ahoyne9Ever since I got into the points and miles game, flying Singapore Airlines Business Class has been near the top of my bucket list. I had heard incredible things about the experience—and when I saw an alert from Thrifty Traveler, I knew it was time to finally book it.
Using my Capital One Venture points, I transferred to Air Canada Aeroplan and booked two business class seats from San Francisco to Singapore for just 82,500 points plus $114 in taxes per person.
💰 This flight regularly retails for over $6,000 per person—an incredible redemption and arguably the best bang for your points.
✨ Aeroplan Stopover Trick:
To make it even sweeter, I took advantage of Aeroplan’s stopover benefit, which allows you to add a stopover on a one-way ticket for just 5,000 additional points. That meant I could tack on a second business class flight to Perth, Australia—all for just 87,500 points total. This feature alone makes Aeroplan one of the best programs for international travel.
🛫 Departure from San Francisco
Our flight was delayed from 8 PM to 10 PM, and we didn’t end up taking off until close to midnight. Luckily, we had access to the United Polaris Lounge, which was included with our ticket. We made the most of it by enjoying some dinner and relaxing before boarding.
Unfortunately, I was so tired by the time we took off that I didn’t get the full meal service experience. I went straight to sleep—but fortunately, I slept well in the fully lie-flat seat. Breakfast before landing was solid, and the service was every bit as polished as you’d expect from Singapore Airlines.
🌏 Landing in Singapore
We landed at Changi Airport, arguably the nicest airport in the world, around 9 AM local time (after accounting for delays). Since we couldn’t check into our hotel yet, I had pre-booked a YOTELAIR day room inside the Jewel at Changi. For SGD $140 (~$105 USD), we had a small but comfortable space to shower, nap, and recharge before heading into the city.
It turned out to be a great decision, especially since we got to see the iconic Rain Vortex waterfall before it shut down for maintenance the next four days.
🏨 Our Stay: Duxton Reserve Singapore
Once rested, we grabbed a Grab (like Uber) to our hotel, the Duxton Reserve Singapore, Autograph Collection by Marriott, located in Chinatown. It’s conveniently located right off a metro station and cost $177 per night—a great value for its boutique charm and central location.
Still feeling jet lagged, we kept things lowkey and went to bed early to hit the ground running the next morning.
🗓 48 Hours in Singapore
February 25 (Day 1):
- We started with the stunning Marina Bay Sands SkyPark, which offered incredible views of the skyline.
🎟️ Entry: SGD $28 (~$21 USD) per person - Next, we walked to Gardens by the Bay, where the Supertree Grove and conservatories were even more impressive in person.
- We wrapped up our day at Sentosa Island, a fun beachside area that features the Southernmost Point of Continental Asia—a cool photo-op and peaceful spot to end the day.
February 26 (Day 2):
- We strolled through Chinatown to shop for souvenirs—definitely the most affordable spot in the city for gifts.
- I kept my Hard Rock Cafe tradition alive, stopping in for a quick bite and to grab another collectible shirt.
- That evening, we checked into the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, using a free night certificate from my Chase IHG card. The hotel is connected directly to the terminal, which was perfect for our 5 AM flight to Perth the next day.
- Before calling it a night, we took the metro back into the city to visit the famous Merlion statue and enjoy a final walk through Singapore’s sparkling streets.
✅ Final Thoughts
Singapore was absolutely amazing. The people were kind, the streets were spotless, and the transit system was world-class. Even though we were only there for two full days, we packed in a ton and had a seamless experience. I’d love to return—maybe next time for the F1 Grand Prix!
Now, we’re off to Perth, Australia, thanks to that Aeroplan stopover magic!
📌 Quick Tips Recap:
- ✈️ Singapore Airlines Business Class: 87,500 points + $114 (via Aeroplan)
- ➕ Aeroplan Stopover: 5,000 extra points to fly on to Perth
- 🏨 YOTELAIR Day Room: SGD $140 for post-flight rest
- 🏨 Duxton Reserve Hotel: $177/night in Chinatown
- 🏨 Crowne Plaza Airport Hotel: Free night with Chase IHG card
- 🚇 Transportation: MRT is fast, clean, and budget-friendly
- 🎟️ Marina Bay Sands SkyDeck: SGD $28 (~$21 USD)
Cheers!