Getting to Know the SKYPASS Visa Signature® Card

With the SKYPASS Visa Signature® Card travelers can expect smooth skies and accelerated miles-earning. The card features no foreign transaction fees, travel and emergency support, and the impressive suite of services provides through Visa’s 24/7 Concierge assistance. This card is especially useful for those who frequently travel to either South Korea or other Pacific Rim destinations – including a growing number of west coast US and Canadian cities.

How It Works

Cardholders can expect the following from the SKYPASS Visa Signature® Card:

How to Earn Rewards:

• Fly with Korean Air: Travelers earn 2 miles for every dollar spent on Korean Air ticket purchases.
• Everyday Purchases: Cardholders earn 2 miles for every eligible dollar spent at gas stations and hotels, including Marriott, as well as 1 point for every dollar spent on any other eligible purchase.
• Renewal Reward: Earn 2,000 bonus miles at each renewal period.
• Earn with SkyTeam Partners: Travelers can earn bonus miles when they use their Visa Signature® card at select SkyTeam partners.
• No Cap: There is no cap on the number of bonus miles that members can accrue.
• Expiration: Miles earned do not expire for 10 years.

How to Redeem Miles:

• Travel: Redeeming bonus miles with Korean Air is both simple and straightforward. Cardholders can use their SKYPASS miles to save on select Korean Air flights (with no blackout dates), travel on a Korean Air partner, purchase seat upgrades, or access the exclusive KAL Lounge.
• Hotels: Cardholders can use SKYPASS miles to book stays at select Korean Air hotel partners, including Marriott.
• Rental Car Services: Cardholders can use SKYPASS miles to book rental cars with Korean Air 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 30,000 bonus miles when you spend $3,000 within the first 90 days of opening the account.

The Plane Facts

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

• Annual Fee: The SKYPASS Visa Signature® Card features an annual fee of $95, which is reasonably high, given the availability of miles that can be earned. While the cost isn’t a deal breaker for those who frequently travel to South Korea, for others, a card with equal (or better) rewards and a lower annual fee can be found elsewhere

Airline and Airport Perks:

• Lounge Access: Cardmembers receive 2 complimentary KAL Lounge coupons each year. This providing access to Korean Air’s exclusive and sophisticated lounge.
• Free Checked Bag: The first bag is free on Korean Air flights.
• $50 off Korean Air Flights: Cardholders also receive a $50 off voucher for a Korean Air ticket purchase each year

Cardholder Protections:

• Baggage Insurance Plan: Reimbursement for lost or stolen luggage. This benefit applies only when the entire fare is paid using the card
• Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: Auto rental collision damage is covered when you pay the whole cost of your rental car with the SKYPASS Visa Signature® Card and waive collision protection at the rental counter.
• Global Assistance: 24/7 access to Visa’s bilingual account services, as well as access to Visa Concierge, which provides travel assistance and coordination for any issues that may arise during travel.
• Fraud Protection: Cardholders have 100% protection from any fraudulent or unauthorized purchases made.

Additional Benefits:

• No foreign transaction fees
• Free Access to VantageScore®
• Purchase Protection: Cardholders are protected when an eligible purchase break or suffer damage.
• Entertainment Access: Exclusive access to advance ticket sales for concerts, sports, and other events with Visa Signature.
• Travel and Shopping: Visa Signature® offers exclusive discounts to cardholders at leading hotels, resorts, and retail merchants.

The Perks That Make the SKYPASS Visa Signature® Card Worthwhile

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

• A Generous Intro Bonus Offer: Earn 30,000 bonus miles when you spend $3,000 or more in eligible purchases in the first 90 days.
• Booking Flights: Use miles for ticket purchases for Korean Air, or any partner airlines.
• No Blackout Dates: There are no blackout dates on when miles can be used.
• Additional Rewards: the SKYPASS Visa Signature® Card offers frequent Korean Air passengers with access to the exclusive Korean Air Lounge twice a year. They also have the option of purchasing access using miles. The potential to earn membership in the Morning Calm Clubis another nice perk. Finally, the ability to share miles with family members is a nice touch as well. 
• Multiple Booking Options: SKYPASS allows cardholders to book a round-trip, one-way, and multi-city trips, as well as open-jaw bookings. Additionally, first-class awards are permitted.

Potential Turbulence with the SKYPASS Visa Signature® Card:

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

• Seat Restrictions: Seat restrictions may apply depending on the date and time of certain bookings.
• Partial Miles Cannot Be Used: SKYPASS does not permit redeeming flights with partial miles, adding a restriction on cardholders.
• Additional Charges: Flight booking may be subjected to additional fees, such as fuel surcharges, which are not covered by miles.

Thoughts Before Take-Off

Is the SKYPASS Visa Signature® Card right for you? Well, that depends. While the initial rewards and bonus offers aren’t exceptional, they are competitive. For those who frequently travel to South Korea, however, the ability to earn accelerated miles by flying Korean Air means they can quickly rack up impressive rewards which can be applied to flights, seat upgrades, or a host of other great perks at leading South Korean hotels and attractions. For everyone else, however, the $95 annual fee means better options may be available elsewhere.