Korean Air's loyalty program and a founding member of the SkyTeam alliance, with fixed pricing on partner airline flights. One of the few programs offering Korean Air first class bookings to all members, with a major Asiana Airlines merger integration coming in 2027.
Our Valuation
2 cents per point(CAD)
1.4 cents per point (USD)
Korean Air's zone-based award chart offers strong value for premium cabin flights, particularly Korean Air First Class at 80,000 miles off-peak from North America. SkyTeam partner awards and the Delta-Korean Air integration (2026) expand booking options. No Canadian credit card transfer partner exists since Marriott terminated the partnership in 2024 — miles are primarily earned through the US Bank co-brand card or by flying Korean Air and SkyTeam partners.
Last updated: February 8, 2026
Korean Air SKYPASS is the loyalty program of Korean Air, a founding member of the SkyTeam alliance and one of Asia’s most prominent carriers. With its hub at Seoul’s Incheon International Airport (ICN), Korean Air is known for its award-winning First Class and Business Class products, and SKYPASS offers zone-based pricing that delivers strong value on premium cabins.
However, SKYPASS is one of the most difficult programs to earn in for Canadian and US travellers. After Marriott Bonvoy terminated its transfer partnership in June 2024, there is no mainstream credit card transfer partner available. Earning SKYPASS miles now relies primarily on flying Korean Air, hotel program transfers, and US Bank co-branded credit cards.
Earning SKYPASS miles has become significantly more difficult since Marriott terminated its transfer partnership in June 2024. The remaining options are limited.
The primary way to earn SKYPASS miles is by flying Korean Air or its SkyTeam partners (Delta, Air France, KLM, etc.) and crediting flights to your SKYPASS account. Korean Air operates daily nonstop service from Toronto (YYZ) and Vancouver (YVR) to Seoul.
The remaining transfer partnerships are limited to hotel programs:
None of these are particularly efficient given the value of hotel points, but the Shangri-La partnership at 1:1 is the most reasonable option for those with Shangri-La points to spare.
US Bank issues Korean Air co-branded credit cards in the United States. These are the only credit cards that earn SKYPASS miles directly. They are not available to Canadian residents.
Korean Air uses a zone-based award chart with peak and off-peak pricing on Korean Air metal (a 50% surcharge during peak periods). Partner awards through SkyTeam are priced at a fixed rate year-round.
Korean Air’s First Class product on the Boeing 777-300ER features spacious private suites, Givenchy amenity kits, and is widely considered one of the top 10 First Class products in the world. Pricing from North America:
SKYPASS provides access to the full SkyTeam alliance for award bookings. Key pricing for round-trip awards:
Note that partner awards through SKYPASS are round-trip only – you cannot book one-way partner awards. One-way pricing is only available on Korean Air’s own metal.
SKYPASS offers around-the-world awards starting at 140,000 miles in economy and 220,000 miles in business class. These must include a stop in Seoul and can include up to 10 stopovers.
Korean Air’s elite tiers are some of the most exclusive in the airline industry:
The Morning Calm Premium benefit of off-peak pricing on all awards – effectively eliminating peak surcharges permanently – is uniquely valuable.
SKYPASS has several unique policies that distinguish it from other frequent flyer programs:
Korean Air is undergoing significant changes in 2026 as it integrates Asiana Airlines and adjusts partner agreements:
Korean Air SKYPASS offers exceptional value when you can get the miles – Korean Air First Class for 80,000 miles off-peak is a world-class redemption, and SkyTeam partner pricing is competitive. The challenge is earning: with no Canadian or US credit card transfer partner, SKYPASS miles are primarily accumulated through flying Korean Air. For Canadians who fly Korean Air regularly on the Toronto or Vancouver routes, SKYPASS is worth building up. For everyone else, consider booking Korean Air through Flying Blue (a fellow SkyTeam program) instead.
First-year value
$336
Monthly fee: $15.99
• Earn 1,250 points per month upon spending $750 per month for 12 months
Earning rates
Key perks
Monthly fee: $15.99
• Earn 1,250 points per month upon spending $750 per month for 12 months
Earning rates
Key perks