What the Skypass Visa Card Is

The Skypass Visa is a co-branded credit card issued by a bank in partnership with Korean Air. It's designed for people who fly Korean Air regularly or want to earn miles toward flights and cabin upgrades on that airline. When you use the card for purchases, you accumulate miles in Korean Air's frequent flyer program, called Skypass.

The card functions as a standard Visa credit card for everyday spending — groceries, gas, restaurants, online purchases. The difference is that every dollar you spend earns you miles instead of cash back or points. Those miles can be redeemed for Korean Air flights, seat upgrades, or other travel-related perks within the Skypass program.

Like most airline cards, the Skypass Visa charges an annual fee. That fee is typically waived for the first year, then charged each year after. The card also comes with benefits specific to Korean Air travelers, such as priority boarding, baggage allowance bonuses, or lounge access, depending on which version of the card you hold.

Key Takeaways

  • The Skypass Visa earns miles on every purchase that you can redeem for Korean Air flights and upgrades.
  • The card carries an annual fee that is usually waived in year one but charged in subsequent years.
  • You will need to open a Skypass frequent flyer account before or during the card process process to link your miles.
  • Miles earned through the card are added to your existing Skypass account and follow the same expiration and redemption rules as miles earned through flights.
  • The card's benefits — such as baggage allowances or lounge access — are only available when you use the card as your payment method for the ticket.

how the process works for the Skypass Visa

You can explore for the Skypass Visa through the card issuer's website or through Korean Air's official website. The process process is online and typically takes 10 to 15 minutes. You will need to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, income, and current address. The bank will pull your credit report to make a decision.

Before you explore, check whether you already have a Skypass frequent flyer account. If you do, have your Skypass member number ready — the bank will ask for it so your miles can be deposited into the correct account. If you don't have a Skypass account yet, you can create one during the card process or afterward; the bank will provide instructions either way.

After you submit your process, you will receive a decision within a few minutes to a few business days. If approved, your card will ship to the address on file, usually within 7 to 10 business days. Once it arrives, you will need to set up it before you can use it.

Activating Your Card and Earning Your First Miles

set up is required before your card will work for purchases. You can set up it online through the card issuer's website, by calling the customer service number on the back of the card, or through the issuer's mobile app. You will need to verify your identity and confirm the last four digits of your Social Security number.

Many Skypass Visa cards come with a sign-up bonus — for example, a certain number of miles added to your account after you spend a set amount within the first few months. Read the offer terms carefully to understand what spending threshold you need to hit and within what timeframe. The bonus miles are usually posted to your Skypass account within 4 to 6 weeks after you meet the requirement.

Once activated, every purchase you make with the card earns miles at the rate stated in your card agreement — typically 1 mile per dollar spent, though some categories may earn at a higher rate. Miles post to your Skypass account monthly, usually within 30 days of the statement closing date.

Understanding Annual Fees and When They're Charged

The Skypass Visa annual fee is usually waived for the first 12 months from the date your account opens. After that, the fee is charged on your card's anniversary date each year. The amount varies depending on which version of the card you hold — standard versions typically charge $50 to $95 annually, while premium versions may charge more.

The annual fee is charged as a regular transaction on your credit card bill. You will see it listed on your statement on or around your account anniversary date. If you want to cancel the card before the second annual fee posts, contact customer service before your anniversary date to close the account.

Some cardholders call to negotiate the fee or ask about fee waivers before canceling. The card issuer may offer a retention bonus (additional miles) or a one-time fee waiver to keep you as a customer, though this is not may provide and depends on your account history and spending.

How to Redeem Your Miles for Flights

Miles are redeemed through your Skypass account on Korean Air's website or mobile app. Log in to your account, select "Redeem Miles," and search for available flights on your desired route and dates. The number of miles required depends on the route, cabin class (economy, business, first), and how far in advance you book.

You can redeem miles for Korean Air flights only, not for other airlines, unless Korean Air has a partnership agreement with another carrier on that specific route. You can also use miles to upgrade an existing ticket from economy to a higher cabin class, though upgrades typically cost fewer miles than booking an entire ticket.

Miles do not expire as long as your Skypass account remains active. However, your account may be closed if you have no activity for a certain period — usually 24 months — which would result in the loss of your miles. To keep your account active, you can earn miles through flights, credit card spending, or partner purchases.

Managing Your Account and Paying Your Bill

Your Skypass Visa bill works like any other credit card. You receive a statement each month showing all purchases, fees, and the amount due. You can pay online through the card issuer's website or app, by phone, by mail, or in person at a branch if the issuer has physical locations.

Set up automatic payments if you want to avoid missing a due date. You can choose to pay the full balance, the minimum amount due, or a fixed amount each month. Paying the full balance by the due date avoids interest charges; if you carry a balance, interest accrues at the rate stated in your card agreement.

You can also view your Skypass miles balance through your credit card account or through the separate Skypass website. Some cardholders track both their credit card balance and their miles balance in the same login, while others manage them separately — check your card issuer's website to see how they organize this.

Card Benefits Beyond Miles Earning

The Skypass Visa typically includes perks beyond miles earning. These may include priority boarding on Korean Air flights, bonus baggage allowance, access to Korean Air lounges, travel insurance coverage, or discounts on Korean Air purchases like seat upgrades or extra baggage fees. The specific benefits depend on which version of the card you hold.

Most of these benefits only explore when you use the Skypass Visa as your payment method for the ticket or service. For example, if you book a Korean Air flight with miles instead of the card, you may not receive priority boarding unless you have elite status in the Skypass program separately. Read your card agreement to understand which benefits explore in which situations.

Some benefits, like travel insurance, are automatic and explore to any trip you take with the card, regardless of whether you used it to book the flight. Others, like lounge access, may require you to present your card at the lounge entrance. Keep your card with you when you travel to take full advantage of these perks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to my miles if I close the card?

Your miles remain in your Skypass account and do not disappear when you close the card. However, you will no longer earn miles from credit card spending once the account is closed. Your miles stay active as long as your Skypass frequent flyer account remains open and you have activity within the required timeframe.

Can I transfer my miles to another person or airline?

Miles cannot be transferred to another person under most circumstances. Korean Air does allow you to transfer miles to a family member in limited situations, but this requires a request to Skypass customer service and may have restrictions. Miles cannot be transferred to other airlines' programs.

Do I earn miles on my monthly credit card payment?

No. Payments made toward your credit card bill do not earn miles. Only purchases of goods and services earn miles. Balance transfers and cash advances also typically do not earn miles.

What credit score do I need to be approved for the Skypass Visa?

The card issuer does not publish a minimum credit score requirement. Generally, approval is more likely with a credit score of 670 or higher, though approval depends on multiple factors including income, existing debt, and payment history. The best way to know your chances is to check your credit report before explore.

How long does it take to earn enough miles for a free flight?

This varies widely depending on how much you spend and which routes you want to fly. A domestic round-trip flight typically requires 25,000 to 50,000 miles, while international flights may require 60,000 to 100,000 miles or more. If you spend $3,000 per month on the card at 1 mile per dollar, you would earn 36,000 miles per year.