Originally Posted by
sipples
Yes.
Head over to the JAL forum to look at the "Unofficial Guide" thread. It explains how it all works. JAL Mileage Bank is an interesting program for oneworld, and it will be attractive to some who are shopping for a oneworld frequent flyer program. One thing to understand is that JAL actually has two parallel recognition programs: JMB and JAL Global Club (JGC).
JMB is great for high-revenue (paid J and full-fare Y) flyers and terrible for discount Y flyers. Terrible for Y flyers because discount fares don't get full mileage credit and because miles expire after 3 years. Great for paid J and full Y flyers because the limitation of benefits for discount flyers means much more award availability (i.e. fewer people competing for award seats) and because all the best bonus offers are targeted to the higher fare classes.
(Of course, YOU know all this, but I thought maybe others on this forum who are contemplating JMB might want to know...)
The JMB program (and ANA's program) probably makes the most business sense from the airline's perspective. The US airlines have gone way too far in giving out miles and status to too many people, and the resulting liabilities have become a burden on the airlines and significantly diluted benefits for the true high-revenue flyers.