Korean SkyPass Sweet Spots to Book With Ultimate Rewards Before August 25
Chase Ultimate Rewards and Korean SkyPass are parting ways on August 25. I've long enjoyed utilizing Korean Air's program for award bookings on both Korean and SkyTeam-operated flights, but with time now critically short for you to transfer Ultimate Rewards and easily acquire a sizable Korean SkyPass balance, let's look at the program's sweet spots you'll want to consider utilizing.
Before You Transfer
There are two strategic possibilities to consider before deciding on whether or not to transfer Ultimate Rewards to Korean SkyPass by the end of the day on August 24...
Award Space
If you transfer in the next 10 days and try to book immediately, it's plausible that award space could be a premium with tons of competition in a short timeframe. On the flip side, if you speculatively transfer now with no plans of booking in the next six months, by the time you do want to book, you'll most likely have significantly less competition and award space might be wide open.
Possible Devaluation
Would Korean really wait until the Chase transfer partnership is withdrawn and then execute an award chart devaluation? Perhaps a reason for the Chase and Korean break up is that the airline is carrying too many unused miles on its books and needs a way to decrease the currency in circulation. Executing an award chart devaluation and giving customers a few months notice is certainly one way to get your members to redeem their currency. Is this likely? I honestly don't know, but I've long stopped trying to comprehend some of the moves I've seen Asian carriers make with their programs.
With those variables in mind, here are half a dozen redemptions you may want to consider in the next few days...
1. Korean First Class
First Class on Korean Air is excellent and right now may be your last opportunity to score a ticket for a relatively few number of miles. You do need to be careful when picking the equipment for your premium cabin jaunt, as Korean operates multiple different first class seats, suites and even the exact same seat as business class on the 787-9. TPG himself reviewed Korean Air First Class on the A330 earlier this year and didn't find it to be vastly different than business, but TPG Editor-at-Large Zach Honig had a better experience on the airline's 777-300ER a few years ago.
With that all said, there are some fantastic routes and values to be had when looking to book Korean first. Start by checking the peak and off-peak dates on the Korean Air redemption chart:
Next, look at the redemption amounts for one-way, first class Korean-operated flights. Here they are during off-peak season:
| United States to China, Japan, Korea, Northeast Asia | 80,000 miles |
|---|---|
Japan, Korea, or China to Southwest Asia or Maldives | 57,500 miles |
Japan, Korea, or China to Southeast Asia or Maldives | 45,000 miles |
I took a look at first class availability and found plenty of dates in the fall and winter from US gateways to Seoul, South Korea (ICN). The SkyPass website gives you an entire month's view of award availability, where dates in white have an available seat. For instance, there are plenty of dates in December for New York (JFK) to Seoul one-way for 80,000 miles:
2. Fly to Hawaii for 25,000-30,000 Miles Round-Trip
Yes, space is difficult to find, but not impossible, and if you can track it down, you can fly Delta economy from the continental US to Hawaii for 25,000 SkyPass miles round-trip. You could also theoretically fly Delta first for 45,000 miles round-trip, but that space is practically impossible to find and therefore shouldn't be counted on.
You can also fly Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines round-trip from the US to Hawaii for 30,000 miles, and space is often easier to find than with Delta.
3. Etihad Apartments or Emirates First
It's an often forgotten aspect of the SkyPass program, but you can book both Etihad and Emirates awards with Korean miles. Etihad's Apartment is one of the better first class products — TPG wrote earlier this year that "short of The Residence, the first-class apartment is the next best thing, and I’d fly it again no problem." Meanwhile, TPG feels that Emirates new first-class suites are "some of the most beautiful in the sky" based on his experience flying in one from Brussels (BRU) to Dubai (DXB) on the airline's 777-300ER.
Prices to the Middle East from the US are not terribly attractive at 210,000 miles for round-trip first class, and with high carrier surcharges to boot. However, there's a nice sweet spot from the United Arab Emirates to Paris (CDG), London (LHR), Milan (MXP) and Brussels (BRU) in first class for 120,000 miles round-trip with either Etihad or Emirates. Just remember that you must book round-trip flights with Korean partners, so you can't do these redemptions in only one direction.
4. North America to Europe Round-Trip For 80,000 Miles in Business
You can book any of the SkyTeam partners — which include Aeromexico, Aeroflot (to Western Russia), Delta, Air France, KLM, Czech Airlines, Alitalia and Air Europa — from the US, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands to Europe in business class for only 80,000 miles round-trip.
Carrier surcharges will be rough at ~$700, but in my opinion, they're well worth it to spend such a small number of miles for a round-trip European redemption.
5. North America to the Middle East or Africa Round-Trip For 120,000 Miles in Business
The fantastic pricing for SkyTeam-operated flights continues with an extremely reasonable number of miles required for round-trip, business class tickets from North America to Africa or the Middle East. Kenya Airways, Saudia, Middle East Airlines, KLM and Air France all have vast networks across both regions, and if you can find the award space, 120,000 miles for round-trip business class is a heck of a deal. Especially when combined with the last sweet spot to consider...
6. Book an Open-Jaw and a Stopover on Award Tickets
Korean allows both a stopover and surface transit (stopover) on partner award tickets, which as mentioned before, must be booked as round-trip itineraries. That means for a trip like Mexico City (MEX) to Paris, we could expand our time in Europe for no extra miles to incude a flight from Paris to Prague (PRG) and an open-jaw back from Paris to catch the nonstop flight back to Mexico City, all in business class for the same 80,000 miles.
These multi-city itineraries are all bookable online, and the stopovers and open-jaw possibilities are bound only by the award availability you find. I use the Flying Blue and Delta award search engines to find SkyTeam availability and typically have good luck with Korean coming up with the same space, albeit on a much slower search engine.
Bottom Line
If you're considering a family vacation to Asia in the near future, check out Korean's economy and business class award space from the US to Seoul, as availability has typically been fantastic for up to nine seats on the same flight. If you see open space, transfer from Ultimate Rewards now and book the tickets. You should even be able to put tickets on hold with no miles in your account so you have peace of mind that as soon as your Ultimate Rewards show up, you can ticket your trip to Asia.
It's sad to lose tremendous access to the above sweet spots just a few days from now. Your only way to earn Korean miles going forward will be transfers from the new Marriott program, using the U.S. Bank Korean SkyPass co-branded card or crediting partner flights to your Korean account. So make sure you closely review these sweet spots and decide by August 24 if you want to take advantage of your last chance to move Ultimate Rewards over to Korean SkyPass.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.