Korean Air’s First Class Suites Readily Available From 11 U.S. Gateways with Chase and Starwood Points

September 2016
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The Suite: The Kosmo Suite, found on the B777-300ERs, A380s, and B777-200ERs, has a lie-flat seat 79 inches long, 26.5 inches wide, and a 23-inch-wide LCD monitor, although there are no privacy doors.

KoreanAir_FC_Suite_1
Korean Air First Class Suite

The new Kosmo Suite (2.0), currently only on Korean Air’s Boeing 747-800, has sliding doors and a lie-flat seat (79 inches long, 24 inches wide).

Korean Air First Class Suite
New Korean Air First Class Suite

Experience the suites in detail here.

Experience the suites in detail here.

U.S. Routes to/from Asia with the First Class Suite

To/From Seoul: Korean has 11 U.S. departure cities, more than any other Asian airlines: Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Honolulu, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, DC.

Flying to/from beyond Seoul: Korean Air’s destinations in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East can be added for more miles.

High Fare Equals Great Mileage Opportunity

Published First Class Fares: Normally $18,291 round-trip to Seoul from JFK, for example, making this a prime route for using miles.

Mileage Cost: Starts at 160,000 miles round-trip during low season and 240,000 miles in high season (Dec. 9 through Dec. 25, 2016, May 12 through June 30, 2017, and Dec. 8 through Dec. 25, 2017) through Korean Air.

Award Ticket Search: Korean allows searches for First Class space online even if you don’t have an account.

Award Ticket Hold: Up to a month for First Class award space at no charge, allowing time for mileage-transfer. However, that can only be done by calling Korean Air at (800) 438-5000. Family members must be registered to the mileage account to qualify for award travel. Go here for details.

Taxes and Fees on Award Tickets: Only $244 on JFK-Seoul.

Change and Cancellation Fees: None (click here for details) until July 31, 2017. After that, changes to international awards will cost KRW30,000 (about US$27), and cancellation (with mileage redeposit) will cost 3,000 miles.

No Korean Air Miles? No Problem.

Transfer Starwood Points to Korean Air: 130,000 to 200,000 required. Transfer time varies from five to seven days.

Transfer Chase Points to Korean Air: 160,000 to 240,000 required. Transfer time: within a day.

Sweet Redeems Survey: Korean Air First Class to/from Seoul (Two Seat Availability)

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<b>Handful:</b> Our most recent research shows that award space is available for 2 or more people 4 to 8 days during the months indicated. <b>Hopeful:</b> Our most recent research shows that award space is available for 2 or more people 9 to 12 days during the months indicated. <b>Hooray:</b> Our most recent research shows that award space is available for 2 or more people 13 or more days during the months indicated.