Wednesday, May 28, 2025
In a major move aimed at transforming business travel for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have announced a strategic partnership to enhance travel benefits and experiences. This collaboration is tailored specifically to meet the unique needs of SMEs, which constitute approximately 90 percent of businesses worldwide and are vital drivers of global economic growth.
Bringing Together Two Leading Travel Programs
The partnership unites two powerful loyalty programs: IHG’s Business Edge and SIA’s HighFlyer. Both initiatives are carefully designed to support SMEs by offering flexible, cost-effective, and rewarding travel solutions that help businesses grow, innovate, and expand internationally.
Starting May 1, 2025, eligible members of Singapore Airlines’ HighFlyer program who register for IHG Business Edge will enjoy an immediate Gold Elite status upgrade within IHG One Rewards after their first qualifying stay. This complimentary upgrade unlocks a wide array of exclusive travel benefits, including guaranteed discounts on hotel stays, late check-out options, flexible cancellation policies, and access to special offers from IHG’s extensive global portfolio of properties.
Understanding IHG Business Edge
Launched in 2018, IHG Business Edge was developed with the specific intention of simplifying hotel bookings for SMEs. The program offers a centralized, user-friendly portal that acts as a one-stop-shop for all hotel accommodation needs. Businesses benefit from flexible booking options, guaranteed savings, and tiered loyalty upgrades designed to reward frequent stays.
Through Business Edge, SMEs gain access to thousands of hotels worldwide, covering a variety of brands and price points. The program also offers valuable tools that help companies track and manage travel expenses efficiently, making it easier to maintain budgets while providing employees with comfortable, convenient accommodations.
How Singapore Airlines HighFlyer Complements the Partnership
Singapore Airlines’ HighFlyer program is a well-established corporate travel rewards scheme that provides businesses with preferential airfares and the opportunity to earn HighFlyer points when employees travel on business flights. These points can be redeemed to reduce future travel costs or exchanged for other rewards, creating a cycle of value and savings.
The HighFlyer program features multiple tiers, with rewards increasing in value as companies climb higher. Benefits include bonus points, milestone rewards, and premium travel perks such as priority waitlisting, standby options, and upgrades. This structure is designed to maximize the corporate travel experience, ensuring companies receive tangible returns for their loyalty.
Synergizing Benefits for SMEs
By linking IHG Business Edge with Singapore Airlines’ HighFlyer program, the partnership creates a comprehensive travel ecosystem tailored for SMEs. Businesses can now enjoy enhanced hotel benefits alongside air travel rewards, offering seamless value across their entire travel journey.
The immediate Gold Elite upgrade in IHG One Rewards for registered HighFlyer members is a highlight of this collaboration. It grants access to a host of privileges that make business travel more comfortable and efficient. For example, guaranteed discounts help control costs, while flexible cancellation and late check-out provide much-needed adaptability in today’s fast-changing business environment.
A Proven Model with Virgin Australia
This announcement builds on IHG’s previous success with a similar partnership alongside Virgin Australia, which demonstrated the company’s ongoing commitment to expanding the Business Edge program. That collaboration highlighted the benefits of integrated travel solutions tailored to SME needs, and the new partnership with Singapore Airlines promises to elevate this approach further.
Vivek Bhalla, Managing Director, South East Asia & Korea, IHG Hotels & Resorts said “Working with globally renowned partners such as Singapore Airlines is an important part of continuously developing our offer and providing more value across a range of travel segments.
“These strategic partnerships enable us to reach a wider group of travellers, create differentiated experiences and ensure IHG and our brands stand out as the preferred choice. We are delighted to be working alongside Singapore Airlines to support the growing number of SMEs across the region to achieve their business goals and ambitions.”
Looking Ahead
As SMEs continue to play a crucial role in the global economy, their travel requirements are evolving rapidly. Recognizing this, IHG and Singapore Airlines are stepping forward with a dynamic partnership designed to address these challenges head-on. By delivering a robust combination of flight and hotel rewards, the collaboration empowers SMEs to optimize their travel budgets, enhance employee satisfaction, and foster business growth.
This initiative signals a promising trend in corporate travel, where strategic alliances between airlines and hotel groups create more holistic and flexible offerings. For SMEs, this means better value, improved convenience, and a travel experience that supports their ambitions as they expand into new markets.
