Korean Air-Asiana Merger Integration Plan Revealed for 35 Trillion Won Mileage Program

Korean Air-Asiana Merger Integration Plan Revealed for 35 Trillion Won Mileage Program - Korean Air SKYPASS and Asiana Club Members Get Two Years to Merge Accounts

Korean Air and Asiana Airlines are moving ahead with their merger, and for those of us swimming in SKYPASS and Asiana Club miles, there’s a two-year timeline to get ready to combine accounts. This means you have a good chunk of time to figure out how to consolidate your balances. The combined mileage program is supposedly worth a massive 35 trillion won, hinting at a powerful loyalty scheme in the making. However, frequent flyers are understandably anxious about how this all will actually work. For now, Asiana’s mileage program will continue to operate on its own while they figure things out. But the big question is how they will value our miles in the switchover. Rumors of less-than-ideal conversion rates are already circulating. It’s a waiting game to see if this merger truly benefits travelers or just becomes another example of devaluation in the points world.
Following Korean Air's takeover of Asiana, the unification of their loyalty programs, SKYPASS and

What else is in this post?

1. Korean Air-Asiana Merger Integration Plan Revealed for 35 Trillion Won Mileage Program - Korean Air SKYPASS and Asiana Club Members Get Two Years to Merge Accounts
2. Korean Air-Asiana Merger Integration Plan Revealed for 35 Trillion Won Mileage Program - New Mileage Transfer Rate Between Programs Established at 5 Korean Air Miles per Asiana Mile
3. Korean Air-Asiana Merger Integration Plan Revealed for 35 Trillion Won Mileage Program - Korean Air to Honor All Outstanding Asiana Award Tickets Through 2026
4. Korean Air-Asiana Merger Integration Plan Revealed for 35 Trillion Won Mileage Program - Combined Frequent Flyer Program Launches June 2025 with SkyTeam Benefits
5. Korean Air-Asiana Merger Integration Plan Revealed for 35 Trillion Won Mileage Program - Korean Air Maintains Current Elite Status Requirements Post Integration
6. Korean Air-Asiana Merger Integration Plan Revealed for 35 Trillion Won Mileage Program - Extended Mileage Expiration Dates for Both Programs Until Integration Completion

Korean Air-Asiana Merger Integration Plan Revealed for 35 Trillion Won Mileage Program - New Mileage Transfer Rate Between Programs Established at 5 Korean Air Miles per Asiana Mile

Following the Korean Air takeover of Asiana, the latest detail emerging is the mileage conversion rate. It seems the magic number is 5:1 – for every Asiana mile you hold, you’ll get 5 Korean Air miles. This is apparently part of the grand plan to bring the two loyalty schemes under one roof, supposedly for a smoother travel experience. However, many are worried about what this really means for the value of their points, particularly since earning miles on Asiana was generally easier than on Korean Air. With so much mileage value tied up in these programs – a staggering 35 trillion won – travelers are right to be wary. We’ll have to wait and see if this merger turns out to be a good deal for flyers, or just another way airlines chip away at loyalty perks.

Korean Air-Asiana Merger Integration Plan Revealed for 35 Trillion Won Mileage Program - Korean Air to Honor All Outstanding Asiana Award Tickets Through 2026

Following the takeover of Asiana, Korean Air has stated that it will uphold all existing Asiana Airlines award tickets through 2026. This move comes as they work on combining the two airlines into one. While this will reassure some travelers, the real test is how smoothly they integrate everything. The combined mileage pot is massive, estimated at 35 trillion won. However, people are still waiting to see how the two mileage schemes will actually work together in practice. Many are still unsure about how the value of their miles will be maintained during this shift, and if the promised benefits will truly materialize for frequent flyers in the long run.
Following Korean Air's acquisition of Asiana, there's been confirmation that existing Asiana award tickets will be honored through 2026. For passengers holding these tickets, this is a necessary reassurance during what is likely to be a convoluted integration of the two airlines. The move addresses immediate concerns about booked travel for Asiana customers as the two companies work towards full operational unity. The integration is a massive undertaking, aiming to merge not just flight operations but also their considerable loyalty programs.

As part of this consolidation, details of a 35 trillion won mileage program have been revealed. This enormous figure underscores the sheer volume of miles held by passengers of both carriers. The integration of these programs promises to be a significant undertaking, with the potential to create one of the larger airline loyalty schemes globally. However, how smoothly this integration will proceed and what it ultimately means for the real-world value of these miles remains to be fully seen. While operational integrations are often pitched as beneficial for consumers, the practical outcomes on route networks, award availability, and the overall customer experience are details that will emerge as this merger progresses.

Korean Air-Asiana Merger Integration Plan Revealed for 35 Trillion Won Mileage Program - Combined Frequent Flyer Program Launches June 2025 with SkyTeam Benefits

In June 2025, the combined frequent flyer program for Korean Air and Asiana Airlines is slated to launch, bringing together the perks of the SkyTeam alliance for members. The integration of the SKYPASS and Asiana Club programs is intended to provide a wider array of ways to earn and use miles across a larger network. This sounds promising on paper, suggesting more travel possibilities and rewards for loyal customers of both airlines. However, there are lingering questions about the actual exchange rates for miles and whether these changes will genuinely improve the value proposition for frequent flyers. Many are still wary, wondering if this integration is truly designed to benefit travelers or if it will ultimately diminish the worth of their hard-earned miles. As the launch date approaches, passengers will be closely watching to see how these shifts will affect their loyalty and their overall travel experiences.
With the Korean Air and Asiana merger moving forward, we’re now getting a clearer picture of what the combined frequent flyer program will look like. Scheduled for launch in June of next year, the unified program will incorporate SkyTeam alliance benefits. On paper, this suggests a broader scope for using accrued miles, tapping into the network of 19 airlines within the alliance. The promise is greater flexibility and access to a wider array of destinations for those who diligently accumulate miles. However, past airline mergers often tell a tale of loyalty program adjustments that don't always favor the flyer. It remains to be seen if this integration truly enhances the value proposition for frequent flyers, or if it simply repackages existing benefits under a new, potentially less generous, framework. The devil, as always, will be in the details of how this integration is implemented and how effectively the promised SkyTeam perks materialize for the average traveler.

Korean Air-Asiana Merger Integration Plan Revealed for 35 Trillion Won Mileage Program - Korean Air Maintains Current Elite Status Requirements Post Integration

Korean Air has stated that, at least for now, the bar to reach elite status in their loyalty program will remain unchanged, even as the Asiana merger moves forward. For frequent flyers in SKYPASS, this means the familiar requirements to maintain or achieve elite tiers will stay put for the foreseeable future. This stability is perhaps a small relief amidst the larger changes from the merger. It suggests that despite the enormous task of combining these two airlines, and the associated mileage program integration valued at a staggering 35 trillion won, Korean Air wants to maintain a degree of normalcy for its existing loyal customers, at least when it comes to elite qualification. Whether this status quo can be maintained in the long run as the full integration unfolds is another question. Integrating two massive programs, each with its own elite tiers and qualification structures, is a complex undertaking. While maintaining current requirements in the short term provides continuity, the practical aspects of harmonizing benefits and recognition across the combined entity are yet to be fully revealed. It remains to be seen how this decision will play out as the programs are eventually merged and what, if any, adjustments will be made down the line to the overall elite structure.

Korean Air-Asiana Merger Integration Plan Revealed for 35 Trillion Won Mileage Program - Extended Mileage Expiration Dates for Both Programs Until Integration Completion

Korean Air and Asiana Airlines have decided to keep mileage expiration dates flexible for now, giving members a reprieve. You won't lose your miles in either program just yet, as they are extending expiration until the two airlines fully integrate their systems. This move comes as part of their massive 35 trillion won plan to combine the loyalty programs. While it sounds customer-friendly on the surface, it’s fair to wonder what this really means for the long haul and the actual value of your miles once they do finally merge everything. Flyers are understandably watching closely to see if this delay is truly for their benefit, or simply a way to postpone dealing with the potentially less appealing parts of combining these complex programs. As the integration unfolds, travelers should pay attention to see what the real implications will be for their rewards and future travel plans.
Regarding mileage expiration, both Korean Air and Asiana are now saying they will keep your miles active until their programs are fully merged. This move is presented as a way to ease worries for frequent flyers as the two airlines slowly become one. It seems like a necessary step, especially given the massive amount of mileage value at stake in these programs – some 35 trillion won worth, if the numbers are to be believed. Extending expiration dates at least buys everyone time to figure out what this combined program will actually look like and how our existing miles will translate into value. Whether this is a genuine benefit or just a way to postpone potential backlash is still unclear. Mergers of this size always come with a lot of moving parts, and while holding off on mileage expiration is welcome, the real question remains about the long-term value and usability of these loyalty points in the newly formed setup. For now, it’s a temporary pause on the clock, but the bigger picture of how this mega-mileage program will function is still very much in development.