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On the podcast, on our site, and in this here newsletter, we’ve been singing Japan Airlines’ Mileage Bank’s praises for the last year and change.
Ever since Bilt added it as a transfer partner – followed by both Capital One and, most recently, Rove Miles – we’ve been digging in to this previously under-the-radar mileage program … and we really like what we’ve found. How about:
It’s that last bullet point where there’s cause for concern.
A handful of recent Reddit threads have pointed out that much of JAL’s once-widespread business class availability has more or less evaporated over the last week or two. One is melodramatically titled “Farewell to JAL JMB as we knew it.”
I had no problem finding some cheap(ish), 80,000-mile redemptions flying JAL’s new business class from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) … but only in August, when the overbearing heat means many tourists steer clear.
Much of the rest of the calendar looks a whole lot like this.
In hindsight, we should have all seen this coming. But there’s more to the story – and it’s not time to bury this mileage program just yet.
What’s going on with JAL Mileage Bank is a microcosm for the pointsflation ravaging the award travel landscape as a whole the last few years:
Fueled by bigger and bigger welcome bonuses hawked by social media influencers (and, yes, sites and newsletters like ours) to a growing population of points-hungry travelers, it’s oversaturated the market. Cue the award rate increases, award space restrictions, or both.
And JAL has taken that to an extreme with transfer bonuses from all three of its partners, including one of up to 125% (!!!) from Bilt in March. Tons of travelers cashed in, speculatively transferring hundreds of thousands of points to JAL.
Something has to give. It’s inflation, plain and simple.
But let’s step back and reassess. Just over a year ago, none of us were using JAL’s mileage program, period … if we were even aware of it. I know I certainly wasn’t.
So the “loss” of those JAL business class awards is really a return to normal. It’s certainly no different – and arguably still better! – than the likelihood of booking an ANA business class seat through Virgin Atlantic, Air Canada Aeroplan, or virtually any other partner these days…
That mass influx of American credit card points simply shocked the system. I’m confident when I say: This, too, shall pass.
And in the meantime, there are still plenty of amazing ways to redeem JAL miles. In just the last few weeks alone, we’ve sent our Thrifty Traveler Premium members alerts to book:
So don’t write off JAL Mileage Bank just yet. I’m certainly not.
– Kyle Potter, executive editor
Heat scale (out of 3): 🔥🔥
Why we love it: If you’re in the market to buy a tablet, a watch, or some AirPods, you should consider doing it today to earn a boatload of miles in return.
Four different U.S. airlines are offering big bonus miles promotions on Apple purchases … but it’s today (Monday, June 22) only!
You can earn 4x miles with Alaska or United when you purchase through those airlines’ shopping portals. You can do the same at 3.5x with American and Delta’s portals, too.
Head to Alaska, American, Delta, or United‘s shopping portals to buy using these points bonuses!
– Gunnar Olson, Thrifty Traveler Premium deal analyst
Are you a diehard traveler and bona fide “sicko” (that’s a term of endearment around here) when it comes to hotels and award travel?
Do you love nothing more than scouring for the next great hotel redemption? Want to help others do the same? Loathe the prospect of another devaluation but relish the thought of breaking that news?
We don’t just want you. We need you.
Here at TT HQ, we’re hiring again – this time for a dedicated hotel deal analyst & reporter. It’s a hybrid role, split between the two worlds of what we do here at Thrifty Traveler:
There’s tons of additional details, responsibilities, qualifications, and basics about the job on our site, but here’s a big one: We’re specifically looking for someone who can join us in our Minneapolis office.
Fit the bill? Be sure to apply by the July 5 deadline!
… and see you soon in the office?
– Kyle Potter, executive editor
The 2009 club-favorite song “Shots” by LMFAO & Lil Jon hits a little different for Thrifty Traveler dads these days. 💉
– Jackson Newman, senior editor
It’s official: The banks are losing their minds … with some of the best welcome bonuses we’ve ever seen, all at once.
🎧 Tune in now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!
Fresh off our (massively successful!) live podcast in Minneapolis last week, we’re officially taking this show on the road – and returning to our roots!
That’s right: The Thrifty Traveler Podcast is going live again in Fargo, North Dakota! Join us on Wednesday, July 29 for an hour of our usual blend of travel insights, tips, and unhinged takes.
Pssst: If you’re a Thrifty Traveler Premium member, use your exclusive promo code PREMIUM2026 for a $5 discount on your ticket(s)!
Fargo is near and dear to our hearts – that’s why it’s one of the airport maps in our podcast studio. Our founder, co-founder, and COO are all native Fargoans. I myself worked (and met my wife!) there for a year and change out of college.
Our live recording of the pod is part of the run-up to TEDxFargo, an amazing annual event that our CEO, Jared, spoke at a few years back. Getting involved with this amazing community again was an absolute no-brainer.
See you in downtown Fargo in six weeks, folks!
– Kyle Potter, executive editor & podcast co-host
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