Korean Air Skypass - Morning Calm Club benefits

I use to be a *A elite through UA but switched to KE because I live in Seoul and they offer more routes that I utilize than Asiana. I've been reading the thread on Diamond Plus benefits (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/asiana-club/930481-diamond-plus-benefits.html) in the Asiana forum and was wondering what kind of benefits Morning Calm members have received. I know about the stated benefits but I'm wondering about things like op-ups.

Nothing but priority baggage tags, two to four complimentary lounge access (only KE lounges, I think), and morning clam check-in line. To compare Morning Calm to Diamond or Diamond Plus with OZ, it doesn't do any justice to the *G level designation of OZ Diamond and D+ status!

I'd suggest that you try DL program... if you want to post your miles for your ST flights.

I hit Morning Calm mid-itinerary, in time for my return BKK-ICN-IAD flight. On the BKK-ICN 747 I was put in a prestige seat upstairs (econ service). On the ICN-IAD leg, I got an empty 3-seat row in 777 economy. Maybe it was the Morning Calm status, maybe I was just lucky. Either way, I was pleased. :)

I spend a lot of my time in Seoul and travel to/from Seoul on average about once per week. Just comparing routes, KE beats OZ by a mile. But if you compare *A routes out of ICN vs. ST routes, my feeling is that *A is at least comparable, if not better. So for me the choice was easy in choosing *A compared to ST. Not to mention that very often KE and OZ are the most expensive carriers for ex-ICN flights.

At first I did not choose to join Asiana Club however due to the less than stellar earn/burn rates and them not offering any real additional benefit to *A gold members. At that time they were comparable to KE's Morning Calm Club I would say. That all changed last October and I decided very quickly after OZ announced their new program that I could really use the benefits. I'm really pleased with the benefits of being a Diamond Plus member and glad I made the decision to join Asiana Club. I now fly KE less than 1% of the time.

Years ago I was active in Morning Calm but never once got any op-up, though my flying back in those days wasn't much to speak of.

I agree. As much as I like KE and its product, the morning clam membership is a joke. The only USEFUL benefit is the designated check in counter but this is only at ICN. As for the Lounge access, u get to use it for 4 times, which for frequentflyer like myself, is a joke. I like to use the Lounge everytime I fly, or have a choice to use it.

Out of ICN, KE does have advantage over the routes and frequency, they are MOST expensive of any airlines. *Sometimes* (in US routes) even doubling UA or AA which UA and AA sucks so bad, I wouldnt use them even if its free ( OK MAYBE if its free). But there are other airlines like ANA or JL which is still cheaper and just as good which does not justify the preminum price and the lack of elite benefits. The bottom line, the morning clam is NOT worth it and the management seriously need to look into making it more attractive.





I spend a lot of my time in Seoul and travel to/from Seoul on average about once per week. Just comparing routes, KE beats OZ by a mile. But if you compare *A routes out of ICN vs. ST routes, my feeling is that *A is at least comparable, if not better. So for me the choice was easy in choosing *A compared to ST. Not to mention that very often KE and OZ are the most expensive carriers for ex-ICN flights.

At first I did not choose to join Asiana Club however due to the less than stellar earn/burn rates and them not offering any real additional benefit to *A gold members. At that time they were comparable to KE's Morning Calm Club I would say. That all changed last October and I decided very quickly after OZ announced their new program that I could really use the benefits. I'm really pleased with the benefits of being a Diamond Plus member and glad I made the decision to join Asiana Club. I now fly KE less than 1% of the time.

Years ago I was active in Morning Calm but never once got any op-up, though my flying back in those days wasn't much to speak of.

But there are other airlines like ANA or JL which is still cheaper and just as good which does not justify the preminum price and the lack of elite benefits.

JAL I've noticed almost always has some absolutely fantastic fares ex-ICN. The problem is that they all require connecting in Japan and they are all in fare buckets that earn no or very reduced miles. If the fares were full mileage earning, I'd seriously consider using them for my flights where the connection in Japan wasn't a problem. If you fly with them, or ANA, those two FFPs seem to me to be quite good in treating their elites properly. I actually like their programs better than OZ.

The bottom line, the morning clam is NOT worth it and the management seriously need to look into making it more attractive.

As much as I agree with you, I doubt KE management will. The vast majority of Koreans still prefer KE and if KE should follow in OZ's footsteps it would be a big blow to KE's pride. It's always been the other way around where OZ followed in KE's footsteps and this time OZ clearly showed the initiative and leapfrogged way over KE in creating a decent FFP. Maybe if KE started losing lots of customers to OZ they'd rethink, but I doubt there will be any mass exodus in the short term. OZ is still very limited in the number of planes and routes they own and it will take them a long time to come anywhere near to matching KE in size.

KE I don't think really cares what foreigners think of their FFP. It's designed for Koreans and they really only provide foreigner access to the program by translating everything into English. AFAIK, they don't do anything special to customize their program to attract foreigners.

KE's program must have designed only for Koreans because their lack of benefits just does NOT justify someone like me who actually compare and shop to join them. (OK I do have their membership but I signed up BEFORE I realized how bad it was)

Having said that, you are right on the money that KE really doesnt have to improve their benefits because the sad truth is
1, the Koreans like to use korean-based airlines and since there are only 2 KE and OZ, they assumes both are "similar" and therefore, does not realize how bad KE's elite program is compare to OZ or any other programs.
2, KE is the preferred airline for majority of corporate and gov. businesses. Because of that, it has locked-in customer base whose main focus is time, and safty and NOT the airline program and bennies. (God, bless their souls) Unfortunately, busy travellers do not complain about "silly" things like airline benefits.

I dont know how much of their biz comes from foreigners but if they want to attract more foreign biz, they must enhance, at least make it in par with other programs to be competitive and be the true international airlines. Plus, I would love to START using KE again as I LOVE their product. ARE YOU LISTENING KE?





As much as I agree with you, I doubt KE management will. The vast majority of Koreans still prefer KE and if KE should follow in OZ's footsteps it would be a big blow to KE's pride. It's always been the other way around where OZ followed in KE's footsteps and this time OZ clearly showed the initiative and leapfrogged way over KE in creating a decent FFP. Maybe if KE started losing lots of customers to OZ they'd rethink, but I doubt there will be any mass exodus in the short term. OZ is still very limited in the number of planes and routes they own and it will take them a long time to come anywhere near to matching KE in size.

KE I don't think really cares what foreigners think of their FFP. It's designed for Koreans and they really only provide foreigner access to the program by translating everything into English. AFAIK, they don't do anything special to customize their program to attract foreigners.

[QUOTE=somuchtosee;11831966]2, KE is the preferred airline for majority of corporate and gov. businesses. Because of that, it has locked-in customer base whose main focus is time, and safty and NOT the airline program and bennies. (God, bless their souls) Unfortunately, busy travellers do not complain about "silly" things like airline benefits.[QUOTE]

I think is because it was first set up as the National airline for Korea, thats what makes many Koreans still willing to take it. And that OZ really does not have a long history compare to KE

I've been member of OZ and KE for a long time, and I've never got an op-up on KE even though I flew more than 300K for the last few years. Either KE is very good at keeping overbooked reservations or they know how to do magic...I've been OZ diamond for couple of years too, and found that OZ usually treat me much better (ex. blocking seat next to me, once got an op-up etc.,).. But then again, I realized how bad the redemption rate was when I flew ICN-NRT last month, where I almost used 45,000 OZ miles compared to ANA miles (30,000) for C class round trip. (it was OZ flight too!! - through partnership redemption!!)

However, once you reach KE's Morning calm premium, I heard the service get a lot better. First your bags come out first along with first class, use of first class lounge is permitted also. However, that's only if you fly more than 500K, which can be a lot for some travellers.

Can't 100% confirm this, but I heard from one of the Million miler of KE that since he flew so much, he now does not have to pay when flying domestic on KE, due to his status.

Even if this is true, it doesnt help that much as Domestic flights are so cheap to begin with. I'd rather get upgrades and lesser mileage requirement for redemption. I would think for MILLION milers, free upgrades would cost them less than giving away free domestic ticket as it is still revenue however little it may be.




Can't 100% confirm this, but I heard from one of the Million miler of KE that since he flew so much, he now does not have to pay when flying domestic on KE, due to his status.

The only USEFUL benefit is the designated check in counter but this is only at ICN.



Exclusive Morning Calm check-in counter is available at most KE destinations if not all. In case if it is not available, MC members are welcomed to use Prestige check-in counter.

Exclusive Morning Calm check-in counter is available at most KE destinations if not all. In case if it is not available, MC members are welcomed to use Prestige check-in counter.

To add to that IF there is no designated Morning Calm check-in counter, Morning Calm members can use the check-in counter for the class ABOVE their ticketed class. If you have an Economy ticket, you check in at Prestige, and if you have a Prestige ticket, then you can check in at First.

btw, is there a priority boarding for SkyTeam Elite and Morning Calm members in ICN?

btw, is there a priority boarding for SkyTeam Elite and Morning Calm members in ICN?

Yes, there is. They should have priority boarding at other airports, too. I just fly HNL-ICN and there was priority boarding but I boarded last anyway.