Korean Air Skypass - Relocated to Korea: Advice on Skypass

My situation: I've always lived in *A cities (Frankfurt, Chicago, San Francisco) and have no status other than United 2P (lost my 1P this year but expect to get it back by September). I was relocated to Korea where I'll be doing a decent amount of business travel on KE (~60k miles / year) and my corporate credit card is connected to KE account.

I noticed that KE's elite status works a bit differently than most other airlines and am wondering if it is worth it for me to use Skypass or should I start a different SkyTeam membership program? I don't expect to be in Korea for more than a couple of years. Also, does anyone know if KE matches status?

Thanks!

Welcome to Korea!
Unfortunately, KE does not match status. You mentioned that your comp cc is connected to skypass - which can only mean you are stuck with KE.
Your 60K miles / year will be well rewarded through Skypass. I'd sign up just for the free hot snack and internet at the clubs in ICN. :D

If you'll live in Korea only a couple of years or less, I wouldn't go for KE skypass. It is not an appealing program for those "frequent" flyers like you, IMHO. It has boring, complicated and unique elite system and expensive to redeem. Seoul is also a semi-hub for *A, so I would take *A flights as much as possible, and maybe open KE skypass for cc points and for some flights. If you must take KE all the time, then you don't have a choice.

I am a Skyteam (Delta) member, been travelling to/from Seoul since 2001, and based here since 2004. I briefly started a Skypass membership, and used it to collect miles for about 6 months or so, and realized I wasn't getting near as many miles as I would have on Delta. Because of various factors (medallion level and fare-class), you earn more miles (125% or 150%) on Delta. Skypass seemed to be always 100% rate.

Anyway, I've kept using my Delta Skymiles program, which I can use even when flying on Korean Air, since they're a part of the Skyteam Alliance. And I can use award miles for a Korean Air flight if I want. The only downside is that I can't upgrade a Korean Air flight, it has to be Delta metal.

Good luck, and welcome to Korea.

I second it. If only for few years, use other Skyteam mileage programs. KE needs to boost up their level of strategy towards the mileage. Unfortunately, they do dominate the market in Korea.

If you want to use the mile for KE award ticket, it is convenient for you to use Skypass. I ever tried to use DL mile for KE award ticket, it is extemely difficult to find the available seat, especially the J award seat. But if you have Skypass mile, even there is no available seat, you can waitlist and you will get the seat finally.

If you want to use the mile for other Skyteam award ticket, it does not matter which program you will choose.

What about Asiana? I know they don't match the size and destination offerings of KE, but would they work?