If I book it directly with AA, it will no longer have KE flight number. With the new rule, it can no longer earn status miles I assume?

This is exactly what I was thinking when I read about the changes.

Honestly, the hard product from KE is really .... anyways compared to the competition. I just flew business class and the fact they don't have pods in their A380s is just sad. You don't get full lie flat seats, and on other routes the business class seats feel really old and crappy. Considering how many Asian airlines are out there with great hard products, the main reason I stayed with KE was when I fly with my family in economy I like the morning calm check in, priority boarding and that I can pick our seats when I book our tickets.

Pretty sure my days with KE are going to be done. I'll burn my points and go back to Star Alliance, which has way more selection and redemption options.

Am I reading this right? It seems like the mileage requirement is doubling (unless I have made a mistake here). These seem like Delta rates now.

Now, Japan to USA/Europe is 125,000 business and 160,000 first

After April 2021 it will be 210,000 business and 315,000 first


Based on this:
Roundtrip Osaka to Incheon, Zone 2: 50,000 and 75,000

Then roundtrip Incheon to Europe or USA (west coast) Zone 8: 160,000 and 240,000

Not only has the burning rate gone up, the earning rate for most economy fare has gone down. If flying J or F earn and burn rate should be better actually, but the majority fly economy and that's why so many are annoyed about this change. For the hard/soft products KE offers, I don't think their J or F class fares are that competitive.

Only if flying the highest booking classes, which are extremely expensive. "Normal" J fares don't see an increase..

I would love this, provided they continue recognizing Skyteam flights for the 500k and 1mm as currently.

I don't think the lifetime status will be kept when the updated programme rolls out now. KE posted a new "fact check" on their Korean website and they are highlighting the fact that it'll be easier to become a top tier member with their new system. They don't explicitly say there won't be a lifetime status anymore... So might depend on how much backlash there will be?

Have I been understanding this wrong ? I was under the impression that people who had lifetime status before the change would get to keep lifetime gold/platinum (depending on previous rank). Or are you talking about the new system ?
It would definitely be weird if OZ still had lifetime status whereas KE didn’t.

The new system won't offer any lifetime status. People with MCP and MM will still get lifetime status as Gold and Platinum respectively.

The Koreans are filing a class action suit! IMO this is typical reaction of the Korean consumer (just like the Priority Lanes). That was actually revoked, but I'm curious to see if this can hold up legally in the Korean courts. I don't know well about Korean law in this area, but I'll ask my corporate attorney students and see what they say. IMO, honestly, the 1,000 or so people filing are your typical "this is unfair angry citizen" type.

The email I got today said this (below). I will probably use up my miles in 2020, but maybe not all. Am I right in thinking I can book up to March, 2021 for a flight leaving anytime between then and March 2022?

As of April 1, 2021

based on the ticketing date

The new program will be introduced and implemented as of April 1, 2020.
However, after a 12-month grace period, the changes in mileage redemption
will be enforced as of April 1, 2021.

Tickteting = date of the ticket being made. The Korean says 발권일 기준

2021년 4월 1일 부

※ 2020년 4월 1일 부 변경된 제도가 도입 및 시행되나,
그로부터 12개월의 유예기간을 운영한 후
2021년 4월 1일부터 변경된 제도가 실제 적용됩니다.

which basically says the same about grace period and "the changes take effect on 2021/4/1" so any award ticket you buy before that = old miles. Starting 2021/4/1 and anytime after - new rules

Edit*** - make sure the ticket is issued before 2021/4/1. 발r권 means ticketing in Korean - and if there's a delay from purchase to issue......Yes, 99% of the time the ticket is purchased and issued almost instantly.

So, I'm assuming most everyone will try to use up their stash of miles on F redemptions with Seoul stopovers?

I've got far far far too many miles and will certainly be "draining" them on F if I get the opportunity. Expect award ticket availability to be tight during the next year.

Lesson learnt. Like cash, miles are victim of the same inflation (or worse). Not safe to keep them.

Not me. We are pooling all our miles and my wife and daughter will use them to fly J from Seoul to London during peak season. Unfortunately we only have holidays during peak season...

Pretty sad about KE as I really liked that only flying 30k every two years with them I got priority checkin and boarding. Chances are we will move towards business class and I will just pick the cheapest business class for my flights.