Japan Airlines just sent out yet another email concerning specific extensions of JAL Mileage Bank miles, coupons and eJal Points through October 31, 2022 due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and border closure in Japan.
The airline will further extend miles, coupons, and e JAL Points but once again registration is required to be considered for the extension.
This is the fourth time that JAL Mileage Bank is offering extensions for their currency and coupons which always happened in 6 month intervals, the latest tranche having expired on February 28th.
But now JAL sent out an email that their currencies were extended yet again and members need to register here in order to be eligible for the extension (those who previously registered for extensions don’t need to do it again though).
Extension of JAL Mileage Bank’s Special Response to COVID-19
Thank you for your continued patronage of the JAL Group.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused by the suspension or reduction of services on some routes due to the spread of COVID-19.In light of the prolonged situation of the Coronavirus outbreak, the special measures that have been introduced for miles, e JAL Points, and JAL Coupons expiring on/before February 28, 2022 will be extended.
MILES:
Miles expiring on/before September 30, 2022 will be converted to e JAL Points.
* Miles are not extended and instead exchanged to e JAL points valid until October 31, 2022.e JAL Points:
e JAL Points expiring on/before September 30, 2022 will be credited back to your account as e JAL points valid until October 31, 2022.JAL Coupons:
JAL Coupons expiring on/before September 30, 2022 will be accepted at eligible stores/locations until October 31, 2022.We hope these measures will provide the flexibility for you to use your miles, e JAL Points, and JAL Coupons for JAL Group flights when the situation improves.
Please refer to the JAL website for details of the special measures.
Many Japan Airlines members have been facing issues using their miles while Japan has now slammed their doors shut for over two years with no signs of reopening.
You could use the miles for Oneworld partner flights or to transit through Japan like I did a few times on the way from South East Asia to North America but for those
JMB has a range of different instruments attached to their frequent flyer program, all of which can be used in different ways and are subject to expiry:
- Miles
- JAL Coupons
- e JAL Points
Japan Airlines is now extending those as follows:
Miles will be converted to eJAL points and stamped with a validity of October 31, 2022.
JAL Coupons expiring on/before September 30, 2022 will be accepted at eligible stores/locations until October 31, 2022.
Overall this is – in typical Japanese fashion – way more complicated than it should be to simply extend the expiration of some frequent flyer instruments. Why on earth design such a complicated process?? And why always in six-month increments?
Japan is still pretty much inaccessible to foreigners unless you have a residence, study or work permit for the country.
Conclusion
Japan Airlines Mileage Bank (JMB) members can now register to have expiring miles extended until October 31, 2022. Those who have registered for the previous round of extensions don’t need to register again.
Just like ANA whose process is done in a similar complicated fashion JAL isn’t really applying much common sense in making this easy for customers. Registration required, minimal extensions… They can and should do a lot better!
