Ultimate Rewards transfers to KE (Korean Air) ENDED August 25, 2018
Aug 15, 2018, 11:12 am
#16
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: Coffee Shop Buy 10 Get 1 Free
Posts: 295
This is really frustrating. KE had some great redemption and also a big blow to service to Asia/Pacific as they had great route map. Hoping Chase can find an alternative to bring on board. Side note: annoying such short notice....
Aug 15, 2018, 11:17 am
#17
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,952
Korean Skypass is also a Hyatt transfer partner. $33,333 spent on a Chase Unlimited card will earn 50,000 UR points = 50,000 Hyatt points = 25,000 KE miles.
Neither of these paths is as cost effective as the current partnership, but you will have a reasonable path if you need to top off the account later.
Last edited by mia; Aug 15, 2018 at 12:06 pm
Aug 15, 2018, 1:39 pm
#18
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
Korean Skypass is a Marriott transfer partner. If I understand the new Marriott redemption structure correctly, and ignoring category bonuses, $30,000 spent on a Chase Marriott or American Express Starwood card will earn 60,000 new Marriott points, sufficient to transfer for 25,000 KE miles.
Korean Skypass is also a Hyatt transfer partner. $33,333 spent on a Chase Unlimited card will earn 50,000 UR points = 50,000 Hyatt points = 25,000 KE miles.
Neither of these paths is as cost effective as the current partnership, but you will have a reasonable path if you need to top off the account later.
Korean Skypass is also a Hyatt transfer partner. $33,333 spent on a Chase Unlimited card will earn 50,000 UR points = 50,000 Hyatt points = 25,000 KE miles.
Neither of these paths is as cost effective as the current partnership, but you will have a reasonable path if you need to top off the account later.
https://frequentmiler.boardingarea.c...it-card-rules/
In theory there are the two USBank SkyPass cards...though the standard card's regular welcome bonus offers fluctuate regularly from 30K to as low as 5K IIRC, but some folks have received targeted mailers for up to 45K...but I don't think it has category bonuses besides for KE purchases. There is a new $450 "premium" version - it's not the most compelling offering...a 30K signup bonus, travel credit & a few other perks, although it does have 2X miles on airline, hotel, and car rental FWIW.
Aug 15, 2018, 2:14 pm
#19
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 206
Speculative transfer now?
I earn about 250K UR points each year - current stash is about 350K. I do SE Asia often. Are Korean Air rewards significantly better value than other UR partners that go to Asia?
I think SQ discounted is 88K one-way in J. Of course CX using AS miles is also 55K in J.
Does Korean restrict to R/T awards? Or is that just for partner award bookings?
Enough to recommend stashing some points there before they stop the partnership?
I think SQ discounted is 88K one-way in J. Of course CX using AS miles is also 55K in J.
Does Korean restrict to R/T awards? Or is that just for partner award bookings?
Enough to recommend stashing some points there before they stop the partnership?
Aug 15, 2018, 5:21 pm
#20
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,029
Aug 15, 2018, 5:30 pm
#21
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: SAN
Programs: Delta Gold. Hilton Diamond. Hyatt Explorist.
Posts: 1,672
I earn about 250K UR points each year - current stash is about 350K. I do SE Asia often. Are Korean Air rewards significantly better value than other UR partners that go to Asia?
I think SQ discounted is 88K one-way in J. Of course CX using AS miles is also 55K in J.
I think SQ discounted is 88K one-way in J. Of course CX using AS miles is also 55K in J.
Aug 15, 2018, 8:38 pm
#22
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,420
Less true now than it was six months ago. KE availability has really declined. And SQ has a much better product.
That said, KE off peak pricing is pretty good and if you fly from one of their US gateways, it's still a very solid option in J or F.
That said, KE off peak pricing is pretty good and if you fly from one of their US gateways, it's still a very solid option in J or F.
Aug 15, 2018, 9:05 pm
#23
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 206
SQ J from BNK - SIN - LAX was 88K / 172K in J
In checking a similar flight on KE (maybe worse product) would be 60K / 120K in J
Since both are coming from UR points - it seems KE saves a lot no?
Aug 16, 2018, 7:01 am
#25
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
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Posts: 48,952
Aug 16, 2018, 8:46 am
#26
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: DFW
Posts: 675
This is very disappointing. This was a terrific partner and leaves a real gap in easy front of the plane availability to Asia.
Does anyone know off hand how many points it takes to fly USA-Korea-Vietnam in F one way? I hate to risk orphaning points there but on the other hand, I was really looking forward to booking that award in the next two years.
Does anyone know off hand how many points it takes to fly USA-Korea-Vietnam in F one way? I hate to risk orphaning points there but on the other hand, I was really looking forward to booking that award in the next two years.
Aug 16, 2018, 8:55 am
#27
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,420
It certainly seems likely this is part of an overall reaction by KE to the bloggers pumping KE F redemptions, but that's just speculation.
Aug 17, 2018, 9:00 pm
#28
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: En Route
Programs: Many
Posts: 6,798
Actually, KE cut their releases dramatically earlier this year. It was really obvious, availability just fell off a cliff. Several of the bloggers commented on this.
It certainly seems likely this is part of an overall reaction by KE to the bloggers pumping KE F redemptions, but that's just speculation.
It certainly seems likely this is part of an overall reaction by KE to the bloggers pumping KE F redemptions, but that's just speculation.
Aug 17, 2018, 9:01 pm
#29
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Location: En Route
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Posts: 6,798
Aug 18, 2018, 12:02 pm
#30
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Chicago, IL USA
Programs: Star Alliance
Posts: 4
Please forgive a complete newbie question. I've been saving Ultimate Reward points to get Korean Air's around-the-world trip ticket. I think they're the last airline offering this (please correct me if I'm wrong). I'm not quite ready to book – my itinerary isn't set. Should I transfer the miles over right now so I can get the ticket later? Or would I have to get the ticket now? Any advice on any aspect of this would be wonderful!