Korean Air has simply introduced that it wont be devaluing its SkyPass frequent flyer program anytime quickly — that’s thrilling!
Korean Air SkyPass gained’t devalue in spite of everything
In December 2019, it was introduced that Korean Air SkyPass can be present process some main adjustments, together with a major award chart devaluation. Korea has strict laws about advance discover being required for adjustments, so this system was solely supposed to vary as of April 2021.
Then as a result of pandemic, in January 2021, Korean Air introduced that the devaluation can be delayed by two years, till April 1, 2023.
With the adjustments simply weeks away, there’s a optimistic improvement. Korean Air has introduced that the implementation of the brand new SkyPass program has been suspended, so the present program will probably be maintained with none adjustments.
Whereas it’s not explicitly said, it nearly reads to me as if there aren’t plans anymore to implement these adjustments, since no new date is given. Presumably if Korean Air needed to make these adjustments sooner or later, advance discover would as soon as once more be required.
With Korean Air and Asiana being within the strategy of merging (and at the moment aiming for the deal closing in 2024, pending regulatory challenges), perhaps the plan is to only hold this system the identical till a brand new one is shaped for a mixed airline.
I’m unsure what to do with my Korean Air SkyPass miles
Again within the day, Korean Air SkyPass was a Chase Final Rewards switch companion, although that partnership resulted in 2018. This was a incredible alternative, since SkyPass miles allowed you to redeem for firstclass journey on a number of SkyTeam airways, together with Korean Air, Saudia, and China Jap.
So earlier than the partnership ended, I speculatively transfered 600,000 Final Rewards factors to SkyPass, since I knew there can be no sensible technique to earn these miles sooner or later.
Properly, sadly I’ve redeemed precisely zero of these miles up to now 5 years. Admittedly that’s partly as a result of journey to a lot of Asia was impractical for almost three years. Recently I’ve been trying to redeem my SkyPass miles, however I’ve realized that Korean Air has mainly zeroed out firstclass award availability.
Korean Air used to persistently have a minimum of one or two firstclass award seats per flight (and in some instances many greater than that). Now wanting even a yr prematurely on the A380, I’m seeing nearly no firstclass award seats. That certain is a bummer. Am I the one one noticing this, or am I lacking one thing? And any ideas on how I ought to redeem SkyPass miles if Korean Air firstclass is off the desk?
I suppose there’s at all times Saudia firstclass… 😉
Backside line
Korean Air SkyPass has suspended its program adjustments, which have been alleged to take impact as of April 2023. That is excellent news, for the reason that new program would have meant a major enhance in premium cabin redemption prices.
With Asia having now nearly totally reopened, I’m trying to redeem my SkyPass miles, however am realizing that there’s nearly no firstclass award house, which was the entire profit of getting SkyPass miles. So I’ll should provide you with a brand new plan.
What do you make of SkyPass program adjustments being suspended, and the way would you redeem Korean Air miles these days?
(Tip of the hat to KS)
