"Guide" 2024 Japan Airlines JGC training update summary

In 2024, Japan Airlines (JAL/JL) launched the innovative "JAL Life Status Program". This is not only an airline's frequent flyer mileage program, but also a comprehensive lifestyle improvement program. This plan crosses the boundaries of traditional aviation business and extends to various diversified service areas of JAL. Its purpose is to enhance customer loyalty and participation by providing a wider range of services.

In sharp contrast to this plan is Japan Airlines' past "FLY ON Program". This old program was mainly aimed at frequent flyers, allowing them to accumulate flight miles to gain the opportunity to join the exclusive "JAL Global Club (JGC)", which provides a semi-lifetime membership. JGC is so attractive among aviation enthusiasts that many people will engage in the so-called "JGC practice" - this group of aviation enthusiasts will carefully plan flight itineraries to meet the club's entry standards at the lowest cost and time.

The comparison of the old and new plans not only demonstrates how Japan Airlines has evolved from a single flight reward to a comprehensive life reward system, but also demonstrates JAL's continuous improvement in service innovation and customer demand sensitivity. This "JAL Life Status Program" may once again change the rules of the loyalty program game and bring unprecedented life experience to travelers.

With the arrival of 2024, the "JAL Life Status Program" launched by Japan Airlines (JAL) not only raises the threshold for joining its exclusive "JAL Global Club (JGC)", but also brings a series of new challenges and opportunities . This new program extends flight mileage rewards to multiple interactions such as using airport services and participating in partner activities, turning every customer experience into more valuable rewards for customers.

This means that every interaction a passenger has with JAL is an opportunity to upgrade their membership level. From exclusive treatments at the airport to exclusive activities with partner brands, every service is designed to deepen customer loyalty and satisfaction with the brand. Spend. This comprehensive and in-depth contact method will undoubtedly enhance the overall customer experience, allowing them to feel JAL's care and professionalism whether they are on the ground or in the air.

In addition, JAL has not given up its traditional "FLY ON Program", which is still calculated for a period of one year. However, the newly launched "JAL Life Status Program" is based on a lifetime points calculation method, which not only makes the way to obtain JGC membership more diverse and flexible, but also more challenging. This reform not only encourages travelers to use JAL's services more frequently, but also provides them with more unique ways to enjoy every moment of their journey and life. Through these strategies, Japan Airlines hopes to further strengthen the connection between customers and the brand, so that customers can feel JAL's unique brand value, whether in daily travel or special occasions.

The new "JAL Life Status Program" brings several key changes, which not only make JGC membership more flexible, but also greatly enhance customer participation and loyalty. Here's a detailed look at the major changes:

1. LSP never expires: In the past, becoming a JGC member required accumulating enough points under the "Fly On Point (FOP)" system that cleared in March every year. Now, the launch of “Life Status Point (LSP)” breaks this model. The biggest feature of LSP is that it never expires, which means travelers can accumulate points without time limits, allowing them to plan their journeys and spend more freely without having to worry about points reset every year.
2. More ways to earn LSP: In the new plan, the ways to obtain LSP are no longer limited to flying. In addition to flying on JAL and its partner airlines, passengers can now earn LSP by using JAL co-branded credit cards and participating in other non-flight-related consumption activities. This strategy expands the scope of points acquisition, allowing travelers to convert various purchases in daily life into steps toward JGC membership.
3. Introducing a new star rating system: JAL now has six different "stars", each of which is defined based on the LSP accumulated by the passenger. Each star level not only provides exclusive benefits and services, but once passengers meet the LSP requirements of a certain star level, they will automatically receive that star rating and can enjoy the corresponding benefits for life. In addition, these stars have also become one of the important evaluation criteria for travelers to be invited to join JGC membership.

These innovative changes have transformed JAL's membership system from a single flight reward program to a comprehensive life reward system, where every purchase made by passengers may become a step towards improving their membership status. This new model aims to integrate customers' daily life with the brand experience on a deeper level and enhance customers' overall satisfaction and loyalty to the JAL brand.

Let’s take a more in-depth study of the changes in JAL’s introduction of LSP and its impact on passengers, as well as the feasibility of JGC practice after 2024.

You can also click on the following article list to quickly learn more detailed information about JAL Global Club (JGC).

What is JGC

Each airline has its own frequent flyer loyalty program that allows passengers to accumulate flight miles and evaluate passenger status. Every passenger can apply to join the JAL Mileage Bank (JMB) program operated by JAL for free. When JMB members meet certain conditions, they will be invited by JAL to enter their high-level member circle, JGC, whose full name is JAL Global Club, and enjoy exclusive privileged services.

What is JGC practice

When we discuss JGC practice, we generally refer to a series of highly concentrated flight activities performed by passengers in a short period of time in order to achieve or maintain JGC membership level qualifications. Some passengers/aviation fans will carefully plan flight routes for this purpose, hoping to accumulate the required flight miles or points in the most efficient, lowest cost, and least time way (before 2024, it was FOP, now it is LSP—) . The most attractive reward of becoming a JGC member is the half-lifetime access to JAL’s premium membership, which also matches Oneworld’s Sapphire status.

Different from JAL ordinary members - JAL Mileage Bank (JMB), JGC members will have more advantages and benefits provided by JAL.

Exclusive advantages and benefits for JGC members

1. Extra mileage accumulation rewards: JGC members fly Japan Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Alaska Airlines, Cathay Pacific, etc.OneworldWhen flying flights operated by airlines within the alliance and accumulating miles in their JAL account, they will receive an additional 35% bonus miles. This significant improvement helps JGC members quickly accumulate miles that can be redeemed for free award tickets and upgrade opportunities, increasing the overall value of JAL miles.

The current oneworld alliance includes: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian, Sri Lankan Airlines, total Thirteen international airlines)

2. JGC members can receive the corresponding oneworld tier: JGC members also enjoy the premium membership level of One World (Sapphire), and will enjoy a series of advanced services provided by airlines within the One World alliance when flying. These privileges include exclusive benefits such as priority waiting, priority check-in, VIP lounge access, priority boarding, etc. to ensure that passengers have a smoother and more comfortable journey.
3. Airport lounge access: In addition to the Sakura Lounge operated by JAL itself, JGC members can also use more than 600 business class lounges around the world operated by oneworld alliance member airlines. This large network of VIP rooms allows JGC members to find a peaceful place to relax and recharge, no matter where they travel from.
4. Priority check-in: JGC members not only have exclusive JAL counters at the airport and enjoy the privilege of quick check-in, but they can also use the priority counters of oneworld alliance member airlines to check in with the corresponding airlines. These exclusive counters are separate from general membership counters, allowing for faster and more personalized service, which can significantly reduce passenger waiting times.
5. Priority boarding lane:Even if the passenger's seat is in economy class, JGC members can board the plane with priority with business class passengers. This priority boarding not only greatly reduces the hassle and long queues when boarding, but also makes it easier for JGC members to arrange their seats and luggage.
6. Priority access to front-row seat selection:One of the privileges of JGC members is the priority to reserve front row seats. This privilege is mainly for the convenience of economy class passengers, who can give priority to seats that provide extra legroom. Usually, these specific seats cannot be reserved for ordinary members or require additional purchase options. Especially on those long-haul flights across the ocean, the extra legroom can greatly improve the comfort of the journey, which is very important to JGC members. Said to be a significant advantage.
7. Priority waiting list for open seats:When the flight is full, JGC members have higher priority than ordinary members on the seat waiting list. If someone cancels a trip and frees up seats, those seats will be given priority to JGC members, increasing their chances of getting a seat on that flight.
8. Extra baggage allowance: JGC members can enjoy more free checked baggage allowance, which is especially beneficial for passengers who often carry multiple pieces of luggage.

• Domestic flights (using JAL): Extra 20kg allowance.
• International flights (using JAL): Add an extra piece of luggage.
• oneworld alliance member airlines (on a piece basis): Add one extra piece of luggage, up to a maximum of two pieces.
• oneworld alliance member airlines (by weight): Additional 15kg allowance.
  • These allowances allow JGC members to bring more luggage when traveling without paying extra fees, which is especially suitable for travelers who need to carry more items or whose luggage is often overweight.

9. Dedicated customer service support: JGC members can receive assistance with bookings, inquiries and travel planning through a dedicated JAL customer service hotline. This special exclusive service ensures that JGC members can get through to the customer service hotline faster than ordinary passengers, reducing waiting time and providing a more efficient and rapid service experience when making reservations or needing to solve urgent problems.
10. Exclusive promotions and offers: JGC members have access to exclusive JAL promotions, offers and discounts that are usually not available to general travelers.

The cost of JGC practice

Until the end of 2023, the only way to achieve JGC practice is to take frequent flights to accumulate FOP. But starting from January 2024, JAL has undergone earth-shaking changes after introducing a new LSP plan. With the launch of the new LSP plan, in addition to flying, using JAL co-branded credit cards for consumption and JAL Pay payments has become a new way to accumulate LSP.

With the diversification of ways to obtain LSP, the criteria for joining JGC have also changed. Now it is no longer just about how many JAL flights a passenger has flown in a year, but whether the passenger has used various JAL Group services, including flights, for a long time. Therefore, the threshold for joining JGC based solely on the number of flights within a year has been significantly increased (from the previous 50 times to 300 times, is the difficulty increased by 6 times? 🐶).

For example, if a passenger only wants to accumulate LSP through domestic flights in Japan to qualify for JGC, he needs to take at least 300 JAL domestic flights. Assuming that the average price of each flight is 10K JPY, the total cost will reach 3M JPY. Similarly, if you only accumulate LSP through JAL credit card purchases, travelers will need to pay tens of millions of yen.

In the past, JGC practice was limited to one year, but starting from 2024, obtaining JGC membership has transformed from a one-year effort into a lifelong process that requires strategy and systematicity and spans several years.

Comparison between JMB members and JGC members

Let’s take a look at the relevant terms involved in JAL membership.

JAL offers two main memberships:JAL Mileage Bank-JAL Mileage Bank (JMB)andJAL Global Club-JAL Global Club (JGC).

JMB is open to everyone to join, and JMB members can easily earn and redeem miles. In comparison, JGC is a more exclusive premium membership program. Only travelers who meet certain conditions are invited to join, and it provides travelers with additional JAL benefits and discounts.

	JMB Mileage Bank – JMB	JAL Global Club – JGC
Membership conditions	none	have
use	Accumulate miles	Enjoy special services (access to airport lounges, extra miles when boarding, priority boarding, etc.)
Star membership level	JMB elite, JMB elite plus	JGC Three Star, JGC Four Star, JGC Five Star, JGC Six Star
annual fee	none	Domestic Japan: You need to hold a JAL co-branded credit card continuously; Outside Japan: Pay 2,000 miles

In addition, Japan Airlines now has three ways to accumulate points:mechanism": "Miles", "FLY ON Points (FOP)" and "Life Status Points (LSP)", I will briefly introduce their differences.

Star Grade-star rating system

After 2024, JAL will introduce star levels and divide them into six levels based on members’ LSP points. Each level is shown in the figure below

The following is based on the currentJAL official website informationThe table of benefits that can be enjoyed by the star level is summarized. JAL is constantly adding and improving more benefits. We recommend that travelers check back often:

At the same time, each star level also enjoys corresponding partner benefits.click hereFollow the latest updates:

Currently, JAL passengers will still accumulate FOP through JMB and obtain JMB premium membership (for a period of one year). JMB Premium membership includes JMB Crystal, JMB Sapphire, JGC Premier, JMB Diamond, JMB Diamond Metal. An overview of the qualifications that passengers can obtain by accumulating FOP is as follows.

Passengers can log in to the latestJAL Mileage Bank APPSee how many miles you've accumulated and the various ways you can use them.

Notice! Until the end of 2023, passengers can still join JGC through accumulated FOP, but starting from 2024, the criteria for joining JGC will only be through accumulated LSP.

Detailed planning steps for JGC practice

According to the current JAL rules, it is no longer feasible to accumulate a large number of flight segments or FOPs in a short period of time to obtain JGC membership. In this case, it is necessary to strategically plan the steps and plans of JGC practice so that you can Get JGC membership at the lowest cost and time.

Roughly speaking, the JGC practice steps after 2024 should be divided into five stages:

• Register for JAL co-branded credit card
• Achieve JMB elite membership
• Achieve JMB elite plus membership status
• Achieve JGC Three Star membership and be invited to join JGC
• Continuous impact on JGC Four Star or above membership

1. Register for JAL co-branded credit card

To join JGC now, Japanese domestic travelers must hold a JAL co-branded credit card, but non-Japanese domestic travelers do not have this restriction. Using JAL's co-branded credit card will undoubtedly accumulate more LSP, so we strongly recommend applying for a JAL co-branded credit card to make full use of this advantage of credit card spending.

• JapandomesticJAL co-branded credit card (excluding Navi’s student-only and EST’s 20th generation limited cards)
  • JAL CARD: The annual fee is 2,200 JPY (≈15 USD), suitable for those who are new to JAL co-branded credit cards. The application conditions are relatively loose, and the benefits available are relatively limited.
    
  • CLUB-A Card: The annual fee is 11,000 JPY (≈72 USD), applicable to people over 18 years old (excluding high school students) and who have stable living and payment conditions in Japan. From unofficial sources, it is generally believed that applicants need to have an annual income of at least 3 million yen. Recommended for those who travel 1-2 times a year internationally, not only will they get extra mileage rewards, but they also have travel accident insurance benefits.
    
  • CLUB-A Gold Card: The annual fee is 17,600 JPY (≈115 USD). This card is intended for adults who have a fixed career or business history and a stable income. Applicants need to be over 20 years old. Also from unofficial sources, the applicant's recommended annual income should be more than 4 million yen and have more than 5 years of professional experience. Recommended for travelers who frequently use JAL partner facilities at the airport, but not the Sakura Lounge.
    
  • JAL Diners Card: Annual fee is 30,800 JPY (≈200 USD). This card is a special CLUB-A card designed for adult applicants with stable and continuous income. Applicants are usually required to be over 27 years old and have a residency in Japan. Fixed residential address and ability to pay. Unofficial information shows that applicants with an annual income of more than 5 million yen will be more likely to be approved. This card holder can enjoy additional dining, travel and entertainment benefits.
    
  • Platinum Card: The annual fee is 34,100 JPY (≈222 USD). It is similar to the JAL Diners card and is suitable for people over 20 years old who have a stable living foundation and continuous income in Japan. Annual income of at least 5 million yen is also considered a requirement, although this is also not officially disclosed. Recommended for travelers who frequently travel overseas.
    
  • If you want to know more about JAL co-branded credit cards in Japan, you canClick here.
• JapanforeignJAL co-branded credit card
  • United States-JAL USA Card: The JAL USA Card is a credit card designed for American travelers who frequently fly Japan Airlines (JAL). It offers a variety of benefits designed to enhance the travel experience and maximize mileage accumulation under JAL JMB. This card is ideal for those who frequently travel between the United States and Japan or within Asia, allowing travelers to fully enjoy every trip with JAL.
    
  • China-JAL JAL·SPD Co-branded Card: A joint credit card launched by Japan Airlines and Shanghai Pudong Development Bank (SPDB). Designed specifically for Chinese travelers who frequently fly Japan Airlines, the card offers a range of frequent flyer benefits to enhance their travel experience. The JAL·SPD co-branded credit card is especially suitable for people who are resident in China and frequently travel to Japan or use JAL international routes. It combines the strengths of a major Chinese bank with the global reach of a top Japanese airline to provide a seamless travel and financial experience.
    
  • Taiwan-JAL Japan Airlines Shin Kong Bank Card
    
  • Hong Kong-AEON Card JAL
    

2. Reach JMB elite membership status

When a passenger accumulates 250LSP, the first premium lifetime membership level, "JMB elite", will be automatically unlocked. As part of this premium membership, when passengers hold the JAL co-branded credit cards listed above, they will receive special electronic invitation coupons twice a year, allowing passengers to enter JAL's luxurious business lounge - Sakura Lounge.

Although access to airport VIP lounges is limited, it is the key to a new world for travelers who only need to travel a few times a year. Stepping into JAL's famous Sakura Lounge enhances passengers' pre-boarding experience, enjoys a touch of luxury, and sets a comfortable and relaxing tone for the upcoming journey. Whether it is a domestic or international flight, passengers can enjoy the high-quality services of Sakura Lounge.

JAL also provides the following benefits to JMB elite members:

• Get extra discounts when using a taxi
• Additional discount coupons for JAL domestic travel packages

3. Achieve JMB elite plus membership status

When a passenger accumulates 500LSP, he or she will automatically obtain "JMB elite plus" membership and enjoy additional benefits. As part of this membership upgrade benefit, in addition to enjoying the benefits of "JMB elite", travelers will be able to receive electronic invitation coupons to use Sakura Lounge six times a year. This benefit can give travelers more opportunities to use Sakura Lounge, enjoy the comfortable facilities provided, and enhance their travel experience.

4. Reach JGC Three Star membership and be invited to join JGC

When a passenger accumulates 1,500LSP, it is not only a milestone, but also a sign of entering a unique and exclusive circle, because it marks that the passenger has obtained the "JGC Three Star" membership status. This achievement is also one of the important prerequisites for being invited to become a member of the famous "JAL Global Club (JGC)". Becoming a member of JGC not only enhances passengers’ travel experience, but also allows them to enjoy a new world of exclusive benefits.

If a passenger becomes a "JGC Three Star" member, he will also receive "JGC Oneworld Sapphire" status, which is equivalent to the "JMB Sapphire" level. Passengers with "JGC Three Star" membership status can not only enjoy all the benefits of "JMB elite" and "JMB elite plus", but also have additional JGC benefits, including priority check-in, extra baggage allowance and unlimited times of airport lounge access, as well as other Oneworld Alliance Sapphire membership benefits. Basically, this status consolidates travel benefits within different membership levels and elevates them to a higher level.

JMB Sapphire and JGC oneworld Sapphire memberships offer essentially the same benefits, but the methods required to maintain the two memberships are completely different.

• JMB Sapphire
  • It is valid until March of the following year after obtaining this membership.
  • To maintain "JMB Sapphire" membership, members must accumulate FOP every year by flying on JAL or oneworld alliance airlines. Basically, travelers need to continue flying and accumulate FOP to extend this membership.
• JGC Oneworld Sapphire Status:
  • Domestic members in Japan: As long as you hold one of the designated JAL co-branded credit cards, namely CLUB-A Card, CLUB-A Gold Card, JAL Diners Card or JAL Platinum Card, this status will be automatically maintained.
  • Members outside Japan: As long as you pay 2,000 miles from JMB, you can maintain it automatically.

Therefore, JGC members can maintain their "JGC Oneworld Sapphire" status indefinitely (or "semi-permanently") as long as they hold these eligible credit cards. This provides a very convenient way to maintain high elite status without having to continually fly for status every year. Therefore, although the benefits provided by the two memberships are the same, the maintenance conditions are different. For those who hold the corresponding JAL co-branded credit card, "JGC Oneworld Sapphire" undoubtedly provides passengers with a possibility to be more relaxed Ways to maintain high elite membership.

5. Continuously strive to achieve JGC Four Star or above membership status

If there are travelers who want to continue to obtain higher star ratings, they may consider continuing to pursue JGC Four Star. However, I personally feel that you can consider slowing down after obtaining a JGC membership. After all, JAL designed LSP to be calculated on a lifetime basis. Ordinary passengers do not need to worry too much about reaching a high-star membership level in a short period of time.

Combining JAL co-branded credit card purchases and taking JAL flights is the best strategy to quickly accumulate LSP at this stage.

Currently based onJAL official websiteInstructions for the listed accumulated LSP. Passengers can obtain LSP mainly through the following methods:

• Domestic flights: Every time you take a one-way domestic flight of the JAL Group, such as from Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) to Osaka International Airport (KIX), passengers will receive 5 LSP regardless of the distance traveled.
• International flights: 5 LSP will be earned for every 1,000 miles flown on each JAL Group one-way international flight. For example, an international flight from Tokyo to New York, based onJAL's form, this one-way flight is approximately 6,739 flight miles, so 6,000/1,000×5=30 LSP can be obtained, and the remaining 739 miles will be accumulated to the next calculation.
• JAL co-branded credit card consumption: For every 2,000 miles accumulated on JAL co-branded credit card consumption in Japan, you will receive 5 LSP. Taking "JAL Card Club-A Gold Card" as an example, you can get 1 mile for every 100 JPY spent, so you can get 5 LSP by spending approximately 200K JPY (≈1333 USD). For JAL co-branded credit cards in Japan and abroad, you can get 5 LSP for every 1,500 miles spent on your purchases. Taking the "JAL USA Card" as an example, with premium rewards, you can get 2 miles for every 1 USD spent, so you can get 5 LSP for every 750 USD spent. 5 LSP.
• JAL Pay consumption: You can also earn LSP by using JAL Pay. Every time you accumulate 500 miles (≈100K JPY), you can get 1 LSP.
• JAL Mall shopping: Spend on the JAL Mall shopping website and earn 1 LSP for every 100 miles (≈10K JPY) accumulated on your purchase.
• JAL Pay for overseas consumption: Use JAL Pay to pay for overseas consumption, and you can get 1 LSP for every 300 miles accumulated, and you can get up to 7 miles for every 1,000 JPY.
• JAL Wellness & Travel and JAL Denki: Only registered users can earn LSP through these services, and each service can earn 1 LSP per month.
• JAL PAC domestic travel package, you can get 1 LSP each time.
• JAL PAC overseas travel package, you can get 3 LSP each time.

The above are just a few of the methods currently released by JAL through its official website for passengers to accumulate LSP by using JAL Group services. In the future, please stay tuned for more opportunities to accumulate LSP and earn additional rewards. Earning LSP can also be very easy, as long as travelers know how to cleverly combine flying and spending with JAL co-branded credit cards at the same time. First, set the JAL co-branded credit card as the preferred payment method for all daily purchases, so that you can start accumulating LSP immediately. Next, why not take some time to explore which flights will maximize your LSP points earnings? By planning in advance, travelers can also make full use of every travel and shopping opportunity to accelerate their JGC membership!

domestic flight

If passengers want to maximize their LSP accumulation on JAL domestic flights, they must choose routes with low fare costs and multiple round-trip flights in one day.

Here are three of the most efficient routes that allow travelers to accumulate a lot of flights:

1. Fukuoka to Miyazaki (FUK-KMI): This low-priced route, which is often on sale, is especially good for accumulating LSP. For example, based on the current flight schedule, passengers can carefully plan a day's itinerary and complete up to 10 flights. If these 10 flights are completed in one day, passengers can earn a total of 50 LSPs. This intensive trip looks very hard, but it is very effective for quickly accumulating LSP. After searching on Google Flight, we found that the one-way FUK-KMI flight fare is $52, and the cost is 1 LSP = 10.1 USD. At the same time, to accumulate 1,500LSP, you need 1,500/50=300 days of practice (OMG!!).
   

2. Haneda to Itami (HND-ITM): This route connects the two major cities of Tokyo and Osaka, so it is very busy with unusually frequent flights. The ultra-high frequency of flights and relatively cheap fares also make it an excellent choice for travelers who want to accumulate LSP. The one-way HND-ITM flight fare is $93 and costs 1 LSP = 18.6 USD.
   
3. Okinawa Naha to nearby remote islands: For example, Naha to Ishigaki Island (OKA-ISG) This route is unique because it serves various smaller surrounding islands and provides higher frequency short-distance flights. These flights are usually shorter, allowing you to make multiple return trips in a day, often have seasonal specials, and are great for racking up more LSP. If you encounter seasonal sales, the one-way fare from OKA-ISG is as low as $35, and the cost is 1 LSP = 7 USD! ! Very very cost effective! !
   

By focusing on these routes, travelers can accumulate large amounts of LSP in a short period of time. It's important to plan strategically beforehand to make the most of every trip. Consider flight times, and connecting connections, and schedule them just right so you can seamlessly connect to your next flight, maximizing your travel efficiency and points earning potential.

International Flights

If you want to earn LSP through JAL international flights, focusing on ultra-long-haul routes will be the best strategy for passengers.

The following table sorts out the 13 cities that currently depart from Tokyo and are operated by JAL, providing the longest flight miles, and lists the LSPs available for this route.

LSP is calculated by dividing the mileage of a one-way flight by 1,000 and multiplying by 5. Any remaining miles will be rolled over to your next international flight. For example, a round-trip flight from Tokyo to New York is 6,739 miles when calculating the departure flight, 6,000/1,000×5=30LSP. The remaining 739 miles will then be added to the return flight mileage for the next calculation. The return flight is 6,739+739=7,478 miles, 7,000/1,000×5=35LSP. So this round-trip flight from Tokyo to New York earns a total of 65LSP. If you want to reach 1500LSP, you need 1,500/65=23 round trips.

If it’s the popular Tokyo-Hawaii route, you can earn 7,662 miles per round trip, or 35 LSP. It takes 43 round-trip flights to accumulate 1,500 LSP. If a person goes to Hawaii for vacation once a year, it will take 43 years to accumulate enough LSP to join JCG.

If you want to know more about the flight miles of other JAL international flights, you can check JAL official website.

Earn LSP through credit card spending

If a traveler only wants to obtain LSP through JAL co-branded credit card consumption, although it is feasible, the total amount of consumption may be very large. Taking "JAL Card Club-A Gold Card" in Japan as an example, every 100 JPY spent can earn 1 mile, and every 2,000 miles can be redeemed for 5 LSP. Based on this ratio, approximately 200K JPY spent can earn 5 LSP. 1,500/5x200K=60M, that is, you can get 1,500LSP by spending 60 million yen with your card. If the current exchange rate of Japanese yen to US dollar is 1 USD=150 JPY, you need to spend at least US$400,000 to qualify for JGC. If we take the highest reward of "JAL USA Card" overseas in Japan as an example, you can get 1,500 miles corresponding to 5 LSP for every 750 USD spent, so 1,500 LSP also requires 225K USD spent to obtain JGC membership. It can be seen that it is very uneconomical to obtain JGC membership simply by swiping your card.

Feasibility study on the strategy of combining flights with daily consumption using credit cards

Now we know that JAL co-branded credit cards play an increasingly critical role in the new LSP plan. Think about it, travelers can get more extra rewards from their trip by using a JAL co-branded credit card to book and pay for international flights. (Don’t just think of the JAL co-branded credit card as an ordinary transaction tool, but also as a powerful reward points feedback system.)

Assume that travelers switch their daily consumption to cashless payments and use JAL co-branded credit cards for all purchases. For example, if you use "JAL USA Card" to spend 2.25K USD per month, travelers will earn 15 LSP per month, which can reach a total of 180 LSP in a year. The cost is 1 LSP = 150 USD.

Then, let’s talk about booking international flights.

There are generally two types of flights: "direct flights" that fly directly from the departure point to the destination without a stopover; "stop flights" that require a stopover at one or more locations. Direct flights are faster but usually more expensive. In contrast, flights with stops are generally cheaper, although they take longer.

For example, I am currently mainly based in Boston, USA and Osaka, Japan:

Assuming I take a JAL flight from Osaka to Boston, a two-week itinerary, the cost of a round-trip JAL flight via Tokyo is approximately 1,676 USD. If I use "JAL USA Card" to pay this fee from the JAL official website, I will earn 3,352 miles for this, which is equivalent to 20 LSP. In addition, from Osaka-Tokyo-Boston-Tokyo-Osaka, the two domestic legs have a total of 10 LSP, and the two international legs have a total of 13,400 miles and a total of 65 LSP. Therefore, this international round-trip trip can bring me a total of 95 LSP (using "JAL USA Card" to earn 20 LSP for payment and 75 LSP for flying miles). From this, the cost of this trip is 1 LSP = 17.64 USD.

If I still want to maximize my JGC practice efficiency during my two weeks in Boston, I can consider taking a JAL flight from New York, stopping in Tokyo, flying to any other international destination, and then returning the same way. four international routes to maximize LSP gains. After some research, we found that the lowest price for a two-day round trip trip from New York to Tokyo to New Delhi is only $1005. I also use "JAL USA Card" to pay, and I can get 2,010 miles every time, which is about 10 LSP. The four international lines have a total of 20,712 miles, and 100 LSP is credited at one time. Therefore, this additional practice can earn 110 LSP, and the cost is 1 LSP = 9.13 USD.

Assume that I insert two such trips every time I go to the United States, then I can get 95+2×110 = 315 LSP for each trip to and from the United States. The total cost is 3,725 USD, so each 1 LSP = 11.82 USD.

If it is a two-year period, assuming I have two trips back to the United States from Osaka every year, the total number of LSPs I can get in these two years is 2×180+2x2x315= 1620 LSP (WOW!!) The total cost is 68.9K USD , (including daily consumption of 2.25K USD per month, a total of 54K USD, and JAL air ticket consumption of 14.9K USD), the cost is 1 LSP = 42.53 USD (WOW WOW WOW!!!)

With the goal of reaching "JGC Three Star" and being invited to become a JGC member, within the next two years, if you can find cheap domestic lines, you can quickly reduce the average LSP cost. But I have to say that the total cost of practice is still very high! !

In addition, in the new LSP plan, the LSP has no validity period. Therefore, if travelers are not in a hurry to use JAL miles and prefer to save money, they can lengthen the practice time and slowly adjust the consumption structure and frequency of flights according to their own budget and schedule and at their own pace. Maybe air ticket prices will continue to drop in the future, or JAL will have other special sales opportunities to get bonus LSP, so that the cost per LSP will slowly come down. This flexibility allows travelers to accumulate LSP at their own pace without worrying about it disappearing in the future.

Recommended JAL co-branded credit card for newbies

• Within Japan:
  • "JAL Card Suica CLUB-A Gold Card" is my first choice, suitable for travelers who want to maximize benefits and accumulate points through daily and travel-related purchases. This card combines the practicality of the JAL co-branded credit card with the convenience of the Suica card, which is widely used in public transportation, convenience stores, and mobile payments in Japan. Here are some of the standout features of this card:
    • Accumulation of points for Suica consumption: Passengers can earn additional LSP points by binding their mobile Suica to this credit card.
    • Earn Extra Points on Big Spending: Another great advantage of using this card is the extra points you can earn when you reach your spending threshold. If your consumption reaches 1 million yen within a year, you will receive additional bonus points. This reward system encourages users to use the card more extensively for various purchases, enhancing the potential to quickly accumulate LSP points.
    • Travel & Lifestyle Benefits: In addition to financial rewards, this card also offers various travel-related benefits such as lounge access, travel insurance, and more. These benefits make traveling more comfortable and safer.
    • Seamless integration into daily life: Since this card is linked to Suica, it can be seamlessly integrated into daily life activities such as commuting, shopping and dining out, as long as merchants accept Suica payments. This integration makes credit card purchases very convenient and ensures that travelers can earn LSP points all the time.
  This card is particularly suitable for those who frequently use public transport and want to get more value from their daily purchases.
• Outside Japan:
  • The "JAL USA Card" is most suitable for travelers who have lived in the United States for many years, frequently travel to and from Japan, or use JAL for international travel. This credit card provides a variety of additional mileage bonus benefits and can also help travelers accumulate LSP quickly.
    • Mileage accumulation: "JAL USA Card" has two levels of reward rules. The basic tier with an annual fee of $20 allows travelers to earn 1 JMB mile with $1 on daily purchases. The premium tier with an annual fee of $70 can receive double rewards based on the redemption rate of 2 JMB miles earned on $1 consumption.
    • Earn an additional 5,000 JMB bonus miles for your first JAL international flight every year: After the credit card is approved, the primary cardholder of the credit card will receive an additional JMB bonus mile for your first international flight operated by JAL each year (only once) .
    • The main card holder will receive 10% of sector bonus miles for every JAL flight: Every time the main card holder takes a JAL Group flight, he will receive an additional 10% of sector bonus miles. Segment award miles will be credited to the JMB account at the same time as the flight miles.

Summarize

Regarding the new reforms, every traveler may have different ideas. I have summarized the following three categories of people:

☺️People who are happy to see changes:

• It is popular among people who have accumulated a large number of domestic flights in the past or are expected to have a large number of domestic flights in the future, such as business travelers or people who love to travel.
• Some people who can accumulate LSP points through high-value credit card purchases

For business travelers who frequently travel within Japan, although they may not have been able to reach the JGC membership level within a year in the past, through the new LSP lifetime evaluation, they now have the opportunity to reach this level in one go. In fact, you'd be surprised to find that many people have completed at least 300 domestic flights in their lifetime, so check your past flying records first.

Now, the way to join JGC is also open to obtain LSP through JAL co-branded credit card consumption, which means that it is possible to become a JAL premium member even if you have not flown once. Although the goal may be as high as 600M JPY, considering this is a lifelong goal, those who are capable may wish to give it a try.

😡People who are dissatisfied with changes:

• Those who plan to start JGC practice in 2024

For those travelers who are planning to start JGC practice in 2024, they are obviously very troubled when they find that the difficulty coefficient has been directly increased by 6X. I hope JAL can join in the past limited-time Double FOP activities in the future, and also launch limited-time Double LSP activities to help these travelers.

😑People who are indifferent to this:

• Those who do not intend to become JGC Premium Members

Especially for those who are not planning on becoming a JGC premium member, this change has no impact at all, so it is no problem at all.

From 2024, "JAL Life Status Point" will transform into a brand-new program. Passengers can earn LSP points not only by flying, but also by using JAL Group services and spending with JAL co-branded credit cards.

Although it is indeed heartbreaking to no longer be a JGC member in the short term, since the new evaluation criteria are based on lifetime accumulated LSP, this makes the plan more sustainable in the future. In addition, various star level benefits have also been added. For example, you can use Sakura Lounge before reaching JGC qualifications, and there are additional partner benefits after reaching JGC Three Star level.

JAL will gradually reveal more details, and I will update the details here as soon as more information becomes available!