Originally Posted by
izzik
For all the griping about "lifetime" sapphire via JGC membership, just keep in mind that JAL can (and probably should) raise the annual mileage cost of maintaining JGC. 5000 miles might not seem like much but that's $$ being paid to JAL Mileage Bank.
Thus, it's not really free because at the end of the day, some entity has to purchase the miles from JMB (which are then accrued into your account).
I don't think a lot of folks are flying JAL once and done to get "lifetime" status for 5,000 miles a year - that is probably a small drop in the bucket given that only someone with 'insider knowledge' to take advantage of this would do so, and a tiny fraction at that would not be flying JAL again. Personally I was so impressed with my JAL business class experience, I would certainly be flying them again. While I would prefer an upgraded business class seat product like ANA, I've never eaten so well on a flight before in my life.
Having Sapphire just enhances my experience when I'm still flying within North America and can consider AA as an option vs UA.