip, subject to a minimum usage of 1,500 KrisFlyer miles per transaction. Redeem your KrisFlyer miles to book over 350,000 hotels and 29,000 car rental locations worldwide, including Japan’s most coveted spots for travel.
Book now at www.krisflyervrooms.com.
Look no further than Pelago and think of it as that one-stop avenue that allows you to book all your travel needs. From e-sims and airport transfers to popular tourist attractions and activities not to be missed, Pelago, a travel experiences platform by Singapore Airlines, has you covered.
Earn 3 KrisFlyer miles per S$1 spent on the website, or via the Kris+ app. You may also choose to redeem your miles for activities on Pelago. With over 200,000 activities, attractions, and travel essentials spanning Japan, Singapore, and 150+ countries worldwide, Pelago helps you craft a perfect itinerary.
For your trip to Japan, here are some things you can book on Pelago:
With KrisFlyer miles, you can maximise value while securing popular activities early, a must during peak seasons in Japan. Whether you’re saving on a luxury Kobe beef dinner or a ride on Japan’s famous bullet trains, planning ahead means you can enjoy premium experiences with less out-of-pocket expense.
Need a sturdy luggage or foldable bag in anticipation of the shopping you will be doing in Japan? Or perhaps you’re looking to stock up on beauty essentials and health supplements to ensure you’re in the pink of health leading up to your holiday?
Sign up as a KrisShopper and spend on KrisShop to earn up to 4 miles per S$1 spent on your purchases. Don’t forget to charge your purchases to your co-branded Singapore Airlines Amex or KrisFlyer UOB credit cards to earn additional miles.
You also have the option to redeem your miles on your purchases. Pro tip: Sign up to receive KrisFlyer marketing and promotional e-mails to be informed of KrisShop’s Spectacular Deals every month. You can enjoy great savings when you redeem your miles in full for your purchases.
