Best Ways To Book Asiana Airlines Business Class With Points [Step-by-Step]

Key Takeaways

• Asiana Airlines offers reliable award availability, particularly on U.S.-Korea flights. You can often find seats well in advance or just before departure.
• ANA Mileage Club is an excellent way to book Asiana Airlines business class as the mileage cost for round-trip flights is great value.
• Transferable points from programs like American Express Membership Rewards or Marriott Bonvoy can help boost your miles balance.

Asiana Airlines is one of the major airlines in Korea, along with Korean Air. And while the details of their merger have been finalized and approved, the integration will be completed in 2024.

Until then, Asiana Airlines is definitively flying under its own brand. This Star Alliance airline offers fully lie-flat seats in business class, comfortable bedding, tasty food options, and consistent service.

Let’s take a look at some of the specifics of Asiana Airlines’ business class and how this product can be yours using points.

A Look Inside Asiana Airlines Business Class

Lounge Access

Asiana Airlines is a member of the Star Alliance, which means that if you’re not departing from its hub airport in Seoul-Incheon (ICN), you should still be entitled to some of the best airport lounges out there.

For example, if you’re departing from Los Angeles (LAX) or San Francisco (SFO), you’re entitled to access the Star Alliance Business Class Lounge and the United Polaris Lounge, respectively.

These lounges are not Asiana Airlines-branded, but because you’re flying business class aboard a Star Alliance airline, you can enjoy excellent catering on the ground, a luxurious airport lounge experience, showers, and maybe even à la carte dining service!

While the Asiana Airlines lounges in Seoul-Incheon aren’t the best in the world, they are an exclusive place where you can relax and rejuvenate.

Smartium Business Class

Asiana Airlines’ long-haul fleet is outfitted with spacious business class seats. To be specific, these seats are forward-facing and in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration.

All of these seats are lie-flat and have direct aisle access. Additionally, each seat has a side table, a personal inflight entertainment monitor and remote, and generous personal storage.

When traveling together, you’ll want to choose the middle seats, while solo travelers should try to reserve window seats.

Hot Tip: Asiana Airlines calls these seats Smartium business class seats, while its other business class seats (particularly on regional flights) aren’t referred to as Smartium.

Generally, if you’re flying between the U.S. and Korea, you’ll be looking at the A350-900, 777-200ER, and A380. These feature Smartium business class seats.

Service is generally terrific, though you may find cabin crew with less-than-perfect English, so just be patient with them! They want to make your experience as enjoyable and comfortable as possible.

Business Suites (Formerly First Class)

In 2019, Asiana Airlines decided to discontinue its first class product and rebrand it as Business Suites. This product is essentially the old first class seat with business class service.

That means those who book Business Suites enjoy a larger seat with sliding doors and a more exclusive experience, but most of the same business class amenities, including amenity kits, meals, and bedding.

Unfortunately, this product is no longer bookable using points. Instead, Asiana Airlines automatically upgrades those who are booked in a full-fare business class ticket (such as J) into one of these seats.

There’s no way to book a J class award ticket using points, with the exception of a fixed-value rewards system like Chase Travel or AmexTravel.com. But it’s probably not a good idea because full-fare J class tickets in business class can run upwards of $10,000 per ticket. Even if you take advantage of the 35% Pay with Points rebate from Amex or the 50% redemption bonus through Chase Ultimate Rewards, this ticket would cost around 700,000 points! Again, it’s not a great idea to use points for Asiana’s Business Suites.

Bottom Line: If you were dead-set on flying Asiana Airlines Business Suites at all costs using points, you can redeem points through a fixed-value travel portal for a full fare J-class ticket and get auto-upgraded to Business Suites. The cost will most likely be astronomical, though!

How To Fly Asiana Airlines Business Class Using Points

Asiana Airlines releases award availability consistently, especially between the U.S. and Korea. Generally, you’ll see the same award availability regardless of which engine or website you use to search.

This airline releases award availability far in advance, as well as close to departure. Indeed, it’s not unusual to be able to book 4 or more business class seats with points 330+ days out.

Additionally, Asiana Airlines offers plenty of award seats on last-minute bookings, as long as there is unsold capacity on the flight.

Asiana Airlines levies around $200 in fuel surcharges on business class flights between the U.S. and Korea; some frequent flyer programs pass on these fees while others don’t.

Let’s take a look at some of the best ways to book Asiana Airlines business class using points and miles.

ANA Mileage Club

ANA Mileage Club is our favorite frequent flyer program to book Asiana Airlines business class thanks to amazing mileage prices for round-trip flights.

Even though the website is a bit clunky, a little patience goes a long way in saving you tens of thousands of those oh-so-valuable miles.

Here’s how much you’ll pay for a round-trip flight between the U.S. and South Korea:

In this situation, ANA Mileage Club passes on Asiana Airlines’ fuel surcharges, but it’s totally worth it because you’ll pay just a tad more than what most frequent flyer programs charge for a one-way trip, except you’re getting a round-trip flight!

ANA Mileage Club isn’t without its quirks, but if you do the upfront research to find suitable availability on the outbound and inbound segments, you’ll get the best points deals possible.

To book Asiana flights using ANA miles, we actually recommend you to find availability on a different website. Here’s our recommended action plan:

1. Find award availability by searching on United’s website.
2. Visit ANA’s homepage.
3. On the top banner, click ANA Mileage Club near the right-hand side.
4. Under Flight Awards, click International on the left side of the site.
5. To the right of the International button, click Award Reservation.
6. Enter your ANA Mileage Club login credentials.
7. Choose Round trip or Open-jaw.
8. Enter your departure and arrival airport, your travel dates, desired cabin class, number of travelers, and click Search.
9. Select your flights and pay for taxes and fees with a credit card.

Here’s what a successful award search looks like on ANA’s website:

Earning ANA Mileage Club Miles

You can earn ANA miles by transferring points since the program is an Amex transfer partner and Marriott transfer partner.

Amex transfers in about 3 business days at a 1:1 ratio, while Marriott Bonvoy transfers in about 4 business days at a 3:1 ratio with a bonus of 5,000 miles if you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.

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The Platinum Card^® from American Express

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The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

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The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

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Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

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Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

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Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
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Cons

• $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
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• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
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• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card^® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card^® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
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U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

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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.

American Express^® Gold Card

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.

60,000 points + up to $100 back

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,420

Annual Fee

$325

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See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The American Express^® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
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• 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $325 annual fee (rates and fees)
• No lounge access

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Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.
• Get the American Express^® Gold Card in either the Gold, Rose Gold or Limited-Edition White Gold metal design. White Gold design is only available while supplies last.
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• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Business Owner? Check out our article on the best Amex business cards that earn Membership Rewards.

Bottom Line: ANA offers the best mix of the most competitive prices to book Asiana Airlines business class and the easiest way to earn miles through Amex and Marriott Bonvoy. If you’re looking to book Asiana Airlines business class, start with ANA Mileage Club.

Avianca LifeMiles

Avianca LifeMiles is one of our favorite mileage programs, offering competitive redemption rates, no fuel surcharges, plenty of ways to accumulate LifeMiles, and relative ease of use.

One important warning, though, is that LifeMiles’ call centers are notoriously difficult to work with; if you can’t find suitable award availability using its online search engine (which isn’t without its own faults), you’re out of luck.

Here’s what LifeMiles charges for a one-way flight between the U.S. and Korea aboard Asiana Airlines:

Sure, LifeMiles charges more points than ANA Mileage Club, but LifeMiles are also much easier to earn, and there are no fuel surcharges passed on, saving you around $150 on a one-way flight or $350 on a round-trip flight in cash!

Follow these steps to book your Asiana Airlines business class flight with LifeMiles:

1. Search for award availability on United.com. Write down the flight details.
2. Go to the LifeMiles website.
3. By default, the site should be in Spanish. You can change your language to English by clicking the flag icon in the top-right corner and choosing English.
4. After being redirected to the English site, use your LifeMiles Number and Password to log in.
5. On the homepage, click Fly.
6. You’ll be directed to a flight search page. Near the top-left of the page, there’s a drop-down menu that says Smart Search — change it to Asiana Airlines.
7. Populate the airports codes, number of seats, and desired booking class.
8. Choose either one-way or round-trip.
9. Click Find Flights.
10. Choose your dates.
11. Find the same flights from the United.com search. After verifying availability online, transfer your points to LifeMiles and complete the booking using your LifeMiles and a credit card for taxes and fees.

Earning Avianca LifeMiles

LifeMiles is transfer partners with Amex Membership Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, Capital One Miles, Brex Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy.

Amex, Citi, Capital One, and Brex transfer at a 1:1 ratio almost instantly, while Marriott Bonvoy transfers in around 1 business day at a 3:1 ratio.

Amex, Citi, and Brex regularly offer transfer bonuses of 20% to 30% to LifeMiles, which means you’ll use even fewer points to book an Asiana Airlines flight using LifeMiles! Also, LifeMiles periodically offers award flight discounts, which can cut the price of your award flight by another 20% to 30%.

For example, if you book an Asiana Airlines business class flight with LifeMiles during a 20% award discount and a 20% Citi transfer bonus, you would need just 60,000 LifeMiles to book a one-way flight, which you can earn by transferring just 48,000 Citi ThankYou Points during a 20% transfer bonus!

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U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

*The information regarding the Citi Premier card has expired, and the card is no longer open to applicants.

Citi Premier^® Card

*The information regarding the Citi Premier card has expired, and the card is no longer open to applicants.

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Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

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Cons

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Air Canada Aeroplan

Air Canada Aeroplan is one of the most interesting options out there, especially for Star Alliance flights, and especially after its makeover.

The short of it is that for flights between the U.S. and the Pacific region (of which South Korea is a part), you’ll follow a distance-based award chart.

A distance-based award chart prices award tickets based on flight distance brackets. Simply put, figure out how long your flight is (in distance), find the correct distance bracket, and you’ll have your business class ticket cost!

Here’s the award chart:

Hot Tip: Air Canada Aeroplan has different distance-based award charts for U.S.-Atlantic flights, U.S.-South America flights, and intra-North America flights, so keep that in mind!

Aeroplan allows you to add a stopover, even on one-way flights, for 5,000 points extra, which can allow you to visit 2 cities for the price of one. All you need to do is find availability by the segment and book the award flights over the phone.

You won’t be liable for fuel surcharges; instead, there’s a very modest CA$39 (~$31) partner booking fee, which brings your out-of-pocket taxes and fees to around $40 per ticket!

Follow these steps to book your Asiana Airlines flight using Aeroplan points:

1. Visit Air Canada’s homepage
2. In the top-right corner, hover over the button that says Sign in and click Sign in.
3. Enter your Aeroplan member information and click Sign in.
4. On the homepage, you’ll see a search box.
5. Toggle the button that says Points.
6. Click Round-trip or One-way.
7. Enter your trip details and click Find.
8. Choose the desired flight option, redeem your points, and pay for taxes and fees using a credit card.
   • If you’re adding a stopover, you’ll want to search for each segment’s availability separately and call Aeroplan at 800-361-5373 to make your award reservation.

Earning Air Canada Aeroplan Points

Best of all, Air Canada Aeroplan points are very easy to earn, thanks to transfer relationships with Chase Ultimate Rewards, Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles, and Marriott Bonvoy.

Chase, Capital One, and Amex transfer almost instantly at a 1:1 ratio.

Lastly, Marriott Bonvoy transfers at a 3:1 ratio in around 5 business days. When you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to Aeroplan, you’ll get a bonus of 5,000 points.

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U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

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Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Get up to $1,050 in Chase Travel^SM value. Earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. That’s worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel. Plus, get up to $300 in statement credits on Chase Travel purchases within your first year.

$300 Chase Travel℠ Credit + 60,000 bonus points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

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$95

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Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

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Cons

• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

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Card Highlights

• Get up to $1,050 in Chase Travel℠ value. Earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. That's worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel. Plus, get up to $300 in statement credits on Chase Travel purchases within your first year.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
• Member FDIC

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• APR: 20.99% - 27.99% Variable
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Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$550

APR

21.99% - 28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Excellent (740-850)

Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025

Cons

• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Member FDIC

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Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Freedom Unlimited^®

This all-purpose cash-back card offers great bonus categories, including bonus points for every purchase you make!

Welcome Offer

Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

Up to $300 cash-back

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.74%.

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Freedom Unlimited^® is easily one of the best cash-back credit cards on the market. There aren’t many no-annual-fee credit cards that offer multiple great bonus categories like 5% back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1.5% back on all other purchases.

When paired with other Chase cards in the Ultimate Rewards family, you can transfer that cash back into points if you wish – making it one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.74%.
• 5% back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases

Cons

• 3% foreign transaction fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
• Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
• After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
• No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
• Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.74%.
• No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited^® card
• Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.74%.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Chase Freedom Flex^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Freedom Flex card is an excellent no-annual-fee card that still earns big with 5% cash-back on travel and other bonus categories.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Freedom Flex^®

The Freedom Flex card is an excellent no-annual-fee card that still earns big with 5% cash-back on travel and other bonus categories.

Welcome Offer

Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.

$200

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.74%

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ sure does pack quite a punch — especially for a no-annual-fee card.

The Freedom Flex card is an incredible option for those looking for a well-rounded cash-back card, or a powerful point-earner when paired with a premium card in the Ultimate Rewards family.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.74%.
• Powerful cash-back earner: 5% back on quarterly categories and travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1% back on all other purchases
• No annual fee

Cons

• 3% foreign transaction fees in U.S. dollars

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
• 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
• 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
• 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
• 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99%-28.74%.
• No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex^® card
• Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.74%
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Business Owner? Read our article on the best Chase business cards that earn Ultimate Rewards.

Asiana Club

It’s about time we talked about Asiana Airlines’ own frequent flyer program! Known as Asiana Club, this frequent flyer program’s miles are some of the hardest to earn, thanks to a lack of transfer partners.

But there’s a hidden upside to that, which is that these redemption rates can be quite attractive. And if you happen to have a bunch of Asiana miles, why not use them for excellent value?

Asiana Club passes on all fuel surcharges levied by Asiana Airlines; for U.S.-South Korea flights, expect to redeem the following amounts for a one-way flight:

Here’s how to book Asiana Airlines flights using Asiana miles:

1. Visit Asiana Airlines’ U.S. website.
2. On the top of the page near the center, click Log in.
3. Enter your Asiana Club account information and click Log-in.
4. On the homepage after logging in, you’ll see a search box. Toggle the slider to turn Using Mileage to ON.
5. Enter your flight information and click Search.
6. Choose your preferred flight option and confirm the booking using your miles and a credit card for taxes and fees.

Earning Asiana Club Miles

The only transfer partner that Asiana Airlines has is Marriott Bonvoy, which transfers at a 3:1 ratio. And when you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy, you’ll earn an additional 5,000 miles. Transfers take around 4 business days to process.

See our post on the best Marriott credit cards for more information.

United MileagePlus

Another terrific way to redeem points for Asiana Airlines flights is United MileagePlus. This program doesn’t have the most attractive redemption rates in the world, but it does have a very simple booking process.

Don’t care about getting the best deal in particular but want an easy way to redeem points for Asiana Airlines flights? United MileagePlus is the best option for you.

You can search for award availability and complete your booking 100% online in just a few minutes with United MileagePlus.

You’ll find a dynamic award pricing system for United’s own flights, but for partners, you’ll find a fairly consistent price point for partner flights between the U.S. and South Korea:

As you can see, no fuel surcharges are passed on, keeping your out-of-pocket expenses as low as possible.

Follow these steps to book your flights using United MileagePlus:

1. Visit United’s website.
2. On the homepage, you’ll see a search box. Check off the box that says Book with Miles.
3. Select either Roundtrip or One-way for your flight search.
4. Enter your origin and destination airports.
5. Choose your dates, number of travelers, and cabin class.
6. Click Find flights.
7. Find your desired flights and book them by paying with your United miles and for any taxes and fees using a credit card.

Earning United MileagePlus Miles

Plus, United is a transfer partner with Chase Ultimate Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy. Chase transfers instantly at a 1:1 ratio, while Marriott Bonvoy transfers at a 3:1 ratio with a 10,000-mile bonus when you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points to United.

Furthermore, United has several co-branded credit cards you can sign up for and earn miles directly with. All of these factors mean it’s exceedingly easy to earn United miles.

Recommended United Cards

United℠ Explorer Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

With priority boarding privileges, no foreign transaction fees and more, MileagePlus members will definitely enjoy their partnered card.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

United℠ Explorer Card

With priority boarding privileges, no foreign transaction fees and more, MileagePlus members will definitely enjoy their partnered card.

Welcome Offer

Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

50,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$600

Annual Fee

$95

APR

21.49% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

You travel United all the time, but you have heard that there could be ways to make your travel experiences even better, including priority boarding, free bags, and more miles.

You should consider the United℠ Explorer Card, because this card does all that and more!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 2x miles per $1 on United purchases, dining purchases (including delivery services), and hotel stays
• 1x mile per $1 on all other purchases
• First checked bag free for you and up to 1 traveling companion

Cons

• $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee
• Does not earn transferable rewards

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
• $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United^® purchases
• Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck^® or NEXUS fee credit
• 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Explorer Card
• Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $160 per roundtrip. Terms Apply.
• Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club℠ with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.49% - 28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

United MileagePlus Frequent Flyer Program

United Club℠ Infinite Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Perfect for frequent United flyers who want premium perks like United Club access and free baggage benefits.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

United Club℠ Infinite Card

Perfect for frequent United flyers who want premium perks like United Club access and free baggage benefits.

Welcome Offer

Earn 80,000 Bonus Miles After Qualifying Purchases

80,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$960

Annual Fee

$525

APR

21.49% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Excellent (740-850)

Why We Like This Card

The United Club℠ Infinite Card is a premium card designed for the most dedicated of United frequent flyers who are looking for a card that provides the opportunity to earn extra United MileagePlus miles and receive lounge access via a yearly United Club membership.

United frequent flyers will find that the United Club Infinite card provides an enhanced experience on their United flights thanks to the money saved on each flight and the conveniences it provides.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 4x miles per $1 on United purchases
• 2x miles per $1 on travel and dining purchases
• Complimentary United Club membership

Cons

• $525 annual fee
• Does not earn transferable rewards

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 80,000 bonus miles after qualifying purchases
• Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United^® purchases
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel and dining
• Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $360 per roundtrip (terms apply) - and Premier Access^® travel services
• 10% United Economy Saver Award discount within the continental U.S. and Canada
• Earn up to 10,000 Premier qualifying points per calendar year (25 PQP for every $500 you spend on purchases)
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.49% - 28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

United Quest℠ Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The United Quest card is a fantastic option for United flyers looking to earn more miles and enhance their flights.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

United Quest℠ Card

The United Quest card is a fantastic option for United flyers looking to earn more miles and enhance their flights.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

60,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$720

Annual Fee

$250

APR

21.49% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The newest addition to United’s lineup of cards is the United Quest℠ Card. With it, you can bolster your United MileagePlus miles, thanks to the bonus categories, while enjoying the card’s many perks designed to help save you money on each United flight.

With an annual fee that falls between the United℠ Explorer Card and United Club℠ Infinite Card, the United Quest card makes for a fantastic card option for United frequent flyers.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3x miles per $1 on United purchases
• 2x miles per $1 spent on travel, dining, and select streaming services
• $125 annual United credit

Cons

• Does not earn transferable rewards
• Does not offer airport lounge access

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 PQP after qualifying purchases
• Earn 3 miles per $1 spent on United^® purchases
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel, dining and select streaming services
• Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $360 per roundtrip (terms apply) - and priority boarding
• Up to a $125 United^® purchase credit and up to 10,000 miles in award flight credits each year (terms apply)
• Earn up to 6,000 Premier qualifying points per calendar year (25 PQP for every $500 you spend on purchases)
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.49% - 28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

United Gateway℠ Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The United Gateway card is a great option for those looking to earn more United miles without paying an annual fee.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

United Gateway℠ Card

The United Gateway card is a great option for those looking to earn more United miles without paying an annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn 20,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. Learn more.

20,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$240

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 months; after that, 21.49% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The United Gateway℠ Card is a great option for those looking to earn more United miles without wanting to pay a credit card annual fee. Plus, the card offers other solid benefits like a 25% back on United inflight purchases, purchase protection, and rental car insurance.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 2x miles per $1 on United purchases
• 2x miles per $1 at gas stations and on local transit and commuting, including rideshare services, taxicabs, train tickets, tolls, and mass transit
• 1x mile per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• If you are a frequent United flyer, other cards offer more perks
• It does not earn transferable rewards

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 20,000 bonus miles
• No annual fee
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United^® purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United^® purchases
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at gas stations, on local transit and commuting
• Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
• 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Gateway Card
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 months; after that, 21.49% - 28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

United Club℠ Business Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The United Club Business card is a great option for frequent United flyers looking for United Club access.

United Club℠ Business Card

The United Club Business card is a great option for frequent United flyers looking for United Club access.

Welcome Offer

Earn 50,000 bonus miles + 1,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) after $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

50,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$600

Annual Fee

$450

APR

21.99%–28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The United Club℠ Business Card is a premium card option for dedicated United loyalists seeking a card that offers complimentary United Club access, helps them earn and retain status, and doesn’t skip on the benefits.

From free checked bags to upgrades on award tickets and the ability to earn Premier qualifying points, there is plenty to the United Club Business card that United flyers are sure to love.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 2x miles per $1 spent on United purchases
• 1.5x miles per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Complimentary United Club membership

Cons

• $450 annual fee
• Earning rate for United purchases is poor compared to other United cards

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 50,000 bonus miles + 1,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) after $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open
• Earn 2x miles on United purchases
• Earn 1.5x miles on all other purchases
• Employee cards at no additional cost
• United Club membership — up to a $650 value per year. Relax in comfort while waiting for your flight with complimentary beverages, snacks, high-speed Wi-Fi, and more
• Free first and second checked bags for you and a companion, save up to $320 per round-trip
• 25% back on United inflight purchases
• No foreign transaction fees

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.99%–28.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: $0

Other Great Options for Booking Asiana Airlines

Other great options for booking Asiana Airlines include Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles, EVA Air Infinity MileageLands, and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer.

While Turkish Airlines offers good redemption prices of 67,500 miles one-way, you’ll need to go through a complex booking process, including multiple email chains and possibly even a visit to a physical ticketing office! Plus, fuel surcharges are passed on, which doesn’t help its case.

EVA Air Infinity MileageLands offers decent award redemption rates, but its sole transfer partner is Citi ThankYou Rewards, making it relatively difficult to earn miles.

Great Asiana Airlines Business Class Redemptions

We’ve covered our favorite frequent flyer programs to book Asiana Airlines business class — 5 of them, to be exact.

Here are the round-trip costs to book a business class ticket between the U.S. and Korea on Asiana Airlines:

From the table above, it’s clear that the best program is ANA Mileage Club, even if you’ll pay for fuel surcharges. This doesn’t even take into account how easy it can be to earn ANA miles compared to the next-best option, Asiana Club.

Remember, Amex Membership Rewards is transfer partners with ANA Mileage Club, which is incredibly useful.

If you have a bunch of Chase Ultimate Rewards points, the best transfer partner is probably going to be Air Canada Aeroplan.

If you only have Citi ThankYou Rewards Points, you’ll want to use Avianca LifeMiles.

Lastly, if you already have some Asiana miles, you can use Marriott Bonvoy to top off the required amount for a business class flight.

Stopover rules by airline:

• ANA Mileage Club offers 1 complimentary open-jaw and 1 complimentary stopover on round-trip bookings
• Avianca LifeMiles doesn’t offer stopovers
• Air Canada Aeroplan allows 1 complimentary stopover, even one-way bookings, for an extra 5,000 miles
• Asiana Club offers a complimentary stopover on one-way tickets aboard Asiana Airlines flights
• United MileagePlus offers the Excursionist Perk, though that is more complicated than just adding a stopover

Here are some fantastic redemptions you can make from the U.S. to Korea:

• Los Angeles (LAX) – Seoul-Incheon (ICN) – Jeju (CJU) round-trip in Asiana Airlines business class with a stopover in Seoul for 95,000 ANA miles + ~$397 in taxes and fees
• New York City (JFK) – Seoul-Incheon (ICN) one-way in Asiana Airlines business class for 75,000 LifeMiles + $38 in taxes and fees
• San Francisco (SFO) – Seoul-Incheon (ICN) – Jeju (CJU) one-way in Asiana Airlines business class with a stopover in Seoul for 75,000 Aeroplan points + $40 in taxes and fees
• Seattle (SEA) – Seoul-Incheon (ICN) one-way in Asiana Airlines business class for 88,000 United miles + $5.60 in taxes and fees

How To Earn Enough Miles for Asiana Airlines Business Class

Tons of ways exist to earn points to book Asiana Airlines business class. This is made easier thanks to Asiana’s membership in the Star Alliance because you can book Asiana Airlines business class with virtually any Star Alliance airline’s miles!

Of course, the best value will generally be from ANA Mileage Club transfers done via Amex Membership Rewards, but the scales can be tipped in favor of Avianca LifeMiles if you happen to encounter a transfer bonus and/or an award discount sale.

Whatever the case, as long as you stick to a transferable rewards currency, you can book Asiana Airlines business class with points:

• American Express Membership Rewards points transfer to ANA Mileage Club, Avianca LifeMiles, and Air Canada Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio. Transfers to ANA Mileage Club take around 3 business days, while transfers to Avianca LifeMiles and Aeroplan are almost instant.
• Brex Rewards transfers instantly to Avianca LifeMiles at a 1:1 ratio.
• Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer instantly to Air Canada Aeroplan and United MileagePlus at a 1:1 ratio.
• Citi ThankYou Rewards Points transfer instantly to Avianca LifeMiles at a 1:1 ratio.
• Capital One miles transfer almost instantly to Avianca LifeMiles at a 1:1 ratio and Air Canada Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio.
• Marriott Bonvoy points transfer to Avianca LifeMiles (1 day), Air Canada Aeroplan (5 days), ANA Mileage Club (4 days), and Asiana Club (4 days) at a 3:1 ratio. Also, Marriott Bonvoy transfers to United (3 days) at a 3:1 ratio with a 10,000-point bonus for every 60,000 points transferred.

Remember, transfer bonuses also exist, particularly with Avianca LifeMiles and occasionally with Air Canada Aeroplan via Amex, Brex, or Citi. This can increase the number of miles you earn by 20% to 30%.

When Should You Search for Award Space

Asiana Airlines is very consistent with releasing award availability. Typically, Asiana Airlines releases anywhere from 2 to 4 business class seats in advance on a given route.

This is an important distinction because, for routes with multiple daily flights, it may release all of its in-advance availability to 1 of those flights.

Also, Asiana Airlines makes a lot of business class seats available last-minute, so whether you’re an advance planner or a spontaneous traveler, you should have reasonable ease booking Asiana Airlines business class with points.

You can book Asiana Airlines business class completely online using any of the frequent flyer programs we discussed above, which is a big convenience.

Remember, we recommend using United.com to search for award availability — after finding availability, perform the same search on your chosen frequent flyer program’s website to book the ticket.

What Makes Asiana Airlines a Great Redemption Business Class

Asiana Airlines isn’t the most luxurious airline in the world by a long shot. In fact, it barely made it onto our list of the best business class seats for couples (and it isn’t on our overall best international business class airlines).

But, here are the major highlights of booking Asiana Airlines business class:

Great Award Availability and Plenty of Ways To Book

As we mentioned earlier, Asiana Airlines is not stingy about releasing award availability at all. This is a huge benefit if you need to stick to a specific schedule, if you need to book family travel in business class, and if you have less overall flexibility.

Also, since Asiana Airlines is one of the only airlines offering nonstop flights to Korea, you’ll rarely find better itineraries than on Asiana.

And as a Star Alliance airline, there are plenty of ways to book Asiana Airlines business class, regardless of which credit card issuer you’re loyal to.

Lie-Flat Honeymoon Seats

Asiana Airlines has wide, comfortable business class seats that recline into a completely lie-flat bed. Every seat comes with direct aisle access, too.

Also, every other middle pair of seats in business class are known as “honeymoon seats.” They are configured right next to each other so you can be as close to your traveling companion as possible, hence the name.

Solid Service

And as always is the case when booking luxury travel, service makes a big difference. Every flight attendant aboard Asiana Airlines always seems professional and happy to be there.

Their goal is to help make this journey as comfortable and memorable for you as possible, and Asiana’s service culture reflects that.

And while Asiana Airlines’ cabin crew generally isn’t as polished as Singapore Airlines or Emirates, you’ll still have a great time.

Final Thoughts

Asiana Airlines isn’t the most opulent airline in the world. It offers nonstop flights to Korea, a comfortable product, and plenty of ways to redeem points affordably for business class flights!

In this guide, we walked through our favorite loyalty programs and demonstrated how you can book Asiana Airlines business class with any transferable currency, no matter which credit card you happen to have.

Overall, Asiana Airlines offers excellent award availability, lie-flat seats, wholesome catering, and a variety of ways to book flights.