If you hold Asiana Airlines mileage, you are probably wondering what will happen to it. When the merged Korean Air launches on December 17, 2026, the mileage of both airlines will be combined into one, so knowing the conversion rates, validity periods, and elite tier changes in advance will help you use your miles without loss. In this article, any difficult or unfamiliar airline and mileage terms will be explained one sentence at a time so they are easy to understand.
1. FTC Approval Background and Integration Schedule Explained
The Korea Fair Trade Commission (hereafter FTC) approved Korean Air's mileage integration plan with Asiana Airlines on September 14, 2026, and Korean Air officially announced it on Tuesday, September 15. This means the plan to combine the two airlines' mileage received final government approval.
This approval follows the condition set when the FTC conditionally approved the two airlines' business combination in May 2022, requiring separate approval of the mileage integration plan before it takes effect. This means that while the merger itself was approved earlier, the mileage portion needed additional review to protect consumers.
Korean Air submitted the integration plan to the FTC on June 12, 2025, and then spent about 15 months reviewing ways to maximize consumer benefit. This means the plan was not finalized right after submission, but refined through lengthy discussions.
The two airlines' mileage will be integrated starting December 17, 2026, the merger date when the merged Korean Air launches. This means that from that day, the mileage of both airlines will be managed in a single account.
[Key Terms Explained]
Mileage: Airline points earned when using flights or partner services, which can later be used for award tickets or seat upgrades.
Business Combination: When two or more companies merge into one through means such as merger or acquisition; if it significantly affects market competition, it requires FTC review.
2. Asiana Mileage 10-Year Retention and Conversion Choice Explained
From the launch of the merged Korean Air, newly earned mileage will accrue only as Korean Air SKYPASS mileage. This means that all accrual after the merger is unified under Korean Air standards, and Asiana mileage can only be used, not newly earned.
Existing Asiana Club mileage will be transferred to your Korean Air account and operated separately as "former Asiana mileage" for 10 years from the merger date. This means the mileage you hold will not disappear immediately, and a 10-year grace period is guaranteed.
Former Asiana mileage can be used until the validity period set at the time of initial accrual. This means that apart from the 10-year separate operation period, you must also check the original expiration date set for each mile.
Customers can choose to keep and use Asiana mileage as is, or convert it to Korean Air SKYPASS mileage at a time of their choosing. This means consumers themselves can decide when to convert.
However, once you request conversion, your entire mileage balance is converted at once. This means it is not converted in parts; the moment you convert, all your Asiana mileage becomes Korean Air mileage.
[Key Terms Explained]
SKYPASS: The name of Korean Air's mileage program, which becomes the standard account managing both airlines' mileage after the merger.
Asiana Club: The mileage membership program operated by Asiana Airlines, managed separately as "former Asiana mileage" for 10 years after the merger.
3. Elite Tier Auto-Matching and New Morning Calm Select Explained
Asiana Airlines' elite membership program will be automatically matched to Korean Air's elite tiers, and existing elite qualification periods will be maintained. This means the tier benefits earned with Asiana will continue at a comparable level after the merger.
In particular, Asiana elite members' status is arranged to be maintained for two years after the merger. This means tiers will not suddenly disappear right after the merger, giving members at least a two-year adjustment period.
To this end, in addition to its existing three tiers (Million Miler, Morning Calm Premium, Morning Calm), Korean Air is creating and operating a new Morning Calm Select tier offering SkyTeam Elite Plus benefits. This means one more tier was created to accurately match Asiana elite members.
As a result, the merged Korean Air's elite membership program expands to a total of four tiers. This means the tier ranges are more finely divided, allowing benefits to be tailored more precisely to each member.
[Key Terms Explained]
Elite Member: A higher-tier member who receives extra benefits such as lounge access and priority seating for using flights above a certain threshold.
SkyTeam Elite Plus: The top elite status of "SkyTeam," the airline alliance Korean Air belongs to, offering premium benefits such as lounge access at any member airline.
4. Conversion Rate 1:1 and 1:0.82 Calculation Explained
The conversion rate is split into two, distinguishing flight-earned mileage from partner-earned mileage. This means the conversion rate differs depending on how the mileage was earned.
Flight-earned mileage is converted at 1:1, considering that both airlines' accrual standards are similar. This means Asiana mileage earned by flying becomes Korean Air mileage with no loss.
Partner-earned mileage is converted at 1:0.82, reflecting a review of the actual cost consumers spent to earn it. This means mileage earned through credit cards and the like changes to 82 miles per 100 miles.
For example, 100,000 Asiana miles earned through partners convert to about 82,000 Korean Air miles. This means the final number of miles can vary depending on the timing and method of conversion, so it is best to calculate in advance.
[Key Terms Explained]
Flight Mileage: Mileage earned by actually boarding a flight, based on distance and fare; the most basic type accrued by an airline.
Partner Mileage: Mileage earned through non-flight methods such as credit card use or partner stores; the 1:0.82 rate applies to it in this merger.
5. Award Seat and Route Expansion Explained
The share of seats available for mileage was expanded through discussions with the FTC so consumers get more opportunities. This means safeguards were put in place so the number of mileage-bookable seats does not shrink after the merger.
Korean Air decided to maintain mileage award seats at or above the pre-merger award boarding record. This means it is a promise to prevent mileage seats from becoming fewer than before.
In particular, for long-haul main routes such as the Americas, Europe, and Oceania, it plans to provide seats at or above the highest award boarding record of the past 10 years. This means it will open more mileage seats on popular long-haul routes that are hard to book.
Also, after the merger, mileage usage will be managed at a level about 20% or more above the combined annual total usage of both airlines' members before the merger. This means overall opportunities to use mileage will increase compared to before.
Asiana mileage can also be used to purchase Korean Air tickets, and even Korean Air's exclusive routes are added to the eligible list. This means you can now travel with mileage even to destinations Asiana did not serve.
[Key Terms Explained]
Award Seat: A ticket seat that can be booked with mileage rather than cash; since the number is limited, competition is fierce on popular routes.
Long-haul Main Route: Major international routes with long flight times and high demand, such as the Americas, Europe, and Oceania.
6. Mileage Integration Guide Site and Key Summary Explained
Korean Air opened a "Mileage Integration Guide Site (oneskypass.koreanair.com)" on September 15 to provide detailed information. This means you can directly check tier matching, conversion rates, validity periods, and more in one place.
The table below summarizes the key contents of this integration plan at a glance.
Table explanation: The first row means the FTC approved on September 14 and Korean Air announced on September 15. The second row means the integrated mileage system applies from the December 17, 2026 launch. The third row means existing Asiana mileage is preserved separately for 10 years. The fourth row means mileage earned by flying converts at 1:1 with no loss, and the fifth row means mileage earned via cards and partners converts at 1:0.82. The sixth row means Asiana elite members are automatically linked to Korean Air tiers, kept for two years, with a new tier added; and the last row means opportunities to use mileage after the merger increase by about 20% or more.
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Explained
Q1. Will Asiana mileage disappear immediately after the merger?
No. It is operated separately as "former Asiana mileage" for 10 years from the merger date. This means you can use or convert it within 10 years without rushing.
Q2. Once 10 years pass, can I keep using it regardless of the validity period?
No, each mileage can only be used until the validity period set at the time of initial accrual. This means that apart from the 10-year separate operation, you must check each mile's original expiration date.
Q3. Can I keep using Asiana mileage without converting it?
Yes, you can use it for award tickets and seat upgrades under the existing Asiana redemption chart. This means conversion is a choice, not an obligation.
Q4. Why is the conversion rate split?
Mileage earned by flying applies at 1:1, and mileage earned via partners at 1:0.82. This means the rates were set differently to reflect the actual cost of earning the mileage.
Q5. Can I convert only part of my mileage?
No, once you request conversion, your entire balance is converted at once. This means you must decide carefully before pressing the conversion button.
Q6. What happens to my Asiana elite tier?
It is automatically matched to a Korean Air tier, kept for two years after the merger, and linked to the new Morning Calm Select tier if needed. This means your existing benefit level continues for a while without a separate application.
Q7. Will the routes I can use mileage on decrease?
On the contrary, even Korean Air's exclusive routes are added, widening your choices. This means you can now use mileage for destinations Asiana did not serve.
* The above is organized based on the FTC approval date, and details may change afterward, so please check the latest information on Korean Air's official guide site (oneskypass.koreanair.com) before use.
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