Singapore Airlines announces digital wallet for frequent flyers

Good news for tech-savvy travelers has arrived from the national flag carrier of Singapore, Singapore Airlines.

The airline that recently unveiled its Digital Innovation Blueprint will soon launch a digital wallet, set to be available through their frequent flyer program KrisFlyer.

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More than just a digital wallet, the product is said to be the world’s first blockchain-based digital wallet for an airline loyalty program, assisting users in gaining the most benefits from their KrisFlyer miles, which can be used for everyday spending at retail partners.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) — who has been making investments to significantly enhance the digital side of its business — announced on Monday that it would officially launch the digital wallet in about six months time. Using innovative technology, the app will allow KrisFlyer members to use their "digital KrisFlyer miles" in point-of-sale transactions at participating retail merchants.

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“Innovation has been a key contributor to the success of Singapore Airlines since day one, and we are very excited about this world-first initiative,” said Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong. 

The loyalty program will now be signing up retail merchant partners, initially in the Singapore market, following a successful proof-of-concept exercise carried out in collaboration with KPMG Digital Village and Microsoft. Merchant partners will then be privately involved in the lifestyle digital wallet app, using a SIA-owned private blockchain for the airline loyalty program. (mut/kes)