According to the Singapore Airlines Web site, “Over the last 20 years, many services and benefits have become an integral part of the PPS Club program[me]. After careful consideration, we find that the program[me] in its current form cannot be sustained into the future.”
From Sept. 1, 2007, Singapore’s PPS Club membership will be based on a “PPS Value” in Singapore dollars instead of a miles/sectors qualification. The PPS Club qualification and renewal criteria have been set at S$25,000 within a 12-month period. Solitaire PPS Club membership qualification criteria for new members will be a cumulative PPS Value of S$250,000 within five consecutive years of PPS Club membership with renewal memberships available when a member has a PPS Value of S$25,000 within a membership year.
Another major change from Sept. 1, 2007, is that no new Solitaire PPS Club Life memberships will be awarded. According to the airline, they are taking away the lifetime membership because it is simply “not sustainable.” Those who are currently lifetime members will retain their Solitaire PPS Club Life memberships but the lifetime membership will be closed to new members. Currently, a PPS Club membership is awarded when a member earns 50,000 PPS Club miles or 25 PPS Club sectors within a period of 24 consecutive months. PPS Club miles are those miles flown in first or business class on Singapore Airlines or SilkAir. To renew your PPS club membership, you would need to earn at least 50,000 PPS Club miles or fly 25 PPS Club sectors during your PPS Club membership year. Because the new qualification is based on the money you spend instead of the miles or sectors you fly, the class of service bonuses are no longer applicable for PPS Club qualification and renewal.
From April 1, 2007, members who login to their accounts will be able to view the PPS Value they have accrued in the current membership year for PPS Club members or in the last 12 months for KrisFlyer members. The conversion rate is one PPS Club mile equals a cumulative PPS Value of S$0.50 and one sector equals a PPS Value of S$1,000.
KrisFlyer mileage accrual stays the same. The 150 percent and 125 percent class bonuses on actual distance traveled, for flight in first or business class, will still be applicable for KrisFlyer mileage accrual. Also, KrisFlyer Elite Gold, Elite Silver and PPS Club members will continue to receive a 25 percent tier bonus on actual distance traveled on Singapore Airlines, SilkAir or Virgin Atlantic when the miles earned are credited to their KrisFlyer accounts.
Furthermore, changes are being made to lounge privileges. Solitaire PPS Club members are welcome to use the first class SilverKris Lounge, but only when they travel on Singapore Airlines or SilkAir, this varies from the current policy where Solitaire members have access to the lounge regardless of what airline they travel. PPS Club members will no longer have access to the first class SilverKris Lounge; but are welcome in the business class SilverKris Lounge when traveling on business or coach class on Singapore Airlines or SilkAir.
