Your guide to Singapore Airlines PPS Club and Solitaire status

SQ’s highest-spending frequent flyers enjoy exclusive perks outside the main KrisFlyer program.

By Staff Writers, December 22 2023
Your guide to Singapore Airlines PPS Club and Solitaire status

Jetsetters the world over are familiar with Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer, a program rewarding loyal members with the likes of bonus miles, lounge access and priority boarding as they ascend its status tiers through continued flying.

However, there’s actually another program sitting above KrisFlyer. It’s known as PPS Club, with status awarded based on dollars spent rather than miles flown – and it comes with some pretty great benefits, including many unseen in KrisFlyer.

Among them, a shiny Star Alliance Gold card and special PPS Rewards, plus no expiry on KrisFlyer miles (a key difference to the usual three-year limit). And that’s before you even make it to the program’s second tier: Solitaire.

 

How to become a Singapore Airlines PPS Club member

PPS Club has two status levels: the entry-level PPS Club and the more-exclusive Solitaire.

The requirements for reaching PPS Club are quite straightforward – rack up 25,000 in ‘PPS Value’ within 12 consecutive months and you’ll be welcomed into the fold with open arms.

Busin
Busin

PPS Value is calculated from the cash value spent on suites, first and business class flights on Singapore Airlines, minus any airport taxes, and finally converted to Singapore Dollars.

For example, the below business fare between Sydney and Singapore (minus taxes) would earn roughly 2,638 in PPS Value, which is based on converting AUD$2,940 fare to SGD$2,638 at current rates.

Flights on partner airlines, bookings in economy or premium economy, and any portions of fares paid for with KrisFlyer miles are strictly ineligible.

To keep PPS membership, you’ll need to continue earning 25,000 in PPS Value every year. Any value you earn above 25,000 will be credited as PPS Reserve, which will count towards renewal of PPS Club membership in the following years.

For example, if you earn 40,000 PPS Value in your second year of membership, 25,000 will be used to requalify and 15,000 will be put in reserve. In your third year of membership, the 15,000 reserve value will be used up first, so you’d only have to earn another 10,000 in new PPS Value to keep your membership for the fourth year.

How to become PPS Club Solitaire member

To reach Solitaire PPS Club status, the top membership tier of Singapore Airlines, you’ll need to collect 50,000 in PPS Value in a 12-month period – double what’s required to achieve PPS Club.

The PPS Value, reserve system and eligible flights are identical to the requirements explained above.

Benefits of PPS Club and Solitaire

There’s an impressive list of benefits unlocked once you achieve PPS Club status, with some of the highlights being:

  • access to SilverKris business lounges when flying on SQ
  • boosted baggage allowance for yourself and family members on the same flight
  • no expiration on KrisFlyer members, as long as you remain a PPS member
  • Priority immigration, boarding and redemption of Saver Award flights
  • Ambassador tier membership in KrisShopper
  • overseas emergency medical and travel accident insurance
  • PPS Rewards (similar to KrisFlyer Milestone Rewards)

When you reach Solitaire status, you also receive elevated perks such as:

  • a supplementary Solitaire PPS Club card allowing the holder to receive the benefits of Solitaire, even when you’re not flying together
  • First Class check-in
  • reimbursement for the cost of an APEC Business Travel Card
  • a welcome gift when you reach and renew Solitaire status

Lounge access for PPS Club members

Given PPS Club is a step-up from the highest KrisFlyer tier, Elite Gold, the lounge access arrangements are more favourable as well.

Whenever departing Singapore on flights operated by Singapore Airlines, you’ll enjoy access to SilverKris business class lounges, while flights elsewhere around the world will see you welcomed into Singapore Airlines’ SilverKris lounges, where available.

PPS members enjoy access to SilverKris business lounges.
PPS members enjoy access to SilverKris business lounges.

Star Alliance Gold membership is also part of the mix, meaning PPS Club members can access any of the 1,000 partner lounges globally (+1 guest) when travelling on a member airline.

However, when departing Singapore in premium economy or economy on a Star Alliance flight not operated by Singapore Airlines, only the more basic KrisFlyer Gold Lounge is available, rather than the usual SilverKris business class lounge.

Lounge access for Solitaire PPS Club members

In addition to the above, Solitaire PPS members gain access to the first class section of the SilverKris lounge whenever departing on a flight operated by Singapore Airlines.

The Private Room remains out of reach when flying business class, as it’s only for first class and Suites Class passengers, regardless of status.

The standard Star Alliance Gold rules apply when you’re not flying with Singapore Airlines.

Baggage allowance for PPS Club/Solitaire members

Excess baggage issues are a thing of the past, with PPS Club and Solitaire PPS members getting additional baggage allowance on Singapore Airlines as below:

  • 25kg for economy Value/Lite fares
  • 30kg for economy Standard/Flexi
  • 35kg in premium economy
  • 40kg in business class
  • 50kg in first class

On most Virgin Australia flights, you can bring an extra two bags of 23kg each in economy, or 32kg each in business class. Vistara gives 10kg extra for any destination while Virgin Atlantic offers an extra checked bag up to 23kg.

When travelling on any other Star Alliance airline you’ll receive 20kg extra baggage for most flights, or one extra piece on flights to/from North and South America.

More PPS Club Solitaire benefits

Achieve 50,000 in PPS Value over a year and Solitaire status is yours, delivering some welcome additional benefits in the process.

First up, a supplementary Solitaire PPS Club membership card is yours to give away, offering the lucky recipient many of the same perks as PPS Club, but with first class lounge access as a bonus. 

Sidle up to the first class bar for a pre-flight toast.
Sidle up to the first class bar for a pre-flight toast.

Whenever you fly Singapore Airlines, you can breeze through the dedicated first class check-in and immigration facilities at T2 and T3 of Singapore Changi Airport.

You’ll also be the highest in the pecking order when booked on a waitlisted flight, and have priority access when it comes to booking saver-level reward flights using KrisFlyer miles.

In the Asia-Pacific region, Solitaire PPS Club members are eligible for reimbursement of the application costs for the APEC Travel Business Card (ABTC).

Singapore Airlines PPS Club Rewards explained

Rounding up the package are PPS Rewards for members once they hit certain thresholds. Think of these as the equivalent of Milestone Rewards in the regular KrisFlyer program.

At 30,000 PPS Value, you’ll get two Double KrisFlyer Miles rewards which double your haul of KrisFlyer miles on two flight sectors of your choice.

At 40,000 PPS Value, you'll get a discount of 50,000 KrisFlyer miles towards your next upgrade or flight redemption booking.

For Solitaire PPS members who reach 60,000, 75,000 and 100,000 in PPS Value, one Advance Upgrade voucher will be given at each level.

An Advance Upgrade reward is valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
An Advance Upgrade reward is valid for 12 months from the date of issue.

These entitle the holder to get a one-class upgrade on any Singapore Airlines flight, confirmed at the time of booking but subject to availability. It can’t be used on Economy Lite (Q, N, V, K), Premium Economy Lite (R) or Business Lite (D) fares.

All PPS Club members who are also members of KrisFlyer can continue to earn KrisFlyer miles, Elite miles and PPS Value from the same flights.

It’s also possible to build PPS Value even when your flights are being credited to a separate partner frequent flyer account, such as Virgin Australia Velocity, which means you can earn Velocity points, plus Velocity status credits, and also PPS Value, from a single flight.

This card allows you to streamline the travel process by removing the need to apply for a separate visa with each APEC country, with the bonus of allowing you to skip the regular immigration lines in participating countries

Singapore Airlines PPS Club and Solitaire: FAQs

Do Singapore Airlines Krisflyer miles expire for PPS Club members?

No, KrisFlyer miles will never expire while you remain in PPS Club, but are given a life of three years if you lose your PPS membership.

Keep in mind, however, that this benefit is not extended to the miles in the KrisFlyer accounts of your Solitaire PPS Club supplementary card holder.

Is it possible to use my Reserve Value from the previous year to earn PPS Rewards?

Unfortunately, your Reserve Value cannot be used to qualify for PPS Rewards. PPS Rewards are awarded based on your PPS Value in your current PPS Club membership year.

Can Solitaire PPS Club supplementary card holders earn PPS Rewards?

No, PPS Rewards are an exclusive benefit for PPS Club members and do not apply to Solitaire PPS Club supplementary card holders.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer P1

23 Aug 2014

Total posts 138

In addition to the above I have found PPS to offer 2 very useful benefits:

1. Access to the first row of J seats (sometimes in more than one J cabin) which almost invariably have masses more leg room than the often poorly designed seats in other rows with the "forced lie on your side with feet squashed in the narrow footwell" issue, a style which SQ stubbornly maintains despite widespread criticism

2. S$280 in vouchers (per membership year) that can be redeemed via Krisflyer shopping online or onboard (and yes all can be used together) which contribute significantly, more value for a single purchase

The cabin crew also deliver a more "aware" service to PPS flying on-board, usually with first choice of meals, drinks orders taken earlier (sometimes before take off) and acknowledgement of PPS loyalty while being addressed by name

QF

11 Jul 2014

Total posts 962

I find it interesting that they target high valued frequent flyers with this tier and offer a status match. Which means they are actively monitoring who is flying with SQ from other airlines.

28 Jan 2024

Total posts 1

1 negative and 1 positive of Solitaire. If you generally fly only business class then the upgrade awards are mostly useless. Few flights have first class and, even if they do, good luck getting a seat. I have 7 awards and have only managed to use 1 in 3 years. For the positive, you do get a few extra non-flying perks like F1 tickets, invites to wine tasting etc. Still the best airline whilst up in the air.


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