15 October 2026

Just before the deadline, Korean Air and Asiana Airlines have overcome the final hurdle to their merger – the integration of their Frequent Flyer programs, Skypass and Asiana Club.

Korean Air has prevailed before the Korea Fair Trade Commission with its demand that miles collected with non-air partners in the Asiana Club will only be transferred to Skypass at a ratio of 1-to-0.82.

But Asiana Club members have ten (!) years to decide when they want to transfer their miles. Until then, they can redeem miles at any time at the currently valid reward values – but of course only on Korean Air/Asiana flights, as the collaboration with all Star Alliance partners (and presumably the handful of other partners) will be discontinued in mid-December.

However, if this network is sufficient for you, such a strategy can protect members against future price increases. The likelihood is high that by 2036, you will no longer be able to get a round-trip Business Class flight between Korea and Europe or North America for 105,000 miles…

At the same time, Korean Air is being forced to gradually increase the combined award capacity over the next few years.