FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
 

Having discussed the need of FAQ in OZ forum with DownUnderFlyer, I will be writing up the FAQ of OZ forum. It is going to take some time for me to compile all the information so please bear with me.

The purpose of writing this FAQ is that OZ forum is flooded with the same questions being asked all the time as a lot of people can't be bothered to do some simple search.

For the sake of housekeeping, wish me luck people.

Cheers.

Asiana Club Levels
 

Asiana Club Levels

Currently there are 5 levels in Asiana Club, they are:
1) Platinum (*G)
2) Diamond Plus (*G)
3) Diamond (*G)
4) Gold (*S)
5) Silver (entry level)

Apart from Silver which is an entry level status, you can only achieve other upper levels by obtaining EQM (Elite Qualifying Mile) which can be earned by flying Asiana Airlines and Star Alliance Airlines.

Please note that miles earned from other partners such as partner airlines (Etihad and Qatar), credit card, rental cars, hotel programs etc DO NOT count towards the status.

How Do I Find Eligible Booking Classes?

For Asiana Airlines:
http://us.flyasiana.com/Global/US/en...?fid=CLUB15100
Note that Booking Class C on ICN-SFO sector will earn 135%.

For Stat Alliance:
http://us.flyasiana.com/Global/US/en...?fid=CLUB15200

For Other Carriers:
http://us.flyasiana.com/Global/US/en...?fid=CLUB15300

Status Requirement Threshold

Platinum - Lifetime Validity
1) 1,000,000 EQM earned both on Asiana and Star Alliance Carriers.
2) 1,000 sectors earned ONLY on Asiana.

Diamond Plus
1) 100,000 EQM (OZ + *A) or 100 sectors (OZ Only) - 2 Years Validity
2) 500,000 EQM (OZ + *A) or 500 sectors (OZ Only) - Lifetime Validity

Diamond - 2 Years Validity
1) 40,000 EQM (OZ + *A)
2) 50 sectors (OZ Only)

Gold - 2 Years Validity
1) 20,000 EQM (OZ + *A)
2) 30 sectors (OZ Only)

Please note that the you must earn miles or sectors above within 2 years period, which starts from your date of enrollment hence it is your advantage to enroll on the day of your 1st flight if you are enrolling for the first time.

OZ Lounge (covering only ICN)
 

ICN currently has 2 terminals that are Main Terminal and Concourse A.

If you are flying Asiana Airlines, you will be using lounges in Main Terminal however if you are flying Star Alliance Carriers, you will be using lounges in Concourse A.

There are no rules that pax flying with *A carriers must use lounges in Concourse A however if you enter lounges in Main Terminal, lounge dragons will politely ask you to use lounges in Concourse A. If you insist on using lounges in Main Terminal, lounge dragons will probably allow you.

Who is Eligible to Use The Lounge?

F Lounge:
F BP, OZ Platinum and OZ Diamond Plus (lifetime members only) travelling on Asiana and *A only.

C Lounge:
C BP, OZ Diamond Plus (2 years validity members), OZ Diamond, OZ Gold (if you have any valid lounge coupon) and Paid-Membership Members of USA *A Carriers.

Note: Standard *G Rules Apply

For Diamond Plus members, if you achieved OZ Diamond Plus before the rule changed, you are entitled to use F Lounge regardless of the class you are flying in until your current Diamond Plus expires however those who achieved OZ Diamond Plus after the rule changed, you are entitled to use F Lounge only when you are flying in C. If you are flying in Y, you are only entitled to use C Lounge.

Is There Any Arrival Lounge?
No, there is no arrival lounge. Your arrival lounge is your hotel.

What Are The Opening Hours of OZ Lounges?

Main Terminal F: 06:50 to 21:00
Main Terminal C: 05:00 to 21:00
Concourse A: 06:00 to 00:30

Note: According to A_Lee, F Lounge in Concourse A is closing at 19:30 since there are no flights with F class departing after 19:30. Therefore you will be able to use C Lounge ONLY after 19:30 in Concourse A.

ICN/GMP Transfer
 

Easiest way to travel between ICN/GMP is actually by AREX (Airport Rail Express).

AREX is comprised of 2 different types of trains:
1) Express (Non-stop all the way to Seoul Station)
2) Ordinary (Stops at all stations) <----------- This is what you want to take.

GMP is located in the half way between ICN and Seoul Station.

ICN-GMP Travel Time : 45 Minutes

Please allocate yourself 1 hour and 30 minutes for comfortable travel as walking distance from ICN baggage claims to ICN airport station is pretty a long walk and so is walking distance from GMP airport station to GMP terminal.

Complimentary Stopover Hotel
 

Asiana Airlines provides STPC for those having forced overnight stopover.

Following passengers are not eligible for STPC:
1) Award tix holders
2) Voluntary overnight stopover pax
3) Pax doing overnight as earlier connecting flight was fully booked
4) OZ to *A or *A to OZ stopover (You chose to have this kind itinery)

The rule of thumb for STPC is that if you have a forced stopover greater than 8 hours, you may be eligible for STPC.

Nobody knows the specific rules regarding STPC hence it is advisable for you to do the following:

1. Check the eligibility of STPC above
2. Check the schedule of flights on www.staralliance.com to find out whether there is an earlier available connecting flight.
3. If you think you are covered, call OZ to find out whether you are eligible for STPC because if you ask on FT, nobody knows.

QuadraSmartium (New C)
 

OZ QuadraSmartium seats are installed on certain B777-200ER aircrafts.

Following flights will have QuadraSmartium seats (Current as of Dec 2014):

ICN/SFO OZ 212/211 : 7 times per week (daily)

ICN/LAX OZ 204/203 202/201 : 14 times per week (double daily)

ICN/LHR OZ 522/521 : 7 times per week (daily)

ICN/KIX OZ 112/111 : 7 times per week (daily)

ICN/JFK OZ 222/221 : 7 times per week (daily)

ICN/SGN OZ 735/736 : 4 times per week

ICN/HKG OZ 745/746 : 5 times per week

Pre-Ordering F Class Meals
 

How To Pre-Order F Class Meals

For Korean speakers, please call Premium SVC Center +82226614000 to obtain a menu like below.
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/h...UG_2011SEP.jpg

For English speakers, please call nearest OZ office in the country you reside to hear the menu on the phone.

Menu Example:

Korean Choices (ICN to Europe/North America)
1. Bibimbap with fish
2. Bibimbap with abalone
3. Bibimbap with beef
4. Ssambap with beef

Chinese Choice (ICN to Europe/North America)
1. Single choice available. Call OZ office to ask what they offer.

Western Choice (ICN to LAX, JFK and FRA)
A. Western Choice A for OZ202 (LAX)
B. Western Choice B for OZ202 (LAX)
C. Western Choice C for OZ222 (JFK) & OZ541 (FRA)
D. Western Choice D for OZ222 (JFK) & OZ541 (FRA)

Basically you have 7 choices, depending on which flight you are on.

How To Use *A Award Booking Tool
 

Later

Which Credit Cards for OZ RDM?
 

The following credit cards are recommended credit cards from a few fellow FTers who are expats in South Korea.

Credit Cards Issued by Banks

From Korea Exchange Bank:
KEB Visa Signature Credit Card
1 RDM per KRW1,000

KEB Crossmile American Express
2 RDM per KRW1,500 for Special Edition
1.8 RDM per KRW1,500 for Standard Edition

From SC First Bank:
Max Mileage Visa Platinum Credit Card
2 RDM per KRW1,000

From Citibank:
Citi Premier Visa Signature Credit Card
1.35 RDM per KRW1,000

Note that expats are not eligible to apply for credit cards from credit card companies such as Hyundai Card and Samsung Card.

I think it's about time we should update posts #4 and 8.

And 6?

Asiana status match
 

Does OZ provide a status match?

I'm also interested in this. I have been 50k / 100k with Air Canada's Aeroplan for the last 8 years but am thinking it's time to change programs now that I live in the Middle East.

Did a search but without result about this:

I want to sign up for Asiana Club but at the sign up page, when I enter my first name (which is in two parts, Chinese name) it says "Full name should be entered in English".
And below it says that it should be as on passport, which has the space in between.

Moreover, I will be accruing this first trip on my SQ KF account, which might be a problem if the name doesn't match exactly, if I'm not wrong...

What do I "lose" if I don't sign up? Will I still be able to view my reservation online and check-in online?

You don't need to sign up for Asiana Club to view your reservation or check in, however, according to Asiana, "Name of passenger on the ticket must match the name on the passport. If the names do not match, you may face denied boarding", so you'll have to enter your name with the space in between even if you don't sign up with Asiana.

If your SQ Krisflyer miles don't post, you can always mail in this form: http://www.singaporeair.com/pdf/ppsc...eage_Claim.pdf with your boarding pass and a copy of your e-ticket receipt to request the miles.