Korean Air will maintain Asiana Airlines' mileage program separately for the next 10 years, ensuring that existing customers retain their options. If desired, flight miles can be converted at a 1:1 ratio, while partner miles can be converted at a 1:0.82 ratio.

On September 30, Korean Air announced this integration plan for the mileage programs.

Asiana Mileage Managed Separately for 10 Years... Use as Before
Use Up to 30% of Mileage When Purchasing Airline Tickets
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According to the integration plan, from the point of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines' merger, for 10 years, members will be classified as either those who retain their existing Asiana Club miles in the old Asiana mileage format, or those who only hold Korean Air SkyPass miles (including those who convert their old Asiana miles to Korean Air SkyPass). After 10 years, all miles will be unified under Korean Air SkyPass.

Customers holding old Asiana miles can use them to purchase Korean Air economy and Prestige class award tickets or for seat upgrades, following the existing Asiana Airlines award chart. However, award tickets or seat upgrades for first class and other categories not included in the Asiana Airlines award chart will not be available.

In addition to a mixed payment service that allows up to 30% of the fare to be paid with miles when purchasing regular tickets, mileage shopping will also be available for brand merchandise, general products, and in-flight duty-free vouchers.

After the two airlines are integrated, all newly accumulated flight or partner miles will be credited as SkyPass miles. No further accumulation of Asiana miles will occur.

Existing Asiana Airlines elite members (Platinum, Diamond Plus [Lifetime], Diamond Plus [Term], Diamond, and Gold) will be automatically converted to equivalent Korean Air elite membership tiers. The qualification period from Asiana Airlines will be fully honored. In this process, Korean Air will add a new "Morning Calm Select" tier, which provides SkyTeam Elite Plus benefits, to its current three elite membership levels. Existing Morning Calm members will be divided into Morning Calm Select and Morning Calm.

Korean Air Elite Membership Tier Reassessment Example. Korean Air

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Customers holding Asiana miles can apply to convert them to Korean Air SkyPass miles at any time after the integration. When converting, the entire mileage balance must be transferred. After 10 years from the integration, any remaining Asiana miles will be automatically converted to Korean Air SkyPass miles.

The conversion ratio reflects that the two airlines have similar standards for flight miles, while the partner mileage ratio considers the cost incurred by consumers to accumulate miles with each airline. Korean Air explained, "We consulted with the Fair Trade Commission in advance and set the ratios to be more favorable to consumers."

When Asiana mileage holders apply for conversion to SkyPass miles or when the 10-year separate mileage period ends, their elite membership status will be reassessed. The assessment will combine the member's Korean Air and Asiana Airlines flight records. The higher of the existing elite tier or the reassessed tier will be granted to the customer.

Korean Air stated that this expands the options available to customers holding Asiana Club miles. In addition to the 69 routes previously operated by Asiana Airlines, customers will now also have access to 59 routes operated exclusively by Korean Air.

Korean Air submitted the mileage integration plan to the Fair Trade Commission on June 12, but received a request for revision and supplementation. The Fair Trade Commission will conduct a two-week public comment period, after which Korean Air plans to proceed with the necessary procedures as soon as it receives approval from the commission.