Key Points
- Air Canada Aeroplan regularly prices Asiana business class to Seoul at 75,000 points each way from the US, one of the better values on this route.
- You can stock up on Aeroplan points through the Aeroplan credit card or by transferring from Amex, Capital One, and Bilt.
- Seats.aero makes it easy to spot open dates before they disappear, since saver-level business class to South Korea rarely lasts long.
Seoul keeps climbing travel bucket lists, and getting there in a lie-flat seat doesn't have to cost a fortune in points. If you know where to look, Asiana Airlines business class between the US and Seoul (ICN) can be booked through Air Canada Aeroplan for around 75,000 points each way, a price that's tough to beat for a 13-hour flight in a proper bed. The tricky part isn't the redemption rate. It's knowing which program to book through, how to find the space, and how to move your points there before the seats disappear.
This guide walks through exactly how that works, plus a few backup options if Aeroplan availability isn't cooperating on your dates.
Why Aeroplan Is the Move for Asiana Business Class
Asiana is a Star Alliance member, which means its award seats show up across multiple partner programs, not just its own. Aeroplan tends to be the standout option because of how it prices long-haul business class: instead of charging by mileage flown, Air Canada Aeroplan has priced business class seats between the West Coast, the East Coast, and Seoul at 75,000 points each way, regardless of whether you're departing from Seattle or New York. upgradedpoints
That distance-agnostic pricing is what makes this route interesting. Flying from NYC to Seoul for 75,000 points in business class is unusual, since West Coast to Asia awards are far more common than East Coast options at the same price. If you're on the East Coast, that's a meaningful head start compared to booking a connecting itinerary through a West Coast hub. upgradedpoints
Taxes and fees are the other reason this redemption holds up well. Aeroplan charges roughly CAD $79, or about $58, in taxes and fees per person on these Asiana bookings, which is low for an international business class ticket. Compare that to the $150 to $700+ in carrier surcharges you'll often see when booking Asian carriers through other transfer partners, and the value gap becomes clear. upgradedpoints
» Related: The Best Credit Cards for Flying Business Class
Finding Award Space
Availability on this route isn't constant, but it's not rare either. When Asiana releases saver space, it often opens wide business class availability between the West Coast, East Coast, and Seoul for dates spanning several months, with up to 8 seats bookable on some days. Summer months, especially June and July, tend to have the best availability, though seats open up across other months too. upgradedpointsupgradedpoints
The fastest way to check what's live right now is with an award search tool. Seats.aero lets you scan multiple routes and dates at once instead of manually checking Aeroplan's site day by day, which matters when saver seats can vanish within hours of being spotted.
A few things to keep in mind while searching:
- Business class award space to Seoul from the US shows up in bursts, not a steady drip, so check regularly rather than once and giving up.
- If your home airport isn't showing space, try nearby West Coast or East Coast hubs before assuming the route is dead.
- Flexible dates matter more than a flexible destination here. Shifting by even a few days can unlock seats that a fixed date won't show.
How to Book It Step by Step
Once you've confirmed open dates, the booking process itself is straightforward.
1. Search for availability. Use Seats.aero or Aeroplan's own award search to confirm Asiana business class is bookable on your dates.
2. Make sure you have enough Aeroplan points. You'll need 75,000 points per person, per direction, plus roughly $58 in taxes and fees.
3. Book directly through Aeroplan. Once you find a matching date on Aeroplan's site, the booking flow works like any other partner award redemption.
4. Pay the taxes and fees. These get charged at checkout, separate from your point balance.
If you don't already have a stash of Aeroplan points, building one is easier than most people expect, and it doesn't require flying Air Canada at all.
How to Earn Enough Aeroplan Points
You have two realistic paths to 75,000 Aeroplan points: earning them directly or transferring from a flexible points program.
Direct earning. The Aeroplan Credit Card earns points on everyday spending, including bonus categories on dining, groceries, and Air Canada purchases, so regular spend chips away at the total faster than you'd think. If you're chasing a specific redemption like this one, our breakdown of the Chase Aeroplan 75,000-mile welcome bonus is worth a look, since a single sign-up bonus can cover an entire one-way business class ticket to Seoul.
Transferring in. Aeroplan is a partner for several major transferable currencies, which means you likely already have a head start:
- American Express Membership Rewards transfers to Aeroplan, and the Amex Gold Card is a solid everyday earner if you're building toward a redemption like this. Check our guide on whether Amex points are transferable if you're not sure how the process works.
- Capital One miles also transfer to Aeroplan. If you're weighing which Capital One card fits your strategy, our Capital One Venture X breakdown covers how the earning rates stack up, and our guide to understanding Capital One miles explains transfer ratios in more detail.
- Bilt Rewards points transfer as well, which is useful if you're already earning points on rent through the Bilt Mastercard.
Mixing and matching sources is common. A lot of travelers get to 75,000 points by combining a welcome bonus with a transfer from an existing balance, rather than earning the whole amount from scratch. If you're deciding between Capital One cards specifically for a transfer strategy like this, Venture vs. Venture X walks through which one earns faster for your spending pattern.
What to Expect on the Flight
Asiana's business class is built around a proper 1-2-1 lie-flat configuration on most long-haul aircraft, which means direct aisle access no matter where you're seated. Expect a multi-course meal service, Korean and Western menu options, and amenity kits stocked with the basics for a long overnight flight. It's not the most lavish business class product in the sky, but it's comfortable, consistent, and more than enough to arrive in Seoul rested instead of wrecked.
If Aeroplan Doesn't Have the Dates You Need
Aeroplan isn't the only way to reach Seoul in a lie-flat seat. A few backups worth checking:
- United MileagePlus can price Star Alliance partner awards, including Asiana, though the point cost usually runs higher than Aeroplan's flat 75,000-point rate. Our United MileagePlus Complete Guide covers how partner pricing works if you want to compare. Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers to United 1:1, and transferring Chase points to United is one of the faster ways to stock up if Aeroplan comes up empty. If you're building a United balance from scratch, the United Quest Card and our best United Airlines credit cards roundup are good places to start.
- ANA Mileage Club and other Star Alliance partners can occasionally show Asiana or ANA metal on this route at different point costs.
- Korean Air SkyPass, bookable through Korean Air's own site or select partners, is worth checking if you're open to flying Korean Air instead of Asiana.
None of these consistently beats Aeroplan's pricing on this specific route, which is exactly why it's worth building an Aeroplan balance even if you don't fly Air Canada often.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 75,000 points a good price for business class to Seoul?
Yes. Business class awards to Northeast Asia commonly run 90,000 to 120,000 points on other programs, so 75,000 points plus roughly $58 in taxes is well below average for this cabin and distance.
Do I need Aeroplan status to book this award?
No. Aeroplan award pricing is the same for all members regardless of elite status. Status can help with other perks, like upgrades or baggage, but it doesn't change the points required for this redemption.
How far in advance should I book?
As soon as you spot open space. Saver-level business class awards on popular Asia routes tend to get scooped up quickly, especially for peak summer travel dates.
Final Thoughts
Booking business class to Seoul doesn't have to mean draining your entire points balance or settling for a middling seat. Aeroplan's flat 75,000-point pricing on Asiana, paired with minimal taxes and fees, makes this one of the more efficient ways to cross the Pacific in comfort. The key is having Aeroplan points ready to go and checking availability regularly, since this kind of saver space doesn't sit around forever.
If South Korea has been sitting on your travel list, this is the redemption to build a trip around, and pairing it with one of the best overall travel credit cards of 2025 can help you get there faster. This article contains affiliate links. If you apply through our links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you, which helps us continue sharing points and miles strategies with the community.

