Korean Air Skypass - $420 surcharge on ICN->ORD award ticket

I called up Korean air to book an award ticket and found out they charge more than 470000 Won (about $420) in surcharge.

Does anyone know if it has been this high or was this a recent change?

Looks like there's a ~$330 fuel surcharge embedded in KE revenue fares (r/t) on that route, so it seems like that's the fuel surcharge plus taxes.

The Q amount in the fare is KE YQ.
If you want to redeem KE YQ free, collect skypesos.

For ex-ICN trip, there will be $42 increase in YQ from April 1st, so if you're all set, purchase it before then.

yep w/ skypesos was able to book:

ATL-ICN-NRT-ICN-ORD-ATL-MEM with KE on intl legs and DL on domestic for about $40 in taxes.

ATL-ICN-NRT-ICN-ORD-ATL-MEM with KE on intl legs and DL on domestic for about $40 in taxes.

That itinerary would have cost $650 if you used KE's skypass mile as KE and Asiana shares very similar YQ system: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/asiana-club/1322364-650-fees-award-flight-lax-icn.html

ouch. yeah. this was the one time DL sky pesos came through. that said, with the rumored changes with DL, it appears my booking for this trip became even more worthwhile.

I used KE miles to do this. KE rep let us to hold this reservation until Nov 17,2012 for departure on Dec 18.

I guess I have to pay for this ticket before they increase the fee as you guys said.

I used KE miles to do this. KE rep let us to hold this reservation until Nov 17,2012 for departure on Dec 18.

I guess I have to pay for this ticket before they increase the fee as you guys said.

You can purchase now, but when you change date, you need to pay (or refund) fuel surcharge difference. There's no penalty for change or cancelation, so you can safely purchase now. If fuel surcharge goes down, you can always re-purchase and refund the difference.