Japan Airlines (JAL) is exploring the introduction of a transfer program for elite members of other airlines’ mileage programs, commonly known as a “status match.”
In a questionnaire presented when registering for its ongoing “Tabi Repeat Mile Campaign,” one of the questions asks, “If you were to switch your primary airline from another carrier to JAL, what would be most important?” Alongside options such as lower fares, attractive campaigns, and flight schedules and route networks, the choices include “status transfer arrangements from other airlines (such as status matches).”
JAL explained that this option “has been included as part of a survey designed to broadly gather and analyze customers’ interests and needs.” While not ruling out the possibility of introducing a status match, the airline said, “We refrain from commenting on specific future service developments or whether such a program will be introduced.”
A question asking why customers chose JAL also includes the options “dissatisfaction with service changes or program revisions at other airlines” and “to avoid the impact of system failures or operational irregularities at other airlines.” JAL said these options “comprehensively cover general factors behind usage and customer attrition” and “were not established with any particular airline or individual incident in mind.”
These options appear to have been created with ANA’s new domestic fare system and checked baggage rules, introduced in May, in mind. Social media posts expressing concern drew attention to the “Simple” fare, under which seat selection is unavailable until 24 hours before departure and passengers may be at a disadvantage in cases of overbooking, where the number of reservations exceeds the number of seats.
Regarding elite-member programs, ANA announced revisions to its ANA Super Flyers Card (SFC) in April, prompting strong backlash from customers. In September, ANA announced a partial review of access requirements for its domestic lounges and began accepting applications for exceptional reinstatement from members who had canceled their membership because of the revisions. JAL has not disclosed detailed membership trends since ANA’s announcement, but said they have “generally remained strong.”
JAL revamped its JAL Global Club (JGC) in January 2024 and launched the JAL Life Status Program, a lifetime achievement program. Based on the total number of Life Status Points, lifetime achievement points accumulated through flights and the use of eligible services, the airline provides eligibility for JGC membership and Star Grades.
There are six Star Grade levels. JMB elite, which can be earned with 250 Life Status Points—the equivalent of 50 domestic flights—includes coupons for two annual visits to the Sakura Lounge. To join JGC, customers must earn 1,500 Life Status Points—the equivalent of 300 domestic flights—and attain JGC Three Star status.
The Tabi Repeat Mile Campaign is available to customers who had no flights on JAL Group airlines during fiscal 2025 and made one round trip on a JAL Group flight between April and June this year. Customers can earn 1,500 miles by flying the same route they flew between April and June again between September 7 and December 24.
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This article was generated using automatic translation by GPT-4 API. The translation may not be accurate.
