The Asiana Airlines Credit Card is a popular financial product for travelers who frequently fly with Asiana Airlines and its partner carriers. By offering rewards in the form of miles earned on every dollar spent, this card allows users to accumulate points that can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related perks. In this review, we will carefully analyze the features of the Asiana credit card, including rewards rate, bonus offers, and fees, to help you determine if it’s the right financial tool for your needs.
Asiana Airlines is a South Korean airline that has grown in popularity among international travelers over the years. In partnering with Bank of America and American Express for their co-branded credit card, Asiana offers its loyal customers an additional way to earn miles and enjoy exclusive benefits. The card carries an annual fee of $99, and the current bonus offer is the opportunity to earn 5,000 Asiana Airlines miles. The ongoing rewards rate for purchases made with this card is 1 mile per $1 spent.
While the Asiana Airlines Credit Card may be attractive to Asiana Airlines frequent flyers, it is essential to consider an individual’s spending habits and travel preferences before committing to any financial product. As this article continues, we will delve deeper into the benefits and potential drawbacks of this credit card to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of its value and utility for various customers.
Asiana Credit Card Overview
Credit Card Features
The Asiana Airlines Visa Signature card offers a range of features to cardholders, including a generous rewards program specifically tailored towards frequent Asiana Airlines flyers. Some key features include:
- Introductory APR: 0% APR for 15 months on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening. After this period, a variable APR ranging from 20.74% to 29.74% will be applied.
- Rewards: Earn bonus miles when flying with Asiana Airlines, allowing you to save on future flights.
- Elite check-in: As a cardholder, you’ll have access to the elite check-in counter when flying Asiana.
- Annual fee: The card comes with a $99 annual fee.
Asiana Airlines Visa Signature Card
When you apply for the Asiana credit card, you’ll be given the Visa Signature version of the card. This provides a series of additional benefits specific to Asiana Airlines, enhancing your travel experience and giving you extra perks when flying with this airline:
- Business-class lounge tickets: Upon approval, you will receive two business-class lounge tickets to use at Asiana lounges in Korea.
- Bonus miles certificate: You can redeem your bonus miles certificate at the end of your cardmembership year.
- Fast track to elite status: Asiana Club miles earned with the card can contribute to faster achievement of elite status.
It is important to note that the card’s benefits are specifically geared towards frequent Asiana Airlines travelers, and might not be the best choice for those who rarely fly with the airline. However, if Asiana Airlines is a primary airline choice for you, the Asiana credit card can become a valuable tool for enhancing your travel experience and saving on future flights.
Benefits and Rewards
Earning Asiana Club Miles
With the Asiana Airlines credit card, you can earn Asiana Club Miles on your everyday purchases. You will earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all purchases. These miles can be accumulated and later used for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related benefits with Asiana Airlines and their partner airlines.
Bonus Miles and Welcome Bonus
The Asiana Airlines credit card offers a welcome bonus of 5,000 Asiana Airlines miles after your first purchase. This bonus is a great way to jump-start your Asiana Club miles balance, and can be used toward flight bookings, cabin upgrades, or other travel-related rewards.
Reward Categories
The Asiana Airlines credit card rewards you with miles on various spending categories:
- Asiana Airlines purchases: For every dollar spent directly with Asiana Airlines, you’ll earn 3x miles, making it an excellent choice for frequent flyers on this airline.
- Other purchases: For all other purchases, the card offers a standard earning rate of 1 mile per $1 spent.
It’s important to note that while the Asiana Airlines credit card does offer a rewards program, it comes with an annual fee of $99. This should be taken into consideration when determining if the card’s benefits and rewards align with your spending habits and travel needs.
Redeeming Rewards and Loyalty Program
Asiana Club Loyalty Program
The Asiana Club Loyalty Program is the frequent flyer program for Asiana Airlines, which is based in South Korea. Members earn miles when flying with Asiana Airlines or their Star Alliance partners. These miles can be used for various rewards, including free flights and upgrades.
Award Charts and Redemption Rates
The Asiana Club uses a traditional award chart with fixed mile redemption rates for various travel classes and regions. However, these rates can vary widely depending on the destination and partner airline. The award miles required for a free flight in economy class may start from around 20,000 miles and go up to more than 100,000 miles for flying in premium class.
For award redemption, members should be aware of additional taxes and fees, which can differ based on the route, airline, and fare class. Remember to check for any possible blackout dates that might apply while redeeming miles.
Partner Awards and Star Alliance
Asiana Airlines is a member of the Star Alliance, one of the largest global airline networks. This means members can earn and redeem miles with all participating Star Alliance carriers, including Lufthansa, Korean Air, and more.
Partner award redemption typically involves higher mileage requirements compared to Asiana Airlines’ own flights. However, it provides the opportunity to access a broader global network of destinations and flights.
Miles and Points Transferability
While earning miles through the Asiana Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card helps in boosting your mileage balance, the loyalty program itself does not have any major U.S. bank transfer partners. This limits the transferability of miles and points from other reward programs, which could restrict your options to accumulate or redeem miles easily.
Overall, the Asiana Club Loyalty Program offers considerable benefits for those who frequently fly with Asiana Airlines and its Star Alliance partners. However, the lack of transfer partners and potential sky-high redemption rates on partner awards may lead some to look elsewhere for a more flexible loyalty program.
Using the Asiana Credit Card for Travel
Travel Benefits and Perks
The Asiana Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card offers a variety of travel benefits for cardholders. When booking flights with Asiana Airlines or their Star Alliance partners, such as United Airlines, travelers can earn bonus miles on their purchases. Additionally, cardholders have access to a range of travel partners, including Hyatt and other hotel chains. The card also provides 10,000 bonus miles upon renewal and two annual lounge passes for a more comfortable pre-flight experience.
Foreign Transaction Fees
One feature to consider when using the Asiana Credit Card for travel abroad is the absence of foreign transaction fees. This means that cardholders can make purchases outside the United States without incurring additional charges. It’s especially beneficial for those traveling to South Korea, Canada, or other international destinations.
Priority Boarding
While the card does not explicitly offer priority boarding benefits, the miles earned can be redeemed for award flights with Asiana Airlines and other Star Alliance members. You may also utilize your miles to level up in the Asiana Club loyalty program, potentially unlocking priority boarding for future trips. Keep in mind that fuel surcharges may apply for certain award flights, so it’s essential to research your travel plans in advance.
Overall, the Asiana Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card offers a range of travel-related benefits that can appeal to frequent travelers, especially those loyal to Asiana Airlines and its partners.
Comparing the Asiana Credit Card to Other Credit Cards
Recommended Credit Score and Fees
The Asiana Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card is a solid choice for frequent Asiana Airlines flyers, but it’s essential to understand the recommended credit score and associated fees before applying. The card is typically suited for individuals with a good to excellent credit score, meaning a score in the range of 670-850.
Keep in mind that the Asiana Credit Card comes with a $99 annual fee. Additionally, the balance transfer fee is 4% of the amount of each transfer. Cash advance APR for this card is subject to the issuer’s terms.
Comparison to Competing Cards
When comparing the Asiana Credit Card to other credit cards, consider factors such as rewards earned on everyday spending, benefits for frequent flyers, and any available promotional offers.
- Gas and grocery store rewards: The Asiana Credit Card offers 1 mile per $1 spent on all purchases. Some competing cards, such as cashback credit cards, may offer higher rewards rates for everyday spending categories like gas and groceries.
- Bonus intro APR: The Asiana Credit Card does not offer a bonus intro APR. For those interested in a card with a promotional APR on purchases or balance transfers, consider exploring other card options.
- Airline benefits: The Asiana Credit Card provides some airline-specific benefits, such as business-class lounge tickets and elite check-in. Make sure to compare these benefits to those offered by other airline credit cards or general travel rewards cards.
To find the best-fit card for your needs, take a simple quiz that evaluates your spending habits and travel preferences. This will help you compare the Asiana Credit Card to competing cards in the market and make an informed decision.
Additional Advantages and Considerations
Discounts and Benefits with Partners
Asiana Airlines has partnered with various airlines, including ANA. Asiana Club members can enjoy benefits when flying with these partners, such as priority check-in, priority boarding, and access to airport lounges. Members can also earn and redeem miles when flying with partner airlines.
Additionally, Asiana Airlines has partnerships with hotels, car rental companies, and dining establishments. Cardholders can enjoy discounts and special offers, further enhancing their travel experience. Some partners may also allow cardholders to earn additional Asiana Club miles when using the Asiana Airlines Visa Signature credit card for payments.
Common Expenses and Asiana Credit Card Usage
The Asiana Airlines credit card offers a rewards rate of 3 miles per dollar spent on Asiana Airlines purchases, 2 miles per dollar spent on gas and groceries, and 1 mile per dollar spent on general purchases, making it a suitable option for those who frequently travel with Asiana Airlines and have common expenses in categories like gas and groceries.
For Asiana Airlines enthusiasts, using the Asiana Airlines credit card for everyday expenses helps accumulate miles, which can eventually be redeemed for free flights or upgrades on Asiana Airlines, Star Alliance, or partner airlines.
For those who have multiple reward programs, Asiana Club miles can be transferred to other programs, adding value to your existing mileage balances. Furthermore, the card’s reasonable APR makes it an attractive option for cardholders looking for low-interest rates.
By offering discounts, benefits with partners, and rewards on common expenses, the Asiana Airlines credit card provides various advantages to its users. These features can help enhance your travel experience while offering a convenient way to accumulate and redeem miles on this popular airline and its partners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits?
The Asiana Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card offers several benefits for cardholders. For instance, it earns 3x miles for every dollar spent on Asiana Airlines purchases and 2x miles on gas and grocery store purchases. However, it’s important to note that the card does not offer any baggage or boarding benefits.
How to earn miles?
Miles can be earned with the Asiana Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card through everyday expenses. You’ll earn 3x miles for every dollar spent on Asiana Airlines purchases, and 2x miles on gas and grocery store purchases. For other purchases, you’ll earn 1 mile for every dollar spent.
Which bank issues it?
The Asiana Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card is issued by Bank of America.
Is it accepted worldwide?
With the Visa Signature emblem, the Asiana Airlines Credit Card is widely accepted at millions of merchants worldwide.
How to redeem miles?
To redeem your earned miles, you can log into your Asiana Club account. There, you’ll be able to see your accumulated miles balance and redeem them for various rewards, such as flights with Asiana Airlines or their partnered airlines, upgrades, and other products and services.
Are there annual fees?
Yes, the Asiana Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card has a $99 annual fee.
