From Business to First using SkyMiles on Korean Air
Nov 26, 2012, 12:20 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Programs: Delta: Platinum Hilton: Gold Marriott: Platinum Priority Points: Plat
Posts: 107
From Business to First using SkyMiles on Korean Air
I am flying Korean Air in December. I am attempting to use my Delta SkyMiles to upgrade from Business Class to First Class on Korean Air. Does anyone have any experience with this. I keep getting a different answer saying that I have to talk to Korean and then Korean says I have to talk to Delta. Thanks!
Nov 26, 2012, 1:45 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: San Jose, CA
Programs: DL DM, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 2,874
You can't use DL miles to upgrade a KE flight. DL upgrade awards are only available on DL operated flights. Also select AF and KLM flights can be upgraded with miles. All of them require you to purchase expensive fares (i.e. Y/B/M). Also, you can't use DL miles to get into first class on the few SkyTeam carriers that offer a FC cabin such as AF or KE..
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...de-awards.html
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...de-awards.html
Nov 26, 2012, 1:49 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,621
You can't use DL miles to upgrade a KE flight. DL upgrade awards are only available on DL operated flights. Also select AF and KLM flights can be upgraded with miles. All of them require you to purchase expensive fares (i.e. Y/B/M). Also, you can't use DL miles to get into first class on the few SkyTeam carriers that offer a FC cabin such as AF or KE..
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...de-awards.html
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...de-awards.html
http://www.skyteam.com/en/Why-SkyTea...-Redeem-Miles/
However, to the OP, DL miles cannot get you into international first class on any carrier, either through upgrades or pure F redemptions. As seen at the SkyTeam Upgrade page, KE only allows upgrades from Y fares to business class.
Nov 26, 2012, 2:34 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: LAS
Programs: PA FT, TW Gold, NW/CO PE, VK Eagleflyer
Posts: 7,173
Unlike AA or UA miles, SkyMilles won't get you into any carrier's international first class cabin.
The upside of this downside is that only 2 SkyTeam carriers (AF and KE) offer IFC.
The upside of this downside is that only 2 SkyTeam carriers (AF and KE) offer IFC.
Nov 26, 2012, 5:04 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SUX
Programs: BA Silver; HHonors Gold; SPG Gold; Points but dirt with everyone else
Posts: 8,050
Nov 26, 2012, 5:11 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Auckland, NZ/New York, NY/ATL
Programs: DL DM MM, BIS 2.4MM, EK Gold, SQ Gold, Marriott Gold, HH Gold,
Posts: 5,213
To make this simple before this thread tumbles into 40 responses that elaborate on the same thing.
You cannot use DL miles to fly true international F. Period. No Exceptions.
One of the many great things about DL miles and Skyteam
Nov 26, 2012, 5:20 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SJC (formerly CHI and STL)
Programs: AS, DL, AA, UA, WN
Posts: 1,013
Nov 26, 2012, 5:31 pm
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
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Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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For the record, one can officially (formerly) use SWUs to upgrade on DL, AF, and KLM only.
Miles can be used for upgrades according to the SkyTeam upgrade awards program. This covers KE for FULL Y to business class upgrades, although not during the extensive blackout periods that DL imposes for award tickets on KE flights.
Nov 26, 2012, 6:07 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SJC (formerly CHI and STL)
Programs: AS, DL, AA, UA, WN
Posts: 1,013
While you can officially use SkyMiles to upgrade on KE from full Y, you can only upgrade to J, not F.
Nov 26, 2012, 6:09 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Auckland, NZ/New York, NY/ATL
Programs: DL DM MM, BIS 2.4MM, EK Gold, SQ Gold, Marriott Gold, HH Gold,
Posts: 5,213
remains.
Nov 26, 2012, 6:25 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: New York
Programs: SK EBD, AA PLT, SPG Gold
Posts: 95
Actually, OW does not offer an alliance-wide upgrade program so I don't really see how this statement can be true at all.
Nov 26, 2012, 6:30 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Auckland, NZ/New York, NY/ATL
Programs: DL DM MM, BIS 2.4MM, EK Gold, SQ Gold, Marriott Gold, HH Gold,
Posts: 5,213
This is NOT true for Star Alliance - for example, EuroBonus miles (from SK that does not offer first) can be used to upgrade to F on all *A carriers that participate in the *A upgrade program and that offer international F cabins.
Actually, OW does not offer an alliance-wide upgrade program so I don't really see how this statement can be true at all.
Actually, OW does not offer an alliance-wide upgrade program so I don't really see how this statement can be true at all.
Nov 27, 2012, 7:25 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Atlanta, Ga
Programs: DL DM 2MM, AA LTP, Hyatt Globalist, FB Plat
Posts: 826
Could the OP book an upgradeable fare on KE. Use KE points to upgrade, and then earn miles and MQMs on Delta?
AF would be another story because one would need status with AF for F.
For me, not being able to use points for F is the biggest disappointment with Sky Team.
AF would be another story because one would need status with AF for F.
For me, not being able to use points for F is the biggest disappointment with Sky Team.
Nov 27, 2012, 9:20 am
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
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And that status is very difficult to obtain for most people given the structure of Flying Poo.
Nov 27, 2012, 10:30 am
#15
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: San Jose, CA
Programs: DL DM, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 2,874
https://www.koreanair.com/local/na/g...sp_rm_ka04.jsp
