I think JMB used to be an unfriendly program for all types of frequent travelers . But based on what I read on FT and their webpages, it seems to have improved quite a bit! Elite recognition is nice and the ability to earn Emerald status, which gives you F class lounge access at 80K points is very nice.
However, JMB does not have rewarding system for premium cabin fliers like QFF. Just simple 25% and 50% COS bonus do not really help someone to achieve elite status quickly. But then again, it's way better than CX or AY programs, where it takes insurmountable amount of miles to reach top tier from a nobody.
Another big downside of JMB is the fact that you earn very limited number of miles when you fly economy. You can pay lots of money for high fare economy and endure 10+ hours suffering through economy class syndrome and only earn 30,50,70% of miles flown.
So, not having a program where it rewards frequent premium travelers with earning status faster and very limited economy class mileage earning on ALL PARTNERS really discounts the area where JMB shines the most compared to other OW programs.
I do like JMB's redemption rate - only 15K miles for Jap to Kor in economy seems to be the best of all rates amongst airlines offer mileage redemption between these two countries.
Another big downside of JMB is the fact that you earn very limited number of miles when you fly economy. You can pay lots of money for high fare economy and endure 10+ hours suffering through economy class syndrome and only earn 30,50,70% of miles flown.
I do like JMB's redemption rate - only 15K miles for Jap to Kor in economy seems to be the best of all rates amongst airlines offer mileage redemption between these two countries.
FYI, the same rate is also possible with CX Asia Miles, at 15K only + more generous stopover policy than JMB itself.
If you want even cheaper flights between Japan and Korea, try ANA.
I think he's confusing it with mileage rate on flying super discounted BA
(Traveling from America) Economy on JAL to Japan gets you 100% for full economy or 70% for discounted economy. If you go to Asia you either get 100% for full economy, 70% for Value, and 50% for Super Sale and Value Saver.
Any FF plan decision should be made on it's own merits. I fly out of NYC, JAL has multiple flights a day from JFK. ANA has one. That alone helped me to decide which one I joined. Furthermore, my understanding is that as Star Alliance member through ANA I wouldn't have access to UA's red carpet lounge. As a mile runner, I like my lounges That's something I do get as a JMB through One World
But no one FF program is best for everyone. So pick the one that suits you best.
Any FF plan decision should be made on it's own merits. I fly out of NYC, JAL has multiple flights a day from JFK. ANA has one. That alone helped me to decide which one I joined. Furthermore, my understanding is that as Star Alliance member through ANA I wouldn't have access to UA's red carpet lounge. As a mile runner, I like my lounges That's something I do get as a JMB through One World
1) *G members from non US based airlines can access *G lounges in the US on domestic flights. So, it's same as what you enjoy through JMB on AA lounges when flying domestically in the US.
2) Yes, the decision to join whichever FF program should depend on one's flying pattern. But if flying pattern is all over the place like me (I end up going to various places in the world for work) it's very difficult to settle on a FF program just based on flying pattern. Also, as an avid FTer, we like a program that gives us back more for same amount of 'investments - BIS and $$$.' So, that's a huge factor for me. No program will suit my desires 100%. For now, my goal is to reach Emerald status in a single DONE4... and the programs that awards me this is LANPASS (via six D class long hauls + 90K km) and Qantas FF. I decided to go with LANPASS but I've been quite frustrated with the long delays in miles posting. My JL flights ICN-NRT-DEL posted 14 days AFTER I took the flight. This seems to be standard for partner airline miles at LANPASS.
I think he's confusing it with mileage rate on flying super discounted BA
I did mention 'partner' economy class.
Compared to QFF/AA/LANPASS or other programs, JL seems to be very strict with discounted economy fares. I am not saying QFF/AA/LANPASS offer full mileage for all of the partners, but at least few selective partner flights they allow full mileage credit even for the cheapest of the cheapest tickets.
Furthermore, my understanding is that as Star Alliance member through ANA I wouldn't have access to UA's red carpet lounge. As a mile runner, I like my lounges That's something I do get as a JMB through One World
Your information is incorrect, NH*G have access to all UA Red Carpet Club everywhere provided you have got a same-day *A flight. *A is weaker out of NYC and JAL has better coverage, which is true. However, within North America, your only option is AA + JFK-YVR with CX. *A has much better coverage in the continent than Oneworld: UA+US+AC and soon + CO.
The two Japanese FFPs each have their +/- so it's up to the member to decide for themselves what matter the most.
The lowest accumulation rate on the partner airlines is 25% then 50%, 75% and 100%. I still can't find a 30%. Maybe you meant 25%
I do agree it's nice for some airlines to give you 100% on discounted Y fare but that would mean it's more difficult to obtain an award ticket.
JMB is far from the worst for discounted economy. Some discounted economy don't earn miles at all with CX or SQ and they aren't exactly the chepeast economy fares either. To add insult to injury, the latter two are flooded with credit card points that their awards are very expensive for people who cumulate miles from flying mostly. So while JMB is strict re: discounted fare earning, when you factor in the earn/burn power parity together - JMB is actually a very good program.
Your information is incorrect, NH*G have access to all UA Red Carpet Club everywhere provided you have got a same-day *A flight. *A is weaker out of NYC and JAL has better coverage, which is true. However, within North America, your only option is AA + JFK-YVR with CX. *A has much better coverage in the continent than Oneworld: UA+US+AC and soon + CO.
The two Japanese FFPs each have their +/- so it's up to the member to decide for themselves what matter the most.
My bad on the lounge thing. Couldn't find anything on ANA or Star Alliance site that specified it was available.
As stated it's an individual choice. For me my main concern is the JFK-NRT flights, so JAL was my best option and I'm still very happy with their product. For domestic travel, my homebase is JFK (20 minutes by subway/airtrain), so AA has served me the best since most of their NYC area flights are out of JFK. When I fly domestic I'm most interested in what's cheapest unless I'm doing a mile run. I find AA has always has some really messed up flights I can take for either racking segments and/or miles. Examples being JFK->SFO->DFW->DAY. Fun things like that.
CO does most of their flights out EWR which is not an option for me, and LGA is to big a pain in the a*s to get to for me.
Any of the JMB members able to enter into the JAL lounge with a Sapphire card for international flights?
Because it says on the site that Sapphire cardholders can only JAL lounges for domestic flights http://www.ar.jal.com/world/en/jalmi.../sapphire.html
Any of the JMB members able to enter into the JAL lounge with a Sapphire card for international flights?
Because it says on the site that Sapphire cardholders can only JAL lounges for domestic flights http://www.ar.jal.com/world/en/jalmi.../sapphire.html
I haven't tried it on JAL lounges yet, but was working fine over the weekend on AA's AC.
Plus, if you had gotten to Sapphire, didn't you enroll into JGC? I believe one of the chief points of JGC was that you have lounge access at Sakura lounge regardless of other status. Granted you can only get access for yourself though.
Plus, if you had gotten to Sapphire, didn't you enroll into JGC? I believe one of the chief points of JGC was that you have lounge access at Sakura lounge regardless of other status. Granted you can only get access for yourself though.
If you have JGC, you and one companion can have access to the lounge except at CDG according to your link.
That's something I do get as a JMB through One World
