I've written extensively about Korean Air SkyPass, which is a Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partner. The way I see it, it's the single best program for first class award redemptions to Asia. Korean Air releases more saver level first class award availability to Asia than any other airline. That's true whether you're booking 11 months…
Continue reading: Korean Air SkyPass Adds Award Change & Redeposit Fees
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Will the fees matter in practice, because of their generous hold policy? If you're holding the reservation almost up until departure, you are unlikely to need to change the ticket after it's issued.
I've seen as many as 5 first class seats open transatlantic on BA in advance but it's quite rare.
Lucky: "Availability is probably so good because SkyTeam doesn’t have reciprocal first class award redemptions across the board."
That's true of Singapore Air as well - no first class redemptions except through Kris Flyer - yet their availability is pretty stingy. So lack of reciprocity can't be the whole story with Korean. Clearly, the supply vs demand balance is tipped more in favor of supply for Korean than for many other airlines.
Still a pretty good policy. Foreign airlines seem to have more generous fee structure for changes/redeposit.
When we flew there were only 2 other people in First -- all the other seats were empty. We enjoyed it, but the 15k premium for First versus Business is a tough call for me. The seats are nicer, but the food and bev were pretty underwhelming (why hand me a beautifully detailed in-flight coffee menu when the espresso machine is broken? why send out a plate of foie gras terrine that's still frozen?). We got a 40k targeted bonus for their CC and I'm seriously debating if we'll go in First or Business when we go to Boracay via Seoul this December...
I put a full trip report on my blog (click my name). One other quick thing: they require you to prove that you're family if you're going to redeem your miles for another person (even if you're flying together) so allow extra time for that if it's your first time flying with them.
Since Delta has terminated service to BKK, getting to BKK from East Coast US is quite troublesome,,, amazingly Flights from IAD/Dulles,,, ORF Norfolk,, RIC Richmond or PHF Newport News Virginia, is not easy anymore..
IAD to BKK on KAL is quit good price not bad either HOWEVER< does KAL offer Comfort+ seating (for a cost like DLT) or similar process????????????? For me traveling in the "real back -coach is quite troublesome) I don't have the luxury of Prestige or business class to travel limited budget,, but Comfort plus was HUGE and affordable
Are SkyTeam awards booked using SkyPass miles also subject to these same rules, or are changes/cancellations more expensive?