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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThe 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):<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Base: 2,000 FOP<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Silver: 5,000 FOP<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Gold: 10,000 FOP<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Platinum: 20,000 FOP<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Titanium: 30,000 FOP<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Ambassador: 40,000 FOP<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In other words, Titanium and Ambassador members automatically receive enough FOP each year to qualify for JAL Crystal status, which corresponds to oneworld Ruby<\/mark><\/strong>. Sapphire <\/mark><\/strong>status requires 50,000 FOP, so you’d simply need to earn the remaining balance by flying JAL or oneworld partner airlines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n
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