The Best Ways to Fly to South Korea With Points and Miles

Known for its fantastic culture, delicious street food, and beautiful nature, South Korea is a destination high on many travelers’ bucket lists. The country is relatively easy to get to from the U.S. as there are plenty of nonstop flights to Korea’s largest and capital city, Seoul.

However, traveling to Asia from the United States can get expensive. Fortunately, there are ways to get around this.

In this guide, we will look into the best ways to fly to Korea using points and miles. We will look at award programs in each of the 3 main airline alliances and what airlines you can fly using those points and miles.

Nonstop Flights Between the U.S. and South Korea

South Korea is the second-closest East Asian country to the U.S., behind only Japan. Furthermore, South Korea represents an important business hub for many Americans. Fortunately, there are many ways to fly to South Korea with points and miles.

From the U.S., there are more than 10 airports that have nonstop routes to Korea’s capital and biggest city, Seoul. These routes are operated primarily by Korea’s 2 biggest airlines: Asiana Airlines and Korean Air. However, there are also some routes on U.S. carriers, including Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines.

All 3 of the main airline alliances are represented in this guide: Star Alliance, Oneworld, and SkyTeam. However, there is more representation from Star Alliance and SkyTeam, as Asiana is a member of Star Alliance and Korean Air is a member of SkyTeam.

Here are all of the airlines and the nonstop flights they offer between the U.S. and Incheon International Airport (ICN) in Seoul, South Korea:

American Airlines

• Dallas (DFW) – Seoul (ICN)

Asiana Airlines

• Honolulu (HNL) – Seoul (ICN)
• Seattle (SEA) – Seoul (ICN)
• San Francisco (SFO) – Seoul (ICN)
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Seoul (ICN)
• Las Vegas (LAS) – Seoul (ICN)
• New York (JFK) – Seoul (ICN)

Delta Air Lines

• Minneapolis (MSP) – Seoul (ICN)
• Seattle (SEA) – Seoul (ICN)
• Atlanta (ATL) – Seoul (ICN)
• Detroit (DTW) – Seoul (ICN)
• Las Vegas (LAS) – Seoul (ICN)

Hawaiian Airlines

• Honolulu (HNL) – Seoul (ICN)

Korean Air

• Honolulu (HNL) – Seoul (ICN)
• Seattle (SEA) – Seoul (ICN)
• San Francisco (SFO) – Seoul (ICN)
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Seoul (ICN)
• Las Vegas (LAS) – Seoul (ICN)
• New York (JFK) – Seoul (ICN)
• Chicago (ORD) – Seoul (ICN)
• Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) – Seoul (ICN)
• Atlanta (ATL) – Seoul (ICN)
• Boston (BOS) – Seoul (ICN)
• Washington (IAD) – Seoul (ICN)

United Airlines

• San Francisco (SFO) – Seoul (ICN)

Best Programs for Booking Flights to South Korea

Now that we have taken a look at what airlines operate nonstop routes to Korea, let’s also look at which programs are best to use for award redemptions.

All Nippon Airways (ANA) Mileage Club

As is with most award redemptions to Asia, we will first start with ANA Mileage Club. The program offers a ton of value, including numerous transfer partners, some of the best redemption rates, and the ability to book stopovers. ANA only allows round-trip redemptions and does pass on fuel surcharges to most partner airlines.

With ANA being a member of Star Alliance, you have the option of flying Asiana Airlines or United Airlines to South Korea. You could also fly ANA itself, but that would require a connection through Tokyo. For this guide, we will just focus on the nonstop routes on Asiana and United.

ANA has a few award charts, including a separate award chart for partner awards. Partner award prices do not fluctuate based on the season, unlike on ANA’s own flights.

On its award chart, ANA places South Korea in Zone 2 and the U.S. in Zone 6. Here is the round-trip award pricing between the two zones:

These are some of the best rates for any award, especially in premium cabins. For example, the 95,000 points ANA charges for round-trip awards between the U.S. and South Korea is less than what many other programs charge for a one-way award.

However, it is worth noting that ANA does pass along fuel surcharges, which can make the award redemptions not worth pursuing in some cases.

Generally, you get the most value primarily when redeeming for business class. A lot of the value in economy is diminished by the cost of taxes and fees.

Here are some examples of routes you can take:

• Los Angeles (LAX) – Seoul (ICN) round-trip for 95,000 ANA miles + taxes and fees for Asiana business class
• New York (JFK) – Seoul (ICN) round-trip for 95,000 ANA miles + taxes and fees for Asiana Smartium business class
• San Francisco (SFO) – Seoul (ICN) round-trip for 95,000 ANA miles + taxes and fees for United Polaris business class

ANA’s website enables award bookings to be completed online. Follow these steps to do so:

1. Go to ANA’s website.
2. Click ANA Mileage Club on the top-right side of the homepage.
3. Click International, then Award Reservation. Log in with your ANA Mileage Club number and password.
4. Type in the desired cities, dates of travel, number of passengers, and cabin class. After that information is filled out, click Search. (ANA transfer times are not instant. Be sure to account for this when booking award flights.)
5. Finish your booking by paying for any taxes and fees.

Earning ANA Mileage Club Miles

ANA Mileage Club is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards and Marriott Bonvoy.

Amex is a 1:1 transfer partner with ANA and is one of the easiest ways to earn a lot of ANA miles. Transfers typically take 2 to 3 business days to complete.

Marriott Bonvoy transfers to ANA at a 3:1 ratio and can take up to 7 business days. You also receive an additional 5,000 ANA miles for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points transferred.

Recommended Amex Cards (Personal)

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

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Know if you’re approved with no credit score impact

If you’re approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

UP’s Bonus Valuation*:

$1,760

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Card Highlights

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, 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 through American Express Travel using 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, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card^® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $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. Terms Apply.
• $199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: CLEAR^® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• 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.
• 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.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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American Express Membership Rewards

NEW OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

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!

Learn More(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.

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!

60,000 points + up to $100 back

UP’s Bonus Valuation*:

$1,420

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The American Express^® Gold Card is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, 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.

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, receive 20% back in statement credits on eligible purchases made at restaurants worldwide within the first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $100 back. Limited time offer. Offer ends 11/6/24.
• Get the American Express^® Gold Card in either the Gold, Rose Gold or Limited-Edition White Gold metal design. White Gold design is only available while supplies last.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards^® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
• Earn 1X Membership Rewards^® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• $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.
• $84 Dunkin’ Credit: With the $84 Dunkin’ Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express^® Gold Card at Dunkin’ locations.
• $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express^® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. 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, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
• Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $325.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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American Express Membership Rewards

Recommended Amex Cards (Business)

100K OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Get 4x points in 2 select categories where your business spends the most each month (on your first $150,000 spent each year).

Learn More(at Amex’s secure site)

Get 4x points in 2 select categories where your business spends the most each month (on your first $150,000 spent each year).

UP’s Bonus Valuation*:

$2,200

APR

19.49% – 28.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 6 months from date of account opening

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 4x points per dollar spent on your 2 highest purchase categories each month up to $150,000 each calendar year in purchases; categories include:
  • Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
  • U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
  • Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.
  • U.S. purchases at gas stations
  • U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
  • Purchases at U.S. media providers for advertising in select media (online such as Google Ads, Facebook Ads, plus TV and radio)
• 3x points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card
• Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection

Cons

• $375 annual fee (rates and fees)
• No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access or elite status

Card Highlights

• Welcome Offer: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
• 0% Intro APR ¤ for 6 months from the date of account opening on purchases eligible for Pay Over Time, then a 19.49% to 28.49% variable APR.*
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards^® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.*
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.*
• Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.
• Get up to a $12.95** statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. **Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.*
• The Business Gold Card now comes in three metal designs: Gold, Rose Gold and Limited Edition White Gold. White Gold design is only available while supplies last. Make your selection when you apply on Americanexpress.com.
• *Terms Apply

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.49% – 28.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 6 months from date of account opening
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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American Express Membership Rewards

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.

Learn More(at Amex’s secure site)

Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.

UP’s Bonus Valuation*:

$330

APR

18.49% – 26.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening

Good to Excellent (670-840)

Why We Like This Card

As a business owner, getting a credit card that maximizes each dollar you spend does not have to be complicated or expensive. Especially when you opt for The Blue Business^® Plus Credit Card from American Express.

With the Amex Blue Business Plus card, you’ll earn 2x Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases throughout the year (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter) and receive purchase protections and no-additional-charge employee cards all for no annual fee (see rates and fees).

The simple and straightforward earning structure makes it a great fit for those looking to earn flexible rewards, without having to fixate on which purchases earn the most points.

Let’s take look at all that the Amex Blue Business Plus card has to offer.

Card Highlights

• Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
• 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% – 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
• Earn 2X Membership Rewards^® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter.
• You’ve got the power to use your Card beyond its credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power.
• *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors.
• No Annual Fee
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 18.49% – 26.49% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.

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American Express Membership Rewards

Bottom Line: There are a ton of ways to use ANA miles for loads of value. The best sweet spot is business-class redemptions. You can book round-trip business class on any partner for 95,000 ANA miles plus taxes and fees.

Emirates Skywards

The following award redemption method is not well known, but extremely effective. Thanks to Emirates’ and Korean Air’s partnership, you can use Emirates Skywards miles to book flights on Korean Air.

In addition to Emirates being known for offering a phenomenal first-class product, its frequent flyer program can offer a great redemption opportunity.

Emirates has a distance-based award chart for Korean Air awards using Emirates Skywards. Here is the one-way distance pricing:

For travel on Korean Air, this is one of the ways to attain business class awards using miles that can be earned in many ways, as long as you’re open to paying for fuel surcharges.

Hot Tip: Need ideas for cities to fly out of with Korean Air? Check out our definitive guide to Korean Air U.S. routes.

The best way to book this type of award flight is to search availability on Delta Air Lines and call Emirates to confirm the booking:

1. Visit the Delta website.
2. On the top banner, fill in the search box and find partner-level availability on Korean Air.
3. Call Emirates Skywards at 800-777-3999 and feed the flight information to the representative.
4. Complete the award booking by providing your credit card information to pay for taxes and fees and pay the appropriate mileage cost.

Here are examples of routes you can take:

• Boston (BOS) – Seoul (ICN) one-way for 104,000 Emirates miles and $92 in taxes and fees for Korean Air business class
• Chicago (ORD) – Seoul (ICN) one-way for 88,000 Emirates miles and $92 in taxes and fees for Korean Air business class
• Honolulu (HNL) – Seoul (ICN) one-way for 76,000 Emirates miles and $92 in taxes and fees for Korean Air business class
• San Francisco (SFO) – Seoul (ICN) one-way for 88,000 Emirates miles and $92 in taxes and fees for Korean Air business class
• Washington, D.C. (IAD) – Seoul (ICN) one-way for 104,000 Emirates miles and $92 in taxes and fees for Korean Air business class

Earning Emirates Skywards Miles

Emirates Skywards is a transfer partner of many major transferrable programs, including American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, Capital One Miles, Brex Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy.

Amex, Chase, Citi, Capital One, and Brex are 1:1 transfer partners of Emirates Skywards. Transfers are typically instant.

Marriott Bonvoy is a 3:1 transfer partner. Transfers typically usually take around 3 days. For every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points you transfer to Emirates, you receive a 5,000-mile bonus. So, if you transferred 120,000 Bonvoy points to Emirates, you’d get a total of 50,000 Emirates miles (40,000 Emirates miles at a 3:1 ratio plus 10,000 bonus miles for transferring 2 chunks of 60,000 Bonvoy points).

American Express and Capital One have both been known to offer transfer bonuses, so be sure to hold out for those to make your points go further.

Recommended Chase Cards

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Learn More(at Chase’s secure site)

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

UP’s Bonus Valuation*:

$1,200

APR

21.49%-28.49% Variable

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Card Highlights

• 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 Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. 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, 2027.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.49%-28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Chase Ultimate Rewards

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.

Learn More(at Chase’s secure site)

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.

UP’s Bonus Valuation*:

$1,200

APR

22.49%-29.49% Variable

Why We Like This Card

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!

Card Highlights

• 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 Travel℠.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement 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 Travel℠ 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 Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 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, 2027.
• 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

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 22.49%-29.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Alaska Mileage Plan

Another program worth considering for award flights between the U.S. and South Korea is Alaska MileagePlan. The program offers some incredible redemption rates on partner airlines and allows for stopovers on one-way itineraries.

Alaska Airlines is a member of Oneworld with airlines such as American Airlines and Cathay Pacific. This means that you can use your Alaska Airlines miles for American Airlines awards.

In addition to its Oneworld partners, Alaska also has partnership with Korean Air that’s not part of a larger alliance. Thanks to its partnerships, you have the option to fly on either American Airlines or Korean Air.

Alaska’s frequent flyer program has undergone significant devaluations and will undergo another in March 2024. Alaska has announced that it will implement a new distance-based award chart.

Until the new award chart is in effect, you can use your Alaska miles on Korean Air according to its partner award chart. Here is the pricing for partner awards using Alaska miles:

Here are some examples of routes you can take:

• Dallas (DFW) – Seoul (ICN) one-way for 50,000 Alaska miles plus taxes and fees for American Airlines business class
• Chicago (ORD) – Seoul (ICN) one-way for 50,000 Alaska miles plus taxes and fees for Korean Air business class
• San Francisco (SFO) – Seoul (ICN) one-way for 50,000 Alaska miles plus taxes and fees for Korean Air business class

Earning Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Miles

Alaska Airlines only has one transfer partner: Marriott Bonvoy. Marriott Bonvoy points transfer to Alaska Airlines at a rate of 3:1. Plus, for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points that you transfer, you receive an extra 5,000 Mileage Plan miles.

Alaska Airlines also offers a co-branded credit card issued by Bank of America.

Provides the potential to earn plenty of miles to fly with Alaska Airlines or over a dozen partners. Plus, get an annual companion fare from just $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) when you spend at least $6,000 a year on the card!

Provides the potential to earn plenty of miles to fly with Alaska Airlines or over a dozen partners. Plus, get an annual companion fare from just $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) when you spend at least $6,000 a year on the card!

50,000 bonus miles + a $0 Companion Fare

UP’s Bonus Valuation*:

$800

APR

21.24% – 29.24% Variable

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Card Highlights

• LIMITED TIME ONLINE OFFER —Buy one ticket, get one for just the taxes and fees ($0 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) and get 50,000 bonus miles.
• Get 50,000 bonus miles plus a $0 Companion Fare ($0 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) after you make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of your account opening.
• Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™. Get a $99 Companion Fare (plus taxes and fees from $23) each account anniversary after you spend $6,000 or more on purchases within the prior anniversary year. Valid on all Alaska Airlines flights booked on alaskaair.com.
• Free checked bag. Any cardholder who purchases airfare with their card, and up to 6 additional guests traveling on the same reservation, may check their first bag free.
• Enjoy priority boarding so you can get to your seat quicker, when you pay for your flight with your card.
• Earn unlimited 3 miles for every $1 spent on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases. Earn unlimited 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible gas, EV charging station, cable, streaming services and local transit (including ride share) purchases. And earn unlimited 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. And, your miles don’t expire on active accounts.
• Earn a 10% rewards bonus on all miles earned from card purchases if you have an eligible Bank of America^® account.
• A faster way to earn status with your Alaska Airlines credit card. Throughout 2024, for every $10,000 you spend on purchases, you’ll automatically earn 4,000 elite-qualifying miles (EQMs), up to 20,000 EQMs total.
• Enjoy 20% back on all Alaska Airlines inflight purchases and get $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ Membership when you pay with your new card.
• With oneworld^® Alliance member airlines and Alaska’s Global Partners, Alaska has expanded their global reach to over 1,000 destinations worldwide bringing more airline partners and more ways to earn and redeem miles.
• Flexibility with no blackout dates on Alaska Airlines flights when booking with miles or a companion fare.
• Plus, no foreign transaction fees.^†

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.24% – 29.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Frequent Flyer Program

Avianca LifeMiles

Another program worth looking at for Star Alliance partner awards is Avianca LifeMiles. Although the program increased award redemption rates to Asia in 2022, the program still has competitive pricing. It also has some interesting pricing quirks, like mixed-cabin awards. In addition to the great pricing, LifeMiles doesn’t pass on fuel surcharges on award flights.

LifeMiles uses a standard zone-based award chart for most flights. LifeMiles charges between 85,000 and 90,000 LifeMiles for a one-way business class ticket between the U.S. and Asia on Star Alliance partner airlines. This allows for redemptions on both United and Asiana.

Best of all, it’s quite easy to earn Avianca LifeMiles, and the programs it partners with routinely have transfer bonuses.

To book award travel on Avianca LifeMiles, follow these directions:

1. Visit the Avianca LifeMiles site.
2. Log in to your LifeMiles account by entering your LifeMiles number and password.
3. Change the language as necessary by clicking the flag icon in the top-right corner.
4. Click Fly on the top banner of the landing page.
5. Type in your flight information, including airports, number of passengers, and class of booking.
6. Select your flights and pay with your miles, along with any taxes and fees, to complete your reservation.

Here is an example of a great redemption you can make:

• Seattle (SEA) – Seoul (ICN) one-way in Asiana Airlines business class for 90,000 LifeMiles plus $51 in taxes and fees

Earning Avianca LifeMiles

Avianca LifeMiles are easy to earn. The Avianca LifeMiles program is a transfer partner of Amex Membership Rewards, Brex Rewards, Capital One Miles, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy.

All of the above programs, except for Marriott Bonvoy, transfer instantly at a 1:1 ratio to LifeMiles. Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio.

Lastly, LifeMiles routinely offers huge sales of up to 125% to 200% when you purchase LifeMiles. Although buying points and miles is not generally recommended, buying LifeMiles outright can make for some cheap first and business class redemptions.

Recommended Citi Cards

*The information regarding the Citi Premier card has expired, and the card is no longer open to applicants.

*The information regarding the Citi Premier card has expired, and the card is no longer open to applicants.

UP’s Bonus Valuation*:

$960

APR

21.24% – 29.24% Variable

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou^® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou^® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.
• Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Other Hotels
• Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
• Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
• 60,000 ThankYou^® Points are redeemable for $600 in gift cards redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
• No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.24% – 29.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Citi ThankYou Rewards

This no annual fee card rewards cardholders for everyday purchases. Earn bonus points at supermarkets and gas stations, plus your points are rounded up on every purchase.

This no annual fee card rewards cardholders for everyday purchases. Earn bonus points at supermarkets and gas stations, plus your points are rounded up on every purchase.

UP’s Bonus Valuation*:

$320

APR

0% intro APR on balance transfers and on purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR of 18.74% – 28.74%.

Good to Excellent Credit Recommended (670-840)

Card Highlights

• Earn 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $200 in gift cards at thankyou.com
• Plus, as a special offer, earn a total of 5 Thank You^® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com through December 31, 2025.*
• 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months from date of first transfer and on purchases from date of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 18.74% – 28.74%, based on your creditworthiness. There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
• Earn 2X ThankYou^® Points at Supermarkets and Gas Stations for the first $6,000 per year and then 1X Points thereafter. Plus, earn 1X ThankYou^® Points on All Other Purchases.
• The Citi Rewards+^® Card – the only credit card that automatically rounds up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase – with no cap.
• No Annual Fee

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% intro APR on balance transfers and on purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR of 18.74% – 28.74%.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each purchase transaction in US dollars

Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!

Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!

APR

0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, then 19.24% – 29.24% Variable

Fair to Excellent (580-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Citi Double Cash^® Card has long been one of the top cash-back credit cards on the market, and the card now has the ability to earn Citi ThankYou Points!

This means that cardholders of the Double Cash card will now earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. Cash back is earned in the form of ThankYou Points. This means each billing cycle, you will earn 1 ThankYou point per $1 spent on purchases and an additional ThankYou point for every $1 paid on your purchase balance as long as there is a corresponding balance in your Purchase Tracker.

Citi has turned the Double Cash card into a top choice for those who are looking for an everyday, no-fuss credit card.

Card Highlights

• Bonus Offer: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou^® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
• Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
• To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
• Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
• Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
• If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
• There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
• Citi Double Cash^® Card Travel Portal Limited Time Offer: Earn a total of 5 ThankYou Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rental, and attractions, excluding air travel, when booked through the Citi Travel^SM portal on ThankYou.com or by calling 1-800-Thankyou and saying “Travel.” Offer is valid through 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET) 12/31/2024.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, then 19.24% – 29.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase

Rewards Center

Citi ThankYou Rewards

Earn big on purchases in your top eligible spend category, up to the first $500 each billing cycle, with no annual fee!

Earn big on purchases in your top eligible spend category, up to the first $500 each billing cycle, with no annual fee!

APR

0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%.

Fair to Excellent (580-850)

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5% cash-back (on up to $500 each billing cycle) from your largest purchase category, including restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, and live entertainment
• No annual fee
• Multiple redemption options

Cons

• Your 5% category is limited to $500 in spend ($25 in cash-back) each month
• Not particularly rewarding for any purchases outside of your top 5% cash-back category

Card Highlights

• Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou^® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
• 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
• Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked via the Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025.
• No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
• No Annual Fee
• Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash^® Card account per person.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3%

Air Canada Aeroplan

Another great program for Star Alliance partner awards is Air Canada Aeroplan. The loyalty program has a published award chart for partner awards, has plenty of partners both in and outside of Star Alliance, allows for stopovers, and does not pass on fuel surcharges on partner awards.

According to Aeroplan’s award chart, the world is broken into 4 distinct regions: North America, the Atlantic, the Pacific, and South America. Award pricing depends on the zones you fly between as well as the overall distance flown. To know exactly how many points your award ticket costs, look at the zones you are flying between.

Here is the award chart for flights between the North America and Pacific zones. Prices are based on distance:

Since distance needs to be counted for Aeroplan awards, it’s important to know how many miles are between the airports you’re flying between. A tool like Great Circle Mapper can show you the exact distance.

According to the award chart, flights within the 5,001-7,500-mile distance band can be booked for 50,000 points in economy or just 75,000 points in business class one-way. This pricing, especially for business class, represents great value. Nonstop flights between Seoul and Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Seattle (SEA), or Las Vegas (LAS) can all be booked at this price.

Here are the steps you need to follow to book online with Aeroplan:

1. Make your way to Air Canada’s homepage.
2. In the top right corner, click Sign in.
3. Log in using your Aeroplan number and password.
4. On the homepage’s search box, remember to toggle the slider that says Points.
5. Select Round-trip or One-way for the trip, fill in the search box, and click Find.
6. Find a suitable flight, redeem your Aeroplan points, and use a credit card to book your Air Canada flight.

Earning Air Canada Aeroplan Points

Air Canada Aeroplan points are incredibly easy to earn, as the program is a transfer partner of American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One Miles, and Marriott Bonvoy.

All programs, except Marriott Bonvoy, transfer to Aeroplan at a 1:1 rate. Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio to Aeroplan, and for every 60,000 Bonvoy points you transfer, you get a 5,000-mile bonus.

Korean Air SKYPASS

Lastly, another program worth looking into is Korean Air’s frequent flyer program, Korean Air SKYPASS. Korean Air is a SkyTeam member alongside companies such as Delta Air Lines, Air France-KLM, and Virgin Atlantic.

The Korean Air Skypass program has multiple award charts, including 1 for Korean Air flight awards and another for SkyTeam flight awards.

When it comes to Korean Air redemptions on Korean Air-operated flights, prices are subject to peak and off-peak pricing. This means that award flights during off-peak dates require fewer miles. Here is the award pricing for Korean Air redemptions between the U.S. and Korea on Korean metal:

Korean Air also has a separate award chart for SkyTeam redemptions. Unlike on Korean Air metal, awards on SkyTeam partners are not subject to seasonal pricing.

Here is the award pricing for Korean Air redemptions between the U.S. and Korea on Delta Air Lines:

Following are some great redemptions you can make:

• Atlanta (ATL) – Seoul (ICN) one-way, during off-peak season in Korean Air business class for 62,500 Korean Air miles and $92 in taxes and fees
• Boston (BOS) – Seoul (ICN) one-way, during off-peak season in Korean Air business class for 62,500 Korean Air miles and $92 in taxes and fees
• Las Vegas (LAS) – Seoul (ICN) one-way, during off-peak season in Korean Air business class for 62,500 Korean Air miles and $92 in taxes and fees
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Seoul (ICN) one-way, during off-peak season, in Korean Air first class for 80,000 Korean Air miles and $92 in taxes and fees
• New York (JFK) – Seoul (ICN) round-trip, during off-peak season, in Korean Air first class for 160,000 Korean Air miles and $277 in taxes and fees
• Seattle (SEA) – Seoul (ICN) one-way, during off-peak season in Korean Air business class for 62,500 Korean Air miles and $92 in taxes and fees

Here are the steps to book an award flight with Korean Air:

1. Search for flights on Air France-KLM or Delta.
2. Confirm the same award availability on Korean Air.
3. Book the award flight online.
4. Pay the taxes and fees.

Hot Tip: Need help booking? Check out our step-by-step guide on booking Korean Air first class.

Earning Korean Air SKYPASS Miles

Earning Korean Air SKYPASS miles is relatively difficult, as the program only has 1 transfer partner: Marriott Bonvoy.

Marriott Bonvoy points transfer at a 3:1 ratio, and transfer times vary but generally take around 2 to 3 days.

Recommended Marriott Bonvoy Cards

A great option for Marriott hotel fans who want a no annual fee card and automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status.

Learn More(at Chase’s secure site)

A great option for Marriott hotel fans who want a no annual fee card and automatic Marriott Bonvoy elite status.

60,000 points + 1 Free Night Award

UP’s Bonus Valuation*:

$770

APR

21.49%–28.49% Variable

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 Bonus Points plus 1 Free Night Award after you spend $2,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Free Night valued at 50,000 points. Certain hotels have resort fees.
• Pay no annual fee with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold^® Credit Card from Chase^®!
• Earn up to 14X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^® with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold^® Card.
• New! Earn 2X points for every $1 spent at grocery stores, rideshare, select food delivery, select streaming, and internet, cable, and phone services.
• 1X point for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
• New! Travel now, pay later – Break up purchases into equal monthly payments with no interest plus no plan fees on qualifying travel purchases. Terms apply.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.49%–28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott loyalists will love this card’s annual Free Night Award, automatic elite status, and up to 17x points per $1 on Marriott hotel stays.

Learn More(at Chase’s secure site)

Marriott loyalists will love this card’s annual Free Night Award, automatic elite status, and up to 17x points per $1 on Marriott hotel stays.

UP’s Bonus Valuation*:

$1,050

APR

21.49%–28.49% Variable

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Card Highlights

• Earn 3 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after qualifying purchases.
• Earn 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining.
• Earn 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend.
• 1 Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary.
• Earn up to 17X total points per $1 spent at thousands of hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^® with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Card.
• Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually, automatic Silver Elite status, and path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each calendar year.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees. Your points don’t expire as long as you make purchases on your card every 24 months.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.49%–28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Marriott Bonvoy

ELEVATED OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card gives you automatic Marriott elite status and helps you earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on your everyday purchases.

Learn More(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.

The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card gives you automatic Marriott elite status and helps you earn more Marriott Bonvoy points on your everyday purchases.

UP’s Bonus Valuation*:

$1,085

APR

20.99%-29.99% Variable

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Card Highlights

• Earn 155,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy^® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
• Earn 4X points at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on up to $15,000 in combined purchases at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets per calendar year, then 2X points).
• Earn 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
• Marriott Bonvoy 1K Bonus Points Per Stay: Earn 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® bonus points per paid eligible stay booked directly with Marriott for properties participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
• With complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elites status, earn up to 2.5X points from Marriott Bonvoy^® on eligible hotel purchases with the 25% Bonus Points on stays benefit, available for Qualifying Rates.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy Free Night Award: Earn 1 Free Night Award after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ Card in a calendar year. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® points) at a hotel participating in Marriott Bonvoy^®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
• 15 Elite Night Credits: Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express Card^® you can receive 15 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy^® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
• Plan It^® is a payment option that lets you split up purchases of $100 or more into equal monthly installments with a fixed fee. Plus, you’ll still earn rewards the way you usually do.
• $250 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

ELEVATED OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.

Learn More(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.

A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.

UP’s Bonus Valuation*:

$1,295

APR

20.99%-29.99% Variable

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Card Highlights

• Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy^® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card at restaurants worldwide.
• With Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
• Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy^® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^®. Earn 3X Marriott Bonvoy^® points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2X Marriott Bonvoy^® points on all other eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card.
• Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy^®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
• Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See for Award options.
• $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton^® or St. Regis^® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck^® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
• Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy^® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
• Enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited airport lounge visits to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
• With Cell Phone Protection, you can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month’s wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• $650 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Marriott Bonvoy

Hot Tip: Need some more inspiration on earning miles? Check out our guide on the best ways to earn lots of Korean Air miles.

Other Options To Fly to Korea

Of course, many other programs can be considered when it comes to award redemptions. These include Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, and British Airways, among others.

However, these programs all have at least 1 major downfall that makes them not worth considering, such as unfavorable redemption rates, dynamic pricing, or even a lack of viable transfer partners.

Final Thoughts

Although cash fares to Asia can be quite expensive, there are tons of ways to book award travel to South Korea. Fortunately, quite a few airlines operate nonstop routes between Seoul and major airports here in the U.S.

As we’ve covered in this article, there are several excellent programs to use to book an award flight to South Korea. Most of the programs covered in this article are within Star Alliance, as partner award rates are some of the best.

When it comes to award redemptions, it’s important to earn transferrable points in currencies such as American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards. These points can transfer to different airline loyalty programs, allowing for more award redemptions.