.
Singapore Airlines is Blocking Partner Awards, at least until 9/1/20, per Alaska Airlines. Singapore, which has largely brought coronavirus under control and has only reported 27 deaths (although 55,000 COVID-19 cases) has already been permitting certain Malaysian and Chinese business travelers to enter, and is in talks to open to Japanese businesspeople starting sometime in September 2020, followed by other “low risk” countries.
But those who wish to use partner awards to book Singapore Business Class and Singapore Suites will be out of luck, at least for now. Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan frequent flyer program partner award chart page notes that “Singapore Airlines has removed access to award travel due to the complexities of enforcing global travel restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic. We anticipate that access will be restored beginning September 1, 2020.”
Subsequent searches using Alaska Air Mileage Plan miles, United MileagePlan miles and Aeroplan miles found no Singapore Airlines award availability.
That said, it's still possible to book awards, for the Singapore flights that are flying, using Singapore KrisFlyer miles. For example, here's a Singapore Business Class LAX-SIN award:
And here's a Singapore Business Class Tokyo NRT-SIN award:
Chase Ultimate Rewards miles transfer 1:1 to Singapore KrisFlyer, generally within 24-48 hours, and that's what we'd recommend using, since it's relatively easy to earn 3X-5X Ultimate Rewards points per dollar, using the Chase Ink Cash on office supply store purchases (including Amazon and Whole Foods gift cards, earning you 5X on all Amazon and Whole Foods spend all year round); the Chase Freedom for 5X on Amazon and Whole Foods in Q3 2020; and the Chase Sapphire Reserve for 3X on all travel and dining.
AMEX Membership Rewards points and Citi ThankYou points also transfer 1:1 to Singapore KrisFlyer, but it tends to be harder to earn 5X points per dollar with AMEX and Citi credit cards.
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