Marriott has always been one of the most active hotel groups when it comes to airline partnerships. It already has varying levels of cooperation with airlines such as United, Singapore Airlines, Air Canada and Lufthansa.
Now there’s a new addition to the family, and it’s not one I would have predicted: Japan Airlines.
The partnership centres around reciprocal elite benefits and status acceleration. The most interesting feature is that every Marriott Bonvoy member, even those with no elite status at all, can receive complimentary JAL FLY ON Points (FOP):
- Base: 2,000 FOP
- Silver: 5,000 FOP
- Gold: 10,000 FOP
- Platinum: 20,000 FOP
- Titanium: 30,000 FOP
- Ambassador: 40,000 FOP
Much like Lufthansa’s programme, Japan Airlines requires that a portion of your FOP are earned by flying with the JAL Group. Surprisingly, the complimentary FOP from Marriott count towards this requirement.
In other words, Titanium and Ambassador members automatically receive enough FOP each year to qualify for JAL Crystal status, which corresponds to oneworld Ruby. Sapphire status requires 50,000 FOP, so you’d simply need to earn the remaining balance by flying JAL or oneworld partner airlines.
After taking a closer look at JAL’s membership system, FOP are effectively status miles, and earning the additional 20,000 needed for Sapphire isn’t exactly effortless. If I remember correctly, one of the most efficient options has traditionally been domestic flights within Japan. Thanks to generous double bonuses, one Tokyo – Okinawa return trip in Class J (domestic business) earns more than 5,000 FOP.
That was, of course, the classic route for people pursuing lifetime Sapphire (JGC Premier) back in the day. Whether it’s still worthwhile purely for one year’s worth of status is another question entirely.
After linking my Marriott and JAL accounts, the 30,000 FOP posted almost instantly. I then waited around half a day before the Crystal card appeared.
One unexpected bonus was six complimentary coupons to Japan Airlines’ domestic lounges. I probably won’t get much use out of them, but it’s a nice gesture nonetheless.
Japan Airlines elite members also receive reciprocal benefits with Marriott, although they’re considerably less exciting overall. The standout perk is reserved for Diamond Metal members, who can earn Marriott Platinum Elite simply by completing ten eligible nights within six months.
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