Korean Air SkyPass

[MG1]

I couldn't see a recent thread on this (I saw a very old one that was no longer open for replies).

I was hoping to obtain some SkyPass miles for a flight upgrade. Up until recently, you could transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to KE but this partnership ended earlier this year. Apart from flying on SkyTeam airlines, what we be the best ways for Australians to earn or transfer points into SkyPass? (In the USA it appears possible to take out SkyPass-affiliated credit cards, but this isn't an option here. I think that you can obtain points via Booking.Com and other hotel websites but that is not ideal.)

Can the miles be bought during sales like you can for other frequent flyer programmes?

I haven't booked my flight but would like to for next year. It's something that I'd like to try out as the photos and reviews seem very nice.

Any tips would be great.

 

[hexDoor]

Can the miles be bought during sales like you can for other frequent flyer programmes?

I haven't booked my flight but would like to for next year. It's something that I'd like to try out as the photos and reviews seem very nice.

Any tips would be great.

At this point, I would argue that it would be "easier" to book award flights via Virgin Atlantic (AMEX transfer partner) to fly Korean Air than earning SkyPass points.

If flying from Australia, you also got alternatives like Asiana which is merging into Korean Air pending US D.O.J approval that is supposedly coming any day now.
If that does happen, I guess FF programs would merge with ideally 1:1 conversion lest they invoke the anger of the Korean public.

 

[MG1]

At this point, I would argue that it would be "easier" to book award flights via Virgin Atlantic (AMEX transfer partner) to fly Korean Air than earning SkyPass points.

If flying from Australia, you also got alternatives like Asiana which is merging into Korean Air pending US D.O.J approval that is supposedly coming any day now.
If that does happen, I guess FF programs would merge with ideally 1:1 conversion lest they invoke the anger of the Korean public.

Thank you for your reply, @hexDoor - these are some alternatives that I'll need to investigate. It seems that earning SkyPass miles directly in Australia will prove to be rather difficult.

On a different note, I don't see how merging two large airlines into one will help the public. Surely, having more choice, and therefore competition, makes more sense. I'm surprised that this is passing approvals.

 

[MG1]

At this point, I would argue that it would be "easier" to book award flights via Virgin Atlantic (AMEX transfer partner) to fly Korean Air than earning SkyPass points.

@hexDoor, would it be possible to upgrade, using VS points to try out KE Kosmo Suites? (I read somewhere that you can only upgrade to those using KE miles and not partner miles - is this correct?)

 

[hexDoor]

@hexDoor, would it be possible to upgrade, using VS points to try out KE Kosmo Suites? (I read somewhere that you can only upgrade to those using KE miles and not partner miles - is this correct?)

I don't think it's possible to upgrade via VS but probably best to call VS and see what they can do.
Just be wary that only certain fare classes are eligible for upgrade.

 

[MG1]

I don't think it's possible to upgrade via VS but probably best to call VS and see what they can do.
Just be wary that only certain fare classes are eligible for upgrade.

Thank you @hexDoor - this calls for more investigation as you suggested.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Have you tried looking at other hotel programs? Specifically, IHG allows you to transfer miles to over 40 airline partners (including Korean) at a rate of 5:1. IHG points themselves can often be bought right now at a cost of 0.5 cents USD per point (this promotion is ending on the 16th). In other words you can effectively "buy" Korean miles at a cost of 2.5 cents USD each. Certainly not the best points deal, but if you're in a pinch with a program that has limited earning opportunities it is a possibility.

The other thing to keep in mind is that much like Qantas, Korean Air has a number of airlines it partners with that allow you to earn Korean miles when flying with them. These partners include Hawaiian, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, GOL, Japan Airlines, Etihad, Emirates, and China Southern.

-RooFlyer88

 

[MG1]

Have you tried looking at other hotel programs? Specifically, IHG allows you to transfer miles to over 40 airline partners (including Korean) at a rate of 5:1. IHG points themselves can often be bought right now at a cost of 0.5 cents USD per point (this promotion is ending on the 16th). In other words you can effectively "buy" Korean miles at a cost of 2.5 cents USD each. Certainly not the best points deal, but if you're in a pinch with a program that has limited earning opportunities it is a possibility.

The other thing to keep in mind is that much like Qantas, Korean Air has a number of airlines it partners with that allow you to earn Korean miles when flying with them. These partners include Hawaiian, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, GOL, Japan Airlines, Etihad, Emirates, and China Southern.

-RooFlyer88

@kangarooflyer88, I think I'll investigate the IHG option next time that that comes around; thanks for the advice. Do the points transfer over straight away? If you've used it before, have you ever come across any issues with IHG points transfers?

I will also look at the transfer rates with the partner airlines.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

@kangarooflyer88, I think I'll investigate the IHG option next time that that comes around; thanks for the advice. Do the points transfer over straight away? If you've used it before, have you ever come across any issues with IHG points transfers?

I must admit that I have neither have transferred miles over to KoreanAir nor even have an account with that airline. Unless there is a compelling reason, I don't see the need to sign up for frequent flyer programs (even if they are free). I always have to get something out of it, be it a free bag or maybe better award availability or redemptions. With that being said, I'm certainly open to hearing the ways in which KoreanAir pass could be beneficial, particularly for international award travel.

I will also look at the transfer rates with the partner airlines.

There may be other opportunities out there. Again, it will take some investment researching this, particularly if you aren't embedded that much into the program. For instance, when I first came to Australia I knew I could earn Qantas points flying with them, and even that I could earn points through Woolies, but I didn't realize that I could earn a stack of points buying wine from Qantas or gift cards at Woolies during a 20x points event, or transferring Choice Hotel points over to Qantas during a 2x transfer promotion (effectively allowing you to buy Qantas points at a rate of 1.26 cents per point when timed during a promotion). This took a decent amount of work not just looking through AustralianFrequentFlyer but also elsewhere. There are dozens of hotel chains out there that you have never heard of, nevermind stayed at. However, some of these programs allows you to transfer your miles over to programs like Korean Air at attractive rates.

-RooFlyer88

 

[MG1]

I must admit that I have neither have transferred miles over to KoreanAir nor even have an account with that airline. Unless there is a compelling reason, I don't see the need to sign up for frequent flyer programs (even if they are free). I always have to get something out of it, be it a free bag or maybe better award availability or redemptions. With that being said, I'm certainly open to hearing the ways in which KoreanAir pass could be beneficial, particularly for international award travel.

There may be other opportunities out there. Again, it will take some investment researching this, particularly if you aren't embedded that much into the program. For instance, when I first came to Australia I knew I could earn Qantas points flying with them, and even that I could earn points through Woolies, but I didn't realize that I could earn a stack of points buying wine from Qantas or gift cards at Woolies during a 20x points event, or transferring Choice Hotel points over to Qantas during a 2x transfer promotion (effectively allowing you to buy Qantas points at a rate of 1.26 cents per point when timed during a promotion). This took a decent amount of work not just looking through AustralianFrequentFlyer but also elsewhere. There are dozens of hotel chains out there that you have never heard of, nevermind stayed at. However, some of these programs allows you to transfer your miles over to programs like Korean Air at attractive rates.

-RooFlyer88

Thank you very much for your detailed response, @kangarooflyer88; this certainly gives me quite a bit to think about. I will investigate and see if I can find any such interesting connections.