Originally Posted by
QueEff
Hi all, I'm a long time Qantas FF (20 years) with Gold (Oneworld Sapphire) status for the last 6 years. I've been less than impressed with Qantas' behaviour during the pandemic and I'm thinking of making the switch to JAL. Could anyone advise if this is madness when I'm based in the UK? I usually use my Qantas points to upgrade my flights with them from flexible Y to J where available.
My details are:
- UK based
- Fly to Australia around 3 times per year in flexible economy
- I don't use credit cards to earn points, only through flying and a bit through partner shopping
- I love visiting Japan so would welcome the chance (post covid) to visit Japan to break up UK-AU trips. I would happily route all my trips through Tokyo
Should I grit my teeth and stay with QF or does it make any sense to switch to JAL? Also, any chance JAL would offer me a status match when I join?
Many thanks!
If you are planning to fly JAL from UK to Australia it might make sense, however there are a few pointers on the JAL program that is worth being aware of.
1. In order to qualify for status, 50% of the required Fly On Points ("tier points") needs to come from JAL group flights. JL coded flights
2. Unless you make it to emerald, points expire 36 months after they are earned, no option to extend
3. As you want to upgrade from economy to business with your miles, be aware that only K, H, B, and Y fares are upgradable that way. In the Japanese market, that makes the tickets rather pricey. Check what you'd be paying from UK to get one of these fares. Also the higher end premium economy fare are upgradable.
4. As for earning on economy class, only B and Y fares earn 100% sector miles, the rest are 70% or below.
The chance of getting a status match with JAL is pretty low, normally it only happens in connection with the transfer of major corporate contracts. But you can always as, the worst that happens can only be a 'no'