They make it out to be worthwhile to hit 50K and then just hit 20K and 4 JAL metal flights each year to have JGC Crystal (which is a OneWorld Sapphire).
It's kinda confusing, but the end deal is you'll have permanent Sapphire status for a measly 20K mile and 4 JAL flights a year after you hit 50K that first year. The best part if you're an American, you can fly all around America on AA, rack up Fly-On points and get to use the lounge which their own people can't use for free unless they're EXPlatinum
You only need 20K for JGC Crystal? Though you would need 30K for that, as the site says that 20K, you only get a green one, but not the Crystal one. http://www.jal.co.jp/en/jalmile/jgc/oneworld.html
And did you get your Sapphire in one calendar year? Because I am kinda confused about how they mail out the card to you etc
You only need 20K for JGC Crystal? Though you would need 30K for that, as the site says that 20K, you only get a green one, but not the Crystal one. http://www.jal.co.jp/en/jalmile/jgc/oneworld.html
And did you get your Sapphire in one calendar year? Because I am kinda confused about how they mail out the card to you etc
You are correct. I meant to say you'll be a OW Sapphire. Which come to think of it, is there really any different between the JGC Crystal and having the JGC with OW Sapphire on a regular JGC card? I mean the OW Sapphire status would trump what services you get with regular Crystal level. I know the JGC guys get their luggage before the business class tagged ones from regular old Crystal/Sapphire level.
As for how I did it in one Calendar year? I just flew a lot. I was in Japan over NY 07/08, fled back to NYC on 1/3/08 for the first flight. Another RT flight at the end of March for Hanami, A RT to Bangkok in May(Which actually messed me up as I only got 50% miles since it was a deep discount asian fare, deep discount Japan fares still get 70%) . Then I went to Tokyo again in August for another RT. That made me hit 30K.
After I got my Crystal card, I did the math and found a deep discount roundtrip on AA to SBA and plus Premium Economy Value would put me just over 50K. So I did a RT to SBA and picked up 2.5K miles, and then I went to Japan over Thanksgiving and dinged my 50K miles on the flight back to the states on 12/2. Ironically I ended going back to Tokyo over Christmas/NYE's so I hit 58K FLY On points for the year I didn't plan on going, but I got a much bigger than expected X-mas bonus so I decided what the hell.
Do I plan to do it again this year? No. I plan to take advantage of the fact that I have lounge status on AA to basically do a lot of deep discount mile runs on AA to get the number of segs to requalify, and probably go to Japan only 3 times this year more than likely. But I enjoy flying and I enjoy the fun of sitting in a lounge having a drink and looking at the runway while waiting for a flight.
Was it worth it? Yes, with the exception of the Bangkok trip, these were all pretty well planned. But this past year I was also in a cheap studio apartment and had a lot of spare cash to burn. Like a lot of people will tell in any of these FF programs, once you get elite status, you will never want to give it up. I can't imagine now every flying w/o it again. From a separate line for Security checks, lounge access, priority boarding, and getting my luggage first, it's all so worth it. The best example I can give you was the flight back from Japan the other week, it was a madhouse as it was a codeshare flight with AA that apparently had problems and was overbooked. It was pretty gruesome scene with everyone jockey for place in line and the two GA's trying to control it and not doing a good job and the AA PAX were pretty pissed off. But I wormed my away to the Elite/F/C line and avoided the line and got to board well ahead of everyone else. Totally worth it
You are correct. I meant to say you'll be a OW Sapphire. Which come to think of it, is there really any different between the JGC Crystal and having the JGC with OW Sapphire on a regular JGC card? I mean the OW Sapphire status would trump what services you get with regular Crystal level. I know the JGC guys get their luggage before the business class tagged ones from regular old Crystal/Sapphire level.
As for how I did it in one Calendar year? I just flew a lot. I was in Japan over NY 07/08, fled back to NYC on 1/3/08 for the first flight. Another RT flight at the end of March for Hanami, A RT to Bangkok in May(Which actually messed me up as I only got 50% miles since it was a deep discount asian fare, deep discount Japan fares still get 70%) . Then I went to Tokyo again in August for another RT. That made me hit 30K.
After I got my Crystal card, I did the math and found a deep discount roundtrip on AA to SBA and plus Premium Economy Value would put me just over 50K. So I did a RT to SBA and picked up 2.5K miles, and then I went to Japan over Thanksgiving and dinged my 50K miles on the flight back to the states on 12/2. Ironically I ended going back to Tokyo over Christmas/NYE's so I hit 58K FLY On points for the year I didn't plan on going, but I got a much bigger than expected X-mas bonus so I decided what the hell.
Do I plan to do it again this year? No. I plan to take advantage of the fact that I have lounge status on AA to basically do a lot of deep discount mile runs on AA to get the number of segs to requalify, and probably go to Japan only 3 times this year more than likely. But I enjoy flying and I enjoy the fun of sitting in a lounge having a drink and looking at the runway while waiting for a flight.
Was it worth it? Yes, with the exception of the Bangkok trip, these were all pretty well planned. But this past year I was also in a cheap studio apartment and had a lot of spare cash to burn. Like a lot of people will tell in any of these FF programs, once you get elite status, you will never want to give it up. I can't imagine now every flying w/o it again. From a separate line for Security checks, lounge access, priority boarding, and getting my luggage first, it's all so worth it. The best example I can give you was the flight back from Japan the other week, it was a madhouse as it was a codeshare flight with AA that apparently had problems and was overbooked. It was pretty gruesome scene with everyone jockey for place in line and the two GA's trying to control it and not doing a good job and the AA PAX were pretty pissed off. But I wormed my away to the Elite/F/C line and avoided the line and got to board well ahead of everyone else. Totally worth it
So how much did you end up spending to get your status ?
So how much did you end up spending to get your status ?
Roughly 8,250$
In hindsight I could have brought that down to under 7K if I hadn't taken that premium economy value flight in November, that was a hair under $3K, but I wanted to hit 50K well before 12/31 to ensure they didn't try any hanky panky with my miles :P
Also, if I had known earlier I would only get 50% miles for deep discount coach to Bangkok I would have paid a few hundred more for 70% miles ticket and hit the 50K before hand.
Was it alot, yes? But since I now hit JGC and basically never have to do this again; and keep sapphire status for practically life; and get to use the AA AC when I fly in America. ... Well yes it was worth, it was a one time thing I pretty much figured
I do sorta have a sick idea about trying to hit Premier by doing 76 super cheap flight segs on AA and 4 segs on JAL to hit the eligibility.
You are correct. I meant to say you'll be a OW Sapphire. Which come to think of it, is there really any different between the JGC Crystal and having the JGC with OW Sapphire on a regular JGC card? I mean the OW Sapphire status would trump what services you get with regular Crystal level. I know the JGC guys get their luggage before the business class tagged ones from regular old Crystal/Sapphire level.
As for how I did it in one Calendar year? I just flew a lot. I was in Japan over NY 07/08, fled back to NYC on 1/3/08 for the first flight. Another RT flight at the end of March for Hanami, A RT to Bangkok in May(Which actually messed me up as I only got 50% miles since it was a deep discount asian fare, deep discount Japan fares still get 70%) . Then I went to Tokyo again in August for another RT. That made me hit 30K.
After I got my Crystal card, I did the math and found a deep discount roundtrip on AA to SBA and plus Premium Economy Value would put me just over 50K. So I did a RT to SBA and picked up 2.5K miles, and then I went to Japan over Thanksgiving and dinged my 50K miles on the flight back to the states on 12/2. Ironically I ended going back to Tokyo over Christmas/NYE's so I hit 58K FLY On points for the year I didn't plan on going, but I got a much bigger than expected X-mas bonus so I decided what the hell.
Do I plan to do it again this year? No. I plan to take advantage of the fact that I have lounge status on AA to basically do a lot of deep discount mile runs on AA to get the number of segs to requalify, and probably go to Japan only 3 times this year more than likely. But I enjoy flying and I enjoy the fun of sitting in a lounge having a drink and looking at the runway while waiting for a flight.
Was it worth it? Yes, with the exception of the Bangkok trip, these were all pretty well planned. But this past year I was also in a cheap studio apartment and had a lot of spare cash to burn. Like a lot of people will tell in any of these FF programs, once you get elite status, you will never want to give it up. I can't imagine now every flying w/o it again. From a separate line for Security checks, lounge access, priority boarding, and getting my luggage first, it's all so worth it. The best example I can give you was the flight back from Japan the other week, it was a madhouse as it was a codeshare flight with AA that apparently had problems and was overbooked. It was pretty gruesome scene with everyone jockey for place in line and the two GA's trying to control it and not doing a good job and the AA PAX were pretty pissed off. But I wormed my away to the Elite/F/C line and avoided the line and got to board well ahead of everyone else. Totally worth it
wow...impressive! wish I have that time to do that haha
i think most people would want to have the JGC sapphire as it virtually allows u to access all business class lounges within oneworld system, especially the AC, which is just so hard to get in with their own program!
and not demanding alot with 20k including 4 secs of JAL flights.
So when u got reached ur crystal status, how long did it take you to receive the card?
wow...impressive! wish I have that time to do that haha
i think most people would want to have the JGC sapphire as it virtually allows u to access all business class lounges within oneworld system, especially the AC, which is just so hard to get in with their own program!
and not demanding alot with 20k including 4 secs of JAL flights.
So when u got reached ur crystal status, how long did it take you to receive the card?
Should be roughly two months since benefits won't begin until 2 months after anyways.
ok, thanks!
JAL seems to be the best FFP right now in OW, except CX in terms of lounge where their MPC silver member can already access business lounge, and JMB have to wait till they are at sapphire, but the rest is either the same or JMB is better
ok, thanks!
JAL seems to be the best FFP right now in OW, except CX in terms of lounge where their MPC silver member can already access business lounge, and JMB have to wait till they are at sapphire, but the rest is either the same or JMB is better
I don't know if I'd say the best. If you live in America and lounges are one of your top priorities than I would say yes. You can reach OW sapphire quickly and basically maintain it for life. It also helps if you fly to Japan a couple times a year. Since I'm in NYC, a 100% mile rt is almost 14K miles. So it's easy to hit that 20K of flyon I'm a big fan of the JAL lounge in JFK and NRT, and I also fly AA alot to fill in the gaps. I can't tell you how nice lounge access is when you're doing a miles run and you can hit the lounge, surf the net, check e-mail, get a drink or two and prep for the next leg.
The downside is we do not get a lot (some would say any) bump ups. Unlike a lot of AA's Elites who get bump ups to first class.
I would say to weigh your options. I know I'll be flying to Japan a minimum of twice a year so I can use the upgrade vouchers for those flights and make my required miles on JAL metal. Secondly with the exception of Mile Runs, most of my flying on AA is short 2-3hr tops flights so I don't mind sitting in coach. I'm in NYC and have lounges at both LGA and JFK so having that AC there is a big plus for me.
Each person's situation is different so weight yours. I'm a big fan of JAL and have been happy so far with how I've been treated by them, and the perks I get when I fly AA
NYCBunny, you've really got me wanting to get the JGC membership!
A quick question--looking at the website, it looks like only JAL flights count toward JGC card status, but other OneWorld carriers' flights don't count toward JGC status. Is that correct?
Programs: JGC Sapphire, Oneworld Sapphire, PC Plat Ambassador
Posts: 517
Quote:
Originally Posted by whkento
NYCBunny, you've really got me wanting to get the JGC membership!
A quick question--looking at the website, it looks like only JAL flights count toward JGC card status, but other OneWorld carriers' flights don't count toward JGC status. Is that correct?
No, most Oneworld flights earn Fly On Points and once you get the 50k points during the calender year, you're automatically JAL Sapphire and qualify for JGC. The only caveat is that you must take at least 4 JAL flights during the calender year for your Fly On Points to count.
From the JAL website:
*1 Applicable with fares eligible for JAL Mileage Bank (JMB) mileage accumulation. Code-share flights operated by other airlines, bearing JAL flight numbers are eligible for FLY ON Points.
Does this mean that only JAL codeshare flights are eligible for JMB Fly On points? (I'm just a bit confused...) I thought I could get JMB Fly On points for an AA flight, too. How does that work?
Programs: JGC Sapphire, Oneworld Sapphire, PC Plat Ambassador
Posts: 517
Quote:
Originally Posted by whkento
From the JAL website:
*1 Applicable with fares eligible for JAL Mileage Bank (JMB) mileage accumulation. Code-share flights operated by other airlines, bearing JAL flight numbers are eligible for FLY ON Points.
Does this mean that only JAL codeshare flights are eligible for JMB Fly On points? (I'm just a bit confused...) I thought I could get JMB Fly On points for an AA flight, too. How does that work?
No, AA and other OneWorld flights earn Fly On Points but how many they earn depend on the fare basis. For example, I flew from IAD to SNA and back last September. The fare basis was O which earns 50% mileage and Fly On Points.
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