by BestCards Team | Last updated on November 13th, 2023
SKYPASS Select Visa Signature® Card
SKYPASS Select Visa Signature® Card
SKYPASS Select Visa Signature® Card
- 23.24% to 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Regular Purchase APR
- 23.24% to 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate Balance Transfer APR
- 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
The SKYPASS Select Visa Signature Card from U.S. Bank is an airline rewards credit card that struggles to match its hefty price tag. For an annual fee of $450, cardholders earn two miles for every dollar spent on Korean Air purchases, two miles per dollar on dining, car rental, and hotel purchases, and a single mile for every other dollar.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Earn double miles on airfare, hotel and car rentals, up to $200 in annual credits, and other premium benefits
- 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 within first 90 day
- No foreign transaction fees
- Regular Purchase APR: 23.24% to 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer APR: 23.24% to 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Cash Advance APR: 29.99% variable based on the Prime Rate
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
- Annual Fee: $450
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $41
- You frequently fly using Korean Air or SkyTeam partners
- You want a card that earns double points at gas stations, hotels, and car rental agencies
- You plan to use the card for at least $35,000 in purchases each year
SKYPASS Select Visa Signature Card Review
The SKYPASS Select Visa Signature Card, a co-branded airline card from Korean Air and U.S. Bank, provides value (but not enough) for money for the frequent traveler. The card earns big miles on ticket purchases with Korean Air, and double points on three other travel categories.
Korean Air is a proud member of the SkyTeam Alliance, which includes major names in the airline industry, including Delta, KLM, Air France, Aeromexico, China Eastern, and more. One of the nice features of the card is the opportunity to earn bonus miles when booking through SkyTeam carriers – with a global reach of over 1,000 destinations.
SKYPASS Miles Welcome Offer
Like the other SKYPASS Visa® credit cards from U.S. Bank, the SKYPASS Select Visa Signature offers siezable welcome miles bonus. New accounts earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases within the first 90 days. That sign-up bonus has a cash value of around $600, which is equivalent to an excellent earning rate of 10X on that spend. However, remember that reaching the minimum spend will require at least $2,000 in spending on the card each month. Make sure you don’t pile up too big a balance.
The card also features two potential annual miles bonuses. First, earn 5,000 bonus miles after spending $15,000 annually. Second, earn another 10,000 bonus miles at renewal after $35,000 in spend annually. Not bad.
How to Earn Rewards
The Select Visa Signature Card earns its best rewards on Korean Air flights. Cardholders earn 3X miles on Korean Air ticket purchases, plus 2X miles on airfare purchased directly through any other carrier. Other travel purchases also qualify for double miles, with hotels and car rentals also earning 2X miles per $1 spent. Finally, grabbing a bite out can be doubly rewarding thanks to 2X miles, with 1X miles per $1 spent on all other purchases.
How to Redeem Miles
SKYPASS miles are applicable to reward flights with Korean Air and any other SkyTeam airlines. The SkyTeam Alliance, featuring names like Delta, Air France, KLM, and more, reaches over 1,000 destinations worldwide. Miles also apply towards seat upgrades, additional baggage allowances, lounge access, rental cars, and stays with SkyTeam hotel partners.
Miles earned in the SKYPASS program are valid for ten years and will expire if the miles are not used.
International Airline Card Comparison
SKYPASS Visa |
SKYPASS Select |
Cathay Pacific Visa |
|
Annual fee | $99 | $450 | $95 |
Rewards | 2X miles on eligible Korean Air, hotels, and dining purchases, including takeout and restaurant delivery, 1X on all other purchases | 3X on Korean Air ticket purchases, 2X on all other flights, hotels, car rentals, and dining purchases, including takeout and restaurant delivery, 1X on all other purchases | 2X miles on Cathay Pacific purchases; 1.5X miles on US dining and international purchases; 1X miles everywhere else |
Perks | Exclusive Korean Air travel benefits including an annual Korean Air ticket purchase coupon, 2 KAL Lounge coupons, and renewal bonus miles | Exclusive Korean Air travel benefits including an annual statement credit on travel purchases, an annual Korean Air ticket purchase coupon, KAL Lounge and Duty Free coupons, renewal bonus miles and more | Benefits include priority check-in, boarding, seat selection, baggage handling, and more, use miles for Business Class lounge redemption, no foreign transaction fees, and more |
Alliance | SkyTeam | SkyTeam | Oneworld |
Network | Visa Signature | Visa Signature | Visa Signature |
SKYPASS Select Perks
For a credit card with a $450 annual fee to be worth it, it needs to offer much more than just double miles on select purchases. Fortunately, the SKYPASS Select Card does this. Cardholders receive up to $200 in travel statement credits each year, including a TSA Precheck or Global Entry application fee credit. Cardholders also receive reimbursement for any trip interruptions, delays, or cancellations that might occur.
The SKYPASS Select also comes with Korean Air specific benefits. These perks include two complimentary KAL Lounge coupons each year, two $25 in-flight Duty-Free coupons each year, and a yearly $100 off coupon for a Korean Air ticket purchase.
Beyond the Korean Air specific benefits, cardholders also receive the usual Visa Signature perks, protections, and services they’ve come to expect, including:
Zero Fraud Liability | Cardholder Inquiry Services | Emergency Card Replacement | Luxury Hotel Collection | Extended Warranty Coverage |
Roadside Dispatch | Lost/Stolen Card Reporting | ID Navigator from Norton | Travel & Emergency Assistance |
U.S. Bank Ratings
What’s the SKYPASS Visa like to live with every day? Here is a selection of ratings for U.S. Bank as a credit card issuer:
BestCards | Better Business Bureau | TrustPilot |
3.5/5 |
N/A |
1.5/5 |
Should You Apply for the SKYPASS Select Visa Signature Card?
The SKYPASS Select Visa Signature Card from U.S. Bank and Korean Air has a lot to live up to, given its hefty $450 annual fee. For this fee, the card provides some quality perks – especially the free lounge passes each year of membership and the TSA Precheck credits. Unfortunately, however, other airline reward cards offer similar perks for a much lower annual fee – often around $95. For those who frequently travel by Korean Air or looking to achieve and maintain their Morning Calm Club status, the SKYPASS Select Visa Signature Card is a card that offers excellent value and impressive perks – for everyone else, however, look elsewhere.
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