Getting to Know the SKYPASS Visa Secured Card

The SKYPASS Visa Secured Card Is a secured airline reward credit card from U.S. Bank. The card is co-branded with Korean Air, the flagship carrier of South Korea.

Like other secured credit cards, the card is available to those with poor credit or no credit history, with an initial deposit of between $300 to $5,000 – which also served as the credit limit. Unlike other secured credit cards, however, the SKYPASS Visa Secured Card earns miles towards Korean Air’s SKYPASS frequent flyer program.

SKYPASS Visa Secured Cardholders earn 1 mile for every dollar they spend and earn an additional 5,000 bonus SKYPASS miles when they make the first purchase with their new card. On every anniversary, the cardholder also receives 1,000 bonus miles when they renew their membership, which carries an annual fee of $50.

How It Works

Cardholders can expect the following from the SKYPASS Visa Secured Card:

How to Earn Rewards:

• Everyday Purchases: Cardholders earn 1 mile for every dollar they spend on net purchases with their SKYPASS Secured Card.
• Renewal Reward: Earn 1,000 bonus miles at each renewal period.
• No Cap: There is no cap on the number of SKYPASS miles that members can accrue.
• Expiration: SKYPASS do not expire for ten years, allowing cardholders to build up a sizable miles-haul.

How to Redeem Miles:

• Travel: SKYPASS Visa Secured Cardholders can use their SKYPASS miles to save on select Korean Air flights, travel on a SkyTeam partner, purchase seat upgrades, or access the exclusive KAL or SkyTeam lounges worldwide.
• Hotels: Cardholders can use SKYPASS miles to book stays at select Korean Air hotel partners, including Marriott Bonvoy.
• Rental Car Services: Cardholders can also use SKYPASS miles to book rental cars with Korean Air and SkyTeam partners, as well as select limousine services in South Korea.
• Other: SKYPASS members can also redeem miles toward Korean Air merchandise, visits to the Jeju Folk Village Museum, or coatroom access at Incheon Airport.

Today’s Bonus Offer

Earn 5,000 SKYPASS bonus miles when you make your first purchase using the SKYPASS Visa Secured Card.

The Plane Facts

Can you expect a smooth flight from the SKYPASS Visa Secured Card, or will there be turbulence?

• Annual Fee: The card features an annual fee of $50, which is often the case with a secured credit card. While many secured credit cards have an annual fee lower than the $50 yearly cost found on the card, they typically offer no rewards of any type, making the fee for this airline card worthwhile.

 Airline and Airport Perks:

• None, really: The card doesn’t offer any perks that flyers can take advantage of at the airport, such as lounge access, priority boarding, or anything else. While for many cards this would immediately be a disqualifying factor, for a secured credit card the simple fact that the card allows members to earn miles – and offers an initial and yearly miles bonus – is enough of a feature to make this card worthwhile.

Cardholder Protections:

• Baggage Insurance Plan: Reimbursement for lost or stolen luggage when the entire fare is paid using the card
• Travel Insurance: Visa provides $250,000 in travel accident insurance for Visa cardholders.
• Trip Cancellation and Disruption Reimbursement: Cardholders never have to worry of life happens, as the card offers reimbursement for canceled or delayed trips.
• Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: Auto rental collision damage is covered when you pay the whole cost of your rental car with the card and waive collision protection at the rental counter.
• Global Assistance: 24/7 access to Visa’s bilingual account services.
• Fraud Protection: Cardholders have 100% protection from any fraudulent or unauthorized purchases made, including online purchase protections.

Additional Benefits:

• Access to VantageScore® At No Additional Cost
• Smart chip technology

The Perks That Make the SKYPASS Visa Secured Card Worthwhile

What are some of the pros that set this card ahead of the rest?

• Introductory Bonus Offer: Earn 5,000 bonus miles when you spend to make your first purchase.
• No Blackout Dates: There are no blackout dates with Korean Air.
• The Ability to Earn Miles: What makes the card so great is that it allows cardholders to earn miles towards Korean Air and SkyTeam reward flights while building their credit score.

Potential Turbulence with the SKYPASS Visa Secured Card:

What are some cons that take the wind from under this card’s wings?

• None: For what this card is, it offers nothing to be upset about. This card is all about building credit – with the added benefit of getting miles while doing it.

Thoughts Before Takeoff

There isn’t much to say about the SKYPASS Secured Card other than it is an excellent option for those looking to build the foundations for a solid credit future. The SKYPASS Visa Secured Card is like other secured credit cards in that it helps people build credit through timely payments. Unlike other secured cards, however, the card offers bonus miles and an anniversary bonus with continued membership.

Cardholders earn one SKYPASS mile for every dollar they spend.  New members also receive 5,000 bonus miles just for using their card – a great perk – all for just a $50 annual fee.

Rebuilding or establishing a credit score takes time, and often, it can seem like a difficult task. The SKYPASS Visa Secured Card makes building credit easy, providing a bonus in addition to the opportunity to build responsible financial habits.