When it comes to flying across the Pacific, there are several great business class options. These include world-class airlines such as Cathay Pacific, All Nippon Airways, and Singapore Airlines. Another airline that travelers should consider for these long-haul journeys is Korean Air.
Korean Air’s business class, known as “Prestige” class, is an extremely underrated product.
Let’s take a look at what Korean Air has to offer business class passengers and the best ways to book a flight in business class on Korean Air.
A Look Inside Korean Air Business Class
As with Korean Air first class, your business class experience with this airline is largely determined by the cabin layout of the particular aircraft you’re flying on. Knowing what to expect on your flight can help you pick a seat that will provide the most enjoyable experience for you.
To get the best business class experience on Korean Air, keep an eye on the aircraft type that will be operating the route you want to book.
Between the U.S. and Incheon International Airport (ICN) in Seoul, Korean Air’s base of operations, Korean Air flies several aircraft: the Boeing 777-300ER, the Boeing 747-8, the Boeing 787-9, and the Airbus A380.
If Korean Air is flying a Boeing 787-9 or Boeing 747-8 on your flight, you’re in a Prestige Suite. These are also commonly referred to as Apex Suites.
Each suite provides direct aisle access and a lie-flat seat to make those long-haul flights more comfortable and easier to enjoy. These are 2 of the most important aspects of a solid business class seat since having both of these ensures you’ll rest well and won’t have to worry about people stepping over you.
If you look at the cabin layout for each of these aircraft, you’ll notice the 2-2-2 layout. While this usually indicates that only the middle section will guarantee direct aisle for both passengers, the staggered layout of Apex Suites provides aisle access to everyone — including those sitting in window seats.
Meanwhile, the Korean Air business class cabin on the A380 is in a standard 2-2-2 configuration (i.e., not Apex Suites), meaning not all passengers have direct aisle access.
This cabin layout can also be found on some of Korean Air’s Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A330 aircraft. If the route you want is operated by these aircraft, make sure you check the seat layout first. It may not seem like a big deal, but having direct aisle access is a huge plus when traveling in business class.
Some Korean 777-300ERs have an older 2-3-2 layout that isn’t staggered. These are generally considered inferior products, as quite a few seats do not have aisle access.
Lastly, we want to cover some other aircraft that could be used if an aircraft swap were to happen. Business class on the Airbus A321neo features a 2-2 layout with lie-flat seats. The Boeing 777-200ER has a 2-3-2 layout with seats that are not lie-flat.
The reason we focus on the many cabin layouts that Korean Air uses for business class is that they can dramatically impact your experience, especially if you have high expectations. Knowing what aircraft you would fly on can help determine if an award ticket is worth booking.
Fortunately, regardless of the aircraft, you can expect the same excellent service that Korean Air provides all business class passengers. Additionally, you get access to Korean Air’s business class lounges and other SkyTeam lounges.
Throw in a nice inflight meal, and you’ll enjoy the Korean Air business class experience!
How To Fly Korean Air Business Class Using Miles
Korean Air is a member of the SkyTeam alliance. This means you can use partner airline miles to book award seats with Korean Air. This allows for more opportunities to book a business class award on Korean Air if you have miles and points in different programs.
Korean Air SKYPASS
First, let’s start with Korean Air’s own program, SKYPASS. Although the program has undergone major changes over the years, it still provides an excellent way to redeem miles for a premium cabin on Korean Air.
The program is arguably the best way to book Korean Air premium cabins, as its mileage requirements are better than those of its partners. It also releases more award space to those booking through Korean’s program.
Many well-known programs in SkyTeam, such as Delta SkyMiles and Air France-KLM Flying Blue, use dynamic pricing when it comes to booking award tickets. This means fares can vary significantly.
Fortunately, Korean Air still uses an award chart when it comes to miles redemptions. You can find the full Korean Air award chart on its website. For Korean awards, pricing is based on seasonality.
Here is the one-way pricing for Korean Air awards between the U.S. and Korea:
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| Economy Class | Prestige Class | First Class | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Off-Peak Season | 35,000 | 62,500 | 80,000 |
| Peak-Season | 52,500 | 92,500 | 120,000 |
For example, here is an award between San Francisco (SFO) and Seoul (ICN) that can be booked for 62,500 miles during the low season.
![Best Ways to Book Korean Air Business With Points [Step-by-Step] (3)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/sfo-icn-korean-air-skypass-J.png?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200 "Best Ways to Book Korean Air Business With Points [Step-by-Step] (3)")
Occasionally, you can also find discounts on certain routes. For example, here is an award between Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Seoul (ICN) on the same day. Instead of the 62,500-mile pricing, this award can be booked for 57,500 miles.
![Best Ways to Book Korean Air Business With Points [Step-by-Step] (4)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ORD-ICN-Korean-air-skypass.png?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200 "Best Ways to Book Korean Air Business With Points [Step-by-Step] (4)")
Korean Air SKYPASS seasonal pricing does come with conditions:
- Peak-season redemptions require more miles than in the off-peak season
- If the departure and return dates are in different seasons, mileage depends on the corresponding season for each segment.
- For itineraries to and from South Korea, peak season applies based on the boarding date for each segment.
- For international itineraries with a connection in South Korea, peak season applies based on the boarding dates for each segment of the itinerary.
To book a Korean Air award, follow these steps:
- Go to Korean Air’s website and select Mileage Booking.
- Log in with your User ID or SKYPASS number.
- Select your origin, destination, and travel dates.
- Select Prestige Class.
- Select your flights.
- Click Continue to enter your information and complete the booking.
Hot Tip: Korean Air partner availability is very tough to come by. You can get around this by booking through Korean Air SKYPASS.
Alaska Airlines
An excellent partner program worth considering for Korean Air business class awards is Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan. Although Alaska is a member of the Oneworld alliance, the airlines have a non-alliance partnership. This means you can use Alaska miles to book award a Korean Air award.
It is worth mentioning that Alaska will be implementing its new distance-based award charts in March 2024. Pricing will increase for awards depending on which city you fly from.
For now, you can use your miles to fly to South Korea one-way for 70,000 miles in economy or 105,000 miles in business class. This may not be the best use of Alaska miles, but it’s another program worth considering.
Award space is incredibly difficult to find. There are multiple weeks where not a single award seat can be found. Here is a one-way award between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Seoul (ICN).
![Best Ways to Book Korean Air Business With Points [Step-by-Step] (5)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Korean-air-w-Alaska-miles-LAX-ICN.png?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200 "Best Ways to Book Korean Air Business With Points [Step-by-Step] (5)")
You can also book a ticket from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) for the same price.
![Best Ways to Book Korean Air Business With Points [Step-by-Step] (6)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Korean-air-w-Alaska-miles-SFO-ICN.png?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200 "Best Ways to Book Korean Air Business With Points [Step-by-Step] (6)")
There’s a caveat to booking Korean Air awards with Alaska miles. If you redeem Alaska miles for a one-way Korean Air award, you pay the same amount of miles as if you booked a round-trip award. This is a requirement for Korean Air awards.
Another quirk with redeeming Alaska miles is that certain partner-operated flights cost more miles. This is especially true with airlines such as Korean Air and Japan Airlines.
It is also worth mentioning again that award space is incredibly difficult to come by. However, if you can find the award space, it provides an excellent way to fly between the U.S. and Asia on a premier airline.
Hot Tip: Check out our guide on the best ways to redeem Alaska Mileage Plan miles for maximum value.
Air France-KLM Flying Blue
Finally, it’s also worth considering the Air France-KLM Flying Blue program for award flights on Korean Air. Air France-KLM is another SkyTeampartner of Korean Air, which means that Flying Blue miles can be used for Korean Air flights.
When it comes to award pricing, Flying Blue uses a dynamic pricing method. This means that award ticket prices fluctuatebased on several different factors. And worst of all, the fluctuations can be quite drastic.
For example, here’s a monthlong overview of a Flying Blue award from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to Seoul (ICN) for February 2024. A one-way award can be booked for as few as 89,000 miles or as high as 586,500 miles. That’s quite a noticeable difference!
![Best Ways to Book Korean Air Business With Points [Step-by-Step] (7)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Flying-blue-dynamic-pricing-february-2024.png?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200 "Best Ways to Book Korean Air Business With Points [Step-by-Step] (7)")
Korean Air also has blackout dates where you cannot use your Flying Blue miles to book an award seat. You can find more information on the Korean Air blackout travel dates here.
For a Flying Blue award redemption, you can search and book online through the Air France website. To book an award ticket with Flying Blue, follow these steps:
- Go to Air France’s website.
- Select Book with Miles.
- Sign in to your Flying Blue account.
- Select your origin and destination.
- Select your travel dates.
- If your travel dates are flexible, leave the departure date box empty to show a monthly award availability.
- Select Business so the search shows Korean Air business class flights.
- Select the appropriate flight, then fill in the passenger information.
- To complete the booking, pay the necessary taxes and fees.
While the redemption rates with Air France-KLM Flying Blue might not be as competitive as Korean Air or Alaska when booking a Korean Air business class award, it is significantly easier to earn Flying Blue miles than it is to earn Korean Air SKYPASS miles or Alaska Airlines miles.
Air France-KLM Flying Blue is a partner of several transferable points programs, includingAmerican Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One Miles, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy.
All points programs, except Marriott Bonvoy, transfer at a 1:1 ratio. Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio, with a 5,000-mile bonus for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points transferred.
Other Ways To Book Korean Air Business Class
As Korean Air is a member of the SkyTeam airline alliance, you can use miles from several partner programs. However, be aware that the redemption rates for many of these programs won’t be competitive.
Great Korean Air Business Class Redemptions
To prevent any surprises while trying to book Korean Air business class awards, it’s important to remember that Korean Air has a seasonal award chart that provides peak and off-peak pricing. To get the best pricing, book during the off-peak season.
You can book a one-way business class award on Korean Air (in the off-season) between the U.S. and South Korea for only 62,500 Korean SKYPASS miles!
Bottom Line: Award space is difficult to find with partner airlines. Korean Air releases the most award space to SKYPASS members.
How To Earn Enough Miles for Business Class
Korean Air SKYPASS only has 1 transfer partner: Marriott Bonvoy. Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio.
Similarly, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan’s only transfer partner is also Marriott Bonvoy. Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio. You get 5,000 bonus Alaska Airlines miles for every 60,000 Bonvoy points you transfer,
As mentioned above, Air France-KLM Flying Blue is a partner ofAmerican Express Membership Rewards, Brex Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One Miles, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy.
Recommended Chase Cards (Personal)
POPULAR FIRST CARD
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.
(at Chase's secure site)
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
60,000 points
$1,200
$95
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.
Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.
Pros
- 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
- 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
- 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
- 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
- 2x points on all other travel worldwide
- $50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
- 6 months of complimentary Instacart+ (activate by July 31, 2024), plus up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024
- Excellent travel and car rental insurance
- 10% annual bonus points
- No foreigntransaction fees
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs like United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt
Cons
- $95annual fee
- No elite benefits like airport lounge access orhotel elite status
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
- Member FDIC
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Chase Sapphire Reserve®
U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.
(at Chase's secure site)
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
60,000 points
$1,200
$550
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Excellent (740-850)
If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve®is one of the best options out there.
The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options. Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.
Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!
Pros
- 10x points on car rentals, hotels, and dining booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
- 10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
- 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
- 5x points on airfare booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
- 3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases
- $300 annual travel credit
- Priority Pass airport lounge access
- TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit
- Access to Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
- Rental car elite status with National and Avis
Cons
- $550annual fee
- Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursem*nt for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
- Member FDIC
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Are you a business owner? Check out our article on Chase business cards that earn flexible Ultimate Rewards points.
Recommended Amex Cards (Personal)
BEST LOUNGE ACCESS
The Platinum Card® from American Express
U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.
(at Amex's secure site)
Apply With Confidence
Know if you're approved with no credit score impact
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The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
80,000 points
$1,760
$695
See Pay Over Time APR
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card® from American Express.
Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum cardis a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.
Pros
- The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
- 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per year)
- 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
- Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment (airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR credit, and Equinox credit)
- TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
- Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
- Access to Amex International Airline Program
- No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)
Cons
- $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
- Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peaco*ck, SiriusXM, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
- $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
- $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
- $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
- Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
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BEST FOR DINING
American Express® Gold Card
U.P. Rating
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!
(at Amex's secure site)
Apply With Confidence
Know if you're approved with no credit score impact
If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
American Express® Gold Card
This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months.
60,000 points
$1,320
$250
See Pay Over Time APR
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
The American Express® Gold Cardis a game-changer.
With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x.
There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.
Pros
- 4x points per dollar at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
- 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases; and 1x thereafter
- 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at Amex Travel
- Up to $120 annual dining credit: up to $10 monthly statement credit when you pay with the Amex Gold card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations
- Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash: get $10 monthly in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. when you add your Gold Card to your Uber account
- No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees)
- Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection
- Access to American Express transfer partners
Cons
- $250 annual fee (see rates and fees)
- No lounge access
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
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When Should You Search for Business Class Award Space?
As with any award booking, begin your search as soon as you know when you want to travel. Korean Air SKYPASS tends to release award seats 361 days before departure.
At times, you can also find business class availability just days prior to departure.
What Makes Korean Air Business Class a Great Redemption?
Korean Air doesn’t get the same level of attention as more high-profile Asian and Middle Eastern carriers, but it has a great business class product.
Best Business Class for Families
While it can be hard to find award seats through partner programs, Korean Air isn’t nearly as stingy when it comes to releasing award space to its own program, SKYPASS. This is particularly useful if you’re traveling as a family.
The next time you search for business class award space to Seoul on Korean Air’s site, you’ll notice they even let you know how many seats are available to be booked with Korean SKYPASS miles. This can make planning much easier.
Apex Suite
The Apex Suite is one of the nicest business class cabin layouts on the market. If you’re flying solo, you could be sitting next to the window with almost total privacy and still have direct aisle access.
If you’re traveling with a companion, you could sit next to each other in the middle section and enjoy the flight together.
Great Business Class Service
The crews on Korean Air flights make sure that the business class experience is a special one. We’ve found that they are happy to do whatever they can to make it a trip to remember. If you have a request, just ask, and they should be able to help you.
Final Thoughts
Korean Air business class is often overlooked in favor of Asian carriers, such as EVA Air and Singapore Airlines. However, it is a great way to cross the Pacific. Korean Air flies to several airports across the U.S., which can be useful when it comes to award bookings.
Korean Air award space is challenging to find when booking with partner programs. Korean Air does release more award space to SKYPASS members.
The next time you plan on booking a business class adventure to Asia, give Korean Air a look. They could be just the ticket for you and your family!
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![Best Ways to Book Korean Air Business With Points [Step-by-Step] (2024)](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mP8/h8AAvMB+NzmkbcAAAAASUVORK5CYII=)