
South Korea is one of Asia’s most captivating destinations, offering a rich blend of ancient history, vibrant culture, and modern innovation. If you’re looking to experience the beauty of South Korea without breaking the bank, traveling with points and miles can be a fantastic way to make your journey more affordable. In 2025, with the right strategies and planning, you can use frequent flyer miles, credit card points, and travel rewards to cover the cost of flights, accommodations, and even some of your activities. Here’s how to make the most of your points and miles when planning a trip to South Korea.
Choosing the Right Airline for Points Redemption
The first step in your journey is choosing an airline that offers convenient routes to South Korea. Seoul’s Incheon International Airport (ICN) is the primary gateway, and several international airlines service this hub, including:
- Korean Air: As the flagship carrier of South Korea, Korean Air offers numerous routes from the United States, Europe, and other parts of Asia. They are part of the SkyTeam Alliance, so you can redeem miles from other SkyTeam member airlines.
- Asiana Airlines: Another South Korean airline with a large presence at Incheon, Asiana is a member of the Star Alliance, which means you can use miles from various partner airlines to book flights.
- Delta Air Lines: As a member of SkyTeam, Delta offers flights to South Korea and is often a good choice for redeeming points through its SkyMiles program.
- American Airlines: Partnered with both oneworld and other global carriers, American Airlines provides a variety of options for using AAdvantage miles on flights to South Korea.
When planning your flight, look for the best value through your airline’s frequent flyer program or consider transferring points from a flexible credit card program like Chase Ultimate Rewards, American Express Membership Rewards, or Citi ThankYou points.
Using Credit Card Points for Flights to South Korea
Many travelers already earn valuable points through their credit cards, and these points can be transferred to airline partners for flights to South Korea. For example:
- Chase Ultimate Rewards: If you hold a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you can transfer your points to a number of airline partners, including United, British Airways, and Air France, which all have routes to South Korea.
- American Express Membership Rewards: Transfer your points to carriers such as Delta, Air France, or Korean Air for flights to Seoul.
- Citi ThankYou Points: Citi’s ThankYou program also offers transfers to airlines like Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Cathay Pacific, which can connect you to South Korea.
Check for promotions or bonus transfer periods, as they can enhance the value of your points. This could give you extra miles when transferring points to specific airline partners.
Booking Award Flights to South Korea
Once you’ve decided on an airline and accumulated enough points, the next step is booking your award flight. Award flights can often be much cheaper than paying in cash, but they require some strategy to get the best deal:
- Book Early: Award seats to South Korea, especially during peak travel seasons like cherry blossom time in spring or autumn foliage season, tend to fill up quickly. Aim to book your flight several months in advance to ensure availability.
- Be Flexible with Dates: Airfares for award seats can vary depending on the day of the week and time of year. If you have flexibility, try to adjust your travel dates to take advantage of off-peak times or lower-demand flights.
- Use Airline Alliances to Your Advantage: Don’t be limited to just one airline; take advantage of airline alliances like Star Alliance, SkyTeam, and oneworld. These partnerships allow you to book flights with multiple carriers using a single set of miles.
- Look for Sweet Spot Award Routes: Some frequent flyer programs have “sweet spots,” or award routes where you can book a flight for fewer miles. For example, flying to Seoul might be cheaper in miles from certain cities or during certain times of the year.
Maximizing Your Hotel Stays in South Korea with Points
South Korea offers a wide range of hotel options, and you can often use points to stay in comfortable accommodations. Many major hotel chains have properties in Seoul and other cities like Busan, Incheon, and Jeju Island. Some options to consider include:
- Marriott Bonvoy: With hotels like the JW Marriott and Sheraton Grand in Seoul, Marriott offers a wide range of properties where you can redeem your Bonvoy points.
- Hilton Honors: Hilton has several hotels in South Korea, and the Hilton Honors program offers good value for points, especially if you book during off-peak periods.
- World of Hyatt: For luxury options, Hyatt has properties like the Park Hyatt in Seoul and Jeju Island, which are perfect for using your points.
- IHG Rewards Club: With brands like InterContinental and Holiday Inn Express in Seoul, IHG offers plenty of choices for earning and redeeming points.
Make sure to also check for any hotel promotions or credit card offers that provide bonus points for hotel stays, making it easier to accumulate enough points for a free night or two.
Additional Tips for Traveling to South Korea with Points and Miles
- Consider Booking Flights with Stopovers: If you have extra time, consider booking flights that offer stopovers in other cities such as Tokyo, Beijing, or Hong Kong. Some airlines offer free stopover programs that can let you explore another destination on your way to South Korea.
- Use Miles for Upgrades: If you don’t have enough miles for a fully redeemed flight, consider using your points for a seat upgrade. Many airlines allow you to use miles to upgrade to business class, which can be a great way to enhance your experience.
- Take Advantage of Local Transportation: Once in South Korea, use your points or local travel programs for transportation. For example, the T-money card (which can be used on subways, buses, and taxis) can be loaded with cash or even linked to credit cards offering rewards.
Conclusion: Plan Ahead for a Rewarding Trip to South Korea
Traveling to South Korea in 2025 with points and miles can turn your dream trip into a reality without the hefty price tag. By choosing the right airline, utilizing your credit card points, and taking advantage of loyalty programs for flights and accommodations, you can maximize your rewards and make your travel experience more affordable. With careful planning and a strategic approach, your adventure in South Korea awaits—ready to be enjoyed without breaking the bank.