Japan Airlines Announces Partnership with Priority Pass…But It’s Not What You Think

by Enoch

Priority Pass is the world’s largest independent lounge network, and members have access to 950 lounges worldwide. Many of us know them from the membership that comes with a credit card, but a number of people also buy memberships outright. There are three tiers of membership:

  • Standard ($99/year): $27 per member visit, $27 per guest
  • Standard Plus ($249/year): 10 Free member visit, then $27 per member visit, $27 per guest
  • Prestige ($399/year): Unlimited member visit, $27 per guest
Priority Pass offers three tiers of membership

Priority Pass offers three tiers of membership

New Partnership

Japan Airlines just announced that they are announcing a new partnership with Priority Pass. Starting today, Mileage Bank members can redeem their miles for Priority Pass membership. Specifically, you can use 40,000 JAL miles for a Prestige membership, which normally costs $399 a year. Jun Kato, Executive Officer of Japan Airlines, says:

We believe that Priority Pass will greatly enhance the convenience and comfort of the airport experience and as a result, increase the loyalty of all our JAL Mileage Bank members. This collaboration will cater to all our Members around the world and they will now be able to enjoy a comprehensive network of over 950 lounges worldwide, through the easy conversion of their JAL Mileage Bank Miles.

You can now redeem JAL miles for a Priority Pass membership

You can now redeem JAL miles for a Priority Pass membership

This is the first time an airline has allowed redemption for Priority Pass memberships. That’s not really surprising, since elite members and those flying in premium cabins usually already get lounge access. In theory, this would only significantly benefit non-elites and those flying coach. However, I’d argue that there are much better ways to use your JAL miles, and much better ways to get a Priority Pass membership.

There Are Better Ways to Use 40,000 JAL Miles

With a JAL Miles redemption, you are getting less than 1 cent per point in value. That’s a pretty terrible redemption. For 40,000 JAL miles, you can fly one-way from Tokyo to Sydney in Business Class!

Japan Airlines Business Class on 777

Japan Airlines Business Class on 777s

JAL also partners with Emirates, and if all you had were 40,000 miles, there are still plenty of good options. Even 35,000 JAL Miles will get you a one-way ticket from Dubai to Istanbul, in Business Class!

Emirates 777-300ER Business Class. Photo by TravelingOtter from Flickr, used with permission.

Emirates 777-300ER Business Class. Photo by TravelingOtter from Flickr, used with permission.

There Are Better Ways to Get the Priority Pass

Many premium credit cards offer a Priority Pass membership. The Citi Prestige card offers a Priority Pass membership that comes with unlimited access with 2 extra guests. The Chase Sapphire Reserve takes it one step further, offering unlimited guests with its Priority Pass.

The above cards come with a $450 annual fee, but beside the Priority Pass, they provide a ton of other perks that make them well worth it. If you are serious about traveling, getting one of these premium credit cards might be the better way to get a Priority Pass membership.

Conclusion

To be honest, I can’t say I fully understand the point of this partnership. The people who have enough miles to burn for Priority Pass membership probably don’t need one. Meanwhile, the people who could really benefit should use their miles for something else. But I guess having options is always nice…

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3 comments

choi lu October 6, 2016 - 11:04 am

one more misleading or missing information. Jal miles dont allow One-way redemption, so just a few more words in your story makes it complete.

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Enoch October 6, 2016 - 11:07 am

Hello! JAL has actually allowed one-way redemptions since April 2015. https://www.jal.co.jp/en/info/jmb/award.html

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Recap: $30-$50 Discount On Kindle's, Two Airline Offers & The Fine Print - Doctor Of Credit October 7, 2016 - 7:49 pm

[…] Japan Airlines Announces Partnership with Priority Pass…But It’s Not What You Think by Point Me To The Plane. Gives you the option of turning 40,000 miles into a prestige priority pass, basically values points at 1¢ a piece. […]

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