Asiana flight miles convert 1-to-1, redemption safeguards last 10 years

Korean Air aircraft are parked at Gimpo Airport on Sept. 8. (Yonhap)
Korean Air aircraft are parked at Gimpo Airport on Sept. 8. (Yonhap)

South Korea’s antitrust regulator approved Korean Air’s plan to merge its frequent-flyer program with Asiana Airlines’ on Tuesday, clearing the last major hurdle before the carriers become a single legal entity on Dec. 17.

The decision determines how customers can use miles representing about 4.07 trillion won ($3 billion) in combined accounting liabilities. As of the end of June, Korean Air had recognized 3.12 trillion won in deferred revenue tied to unused miles, while Asiana had recorded 946.8 billion won.

The approval followed 15 months of negotiations after Korean Air submitted its initial plan to the Korea Fair Trade Commission in June 2025. The proposal underwent four rounds of revisions as regulators sought safeguards against a potential decline in redemption opportunities once competition between the two loyalty programs disappears.

The commission said the final plan protects Asiana customers’ interests while balancing those of both carriers. The integrated mileage framework will take effect on the merger date.

Under the approved terms, Asiana miles earned from flights will convert into Korean Air miles at a 1-to-1 ratio. Miles accumulated through partner programs, including co-branded credit cards, will convert at a ratio of 0.82 Korean Air mile for every Asiana mile.

Asiana members will not be required to convert immediately. Those who retain their existing miles may continue using them under Asiana’s current terms for 10 years, with access expanded to Korean Air’s full network.

Any Asiana miles remaining at the end of the 10 years will automatically convert into Korean Air miles at the applicable ratio.

Asiana’s five elite membership tiers will also be mapped onto corresponding Korean Air levels. A new tier will be created to accommodate members in Asiana’s third- and fourth-highest categories.

Members who convert their accounts will have their flight records with both airlines reviewed together. Those whose combined record meets the requirements for a higher Korean Air tier will be upgraded accordingly.

The FTC said the revised plan would substantially expand opportunities for customers to redeem their miles.

Korean Air must maintain the availability of award seats on long-haul routes to the Americas, Europe and Oceania at or above 2023 levels — the highest recorded over the past decade — for 10 years.

The carrier must also increase total mileage redemption across the two loyalty programs in stages. Redemption must reach at least 106 percent of the 2025 level in 2027 and 2028, rising to 121 percent between 2030 and 2036.

Rules governing payments combining cash and miles will also be relaxed. The minimum mileage threshold will fall from 500 miles to 100, while the maximum share of a fare payable with miles will rise from 30 percent to 40 percent.

Korean Air must also double the number of nonflight products available for fewer than 2,000 miles, giving customers more options to use small balances that might otherwise expire.

Asiana miles will become redeemable for Korean Air tickets, expanding their use beyond routes operated by Asiana or shared by the two carriers to destinations served exclusively by Korean Air.

The plan also requires Korean Air to launch an online system by the merger date showing Asiana members how many Korean Air miles they would receive and which elite tier they would qualify for before deciding whether to convert.

“Building on the mileage integration plan, we will continue expanding customers’ convenience and choice in how they use their miles,” a Korean Air official said.

The FTC will establish an implementation oversight committee to monitor Korean Air’s compliance. The panel will track indicators including award-seat availability, mileage redemption performance and the management of the combined loyalty program.

“We expect the plan to produce a meaningful increase in mileage redemption opportunities for customers of both Korean Air and Asiana Airlines,” the commission said.


minmin@heraldcorp.com