Earning PPS Value on Singapore Airlines Business and First Class When Crediting to Other FFP - Double Dip?

When I flew back on Singapore Airlines from Auckland a couple of days back, I shared a screenshot of my KrisFlyer account where I managed to earn PPS Value (since it was a revenue ticket in Business Class) from the flight even though it was credited into my Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account. Ever since then, I have received quite a number of questions regarding that so I thought I would write a quick post about it.

Click HERE to find out more about the differences between being a PPS Club member versus a KrisFlyer Elite member!

Photo Credit: Singapore Airlines

Just as a quick recap, PPS Value can only be earned when traveling in Business Class or First Class on Singapore Airlines and SilkAir. According to Singapore Airlines, this is how the PPS Value is being calculated on your flight

PPS Value is based on your total airfare and applicable surcharge, but not airport taxes. It’s calculated in Singapore dollars, so if you’ve bought your ticket in another currency, the airfare and surcharge portions are converted to Singapore dollars to determine your PPS Value*.

Photo Credit: Alaska Airlines

Since I am already very satisfied with the number of KrisFlyer Miles I currently hold and there are various ways to earn them, I have decided to credit my flight to my Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account. I currently hold MVP Gold status in this Frequent Flyer Programme (FFP) and I receive 100% more (base) miles as part of my benefits. Let put things into simple math to illustrate my point - I do not hold any significant status with the Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer program at the moment (just Silver Elite) but I will get 25% more (base miles) if I were to credit this flight into my KrisFlyer account:

  • KrisFlyer Elite Gold/Silver: 15,675 KF Miles

  • Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan MVP Gold: 31,350 AS Miles

Photo Credit: Japan Airlines

15,000 KF Miles will only take me to Bali and back in Economy Class (which I will not take anyway) so it really isn't great. On the other hand, 25,000 AS Miles can take my to Tokyo and (somewhat) back in Business Class on Japan Airlines so the decision is a fairly simple one.

  • KrisFlyer (No Status): 13,062 KrisFlyer Miles

  • Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan (No Status): 20,900 AS Miles

Photo Credit: Singapore Airlines

Of course, not everyone has statuses in FFPs but even then, crediting these flights to the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan still make a lot of sense since there is always some kind of bonus running for the sale of Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles (great way to top up your account balance!). Since I have credited my flights into my Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan account, I will be earning AS Miles for these flights - they have not been posted into my account yet at the time of writing. However, since my Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer accounts are linked, these two flights will also earn me PPS Value which goes towards the qualification of my PPS Club membership - all I have to do is to accumulate at least 25,000 in PPS Value within 12 consecutive months. Remember, being a PPS Club member will also give you Star Alliance Gold which is useful for those Economy Class flights (or simply to guest one of your friends into an airport lounge).