Frequent flyer programmes such as Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer scheme are an excellent way to extract additional value from your travels. For parents who travel with their children, a common question arises: Can my kids earn KrisFlyer miles too? The answer is yes—but with nuances worth understanding.
In this article, we explore how families can accumulate KrisFlyer miles through their children’s travel, the specific policies governing child accounts, and practical tips to maximise mile accrual for the entire family. Whether you’re a seasoned jet-setter or planning your child’s first long-haul flight, this guide will help you leverage every opportunity to earn—and redeem—miles for your little ones.
1. Understanding KrisFlyer Basics for Children
Singapore Airlines allows children to have their own KrisFlyer membership accounts. From the moment your child is born, they are eligible to enrol. There is no minimum age requirement, and no special “junior” programme; children enjoy the same benefits as adult members—albeit at an age-appropriate level.
Enrolment Process
Registering a KrisFlyer account for a child is straightforward and can be completed online:
- Go to the KrisFlyer sign-up page
- Use the child’s full legal name as it appears on their passport
- Enter a valid email address (this can be the parent’s or a shared family email)
- Provide passport details and date of birth
Once registered, your child will receive a unique KrisFlyer number which can be used to earn miles on flights, codeshare journeys, and even partner promotions.
2. Earning Miles from Singapore Airlines Flights
Eligibility of Fare Class
Children aged 2 and above who occupy a seat on Singapore Airlines flights are eligible to earn KrisFlyer miles at the same accrual rate as adults—as long as they are booked on an eligible fare class. Infant fares (usually for children under 2 who do not occupy a seat) typically do not accrue miles, as they are heavily discounted.
Fare class matters greatly. Economy Lite, for example, earns fewer miles than Economy Flexi. Booking under Saver or promotional fares might result in reduced accrual or even zero miles. It’s advisable to check the fare class before purchase using the airline’s mileage calculator.
Booking Tips
- Always include the child’s KrisFlyer number at the time of booking
- If booking via a travel agent, double-check that frequent flyer information is properly added to the reservation
- Retain boarding passes and e-tickets in case you need to retroactively claim miles
3. Claiming Missing Miles for Children
Even with the best intentions, miles occasionally fail to post. Fortunately, Singapore Airlines allows you to claim missing miles for your child within six months of the flight date. You can do this through:
- The KrisFlyer portal: Login using your child’s credentials
- “Claim Missing Miles” section: Input flight and ticket details
Note that the name and KrisFlyer number must match exactly with the information used during booking. In cases where miles are denied due to fare class or age policy, you may receive an email explaining the reason.
4. What About Infants?
Singapore Airlines defines infants as children under 2 years of age who do not occupy their own seat. These children are not eligible to earn KrisFlyer miles, as they travel under a discounted fare structure that excludes mileage accrual.
However, if you opt to book a full fare seat for an infant—say, for safety reasons using an infant car seat—they will be treated like any other child passenger and thus eligible to earn miles on qualifying fare classes.
5. Redeeming Miles for Children’s Flights
Just as children can earn miles, they can also redeem them. This includes:
- Award flights on Singapore Airlines and partner airlines
- Seat upgrades using miles
- Redemption for KrisShop items or other partner rewards
Parents should manage these redemptions via their child’s KrisFlyer account or authorise a redemption nominee (typically a parent or guardian). If your child’s balance is low, you can transfer miles from your own account under certain conditions (explained below).
6. Pooling KrisFlyer Miles: Can Families Combine Miles?
Unfortunately, KrisFlyer does not currently support family pooling—a feature offered by some other frequent flyer programmes (e.g. British Airways Executive Club). Each member must accrue and redeem miles individually.
However, there are some partial workarounds:
Redemption Nominees
You can register up to five nominees on your KrisFlyer account, allowing you to use your own miles to book tickets for your child (and vice versa). This can be especially useful if one family member earns miles more quickly.
Transfer to Scoot’s KrisFlyer Family Account
If you frequently travel on Scoot, Singapore Airlines’ low-cost subsidiary, you can use the KrisFlyer Family Account on the KrisFlyer for Scoot platform. This allows parents to manage and consolidate redemption options for their children, but note:
- This applies only to redemption on Scoot, not mile accrual
- Your child must have a KrisFlyer account to be added to the family
7. Partner Airlines and Other Ways Kids Can Earn Miles
KrisFlyer miles aren’t limited to Singapore Airlines flights. Children can also earn miles through:
- Star Alliance partners (e.g. Lufthansa, ANA, United)
- Codeshare flights with partner airlines (subject to fare eligibility)
- Hotel bookings, car rentals, and retail partners linked to their KrisFlyer number
For example, a hotel stay with a participating chain such as Hilton or Marriott will allow your child to accrue KrisFlyer miles, provided the booking is under their name and KrisFlyer number.
Additionally, some credit cards allow parents to transfer earned miles to a child’s account as part of supplementary cardholder benefits, although this depends on the bank’s policy and is more common for older teens.
8. Maximising Your Family’s KrisFlyer Strategy
To make the most of KrisFlyer for your children, consider the following family-centric tips:
a) Plan Bookings Strategically
When travelling as a family, use fare classes that offer good mileage returns for all passengers. Even if a higher fare costs more, it may yield better long-term value through accrued miles.
b) Set Up Accounts Early
Register your children for KrisFlyer as early as possible—even if they’re not yet flying. This allows you to receive promotional offers, maintain a consistent travel profile, and be ready for mile accrual as soon as they fly.
c) Don’t Let Miles Expire
KrisFlyer miles expire after 36 months, regardless of account activity. For children who travel infrequently, consider setting a calendar reminder or use their miles for smaller redemptions like KrisShop gifts or Scoot vouchers.
d) Track and Monitor
Use a spreadsheet or a frequent flyer app to keep track of each family member’s miles, expiration dates, and travel history. It’s easy for a child’s account to fall into disuse if not actively managed.
9. What Happens When Your Child Turns 18?
KrisFlyer accounts for children automatically transition without restrictions once they become adults. If your child has amassed a healthy balance of miles by age 18, they can continue to use the account seamlessly for redemptions, upgrades, and more.
If you had been managing the account on their behalf, it’s worth guiding them on how to independently handle it—especially if they continue to travel for study or work.
Conclusion: Small Flyers, Big Rewards
While Singapore Airlines does not offer a formal family pooling programme, its inclusive approach to child membership in KrisFlyer makes it relatively straightforward for children to earn and redeem miles. With some planning, consistency, and awareness of fare structures, families can unlock significant value from every journey taken together.
From booking the right fare class to proactively claiming missing miles, parents play a crucial role in building a rewarding KrisFlyer portfolio not just for themselves—but for the next generation of travellers. After all, good travel habits begin early, and few are as gratifying as watching your child’s miles grow, one flight at a time.
