Key facts
- Japan Airlines is making elite membership status more accessible to passengers.
- The airline is competing with All Nippon Airways for valuable customers.
- JAL Mileage Bank and Marriott Bonvoy launched a reciprocal status match partnership on July 14, 2026.
- Marriott Bonvoy members receive annual FLY ON Points credits based on their elite tier.
- Titanium and Ambassador Elite Marriott Bonvoy members receive 30,000 FLY ON Points annually.
Japan Airlines is making it easier for passengers to achieve elite status in its loyalty program as it competes with All Nippon Airways for valuable customers. The airline announced a strategic alliance with Marriott Bonvoy on July 14, 2026, that goes beyond existing points transfers to include reciprocal status matching.
Under the new partnership, members of either JAL Mileage Bank (JMB) or Marriott Bonvoy can link their accounts to receive elite recognition in the other program. Marriott Bonvoy members will also earn JAL's status-qualifying FLY ON Points annually simply by linking their accounts, without needing to take a flight. The number of FLY ON Points awarded depends on the Marriott Bonvoy tier, ranging from 2,000 points for members to 40,000 points for Ambassador Elite members.
For JMB members, the alliance offers a path into the Marriott Bonvoy ecosystem, which includes over 10,000 properties globally. The status match levels vary, with Sapphire tier members receiving a status match to Silver Elite and the opportunity to accelerate to Gold Elite by staying 10 nights in six months. JGC Premier and Diamond tier members receive a status match to Gold Elite, with additional benefits and opportunities to reach higher tiers.