How to Transfer Mileage Korean Air to Family Member
Update: In Dec 2019, Korean Air SkyPass announced some major program changes, including a significant award chart devaluation for bookings as of April 2021. Well, there's some good news on this front. As noted by reader Kwangsu, Korean Air is postponing its award chart devaluation, and it will now only happen equally of April 2023.
This is fantastic news, because I'm sure I'thou non the only one sitting on a sizable SkyPass balance with no good manner to redeem it at the moment. You tin notice the total unedited original post from 2019 nigh the award chart devaluation below.
Some massive changes have just been announced to the Korean Air SkyPass frequent flyer program. Korean Air describes these changes equally being implemented "to increase customer benefits." I beg to differ.
Go on in heed that Delta now owns a pale in Korean Air and has a joint venture with them, and we know what Delta does to frequent flyer programs. 😉
Why I Personally Intendance About Korean Air SkyPass
Korean Air SkyPass used to be a Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partner, and was one of my favorite transfer partners at that. SkyPass had excellent redemption rates for travel in Korean Air starting time form, and award space was mostly readily bachelor.
Dissimilar oneworld and Star Brotherhood, SkyTeam doesn't have the same level of reciprocity of first class awards, so booking through SkyPass was the best manner to redeem for Korean Air first class.
Before the partnership between Chase and Korean Air ended (in August 2018), I transferred hundreds of thousands of points, and I oasis't redeemed whatever of those all the same. While speculatively transferring points may seem dumb, the values were that good, it was a unique currency, and Korean Air has historically provided enough of advance discover of whatsoever program changes (and this is no different).
Korean Air SkyPass Changes
There are all kinds of things changing nearly Korean Air SkyPass, including mileage earning rates, mileage redemption rates, elite condition qualification, and more. The grab is that in some cases they've given full details of the changes, while in other cases they've merely teased. So let's await at what we know and so far.
New Distance Based Redemption Rates
Lets start with what I care most virtually, and what probably impacts OMAAT readers almost.
As of Apr 2021, SkyPass will be introducing new mileage redemption rates. Korean Air says that the new pricing will be based on zones and categorized by flight distance. This will supervene upon the electric current region-based accolade nautical chart.
Korean Air highlights that economy and short booty awards will be getting significantly less expensive. They note:
- Economy one-way awards between Incheon and Qingdao will decrease in cost from 30,000 miles to xx,000 miles (what a deal, I'll take xiv!)
- Information technology'southward likewise noted that for Korean Air'due south 125 international flight routes in economy, 64 will require less mileage, 49 will require more than mileage, and 12 will crave the same mileage
Unfortunately the changes to premium cabin redemption rates are atrocious. For context, here'due south how much SkyPass currently charges for one-way beginning class awards in standard flavour between the The states and select destinations:
- North America to Korea, Japan, Cathay, or Northeast Asia: eighty,000 miles
- Due north America to Southeast Asia: 95,000 miles
- Northward America to Southwest Asia: 105,000 miles
- North America to Oceania: 120,000 miles
Going forrard, here'southward first class redemption rates one-fashion on a per segment basis in standard season:
- A distance of 500-999 miles costs 37,500 miles
- A distance of ane,000-1,499 miles costs 45,000 miles
- A distance of ane,500-1,999 miles costs 52,500 miles
- A altitude of ii,000-ii,999 miles costs 67,500 miles
- A distance of iii,000-3,999 miles costs 82,000 miles
- A distance of iv,000-four,999 miles costs 97,500 miles
- A altitude of 5,000-6,499 miles costs 120,000 miles
- A distance of 6,500-9,999 miles costs 135,000 miles
Ouch! In other words:
- A one-way ticket from the U.s. to Korea increases in cost from lxxx,000 miles to 120,000-135,000 miles
- A one-way ticket from the US to Bangkok increases in cost from 95,000 miles to 187,500-195,000 miles
These changes are awful .
Korean Air 747-8 first class
New Mileage Earning Rates
Equally of April 2021, SkyPass will be introducing new mileage accrual rates. Korean Air says that these will "correspond to airfares" and will exist "taking global standards and airfare levels into consideration."
While the new rates haven't all the same been published, first class volition earn up to 300% mileage, business grade up to 200% mileage, and economic system earnings rates volition be "reorganized into four categories based on booking class."
So information technology seems they're following the manufacture trend here, and will award more miles for expensive tickets and fewer miles for cheaper tickets.
Korean Air 777-300ER
New Aristocracy Levels
Equally of February 2022, SkyPass volition be introducing new elite qualification requirements. Korean Air says that the requirements volition exist "significantly lowered," and that members will need to earn either 10,000 miles or take ten flights in the previous year to earn condition.
The existing three levels of elite membership will be replaced by iv levels — Silver, Golden, Platinum, and Diamond.
Evidently the new arrangement will provide greater benefits, such as 20-fourscore% mileage accrual rates, costless seat upgrades, and elite fellow member level transfers to family unit members.
Of course I would be quite skeptical here about what this actually looks like, given the lack of details.
Korean Air A330 business class
New Cash & Miles Trial
As of Nov 2020, Korean Air will exist testing a "greenbacks & miles" payment option, allowing members to purchase flights with a combination of miles and cash. This is supposed to make mileage redemptions accessible to more passengers, who may non have enough miles for an outright award ticket.
I wouldn't get too excited here if yous're looking to maximize value, since I tin't call back of a unmarried airline where this option consistently represents a good value.
Korean Air 787-9 business class
Bottom Line
The changes coming to Korean Air SkyPass are atrocious for those looking to maximize value, especially for those looking to redeem miles for get-go & business class.
While nosotros don't even so know all the details, we do know that the redemption rate increases are huge for first & business organisation course travel. I accept several hundred grand Korean Air SkyPass miles that I'll need to redeem before Apr 2021…
What exercise you make of these Korean Air SkyPass changes?
Source: https://onemileatatime.com/korean-air-skypass-changes/
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