JGC Premier vs JMB Diamond (and partner status option)
Jan 4, 2019, 12:15 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Japan
Programs: JGC Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 54
JGC Premier vs JMB Diamond (and partner status option)
Hi,
Is it worth keeping JGC status after achieving JMB Diamond since the JGC Premier and JMB Diamond perks seem to be almost identical.
Currently I am paying through the nose for the JAL credit card annual fee.
Perhaps the biggest perk is the bonus miles for those holding a JGC JALCARD (credit card) upon purchasing a JAL ticket?
Also follow up question is related to the service selection for choosing partner status option: if I exit from JGC (and therefore would be JMB Diamond and not JGC Diamond), then would my partner would not have to sign up for a JGC JALCARD? In the past being JGC Premier has hindered me from choosing this option.
Understand this is a bit of a rabbit hole so appreciate the advice!
Is it worth keeping JGC status after achieving JMB Diamond since the JGC Premier and JMB Diamond perks seem to be almost identical.
Currently I am paying through the nose for the JAL credit card annual fee.
Perhaps the biggest perk is the bonus miles for those holding a JGC JALCARD (credit card) upon purchasing a JAL ticket?
Also follow up question is related to the service selection for choosing partner status option: if I exit from JGC (and therefore would be JMB Diamond and not JGC Diamond), then would my partner would not have to sign up for a JGC JALCARD? In the past being JGC Premier has hindered me from choosing this option.
Understand this is a bit of a rabbit hole so appreciate the advice!
Jan 4, 2019, 4:50 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Japan
Programs: JGC Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 54
Jan 4, 2019, 10:00 pm
#4
Moderator, All Nippon Airways and Japan
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: NH SFC (*G), JL JGP (OWE), AS MVP, WOH E, IHG SE
Posts: 3,908
Holding the JAL credit card allows you to receive a 5,000 FOP bonus (8,000 FOP if also JGP or Diamond) after your first JL flight.
Jan 5, 2019, 8:08 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Tokyo
Programs: Marriott Plat, HH G,Hyatt E,*A Gold, OW Emerald.
Posts: 3,023
If you have JGC, then best to keep it. "Leaving JGC" means cancelling your credit card and hence you lose the "almost for life" Saphire status awarded to JGC members.
You should just switch to the cheapest JGC card.
Also, althought the difference is minor, but how do you plan to requalify for Diamond for 2020? On JAL or another OW airline?
If on JAL, then the 5000 FOP bonus, the recent NRT-SEA and NRT-MNL double FOP bonuses, the domestic double FOP for a month bonus are all there to make it easier to requalify on JAL.
Furthermore, the more than double miles bonus (130%) on ALL AA/BA/IB marketed flights exclusively for JAL elites makes it easy to rack up a ton of JAL miles.
Finally, keeping the JAL card and registering for the JAL Card Tour Premium (20 USD/year) gives you 100% miles for ALL JAL flights that typically earn less than 100% (tokuwari, sakitoku, most international economy fares etc.) Another JGC perk that makes it easy to rack up a ton of JAL miles.
You should just switch to the cheapest JGC card.
Also, althought the difference is minor, but how do you plan to requalify for Diamond for 2020? On JAL or another OW airline?
If on JAL, then the 5000 FOP bonus, the recent NRT-SEA and NRT-MNL double FOP bonuses, the domestic double FOP for a month bonus are all there to make it easier to requalify on JAL.
Furthermore, the more than double miles bonus (130%) on ALL AA/BA/IB marketed flights exclusively for JAL elites makes it easy to rack up a ton of JAL miles.
Finally, keeping the JAL card and registering for the JAL Card Tour Premium (20 USD/year) gives you 100% miles for ALL JAL flights that typically earn less than 100% (
Last edited by Tokyoite; Jan 6, 2019 at 5:08 am
Jan 5, 2019, 9:56 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,099
If you have JGC, then best to keep it. "Leaving JGC" means cancelling your credit card and hence you lose the "almost for life" Saphire status awarded to JGC members.
You should just switch to the cheapest JGC card.
Also, althought the difference is minor, but how do you plan to requalify for Diamond for 2020? On JAL or another OW airline?
If on JAL, then the 5000 FOP bonus, the recent NRT-SEA and NRT-MNL double FOP bonuses, the domestic double FOP for a month bonus are all there to make it easier to requalify on JAL.
Furthermore, the more than double miles bonus (130%) on ALL AA/BA/IB marketed flights exclusively for JAL elites makes it easy to rack up a ton of JAL miles.
Finally, keeping the JAL card and registering for the JAL Card Tour Premium (20 USD/year) gives you 100% miles for ALL JAL flights that typically earn less than 100% (tokuwari, sakitoku, most international economy fares etc.) Another JGC perk that makes it easy to rack up a ton of JAL miles.
You should just switch to the cheapest JGC card.
Also, althought the difference is minor, but how do you plan to requalify for Diamond for 2020? On JAL or another OW airline?
If on JAL, then the 5000 FOP bonus, the recent NRT-SEA and NRT-MNL double FOP bonuses, the domestic double FOP for a month bonus are all there to make it easier to requalify on JAL.
Furthermore, the more than double miles bonus (130%) on ALL AA/BA/IB marketed flights exclusively for JAL elites makes it easy to rack up a ton of JAL miles.
Finally, keeping the JAL card and registering for the JAL Card Tour Premium (20 USD/year) gives you 100% miles for ALL JAL flights that typically earn less than 100% (tokuwari, sakitoku, most international economy fares etc.) Another JGC perk that makes it easy to rack up a ton of JAL miles.
Jan 5, 2019, 11:22 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Japan
Programs: NH Diamond, JL JGC Diamond, BA Gold Guest List(Gold for life), CX Diamond
Posts: 1,580
Finally, keeping the JAL card and registering for the JAL Card Tour Premium (20 USD/year) gives you 100% miles for ALL JAL flights that typically earn less than 100% (tokuwari, sakitoku, most international economy fares etc.) Another JGC perk that makes it easy to rack up a ton of JAL miles.
At least in Japanese page, Tokuwari isn't listed as a fare for tour premium.
Jan 6, 2019, 5:08 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Tokyo
Programs: Marriott Plat, HH G,Hyatt E,*A Gold, OW Emerald.
Posts: 3,023
Jan 6, 2019, 5:33 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,099
If you have JGC, then best to keep it. "Leaving JGC" means cancelling your credit card and hence you lose the "almost for life" Saphire status awarded to JGC members.
You should just switch to the cheapest JGC card.
Also, althought the difference is minor, but how do you plan to requalify for Diamond for 2020? On JAL or another OW airline?
If on JAL, then the 5000 FOP bonus, the recent NRT-SEA and NRT-MNL double FOP bonuses, the domestic double FOP for a month bonus are all there to make it easier to requalify on JAL.
Furthermore, the more than double miles bonus (130%) on ALL AA/BA/IB marketed flights exclusively for JAL elites makes it easy to rack up a ton of JAL miles.
Finally, keeping the JAL card and registering for the JAL Card Tour Premium (20 USD/year) gives you 100% miles for ALL JAL flights that typically earn less than 100% (tokuwari, sakitoku, most international economy fares etc.) Another JGC perk that makes it easy to rack up a ton of JAL miles.
You should just switch to the cheapest JGC card.
Also, althought the difference is minor, but how do you plan to requalify for Diamond for 2020? On JAL or another OW airline?
If on JAL, then the 5000 FOP bonus, the recent NRT-SEA and NRT-MNL double FOP bonuses, the domestic double FOP for a month bonus are all there to make it easier to requalify on JAL.
Furthermore, the more than double miles bonus (130%) on ALL AA/BA/IB marketed flights exclusively for JAL elites makes it easy to rack up a ton of JAL miles.
Finally, keeping the JAL card and registering for the JAL Card Tour Premium (20 USD/year) gives you 100% miles for ALL JAL flights that typically earn less than 100% (
Jan 6, 2019, 8:36 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Japan
Programs: JGC Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 54
I plan on staying with JAL, they are my main carrier. Most of the perks you listed (except the 5,000 FOP) are open to not just JGC but also Diamond members too though.
The reason I have stayed, and probably will stay, with the platinum card (and therefore JGC regardless of status) is for the "Add on miles". If you purchase any JAL group ticket then you get 2 miles per 100 yen as opposed to 1 miles per 100 yen (normal shopping point mileage), correct me if I'm wrong.
Good shout on the JAL card tour premium for getting more miles, I've not done a JAL tour before but this definitely good to know!
Jan 6, 2019, 11:24 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Japan
Programs: NH Diamond, JL JGC Diamond, BA Gold Guest List(Gold for life), CX Diamond
Posts: 1,580
The reason I have stayed, and probably will stay, with the platinum card (and therefore JGC regardless of status) is for the "Add on miles". If you purchase any JAL group ticket then you get 2 miles per 100 yen as opposed to 1 miles per 100 yen (normal shopping point mileage), correct me if I'm wrong.
BTW, I use AMEX for puchasing JAL tickets, because it earns 3 points per 100 yen (i.e ANA 3 miles).
(addtionally, via rebates.jp, you can earn additonal 1 rakuten point per 100 yen, i.e. ANA 0.5 miles)
Jan 7, 2019, 8:41 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Japan
Programs: JGC Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 54
You get additonal 2 miles per 100 yen (so, 4 miles per 100 yen in total) when purchasing JAL tickets.
BTW, I use AMEX for puchasing JAL tickets, because it earns 3 points per 100 yen (i.e ANA 3 miles).
(addtionally, via rebates.jp, you can earn additonal 1 rakuten point per 100 yen, i.e. ANA 0.5 miles)
BTW, I use AMEX for puchasing JAL tickets, because it earns 3 points per 100 yen (i.e ANA 3 miles).
(addtionally, via rebates.jp, you can earn additonal 1 rakuten point per 100 yen, i.e. ANA 0.5 miles)
How did you get 4 miles per 100 yen total in your initial sentence?
I calculate 3 points per 100 yen as you mention in your second sentence. 1 shopping mile and 2 add on miles with platinum amex.
Jan 8, 2019, 6:56 am
#15
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Japan
Programs: NH Diamond, JL JGC Diamond, BA Gold Guest List(Gold for life), CX Diamond
Posts: 1,580
JAL online ticket/sales is one of those special retailer shop.
So,
1 shopping mile
1 special retailer mile
2 add on miles
In total, you get 4 miles per 100 yen.
JAL gold card gets 1 add on mile, so 3 miles in total per 100 yen.