Fly to Bali for Free? The Stopover Trick That Gets You 2 Flights for the Price of 1!
- MilesWise
- Feb 17
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 6
What if I told you that you could fly from London to Singapore and sneak in a free trip to Bali—all for the same number of frequent flyer miles? Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, it’s not. Welcome to the Stopover Trick, a clever way to maximize frequent flyer miles by taking advantage of airline award pricing rules, particularly when a stopover is allowed at no extra cost. This effectively gives you a "free" flight from Singapore to Bali whenever you choose to fly.
Why This Works: The Magic of Regional Award Pricing
The secret sauce behind the stopover trick lies in how many frequent flyer programs, including Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, price their award tickets. Instead of charging you per flight segment, they often price awards regionally. This means that if your journey includes a long-haul flight and a connecting short-haul flight within the same region, you might not pay any extra miles for that second leg.
For example:
A one-way Business Class flight from London to Singapore costs 103,500 KrisFlyer miles.
A one-way Business Class flight from London to Singapore to Bali also costs 103,500 KrisFlyer miles.
That’s right—by adding Bali as your final destination, you’re essentially getting the Singapore to Bali leg for free in terms of miles spent. It’s like getting a bonus vacation without dipping further into your mileage balance.
Recep: Business Saver vs. Business Advantage: What’s the Difference?
When using the stopover trick with Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, it’s important to understand the difference between Business Saver and Business Advantage awards, as this will determine how much flexibility you have with your stopover.
Business Saver: This is the more economical option, requiring fewer miles for redemption. However, it comes with stricter rules. If you book a Business Saver ticket, your stopover in Singapore must be 24 hours or less. This means you’ll need to take your connecting flight (e.g., Singapore to Bali) within a day of arriving in Singapore. While this limits your time in Singapore, it’s still a great way to add a quick side trip to your journey without extra mileage costs.
Business Advantage: This option offers greater flexibility but requires more miles. With a Business Advantage ticket, you can extend your stopover in Singapore for up to 30 days. This means you can spend nearly a month back in Singapore, before continuing on to your final destination. It’s perfect for travelers who want to make the most of their stopover and enjoy two distinct trips in one booking.
MilesWise Verdict: When it comes to choosing between Business Saver and Business Advantage, Business Saver is always the preferred option as it provides the best value for your miles. However, it often requires a longer planning time horizon, including being ready to book at 8 a.m. when award seats are released, especially for popular routes. If you can’t secure Business Saver—whether due to a shorter booking window or a large family trip—Business Advantage still offers great value. While I wouldn’t specifically choose Business Advantage just for the stopover (since the incremental miles may not be worth it), if you end up with a Business Advantage fare, you might as well make the best out of it and enjoy that extra regional trip!
A Practical Example: London → Singapore → Bali
Book a one-way award ticket from London to Singapore to Bali using KrisFlyer miles.
Use Singapore as your stopover city. You will be able to adjust the departure date of your bali trip to the next 30 days if you're booking a Business Advantage fare.
A Word of Caution: Booking Mixed Fare Classes
While the stopover trick is a fantastic way to maximize your miles, there’s one potential hiccup you might encounter: booking a mixed fare class itinerary. For example, if you’re trying to book a long-haul flight in Business Advantage and a short-haul regional flight in Business Saver, the KrisFlyer booking system will likely prompt an error. This is because the system isn’t designed to handle different fare classes within the same award ticket.
Frustrating? Absolutely. But don’t worry—there are workarounds.
My experience with their chat services was a bit hit-or-miss; I had to hang up multiple times before finally connecting with someone who could manually process the booking. If you’re short on patience or time, I highly recommend visiting the Singapore Airlines service center at ION Orchard. The staff there are incredibly efficient and can usually complete your booking in just 5 minutes. It’s a small effort for a big reward—getting that perfect itinerary with maximum value.
Final Thoughts: Travel Smarter, Not Harder
The stopover trick is a game-changer for frequent flyers looking to stretch their miles further. By understanding how award pricing works and leveraging the rules of programs like KrisFlyer, you can unlock incredible value and turn a single flight into a multi-destination adventure.
So, the next time you’re planning a trip, think beyond the direct route. With a little creativity and some strategic booking, you could be sipping cocktails on a Bali beach—all thanks to a clever stopover trick. Why settle for one destination when you can have two for the price of one? Happy travels! 🌴✈️
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