KRISFLYER TO LAUNCH WORLD’S FIRST BLOCKCHAIN-BASED AIRLINE LOYALTY DIGITAL WALLET

The SIA Group’s KrisFlyer frequent-flyer programme is to launch a world-first blockchain-based airline loyalty digital wallet capability that will help unlock the value of KrisFlyer miles to enable everyday spending at retail partners.

A new KrisFlyer digital wallet app utilising this innovative technology is expected to be rolled out in about six months. It will allow the extensive KrisFlyer membership base to use ‘digital KrisFlyer miles’ for point-of-sale transactions at participating retail merchants.

Following a successful proof-of-concept exercise carried out in collaboration with KPMG Digital Village and Microsoft, KrisFlyer will now be signing up retail merchant partners, initially in the Singapore market.

The first-of-its-kind lifestyle digital wallet app for an airline loyalty programme will be enabled through blockchain technology, using an SIA-owned private blockchain involving only merchants and partners.

“Innovation has been a key contributor to the success of Singapore Airlines since Day 1 and we are very excited about this world-first initiative, which will bring even more benefits to members of our KrisFlyer programme,” said Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong.

“This groundbreaking development in which we will be using blockchain technology to ‘digitalise’ KrisFlyer miles is a demonstration of the investment we are making to significantly enhance the digital side of our business for the benefit of our customers. It is in line with our recently unveiled Digital Innovation Blueprint, under which we aim to be the world’s leading digital airline.”

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About KrisFlyer

KrisFlyer is Singapore Airlines Group’s frequent-flyer programme. KrisFlyer members can earn miles when they travel on Singapore Airlines and SilkAir, when they select Scoot’s Plus Perks bundle, as well as for travel on 30 other partner airlines. KrisFlyer also collaborates extensively with over 170 non-airline partners worldwide ranging from banks to hotels, travel services and retail, so members can continue to earn miles for rewards even when they are not flying.

KrisFlyer members can redeem their miles for flights on over 30 world-class airlines to more than 890 destinations in 160 countries. KrisFlyer miles can also be redeemed for flight upgrades on Singapore Airlines and SilkAir, Singapore Airlines’ regional carrier. In addition, KrisFlyer members have the option to mix their miles and cash when paying for their tickets, as well as to use miles to purchase preferred seats with more legroom in Economy Class, on Singapore Airlines flights, when booking on singaporeair.com. Members can also choose to convert their miles to points with selected partner loyalty programmes for more rewards on the ground.