What happens to mileage when Korean Air acquires Asiana Airlines? The official answer to the question.

After Korean Air’s plans to take over Asiana Airlines were announced on the 16th, concerns have arisen among consumers about the use of airline mileage. Isn’t the mileage you’ve gained in vain?

If explanations from the government and the aviation industry come together on the 17th, the mileage the two companies operated will be merged into one, but the detailed plans will be released later. “If (Korean Air and Asiana Airlines) are integrated, the mileage is used together,” said Kim Sang-do, head of the department of aviation policy at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Consumer benefits will increase. “

However, after consolidation, the mileage of the two companies is unlikely to be recognized as the same value. This is because Korean Air mileage is currently recognized at a relatively higher value than Asiana’s mileage. In the market, as long as the airline’s mileage is accumulated according to the amount used, Korean Air earns 1 mile for KRW 1,500, while Asiana Airlines earns 1 mile for KRW 1,000.

An official from a credit card company said: “You can understand that Korean Air is the largest airline in Korea and has more bargaining power than Asiana Airlines, such as having more routes that can use mileage.” When boarding an airplane, the accumulated mileage per section is similar. Both Korean Air and Asiana Airlines are roughly equal to 215 miles between Gimpo and Busan, and 6,879 miles and 6,875 miles between Incheon and New York, respectively. Consumers who have already accumulated Korean Air miles may intensify competition for redemption seat reservations and use of affiliate services in the future, resulting in reduced profits.

For consumers who have accumulated Asiana Airlines miles in consideration of the ‘aviation alliance’, the miles may be worthless. Korean Air is currently a member of SkyTeam along with Air France and Delta Air Lines, and Asiana Airlines is a member of Star Alliance, joined by Lufthansa and United Airlines. Consumers can use the mileage accrued with each company to issue airline tickets or receive seat updates within the alliance.

In particular, Star Alliance is not only larger than SkyTeam, but foreign airlines frequently used by domestic consumers, such as Thai Airways, have also joined, and many customers are accumulating Asiana miles for this purpose. Even if mileage is integrated, consumers who have accumulated Asiana Airlines miles are not satisfied with the fact that previously accumulated Asiana Airlines mileage cannot be used properly when traveling abroad.