Which SkyTeam Partner to credit miles to? US-based (ORD), flying KE
Jun 1, 2010, 9:33 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 426
Which SkyTeam Partner to credit miles to? US-based (ORD), flying KE
Hello,
A family member of mine (currently with zero miles on any airline) will be taking a trip from Chicago to Cambodia on Korean Air, with one stop in Seoul. The class is "Q", meaning it will only earn 70% miles if credited to Korean, and will not earn any miles if credited to Delta.
A few questions for the experts:
1.) I assume crediting to Korean will be the best option, and I assume these miles can be used for a future trip on KE if he accumulates enough. But can KE miles be used to book domestic US tickets on other SkyTeam airlines, such as Delta? (edit: I now see that Alaska Airlines could be a possibility as well. Would you be able to redeem KE miles for a one-way domestic trip on Delta or Alaska?)
2.) Are there any current "sign-up bonuses" for new membership in KE's SkyPass program?
Appreciate the help.
A family member of mine (currently with zero miles on any airline) will be taking a trip from Chicago to Cambodia on Korean Air, with one stop in Seoul. The class is "Q", meaning it will only earn 70% miles if credited to Korean, and will not earn any miles if credited to Delta.
A few questions for the experts:
1.) I assume crediting to Korean will be the best option, and I assume these miles can be used for a future trip on KE if he accumulates enough. But can KE miles be used to book domestic US tickets on other SkyTeam airlines, such as Delta? (edit: I now see that Alaska Airlines could be a possibility as well. Would you be able to redeem KE miles for a one-way domestic trip on Delta or Alaska?)
2.) Are there any current "sign-up bonuses" for new membership in KE's SkyPass program?
Appreciate the help.
Last edited by ramblers63; Jun 1, 2010 at 9:47 am
Jun 1, 2010, 10:03 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: |QF Platinum|DL Platinum|HH Gold|ALL Silver|
Posts: 1,738
KE miles can be used on Skyteam partners and Alaska Airlines, and I think these can be used for one way, although the KE website isn't clear. KE does have the easiest lifetime status, after 500,000 miles on any Skyteam carrier you get lifetime Skyteam Elite Plus which includes lounge access.
An alternative would be to credit to Alaska, which offers one way awards - http://www.alaskaair.com/as/mileagep...sUSACanada.asp - and Q class would earn you 70% - http://www.alaskaair.com/as/mileagep...ine.asp#korean. Alaska has a lot of other partners your friend could also credit to Alaska.
I don't think KE has sign on bonuses - that's very much a concept in the US and a few European airlines. I haven't heard of any Asian airline offering sign-on bonuses to their program.
An alternative would be to credit to Alaska, which offers one way awards - http://www.alaskaair.com/as/mileagep...sUSACanada.asp - and Q class would earn you 70% - http://www.alaskaair.com/as/mileagep...ine.asp#korean. Alaska has a lot of other partners your friend could also credit to Alaska.
I don't think KE has sign on bonuses - that's very much a concept in the US and a few European airlines. I haven't heard of any Asian airline offering sign-on bonuses to their program.
Jun 1, 2010, 10:17 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 426
Very helpful, thank you. Actually, it looks like Alaska Air might be the way to go for ease of redemption options and possible one way awards.
Also, after a quick check of the Alaska redemption page, I didn't seem to see any other offers aside from flights...are there any options to redeem for magazines, Netflix, etc?
Also, after a quick check of the Alaska redemption page, I didn't seem to see any other offers aside from flights...are there any options to redeem for magazines, Netflix, etc?
Jun 1, 2010, 8:27 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: |QF Platinum|DL Platinum|HH Gold|ALL Silver|
Posts: 1,738
I don't believe Alaskan has any other redemption opportunities other than donating points to charities, but might be worth having a look at the Alaskan forum and they may have more insights there.
Jun 11, 2010, 12:45 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA 1M
Posts: 31,475
You can redeem on all the partners you can earn, only you cannot mix airlines in one award.
Jun 11, 2010, 12:46 pm
#6
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA 1M
Posts: 31,475
Jul 21, 2010, 10:41 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: CO-plat, SPG-plat
Posts: 1,655
Thanks for the great info!
I just signed up a family member with upcoming TPAC DL flight. I had brooded about choosing among SkyMiles, FlyingBlue and SkyPass then came across this thread in my search.
SkyMiles has devalued so much that I find it difficult for non-elites to redeem for low-tier reward travel. MileagePlan also has the added bonus of AA/BA/CX as a partner members in addition to major SkyTeam airlines!
I just signed up a family member with upcoming TPAC DL flight. I had brooded about choosing among SkyMiles, FlyingBlue and SkyPass then came across this thread in my search.
SkyMiles has devalued so much that I find it difficult for non-elites to redeem for low-tier reward travel. MileagePlan also has the added bonus of AA/BA/CX as a partner members in addition to major SkyTeam airlines!
Jul 21, 2010, 11:40 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA 1M
Posts: 31,475
Thanks for the great info!
I just signed up a family member with upcoming TPAC DL flight. I had brooded about choosing among SkyMiles, FlyingBlue and SkyPass then came across this thread in my search.
SkyMiles has devalued so much that I find it difficult for non-elites to redeem for low-tier reward travel. MileagePlan also has the added bonus of AA/BA/CX as a partner members in addition to major SkyTeam airlines!
I just signed up a family member with upcoming TPAC DL flight. I had brooded about choosing among SkyMiles, FlyingBlue and SkyPass then came across this thread in my search.
SkyMiles has devalued so much that I find it difficult for non-elites to redeem for low-tier reward travel. MileagePlan also has the added bonus of AA/BA/CX as a partner members in addition to major SkyTeam airlines!