UR to KA Skypass for Emirates Upgrade
Oct 9, 2017, 4:47 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 2
UR to KA Skypass for Emirates Upgrade
Looking to buy economy on emirates from JFK -> DXB -> BKK and then use Korean Air Skypass miles to upgrade. I've called both airlines, Chase and Amex and no one seems to know the other's side of the equation.
Has anyone transferred Chase points to Korean Air Skypass and used them to upgrade an Emirates flight?
Emirates rep says only Skywards miles can be used for upgrade.
Korean rep says Skypass miles can only be used for purchase (not upgrade).
Chase & Amex say 'call the airline'.
Has anyone transferred Chase points to Korean Air Skypass and used them to upgrade an Emirates flight?
Emirates rep says only Skywards miles can be used for upgrade.
Korean rep says Skypass miles can only be used for purchase (not upgrade).
Chase & Amex say 'call the airline'.
Oct 9, 2017, 5:37 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
I've not heard of partner miles being used to upgrade before and I am not sure if that is in fact possible. You could try tweeting to @EmiratesSupport (and also reviewing the Partner's page on the Emirates website which usually lists the earn and burn possibilities)
Oct 9, 2017, 9:35 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: MT, USA
Programs: Ex-5C club, Skymiles Gold
Posts: 454
skywardhunter’s experience mirrors mine. Try tweeting EK. I am a little confused as to why AMEX is involved in your Chase UR to KA transfer. AMEX points transfer 1 to 1 into Skywards miles (I see you are a US Resident) so you wouldn’t have any problem there (many of us do this regularly and the transfer is near instant).
Oct 9, 2017, 9:49 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
A few other thoughts as to why I don't think this is possible (and is it with any airline?)
When purchasing a revenue ticket from EK, they act as the travel agent (and in fact are registered as a TA with IATA), typically another TA cannot just touch, modify or amend a booking not made by them. When wanting to upgrade with Skypass miles KE as your TA would have to make a change to the booking, which they wouldn't be able to.
Effectively KE will pay EK cash for the upgrade, and you pay KE with miles, so it's relatively straight forward ticket change, but I don't think such a mechanism to process an upgrade in this way exists. Even if wanting to upgrade a Y Award to a J Award my understanding is that it is cancelled and a new one issued, rather than amended.
Lastly if no redemption chart is published this would be a give away. Being unfamiliar with Skypass I'm not sure how easy redemption charts are to access in general so this might not be helpful.
Ultimately this is a 50:50 whether this question is best answered here in the EK forum or rather by the Skypass forum, as it ultimately revolves around Skypass redemption.
EDIT: Just realised OP had written KA, should be KE = Korean Air. KA = Cathay Dragon
When purchasing a revenue ticket from EK, they act as the travel agent (and in fact are registered as a TA with IATA), typically another TA cannot just touch, modify or amend a booking not made by them. When wanting to upgrade with Skypass miles KE as your TA would have to make a change to the booking, which they wouldn't be able to.
Effectively KE will pay EK cash for the upgrade, and you pay KE with miles, so it's relatively straight forward ticket change, but I don't think such a mechanism to process an upgrade in this way exists. Even if wanting to upgrade a Y Award to a J Award my understanding is that it is cancelled and a new one issued, rather than amended.
Lastly if no redemption chart is published this would be a give away. Being unfamiliar with Skypass I'm not sure how easy redemption charts are to access in general so this might not be helpful.
Ultimately this is a 50:50 whether this question is best answered here in the EK forum or rather by the Skypass forum, as it ultimately revolves around Skypass redemption.
EDIT: Just realised OP had written KA, should be KE = Korean Air. KA = Cathay Dragon
Oct 10, 2017, 7:45 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 2
Thanks all
Appreciate the intel and advice. My hopes weren't high, but if you don't ask you don't get.
I've had good experiences with Amex travel agents in the past, usually they're pretty knowledgeable about points. That's why I included them in the discussion, however they weren't of any help here. Also with the recent change in Platinum companion tickets there's no real benefit to be had there either (only about a $250 difference in fare vs. booking lowest published rate for 2 people).
I'll try tweeting to Emirates as a last resort.
I've had good experiences with Amex travel agents in the past, usually they're pretty knowledgeable about points. That's why I included them in the discussion, however they weren't of any help here. Also with the recent change in Platinum companion tickets there's no real benefit to be had there either (only about a $250 difference in fare vs. booking lowest published rate for 2 people).
I'll try tweeting to Emirates as a last resort.