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Marriott Bonvoy® and Japan Airlines (JAL) have introduced a new strategic partnership that brings reciprocal elite status, enhanced rewards, and exclusive travel benefits to members of both loyalty programs.
The new Preferred Partnership allows travelers to link their Marriott Bonvoy® and JAL Mileage Bank (JMB) accounts to unlock reciprocal elite recognition and additional earning opportunities across flights and hotel stays. It marks the first comprehensive loyalty partnership between Marriott Bonvoy® and a Japanese airline (and JAL’s first such alliance with a global hotel company).
The partnership builds on the existing relationship between the two brands, which already allows members to convert Marriott Bonvoy® points into JAL miles and vice versa. The expanded agreement now introduces reciprocal status matching and accelerated pathways to elite status.
For Marriott Bonvoy® members, one of the biggest new benefits is the ability to earn JAL FLY ON Points simply by linking their accounts without taking a flight. The number of FLY ON Points awarded depends on a member’s Marriott Bonvoy® elite tier and provides a head start toward JAL elite status.
Likewise, JAL Mileage Bank members can receive Marriott Bonvoy® elite status based on their FLY ON status. Basic JMB and Crystal members can earn Marriott Bonvoy® Silver Elite through qualifying stays, while Sapphire and higher-tier members receive corresponding Marriott Bonvoy® elite recognition automatically.
The partnership also introduces opportunities to fast-track status. Marriott Bonvoy® Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite members can receive JAL Crystal status or higher, while JAL elite members can accelerate their Marriott Bonvoy® progress through qualifying hotel stays. Higher-tier JAL members can also earn bonus Marriott Bonvoy® points by completing eligible stays during the first half of each year.
The new alliance joins Marriott’s growing portfolio of airline loyalty partnerships, which already includes United Airlines, Air Canada, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines.
Anthony’s Take: With travelers increasingly looking to maximize rewards across both flights and hotel stays, the partnership gives frequent visitors to Japan and beyond another valuable way to earn elite benefits and enhance their overall travel experience.
(Image Credits: Marriott and Japan Airlines.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
