• What is JAL Global Club?

JAL Global Club is another recognition program for JMB members. It is separate and parallel to JMB elite status. There are two levels: JGC and JGC Premier. First time JGC membership is available once you reach Sapphire elite level. It is optional, and for overseas JMB members without a JALCard, it requires a deduction of 5,000 JMB miles from your account to join (although you will earn back a 3,000 mile bonus when you take your first flight each year after becoming a JGC member). For Japan region member, you need to apply for a JGC JALCard in order to join JGC. You should receive a JGC membership application with (or at approximately the same time as) your Sapphire elite mailing. Return the completed application within two months of receiving it and you will receive JGC membership.

You can retain your JGC membership indefinitely, regardless of JAL flight activity, with an annual deduction of miles, through continued payment of a qualifying JAL-branded credit card's annual fee, by accumulating at least 25,000 FLY ON points, or by flying at least 10 sectors. There are non-flight ways to earn JMB miles, so theoretically you could retain JGC status without flying. In fact, with careful management of your JMB account, for the occasional JAL flyer JGC works quite well: you only need 5,000 miles per year to sustain membership. JGC members enjoy unique benefits that may be of interest to many JAL flyers, so most people join JGC when given the opportunity.

JGC Premier status is for JGC members who reach 80,000 FLY ON points with at least 40,000 FLY ON Points earned on JAL Group flights or 80 sectors with a min of 40 JAL Group flights and 25,000 FLY ON points within a calendar year*. JGC Premier has some additional benefits, described in the JGC Membership Guide, including 100% mileage bonuses when flying JAL.

The fact that there are two somewhat overlapping elite programs can be a little confusing, but if you want some simple advice it's this: join JGC if you get the opportunity, and try to retain your membership if you think the benefits will be valuable.

Details of JGC can be found here:
Overseas: http://www.ar.jal.com/world/en/jalmile/jgc/
Japan: http://www.jal.co.jp/en/jalmile/jgc.html

* FOPs and number of sectors on JAL Group flights are new requirements effective Jan 1 2012 (http://www.jal.co.jp/cms/jalmile/en/en_jmb_238.html)