Airline Loyalty Rewards
Korean Air SKYPASS Loyalty Program Review
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Korean Air SKYPASS
Incheon International Airport, Gimpo International Airport
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Korean Air First Class Lounge at Incheon International Airport
Korean Air Overview
Korean Air is one of the 2 major South Korean airlines, the other being Asiana Airlines.
The airline operates out of 2 hubs in Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport, and is a founding member of the SkyTeam Alliance.
Korean Air’s customer service and hard product typically receive positive reviews and are one of the many reasons U.S. travelers utilize the program. It also helps that Korean Air business class and first class are great ways to fly across the Pacific.
Members in the SKYPASS program earn elite status in 2 ways:
- Flying a certain number of miles on either Korean Air or a SkyTeam partner airline flight.
- Flying a certain number of segments, all of which must be on Korean Air.
With its SkyTeam membership, customers with Korean Air miles can not only book a Korean Air award flight, but can also book an award flight on a SkyTeam partner like Delta.
Frequent flyer members can also use miles towards other items like car rentals and hotel stays, but you’ll typically receive the most value by using your miles to book an award flight.
Bottom Line: All in all, the SKYPASS program is great to use if you’re interested in leveraging the SkyTeam network or flying in a Korean Air premium cabin.
Joining SKYPASS
Like most airline programs, the Korean Air frequent flyer program is free. Simply complete this application and you’ll be ready to go.
With a SKYPASS membership, you’ll be able to earn and redeem miles for an award flight, among other program benefits.
How to Sign in to Your SKYPASS Account
You’ll head to koreanair.com and fill in your user ID or SKYPASS number and password to log in to your account.
Hot Tip: Like many other airline search engines, Korean Air requires you to sign in to your account to search for Korean Air or SkyTeam award availability.
Viewing Your Account Activity
If you want to check out your account activity, follow these steps:
- Log in to your account
- Click My Dashboard at the top right
- Click View Mileage Details
- Click View Mileage Details again
- Select the search period that you want
Points Expiration
Mileage earned in the SKYPASS program on or after July 1, 2008, is valid for 10 years and will expire if the miles are not used. Mileage earned on or before June 30, 2008 will not expire.
The 10-year mileage expiration is based on the date of the Korean Air flight taken, except for flights with partner airlines — this validity period is based on the date the miles posted to the member’s account.
Korean Air SKYPASS Program
SKYPASS Elite Status
Members in the SKYPASS program have 3 tiers of elite status: Morning Calm Club, Morning Calm Premium Club, and Million Miler Club.
Morning Calm Club: The lowest elite tier available in the Korean Air program comes with the following perks:
- Additional checked baggage allowance
- Access to the Korean Air Prestige Class lounge (up to 4 times over 2 years)
Morning Calm Premium Club: SKYPASS middle elite tier where members receive these benefits:
- All Morning Club benefits plus:
- Off-peak mileage redemption pricing during peak season dates
Million Miler Club: The highest elite tier in the program provides its members with the following perks:
- All Morning Club Premium Club benefits plus:
- Waived award ticket change fees
- Special gift
Bottom Line: Korean Air offers limited benefits to elite members, all of which can be found on the SKYPASS Benefits page.
Value of SKYPASS Elite Status
The Korean Air program is pretty slim in terms of elite benefits, even at the top tier.
What you need to ask yourself is if the benefits offered align with what’s most important to you when you travel.
If you decide elite status within the SKYPASS program makes sense, I’d recommend focusing on the Morning Calm Premium Club tier to open up off-peak pricing during peak travel dates.
Bottom Line: All in all, you’ll likely be able to find more value with elite status in another program.
Earning SKYPASS Elite Status
The SKYPASS program keeps it simple in the way that elite status is earned in the program.
Korean Air uses a mileage or segment qualification for its lowest tier, and then only uses a mileage requirement for its 2 upper tiers.
What makes the upper tiers unique is that you earn lifetime status once you fly the required number of miles.
In the case of Morning Calm Premium Club (middle tier), members earn lifetime status after flying 500,000 miles on Korean Air and/or a SkyTeam partner airline.
For the Korean Air Million Miler Club, members qualify for lifetime status after flying 1 million miles on Korean Air and/or a SkyTeam partner airline.
In addition to earning elite status by flying, Korean Air credit cards also provide an avenue toward qualifying for elite status.
Both the personal and business credit cards earn miles that count toward Morning Calm Club status, but the 2 upper elite tiers don’t let you qualify in this way.
Bottom Line: Members can earn elite status by flying a certain number of miles or segments, or through the miles that you can earn from credit card spending.
How to Earn Korean Air Miles
After breaking off its partnership with Chase Ultimate Rewards, Korean Air is now down to 1 transferable point program: Marriott Bonvoy.
While it can be challenging to earn Marriott points relative to other programs, there are still a number of ways to accumulate these points for your next redemption!
Earning Miles Through Flying
The SKYPASS program determines the amount of miles that you earn for each flight based on the distance and the type of ticket that you book.
For example, a “W” economy ticket for a flight from Washington (IAD) to Seoul (ICN) will earn 6,944 Korean Air miles.
Korean Air provides a Mileage Accrual Chart for all of the routes that it flies. In addition, you can check out the Mileage Accrual Rate Class to see the earnings multiple for the ticket that you book.
SkyTeam partner airlines have a separate earning chart that you’ll find by scrolling down on the Mileage Accrual Chart page.
When you click on each airline partner, Korean Air will provide you with the earning rate based on the ticket class that you book.
In addition to SkyTeam partners, Korean Air also has individual partnerships with non-SkyTeam partners.
The earning rates for airlines in this group can also be found by scrolling down the Mileage Accrual Chart page.
Earn Miles With Credit Cards
US Bank has several personal and 1 business credit card as part of its co-branded partnership with Korean Air.
While Korean Air credit cards may seem the easiest way to accumulate points, you’re better off focusing your spending on Marriott, and also staying at Marriott hotels.
This is because the earning rate on Marriott credit cards is higher, and you’ll receive a 5,000-point bonus for every 60,000 points that you transfer from Marriott to Korean Air.
Earning Bonus Miles in Other Ways
With Korean Air being a major airline, members are provided with additional ways to earn miles that don’t require you to fly.
The first way that you can earn miles in this way is to follow the Korean Air Facebook and Twitter accounts, and also check out the Offers & Promotions Page for potential deals.
Korean Air also offers its members ways to earn miles through hotel stays, car rentals, or hosting an event at Marriott.
The last way to earn Korean Air miles is to use the Cyber SkyShop portal for your duty-free shopping.
Hot Tip: If you add your airline loyalty program to other services, you won’t also earn status points with these franchises — unless it’s a preferred car rental agency that has specifically partnered with the airline; this partnership acts as a sort of alliance between airline and rental agency.
Branded and Partnered Credit Cards
While Korean Air used to provide top value for those with Chase Ultimate Rewards points, the ending of that partnership has resulted in Korean Air having only 1 flexible point program partner in Marriott Bonvoy.
Korean Air Credit Cards
US Bank offers the Korean Air co-branded credit cards, and the bank actually has a couple of good options.
The SKYPASS Visa Signature Card and the SKYPASS Visa Business Card both offer respectable sign-up bonuses as their public offer. You may also get lucky and be offered an elevated sign-up bonus in the mail.
Marriott Credit Cards
The easiest way for most people to earn Korean Air miles is to put your spend on Marriott credit cards.
What’s great about earning Marriott points is that you’ll receive a 5,000-point bonus for every 60,000 Marriott points that you transfer directly to an airline partner like Korean Air.
Marriott points transfer to most airlines at a 3:1 ratio, so 60,000 Marriott points become 25,000 Korean Air miles with the 5,000-point bonus (60,000 / 3 = 20,000 + 5,000 = 25,000)
A great option for Marriott hotel fans who want a no annual fee card and automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status.
Why We Like This Card
Casual travelers who like to frequent properties that are part of the Marriott Bonvoy collection of brands may want to consider the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card.
The Marriott Bold card rewards cardholders for Marriott stays and gives them a boost towards Marriott Bonvoy elite status.
Pros & Cons
- Up to 14x points per $1 on Marriott purchases
- 2x points at grocery stores, rideshare, select food delivery, select streaming, and internet, cable, and phone services
- 5 Elite Night Credits each year
- Lower point earn rate than other Marriott Bonvoy cards
- Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status is the lowest status tier
Card Highlights
- APR: 20.99% - 27.99% Variable
- Foreign Transaction Fees:
Marriott loyalists will love this card's annual Free Night Award, automatic elite status, and up to 17x points per $1 on Marriott hotel stays.
Why We Like This Card
If you’re a frequent traveler and a Marriott loyalist, there’s a lot to love about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. The card comes packed with several great benefits like a free hotel night once a year, automatic Silver Elite status (with a fast-track to Gold Elite status), and multiple options for redeeming points.
Pros & Cons
- Earn big when you use your card at thousands of participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
- Earn big at grocery stores, gas stations, and dining
- Automatic Silver Elite Status
- $95 annual fee
- Marriott Silver Elite Status is the lowest status tier
Card Highlights
- APR: 20.99% - 27.99% Variable
- Foreign Transaction Fees:
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesThe Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card gives you automatic Marriott elite status and helps you earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on your everyday purchases.
Apply With Confidence
Know if you're approved with no credit score impact
If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Why We Like This Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card, the latest mid-tier offering in the Marriott Bonvoy lineup of cards, offers cardholders automatic elite status and ways to earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on each of their stays and daily purchases.
Pros & Cons
- 6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
- 4x points per $1 at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per calendar year, then 2x points)
- 2x points per $1 on all other purchases
- $250 annual fee (rates & fees)
- Free Night Award certificate is not an automatic benefit
Card Highlights
- Earn 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
- Earn 4X points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets per calendar year, then 2X points).
- Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases with the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ Card.
- Marriott Bonvoy 1K Bonus Points Per Stay: Earn 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points per paid eligible stay booked directly with Marriott for properties participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
- With complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elites status, earn up to 2.5X points from Marriott Bonvoy® on eligible hotel purchases with the 25% Bonus Points on stays benefit, available for Qualifying Rates.
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Free Night Award: Earn 1 Free Night Award after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ Card in a calendar year. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at a hotel participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- 15 Elite Night Credits: Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express Card® you can receive 15 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
- Plan It® is a payment option that lets you split up purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee. Plus, you'll still earn rewards the way you usually do.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- APR: 20.24%-29.24% Variable
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Terms Apply / Rates & FeesA premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.
Apply With Confidence
Know if you're approved with no credit score impact
If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Why We Like This Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a premium card designed with road warriors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalists in mind.
So is the card a worthwhile addition to your wallet?
Pros & Cons
- 6x points per $1 at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy program
- 3x points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines and restaurants worldwide
- 2x points per $1 on all other purchases
- Steep annual fee of $650 (rates & fees)
- 6x points per $1 is the same earn rate offered with lower annual fee alternatives like the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card
Card Highlights
- Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card at restaurants worldwide.
- With Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
- Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Earn 3X Marriott Bonvoy® points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2X Marriott Bonvoy® points on all other eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.
- Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
- Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
- $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($120) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express.
- Enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited airport lounge visits to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
- With Cell Phone Protection, you can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month's wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- APR: 20.24%-29.24% Variable
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Other Hotel Partner Credit Cards
Transfer ratios from other hotels like Hilton or Hyatt typically yield horrendous value, so we don’t recommend earning Korean Air miles in this way.
The only reason to transfer points from a hotel program to Korean Air is if you ’re either in a bind or are looking to top off an account for a specific redemption.
How to Redeem Korean Air SKYPASS Miles
SKYPASS members have a few ways to redeem Korean Air miles, although the best way to use those miles is for an award flight.
The program has peak and off-peak pricing for Korean Air flights, one set of pricing for SkyTeam, and individual pricing for other airline partners.
When you are pricing out an award flight, it’s important to point out a couple of items.
The main thing you’ll want to know is that pricing shown on all of the award charts is round-trip. Korean Air flights can be booked one-way, but partner flights are always charged the round-trip price — so it never makes sense to book a one-way partner flight.
Once you have a handle on how to reference the award charts, you’ll want to keep in mind a few of the sweet spots within the award charts.
Two of the best values in the award charts can be found in the SkyTeam award chart and are as follows:
- 45,000 miles round-trip business class U.S. to Hawaii on Delta
- 80,000 miles round-trip business class U.S. to Europe on a SkyTeam airline
Hot Tip: In addition to these incredible opportunities, we have an entire post outlining the best ways to use Korean Air miles that I’d recommend checking out.
SkyTeam and Partner Awards
Korean Air utilizes multiple awards charts: one when flying on Korean Air, another when flying on a SkyTeam partner, and yet another when flying on a non-SkyTeam partner.
As you are going through the award search process, it’s important to reference the correct chart, all of which are linked below:
- Korean Air award chart
- SkyTeam award chart
- Other partner award chart (scroll halfway down to access individual charts)
Booking Online
The SKYPASS program is good about showing all of its SkyTeam partner award flights, though the website is extremely slow and you have to search round-trip.
On the flip side, Korean Air award flights can be searched one-way, making the search process for these flights bearable.
As a general rule, you’ll want to use these guidelines when searching for award flights:
- Search the Korean Air website for Korean Air flights
- Use the Delta and/or Flying Blue websites for SkyTeam flights
- Search the Alaska Airlines website for Alaska flights
- Use the Etihad website for Etihad flights
- Search the British Airways website for Japan Airlines flights
Hot Tip: If you’re looking for an airline partner that’s not listed above or you can’t find award space on the respective website, consider using Expert Flyer.
The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® card, click here.
