The flight's been finally sorted out! Along with KE flights, I decided to stay on the safe side and have longer connection time. That was possible b/c I realized I could get a access to Skyteam lounge and kill 3 hrs until check-in starts. Of course I decided to follow you guys' advise on timing as well.
That said, does anyone know operation hours of AF in IAD? I know WorldClub opens quite early, and if AF one does open, which one would be better? (This is just me being super-careful, but would they admit me even if I'm under 21? I really don't and can't drink, BTW.)
Thank you guys so much for the advises both on mileage program and flights!
The flight's been finally sorted out! Along with KE flights, I decided to stay on the safe side and have longer connection time. That was possible b/c I realized I could get a access to Skyteam lounge and kill 3 hrs until check-in starts. Of course I decided to follow you guys' advise on timing as well.
That said, does anyone know operation hours of AF in IAD? I know WorldClub opens quite early, and if AF one does open, which one would be better? (This is just me being super-careful, but would they admit me even if I'm under 21? I really don't and can't drink, BTW.)
Thank you guys so much for the advises both on mileage program and flights!
NW WorldClub at IAD would enforce ID check upon entry, so if you're not 21, perhaps no entry. But you can still give a try. Besides, NW staffs working in that lounge are pretty rude. I like their cookies though.
Don't know about the age issue. If you make it clear that you have no interest in alcohol, I would hope you'd be okay. Ridiculous laws and policies.
When I took KE IAD-ICN in 2004, I fully expected to use the AF lounge in Concourse B. But as it happened, KE had contracted with VS to use the Virgin Clubhouse directly across from the gate KE was using. When I hoofed it down to the AF lounge, then being used by NH, they sent me to the Clubhouse. Just a heads-up.
Don't know about the age issue. If you make it clear that you have no interest in alcohol, I would hope you'd be okay. Ridiculous laws and policies.
When I took KE IAD-ICN in 2004, I fully expected to use the AF lounge in Concourse B. But as it happened, KE had contracted with VS to use the Virgin Clubhouse directly across from the gate KE was using. When I hoofed it down to the AF lounge, then being used by NH, they sent me to the Clubhouse. Just a heads-up.
I totally agree with you! It's lame that one doesn't get the previlige just because of age. I really hope they would admit me, since I really don't want to have nothing to do for those 3 hours before checking in.
curious as a person considering a migration from AA/JL to KE
Quote:
Originally Posted by SJLee77
I strongly agree, but they're too expensive and Skypass isn't so generous about premium levels.
I am just curious about these 2 things since you mentioned them many times.
1) Is KE that expensive than OZ? If so, by how much?
2) KE not being so generous about premium levels has been mentioned but
do you mean KE(30k BIS miles in 2 yrs) vs OZ(25k in 3 yrs) for re-qualification? Or a big gap from MC to MC Premium?
I need to know these things as AA's multimillion miler who is considering moving from AA to KE because,
i) I travel LAX-ICN, LAX-NRT trips about 3-4 times a year each. Currently some on AA and mostly on JL, but either way I am getting tired of connecting at NRT for ICN trip.
ii) US legacy airlines' quality has become more ridiculous than ever, not to mention such dynamic environments of US corporations like PanAm, TWA, NW, and who's next... Anyone should be an idiot to keep million miles with any US carrier these days.
I am glad that I found this thread before I make any actual commitment.
Programs: OZ Diamond, KE Morning Calm, SPG Gold, Amex Plat...when I fly domestic I always fly CO or UA! yay
Posts: 46
Well KE is not THAT expensive than OZ, if you are talking about LAX-ICN. From my experience, KE is about $50~$100 more than OZ (economy), and $100~200 for business.
for your question about elite status, the 3rd tier for OZ and KE is similar (KE being 30k and OZ being 25k), but their 2nd tier is a lot different (KE -500k vs OZ 100k). Their top tier is same 1million for both OZ and KE.
If you fly a lot between LAX and ICN, you might like OZ better since they have recently upgraded their fleet, and food, service is a lil better than KE. But then again, KE has more destinations and more *new planes going to places like WAS, ATL and Dallas, so it's your pick!
KE is the only airline in the world that has nonstop both LAX-NRT and LAX-ICN, as well as NRT-ICN if you need to visit both destination at times. So it would be a good migration to KE, once KE's flight schedule fits well with you - KE's NRT-LAX-NRT is sooner than other carriers by 1-5 hours. Currently LAX-NRT is old equipment, but will be upgraded in a year or so.
Assuming that skyteam lasts longer, you can accumulate miles onto NW or DL (they are same company now). Actually CO is not a good option because taking KE with CO mileage is expensive than DL/NW. (CO's US-Asia with KE is 70k/120k while DL/NW are 60k/120k.) By the way, KE costs 70k/10.5k (US-Korea) if all itinerary are KE, and 80k/120k if mixed with other skyteam airliners. And at this point, KE mileage redeem requires $200-300 fuel surcharge, while CO/DL/NW do not charge to you even though you take KE. (Is it clear? confusing myself though.)
Well, this kind of things can be changed, but currently US airliners offer better mileage redeem options. Might be a different story if you consider being elite status. Note that KE does not have EQM or bonus miles accural depends on elite status. So it is hard to become higher status than others. Well, taking KE flight may not give you EQM to DL mileage. I'm not sure about this at all - I'm not that frequent flyer, so will take long to have status.
Programs: UA1K, *W Plat, ICH Plat Amb, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 12,600
Quote:
Originally Posted by brahms77
I've found that most of the UA fares earn 100% mileage on OZ's program so it's much easier to become OZ elite.
If you were going to fly more on UA metal, I'd suggest you signing up for UA mileage plus (once you reach 50K EQM, you become *G and earn double miles on united flights). The only caveat is that your status expires each year and need to requalify. With some creative routings back and forth the US and Korea on United, you should be able to get very close to 50K EQM per year (route via HNL then you earn almost 10K miles each way = that's about 40K EQM per year given that you travel at least twice back and forth the US and Korea).
I know routing through SFO has done a nice pump to my EQM's as opposed to routing through NRT, plus the times are better
This thread has been so helpful! I fly between Us-Asia frequently as well and was trying to find the right program for me. I'm glad I found this. Anyway, I'm interested in switching to DL/NW's program and was just wondering if a Delta flight operated by Korean Air would earn miles for DL. (If so, is it 100%?) Also, where can I find the blackout dates for redeeming DL miles for KE tickets? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
This is kind of off-topic, but as far as I know the only way to check award seat availability on KE flight is to call them except when you have enough miles to book an award seat. Is it true?
This thread has been so helpful! I fly between Us-Asia frequently as well and was trying to find the right program for me. I'm glad I found this. Anyway, I'm interested in switching to DL/NW's program and was just wondering if a Delta flight operated by Korean Air would earn miles for DL. (If so, is it 100%?) Also, where can I find the blackout dates for redeeming DL miles for KE tickets? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Delta-coded flights operated by Korean Air will earn 100% redeemable SkyMiles and 100% MQM's (and 50% more if booked in Y,B,M fare classes). Business Class tix on DL-coded/KE-operated flights will earn 150% SkyMiles and MQM's. The only exception could be a travel-agent-issued ticket in a special fare class, such as a consolidator fare: those sometimes earn 0% mileage. Once you achieve Medallion status, you'll also get bonus miles.
Search in the DL forum on FT for the latest blackout dates for awards on KE. The blackouts differ somewhat between transpac and intra-Asia. The holiday period and sometimes big chunks of the summer can be blacked out.
Programs: UA Mileage Plus, NWA WorldPerks deserter, Alaska Airlines Something-er-Other...
Posts: 912
SJLee, go with StarAlliance! I like Korean Air a lot, but personally, I enjoy Asiana's service more. Of course, I'd switch immediately if Korean opened up pojangmachas on the upper decks of their 747's!
Okay, to all the Koreans writing in this thread, dok-kalbi on me next time you're in Dongbu Ichon-dong!
__________________ 13th FINA World Swimming Championships ROMA '09. Hold Your Breath.
Worldperks website used to show KE award seat availability.
But, not any more. As you said, if you do not have enough miles, you have to call KE reservation desk to check it out.
Quote:
Originally Posted by zbvl
This is kind of off-topic, but as far as I know the only way to check award seat availability on KE flight is to call them except when you have enough miles to book an award seat. Is it true?
__________________
There are only two emotions in a plane: boredom and terror. ~Orson Welles
SJLee, go with StarAlliance! I like Korean Air a lot, but personally, I enjoy Asiana's service more. Of course, I'd switch immediately if Korean opened up pojangmachas on the upper decks of their 747's!
Okay, to all the Koreans writing in this thread, dok-kalbi on me next time you're in Dongbu Ichon-dong!
__________________
There are only two emotions in a plane: boredom and terror. ~Orson Welles
Wake up and smell the kimchi. Accumulate skyteam miles and fly first class on Singapore Air. It takes 120k for Business and 180K for First on SQ. There is a SFO-ICN nonstop.
Anyway, I'm interested in switching to DL/NW's program and was just wondering if a Delta flight operated by Korean Air would earn miles for DL. (If so, is it 100%?) Also, where can I find the blackout dates for redeeming DL miles for KE tickets? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
