To convert or not: what Asiana miles holders need to know about the merger

Nearly one year and nine months after Korean Air began its acquisition of Asiana Airlines, the mileage integration plan has cleared the Korea Fair Trade Commission. The core of the plan is to manage Asiana miles separately for 10 years after the merger while allowing customers to use them on all Korean Air routes under existing terms.

Customers may also convert their Asiana miles into Korean Air miles. Miles earned through flights will convert at a 1-to-1 ratio, while those accumulated through credit cards and other partner affiliates will convert at a rate of 1 to 0.82. Customers who choose not to convert will automatically retain their Asiana miles — no separate application required — and can continue using them to purchase bonus tickets or upgrade seats.

The integration plan is set to take effect around Dec. 17, when the two carriers merge into a single legal entity, following procedural steps including amendments to airline terms and conditions. Until the corporate merger is complete, each airline will continue operating its current mileage system as before.

Starting Tuesday afternoon, Korean Air will open a dedicated mileage conversion information site on its homepage, providing customers with details on their individual mileage balances, usage history and conversion-related information.

The Fair Trade Commission said the advantages and disadvantages of converting to Korean Air miles will vary depending on each customer's mileage balance and usage patterns, and encouraged customers to compare their options using individual simulations to be made available later.

The following is a question-and-answer summary of the Fair Trade Commission's explanation of the mileage integration plan submitted by Korean Air.

When does the unified mileage system take effect?

It will take effect when Korean Air and Asiana Airlines merge into a single legal entity. The merger is currently scheduled for around Dec. 17, 2026. Necessary procedures, including amendments to airline terms and conditions, will be completed beforehand. Until the corporate merger, both airlines will continue operating their respective mileage systems as they currently stand.

Do Asiana customers need to apply separately to keep their existing miles?

No. Without any action, Asiana miles will remain as they are. Customers who wish to convert their miles to Korean Air miles, or to have their frequent-flyer status recalculated under Korean Air's membership tier system, will need to submit a separate application.

What is the conversion rate for switching to Korean Air miles?

It depends on how the miles were earned. Miles accumulated through flights convert at a 1-to-1 ratio, while those earned through credit cards and other partner affiliates convert at 1 to 0.82. For example, 100 Asiana miles earned from flights become 100 Korean Air miles, while 100 miles earned through partner affiliates become 82 Korean Air miles.

How do customers apply for the conversion?

Starting Tuesday afternoon, Korean Air will operate a dedicated mileage conversion information site accessible through both airlines' homepages and will also notify customers by email. A separate menu will be set up so Asiana customers can check their mileage balances and usage history.

Actual conversion applications will only be accepted after the two airlines merge. Once a customer applies following the announced procedures, processing is expected to be completed within five business days.

If a customer has a large Asiana mileage balance, is it better to convert to Korean Air miles?

It is difficult to say one option is universally better, as circumstances differ for each customer. Customers should compare the benefits they would receive by converting to Korean Air miles against those of keeping their existing Asiana miles. Korean Air plans to provide simulations so customers can directly compare both options.

Why was 10 years chosen as the separate management period for Asiana miles?

The decision reflects the standard 10-year validity period for airline miles. The commission determined that 10 years of separate management after the merger date is necessary to guarantee the existing validity period even for Asiana miles accumulated just before the merger.

Can customers convert only a portion of their Asiana miles to Korean Air miles?

Partial conversion is not permitted because the conversion process requires recalculating a customer's membership tier. Allowing customers to convert miles in multiple installments would require repeated tier recalculations, which could create operational confusion.

Does the validity period of miles change depending on whether a customer converts?

The existing validity period of Asiana miles will be honored as-is. Even if miles with a set expiration date are converted to Korean Air miles, the original 10-year validity period will not be extended.

Permanent miles will continue to be recognized as permanent after the merger. If converted to Korean Air miles, Korean Air will manage them as permanent miles. Permanent miles that are not converted will be managed separately as Asiana miles for 10 years, after which any remaining balance will be transferred to Korean Air miles at the established conversion rate and managed permanently.

After the merger, can customers still use Asiana miles on Star Alliance partner airlines?

From the merger date, Asiana miles will no longer be usable on Star Alliance member airlines. However, for tickets already purchased, some partner airlines may allow travel after the merger date depending on their own policies. Customers can check the specifics through the notices section of the Asiana Airlines website.

Is there a risk that Korean Air will reduce mileage benefits after the merger?

Any such changes are restricted under the Fair Trade Commission's merger approval conditions. Even after the unified mileage system takes effect, the initially approved mileage program cannot be changed in ways that disadvantage consumers for 10 years from the date the merger is completed. The measure is designed to prevent Korean Air — which will in effect become a monopoly operator — from unilaterally cutting mileage benefits and harming consumer interests.