Korean Air has just announced that it wont be devaluing its SkyPass frequent flyer program anytime soon — that’s exciting!
In this post:
Korean Air SkyPass won’t devalue after all
In December 2019, it was announced that Korean Air SkyPass would be undergoing some major changes, including a significant award chart devaluation. Korea has strict regulations about advance notice being required for changes, so the program was only supposed to change as of April 2021.
Then due to the pandemic, in January 2021, Korean Air announced that the devaluation would be delayed by two years, until April 1, 2023.
With the changes just weeks away, there’s a positive development. Korean Air has announced that the implementation of the new SkyPass program has been suspended, so the current program will be maintained without any changes.
While it’s not explicitly stated, it almost reads to me as if there aren’t plans anymore to implement these changes, since no new date is given. Presumably if Korean Air wanted to make these changes in the future, advance notice would once again be required.
With Korean Air and Asiana being in the process of merging (and currently aiming for the deal closing in 2024, pending regulatory challenges), maybe the plan is to just keep the program the same until a new one is formed for a combined airline.
I’m not sure what to do with my Korean Air SkyPass miles
Back in the day, Korean Air SkyPass was a Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partner, though that partnership ended in 2018. This was a fantastic opportunity, since SkyPass miles allowed you to redeem for first class travel on several SkyTeam airlines, including Korean Air, Saudia, and China Eastern.
So before the partnership ended, I speculatively transfered 600,000 Ultimate Rewards points to SkyPass, since I knew there would be no practical way to earn these miles in the future.
Well, unfortunately I’ve redeemed exactly zero of those miles in the past five years. Admittedly that’s partly because travel to much of Asia was impractical for nearly three years. Lately I’ve been looking to redeem my SkyPass miles, but I’ve realized that Korean Air has basically zeroed out first class award availability.
Korean Air used to consistently have at least one or two first class award seats per flight (and in some cases many more than that). Now looking even a year in advance on the A380, I’m seeing almost no first class award seats. That sure is a bummer. Am I the only one noticing this, or am I missing something? And any thoughts on how I should redeem SkyPass miles if Korean Air first class is off the table?
I guess there’s always Saudia first class… 😉
Bottom line
Korean Air SkyPass has suspended its program changes, which were supposed to take effect as of April 2023. This is good news, since the new program would have meant a significant increase in premium cabin redemption costs.
With Asia having now almost entirely reopened, I’m looking to redeem my SkyPass miles, but am realizing that there’s almost no first class award space, which was the whole benefit of having SkyPass miles. So I’ll have to come up with a new plan.
What do you make of SkyPass program changes being suspended, and how would you redeem Korean Air miles nowadays?
(Tip of the hat to KS)
I actually found a F seat on the 380 ICN-LAX for a flight in late May. Very rare to see them pop up that far out these days. Even Biz can be hard to find within the 180 days or so. I did just score Biz to LAS less than 30 days out though, but it's the older 2-3-2 biz layout.
Business class seats are WIDELY available on Korea. I have not looked at Skypass itself. I just book them via DELTA, and early . I book the day after release, but probably some are available later. Delta usually has some non stop availability, but most of their inventory seems to be with LONG layovers in other cities; I was able to book nonstop to Atlanta for July 2023
Hopefully, with this announcement KE will stop hoarding its premium cabin award availability in anticipation of the now-postponed 4/23 devaluation. If only they would resume flying F to Sydney and Brisbane to make F class redemptions between the US and Australia more worthwhile.
They release last minute F seats. I can't remember the exact details, but I put myself on the waitlist for ICN-LHR for around December 20th and I got a notification that a seat was available at the start of November (I think, it could have been later) I only put 1 name on the waitlist. I didn't end up booking it.
@Ben - Had a quick look at their redemption partner pages and a couple of interesting options came to mind...
- JAL since you recently wrote about the A350-1000s
- Aerolineas Argentinas - close out the list of SkyTeam airlines you haven't flown?
- A refresh on Xiamen Air, Air Europa, or Kenya Airways?
I have also had a hard time finding any biz or first on ke. Did Korean stop expiring miles? I was under the impression they would disappear after 3 or 4 years.
They expire after 10 years.
Is US Mainland to Hawaii still a good use of these points? Anyone have luck with redemptions lately? I too am sitting on orphaned Korean miles I speculatively moved from UR year ago.
Lucky, how long as it been since you reviewed Korean business class? If I’m not mistaken, you had their Apex suites in your top 3 business class seats but if you haven’t flown them since pre-Covid it could be time for an updated review.
Personally, when I saw Boeing delivered the last 747 a few weeks ago, I was inspired to go looking for a 747 mileage run but the options are definitely limited...
Lucky, how long as it been since you reviewed Korean business class? If I’m not mistaken, you had their Apex suites in your top 3 business class seats but if you haven’t flown them since pre-Covid it could be time for an updated review.
Personally, when I saw Boeing delivered the last 747 a few weeks ago, I was inspired to go looking for a 747 mileage run but the options are definitely limited these days. KE is operating both the 747 and A380 out of LAX on their summer schedule though so I settled on a fun “double decker” run to ICN and paying cash so I can earn MQD for Delta.
I flew KE 747 / A330 / 777ER old cabin in 2019 and KE 747 / 777ER new cabin last month. Nearly no change. Same menu items, same amenity kit, KE lounge at ICN still pretty dismal with same offerings and fairly crowded. The PP lounges are just as, if not more crowded, but serve better food which is sad considering this is their home station. FAs are as great as ever. IFE is still...
I flew KE 747 / A330 / 777ER old cabin in 2019 and KE 747 / 777ER new cabin last month. Nearly no change. Same menu items, same amenity kit, KE lounge at ICN still pretty dismal with same offerings and fairly crowded. The PP lounges are just as, if not more crowded, but serve better food which is sad considering this is their home station. FAs are as great as ever. IFE is still limited and you're likely to max out movies even on one transpacific leg if you watch movies even semi-regularly. The only big improvement which I wasn't aware of as they implemented shortly before my flight, but you can now pre-order meals for ex-ICN flights. https://www.koreanair.com/ch/en/footer/customer-support/notice/2301-prml
In my experience, KE no longer makes C or F redemptions available when the schedule opens. These seem to be exclusively available last-minute. I don't have a paid expertflyer account any more, but my unscientific experience of recent KE flights suggest that F seats aren't available on points... because F is full. My successful strategy has been to aim for the less popular flights, get a seat in Y, and about 5 days out start...
In my experience, KE no longer makes C or F redemptions available when the schedule opens. These seem to be exclusively available last-minute. I don't have a paid expertflyer account any more, but my unscientific experience of recent KE flights suggest that F seats aren't available on points... because F is full. My successful strategy has been to aim for the less popular flights, get a seat in Y, and about 5 days out start checking for available in C or F. While there is theoretically a change fee, I've always had it waived when reticketing into a higher cabin on the same flight. Worst case, you could always cancel and pay the 3000 mile penalty. As a final thought -- why are you only interested in F? Never found the difference on KE that meaningful. Certainly not paying an extra 35k r/t just for dine on demand and a slightly bigger seat if C is available.
A little story behind the suspension:
The new devaluation received heavy criticism from Korean citizens, the head of the Korea Ministry of Department and Transportation, and even from the Korean congress. The airline then recommended adding an additional 100+ flights on New York, Paris, and Los Angeles routes over the course of June-October this year as an alternative, where 100% of the seats offered on these additional flights would be available to be booked...
A little story behind the suspension:
The new devaluation received heavy criticism from Korean citizens, the head of the Korea Ministry of Department and Transportation, and even from the Korean congress. The airline then recommended adding an additional 100+ flights on New York, Paris, and Los Angeles routes over the course of June-October this year as an alternative, where 100% of the seats offered on these additional flights would be available to be booked through miles. The airline also recommended increasing the 5% threshold for award availability on all of its flights, but neither of these alternatives could ameliorate the disappointment
Oh good, so there is no rush to use the orphaned 19,000 Korean miles (x2) mrs snic and I still have from a trip we took 25 years ago. At that time, KE miles didn't expire, and these miles are grandfathered. I might keep them around just for the novelty of having decades-old miles in an account.
Ben,
Maybe look into Virgin Atlantic redemptions? I’m about to be a Detroit-based flyer and want to stay away from Delta and SkyMiles given its awful devaluations. My plan might be to become a Flying Club member for this very reason. Thoughts?
I was panicked to use my 100k points before 4/1 deval and just this past weekend found and booked 1 of 2 F awards available at non peak rates searching the whole year from ICN to US. Maybe they will start to loosen availability. Fingers crossed for you.
Mores exciting I booked Starlux a350 from TPE to NRT because of this KE trip. Sometimes things fall into place.
Ben, with 600k points, perhaps you use them on AF in business. Don't know Korean's award chart but I'd have to believe it might be close to three MIA-CDG round-trips in business. That's you, Ford, and Myles. Problem solved.
This I guess is a case of "enjoy it while it lasts," considering how Korean Air F used to be so easy to book with miles years ago and the lack of availability now [not being able to accumulate points by transferring from Chase UR also helped]. It's one of those "you never hear people talk them anymore" experiences. I enjoyed my segments in Korean Air F years ago- service was absolutely amazing, food was...
This I guess is a case of "enjoy it while it lasts," considering how Korean Air F used to be so easy to book with miles years ago and the lack of availability now [not being able to accumulate points by transferring from Chase UR also helped]. It's one of those "you never hear people talk them anymore" experiences. I enjoyed my segments in Korean Air F years ago- service was absolutely amazing, food was excellent, the only letdowns being the IFE/lack of wi-fi and middling lounge.
As for what to do with your points... I don't think you have flown Garuda Indonesia in business class (where it looks like they have a different product for every single type of plane they operate)? Or Aerolineas Argentinas at all?
Hi Ben,
In the same situation as you are, and noticed the exact same thing when it comes to first class on Korean. I'm planning on using them on biz class on Air Europa, which seems to offer some good redemption value. Thoughts?
If my short-haul economy flight with Air Europa last year was any indication, avoid them.
Received email saying "we need your proof of COVID vaccination." Website kept failing when trying to send proof to them. Checkin desk at FRA opened only 2 hours before flight and staff took their time processing everyone so half the people on the flight got through security by charging forward and telling security staff "we need to get through NOW,...
If my short-haul economy flight with Air Europa last year was any indication, avoid them.
Received email saying "we need your proof of COVID vaccination." Website kept failing when trying to send proof to them. Checkin desk at FRA opened only 2 hours before flight and staff took their time processing everyone so half the people on the flight got through security by charging forward and telling security staff "we need to get through NOW, our flight leaves in 15-20 minutes." Gruff FAs (let me SQUEEZE past you onboard the single aisle of our 737 with just an "EXCUSE ME"). Lack of legroom in seats. Buy on board everything including water (but Mastercard was not accepted for some reason) and was skipped by the FAs. Ground service at MAD also terrible, 30 min wait before bags started coming out.
Thanks for heads up! I'll search out some other use of my KE miles and hopefully will finally get godd use out of them.
Brendan summarized the current situation in KR. Current administration has been cracking down on businesses. The Minister of Transportation had some very strict words for KE the other day and that basically sealed the deal.
It's highly unlikely KE will implement any devals in the next few years.
I also don't see how they're going to get US/EU/UK approval for the merger. LHR, LAX, NYC airports, ORD are all monopolized by OZ+KE. But let's...
Brendan summarized the current situation in KR. Current administration has been cracking down on businesses. The Minister of Transportation had some very strict words for KE the other day and that basically sealed the deal.
It's highly unlikely KE will implement any devals in the next few years.
I also don't see how they're going to get US/EU/UK approval for the merger. LHR, LAX, NYC airports, ORD are all monopolized by OZ+KE. But let's see what KE submits to the EU in the coming months to assuage antitrust concerns
Saudia is rapidly developing right now and their hub in Jeddah is pretty amazing, and much better than the nightmare old terminal. I would recommend it. A solid 8/10 experience.
Korean Air's new mileage redemption policy has not only drawn a backlash from air travelers, but also received criticism from the government, increasing the possibility that the air carrier may become the next target of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, which has so far slammed banks and telecommunication firms for enjoying benefits from the oligopolistic hold over their respective markets.
This is the reason, the Korean government intervened.
I trust they cannot change at...
Korean Air's new mileage redemption policy has not only drawn a backlash from air travelers, but also received criticism from the government, increasing the possibility that the air carrier may become the next target of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, which has so far slammed banks and telecommunication firms for enjoying benefits from the oligopolistic hold over their respective markets.
This is the reason, the Korean government intervened.
I trust they cannot change at leader next 4 years.
That's funny - just 5 days ago I got notified about the changes coming in April.
The only interesting point of the program is the long lifetime of miles though. The requirement to fly Korean a lot makes it impossible for me to earn status.
I was looking for a way to redeem the garuda indonesia first class to AMS. Anyone could tell me which way is the best? Which partner airline would be the best option?
@ Queiroga -- Garuda Indonesia doesn't allow partner first class redemptions. You'd have to book through Garuda's own program, though those miles are rough to come by, and redemption rates are high.
What is the best way to find Saudi First Class availability and how do you book with Korean Miles? Thanks
Oh this is great news. I also have a ton of KE miles that I haven't been able to use due to the pandemic.