Korean Air’s SKYPASS is the airline’s frequent flyer program designed to reward loyal customers with benefits and privileges. Within the SKYPASS program, there are different membership tiers based on the frequency and distance of your travel. One of the elite tiers is Morning Calm, which provides exclusive perks for frequent travelers. This guide will cover the details about the Morning Calm membership, including eligibility requirements, benefits, and partners associated with the program.
What is Morning Calm Membership?
Morning Calm is one of the elite membership tiers in the Korean Air SKYPASS program. Named after the “Land of Morning Calm” moniker often used for Korea, this membership tier is designed for travelers who fly frequently but may not reach the top-tier thresholds. The Morning Calm membership offers a variety of benefits, including priority services, extra baggage allowance, and access to exclusive lounges.
Requirements for Morning Calm Membership
To qualify for Morning Calm membership, SKYPASS members must meet one of the following requirements:
- Flight Mile Requirement: Accumulate at least 50,000 flight miles on Korean Air and its SkyTeam partner airlines within a two-year period.
- Flight Segment Requirement: Complete 40 qualifying flights on Korean Air and its SkyTeam partners within two years.
Once these requirements are met, a member is upgraded to Morning Calm status, which is valid for two years. After that period, requalification is necessary based on flight activity.
Benefits of Morning Calm Membership
Morning Calm membership provides numerous perks, making travel more comfortable and convenient. These benefits include:
- Priority Check-in: Morning Calm members enjoy priority check-in at designated counters, reducing wait times at the airport.
- Increased Baggage Allowance: Members receive an additional 10kg of free baggage allowance on top of the standard baggage limit.
- Access to Morning Calm Lounges: Morning Calm members have access to Korean Air’s exclusive Morning Calm Lounges, where they can relax and enjoy complimentary refreshments while waiting for their flights.
- Priority Boarding: Members are granted priority boarding, allowing them to board the aircraft earlier and settle in comfortably before the general boarding process begins.
- Priority Waitlist: If a flight is fully booked, Morning Calm members receive priority on the waitlist for their preferred flight.
- Mileage Redemption Discounts: Morning Calm members may occasionally receive discounts on mileage redemption for flights or upgrades.
- Extended Mileage Validity: The validity of SKYPASS miles is extended for Morning Calm members, offering more flexibility in using accumulated miles.
SKYPASS Partners and How to Earn Miles
SKYPASS offers a wide range of partners, including airlines, hotels, car rental companies, and financial institutions, enabling members to accumulate miles through various transactions and activities. Here’s a breakdown of the key partners and how to earn miles with them:
1. Airline Partners
Korean Air is a member of the SkyTeam alliance, so you can earn miles by flying with any of the following partner airlines:
- Aeroflot
- Aerolíneas Argentinas
- Aeroméxico
- Air Europa
- Air France
- Alitalia
- China Airlines
- China Eastern Airlines
- Czech Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Garuda Indonesia
- Kenya Airways
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- Middle East Airlines
- Saudia
- TAROM
- Vietnam Airlines
- XiamenAir
Miles are earned based on the distance flown and the fare class of the ticket purchased. Premium cabins and higher fare classes typically earn more miles.
2. Hotel Partners
You can also earn SKYPASS miles by staying at participating hotels. Here are some of the key hotel partners:
- AccorHotels (Novotel, Sofitel, etc.)
- Best Western Hotels & Resorts
- Hilton Hotels & Resorts
- Hyatt Hotels & Resorts
- InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)
- Marriott Bonvoy (Marriott, Sheraton, Westin, etc.)
- Radisson Hotels & Resorts
- Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts
To earn miles, you must provide your SKYPASS membership number when booking or checking into the hotel. The number of miles earned varies depending on the hotel brand and rate booked.
3. Car Rental Partners
SKYPASS members can accumulate miles by renting cars from the following partners:
- Avis
- Budget
- Hertz
- Sixt
Typically, you can earn between 500 to 1,000 miles per rental. Be sure to provide your SKYPASS number when making a reservation.
4. Financial Partners
Korean Air partners with several credit card issuers in various countries. By using co-branded credit cards, you can earn SKYPASS miles for every dollar spent. Some of the key financial partners include:
- Korean Air credit cards issued by major banks in South Korea (e.g., Shinhan Bank, Woori Bank, etc.)
- U.S.-based SKYPASS credit cards issued by U.S. Bank
These cards often come with sign-up bonuses, additional miles for spending in certain categories, and other travel-related perks.
5. Shopping and Dining Partners
Korean Air has a network of retail and dining partners where members can earn miles by shopping or dining. Some key partners include:
- Lotte Duty-Free
- Shilla Duty-Free
- HanaTour
- Major restaurants and cafes in South Korea
Members can accumulate miles by making purchases at these outlets and providing their SKYPASS number during payment.
How to Earn SKYPASS Miles
To earn SKYPASS miles, you need to participate in the following activities:
- Flying on Korean Air or SkyTeam Partners: As previously mentioned, flying is the primary way to accumulate miles. The more you fly, the more miles you earn.
- Using Partner Hotels: When booking with partner hotels, you can earn miles by providing your SKYPASS number during the reservation or check-in process.
- Car Rentals: Renting a car from partner companies also enables you to earn miles. Always provide your SKYPASS number when making a reservation.
- Using Co-branded Credit Cards: Every dollar spent using a co-branded SKYPASS credit card will earn you miles. Make sure to use these cards for everyday purchases to maximize your earnings.
- Shopping and Dining: Shopping at partner retailers or dining at affiliated restaurants will allow you to collect miles. Present your SKYPASS number at the time of purchase.
Korean Air’s SKYPASS Morning Calm membership offers a range of exclusive privileges that make travel more convenient and rewarding. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or someone who travels a few times a year, the benefits of this elite tier can significantly enhance your travel experience. Additionally, the program’s extensive network of airline, hotel, car rental, financial, and retail partners offers numerous opportunities to accumulate miles, ensuring you can enjoy the perks of membership both in the air and on the ground.