Korean Air and Asiana Airlines are merging. This monumental event combines South Korea’s two largest carriers. The goal is clear: to reshape the entire Asian aviation landscape.

While the corporate takeover is underway, the most intensely debated and highly personal issue for millions of travelers is the future of their frequent flyer programs.

The combined mileage liability is estimated at over 3.5 trillion Korean Won (approximately $2.6 billion USD).

This is not merely an administrative task; it’s a delicate balancing act involving customer loyalty, regulatory compliance, and the perceived value of every mile earned over decades.

We break down the official mileage integration plan, what it means for loyal members of both Asiana Club and Korean Air’s SKYPASS, and the complex rationale behind the conversion ratios.

1. ⏳ The Long Runway to Integration: The Regulatory Timeline

The path to a unified frequent flyer program has been tightly controlled by the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC), the country’s antitrust regulator.

Korean Air’s acquisition of Asiana was conditionally approved in 2022. A critical mandate was set: the mileage integration plan must not disadvantage customers compared to their programs’ value as of the end of 2019. This consumer protection clause established a high bar for fairness.

After an initial plan was rejected by the KFTC in June 2025 for lacking clarity and limiting usage options, Korean Air submitted a revised, comprehensive plan on September 25, 2025. This revised proposal outlines a generous, phased approach designed to ease the transition and maximize consumer benefits.

2. ⚖️ The Conversion Ratios: A Two-Tiered Approach

The burning question—”How much will my miles be worth?”—has been answered with a two-tiered conversion structure that attempts to reflect the distinct ways miles are earned.

The Immediate Impact: An Asiana Club member holding 10,000 miles from flights and 10,000 miles from credit card spending will ultimately receive 18,200 SKYPASS miles upon conversion.

3. 🔒 The 10-Year Grace Period: Protecting Customer Value

To mitigate member anxiety and comply with regulatory demands, Korean Air has proposed an unprecedented safeguard:

• Separate Accounts Maintained: Asiana Club miles (referred to as “Former Asiana Mileage”) will be maintained in a separate account for 10 years following the merger’s effective date.
• Optional Conversion: During this decade, Asiana members can choose to convert their entire mileage balance to SKYPASS at any time using the prescribed ratios.
• Guaranteed Redemption: Former Asiana Miles can still be redeemed for Korean Air Economy and Prestige Class award tickets and upgrades based on Asiana’s current redemption chart. This prevents the devaluation of existing miles by forcing immediate use of the potentially higher redemption rates of the SKYPASS program.
• Automatic Conversion: Any remaining Former Asiana Mileage will be automatically converted to SKYPASS at the end of the 10-year period.

4. 🌐 New Horizons: Expanded Benefits and Alliance Shifts

The integration promises a significant shift in loyalty benefits, particularly for Asiana’s former Star Alliance members.

⬆️ Expanded Redemption Opportunities

The newly integrated program will immediately expand the utility of Asiana miles. Asiana members will gain access to 59 routes operated exclusively by Korean Air (including destinations like Washington D.C., Amsterdam, and Auckland) in addition to Asiana’s existing network.

💳 Cash & Miles Introduction

Korean Air’s popular “Cash & Miles” payment service—allowing up to 30% of the airfare to be paid with miles—will be extended to Asiana customers, offering flexibility for regular ticket purchases, not just award seats.

⭐ The Alliance Shift: Star Alliance Out, SkyTeam In

For Asiana’s elite members, the most significant change is the shift in global alliance benefits. Upon full integration, Asiana will depart the Star Alliance network, losing access to partners like Lufthansa and United Airlines. Instead, members will gain access to the SkyTeam Alliance network, offering similar perks across carriers like Delta, Air France, and KLM.

🎖️ Elite Tier Alignment

Korean Air has created new tiers within SKYPASS to accommodate Asiana’s diverse elite membership levels:

• Asiana’s Platinum and Diamond Plus members will be matched to the highest tiers like Million Miler and Morning Calm Premium.
• A new “Morning Calm Select” tier has been introduced to smoothly transition Asiana’s Diamond and Diamond Plus (24-month) members.

5. 🛣️ What Lies Ahead: A Future Defined by Customer Experience

The KFTC’s announcement of the revised plan, which is subject to a brief public consultation, signals the near-finalization of one of the merger’s most sensitive components.

The mileage integration plan demonstrates Korean Air’s commitment to prioritizing consumer protection, a critical prerequisite for the merger’s ultimate success.

The next decade will be a true test of the unified entity, requiring transparency and continued focus on customer experience to convert the two distinct loyalty pools into one cohesive, satisfied frequent flyer base.

For travelers, the key is simple: monitor your account, understand the conversion ratios, and prepare to fly under the banner of a new, unified global Korean mega-carrier.

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