JAL × Marriott Bonvoy Partnership!
Reciprocal Status Match & FLY ON Points Just for Linking Accounts
JAL and Marriott Bonvoy have formed a full strategic partnership: the two loyalty programs now match each other’s status, and Marriott members earn JAL FLY ON Points simply by linking accounts. You can move toward that year’s JAL elite status and perks without flying — and if you hold the Marriott Bonvoy Amex, this news is especially worth your attention.
On July 14, 2026, JAL (Japan Airlines) and Marriott International announced a strategic partnership — Marriott Bonvoy’s first full-scale tie-up with a Japanese airline, and JAL’s first strategic partnership with a global hotel group. The highlights: a reciprocal status match between JAL Mileage Bank (JMB) and Marriott Bonvoy, and Marriott members earning JAL FLY ON Points just by linking their accounts. This guide breaks down what the partnership includes, the status-match tables, how to earn JAL miles, and why Marriott Bonvoy Amex holders benefit the most.
What the JAL × Marriott partnership is
Until now, JAL and Marriott only had a basic link — you could convert Marriott points into JAL miles. On July 14, 2026 the two companies upgraded that relationship into a full strategic partnership. The two headline features are:
Reciprocal status match
JAL Mileage Bank (JMB) and Marriott Bonvoy statuses now match each other, so you can enjoy both sets of elite perks at once and climb the tiers faster.
FLY ON Points on linking
Marriott members earn JAL FLY ON Points simply by linking accounts. The higher your status, the more you get — and they accrue even without flying.
If you stay at Marriott often, or hold a Marriott credit card, this effectively turns your “hotel-side status” into a shortcut to JAL elite status — real, tangible value.
Official release: Marriott Bonvoy and JAL announce strategic partnership (JAL press release) →This article is based on the official release and media reports. Please confirm details with the official sourcesHighlight 1: Earn FLY ON Points just by linking
“FLY ON Points” are what JAL uses to determine annual status (Crystal, Sapphire, etc., which reset every year), and normally you only earn them by flying (note: permanent JGC is a separate track — see the box below). Under this partnership, Marriott members earn FLY ON Points every year based on their Marriott status, just by linking accounts (the reported tiers and points are below — please confirm with JAL’s official announcement):
| Marriott Bonvoy status | FLY ON Points / year |
|---|---|
| Member (base) | 2,000 |
| Silver Elite | 5,000 |
| Gold Elite | 10,000 |
| Platinum Elite | 20,000 |
| Titanium Elite | 30,000 |
| Ambassador Elite | 40,000 |
In addition, per the official release, Marriott Titanium and Ambassador Elite members are automatically granted JAL Crystal status or higher, based on their accumulated FLY ON Points. The higher your hotel status, the higher your JAL starting point.
Important: FLY ON Points are for “annual status” — not permanent JGC
In January 2024, JAL overhauled its program into two tracks. (1) The FLY ON Program (what this partnership grants) covers annual statuses like Crystal and Sapphire, which reset every year (e.g. Sapphire needs 50,000 FLY ON Points/year, Crystal 30,000). (2) Permanent JGC (JAL Global Club) membership now requires Life Status Points (LSP, 1,500+ cumulative) — a lifetime track earned via flights plus JAL card spending, and FLY ON Points do NOT count toward LSP. So the FLY ON Points from this partnership boost your status and perks for the current year; they are not a “get permanent JGC without flying” shortcut. For permanent JGC, use the Life Status Program (see JAL official).
Highlight 2: JAL ⇄ Marriott reciprocal status match
It works the other way too — JAL elite members can obtain Marriott status. According to the official release and media reports, the direction is roughly as follows (please confirm final details officially):
| Your current status | Matched status you can get |
|---|---|
| JMB member (no FLY ON status) | 6 nights within 6 months → Marriott Silver Elite |
| JMB Sapphire | Auto Silver Elite → 10 nights within 6 months for Gold |
| JGC Premier / Diamond / Diamond Metal | Match to Marriott Gold Elite (plus stay bonuses) |
| Marriott Silver Elite | Equivalent to JAL Sapphire treatment |
| Marriott Gold Elite or above | Equivalent to JGC Premier / Diamond treatment |
In short: JMB Sapphire members and above automatically get the corresponding Marriott elite tier, and Marriott Silver members and above can match to JAL’s corresponding treatment. Register for both and link your accounts, and one effort lifts you on both sides.
Why Marriott Bonvoy Amex holders benefit most
One group gains the most from this partnership: people who hold the “Marriott Bonvoy American Express Premium Card” (Marriott Bonvoy Amex). The reason is simple.
Card = instant Gold → status-match perks + FLY ON Points every year
The Marriott Bonvoy Amex has a signature perk: you automatically hold Marriott “Gold Elite” status the whole time you keep the card. Under this partnership, Gold Elite gets two benefits: (1) a status match to JAL’s corresponding elite treatment (reportedly around JGC Premier / Diamond level; confirm officially), plus (2) 10,000 FLY ON Points every year (just link accounts — no flying — to boost your annual status). So holding the card and linking accounts gets you JAL elite treatment and points for the year, with zero extra spend and zero flights. (Note: as above, FLY ON Points are an annual metric; permanent JGC is a separate Life Status Points track.)
Layer on the card’s core benefits — 3% on general spend / 6% at Marriott hotels, an annual Free Night Award, and the ability to convert Marriott points into airline miles (including JAL) — and the loop of “hotel stay → points → JAL miles & JAL status” clicks fully into place. For the card’s full benefits, how to offset the annual fee, and the smartest way to apply, see this detailed guide:
Marriott Bonvoy Amex Guide | Platinum · Free Nights · 6% Rewards →Platinum status, free nights, points-to-miles — see whether it’s worth itApply via referral for up to 110,000 points
For the very same card, applying through a referral link gets you up to 110,000 points in total — that’s 10,000 more than the standard offer (spending conditions apply). So if you’re going to apply, don’t go direct — the “Marriott Bonvoy Amex” button below is the referral application link. There is currently no fixed end date (offer terms and conditions may change; please check the latest when you apply — see the guide above for details).
Recap: Earning JAL miles via Marriott (triple-dip)
Even setting aside the new status, Marriott has long been an efficient route to JAL miles. Here’s the mechanism:
- Points to miles: 3 points = 1 mile. Convert 60,000 points at once and you get a 5,000-mile bonus, so 60,000 points = 25,000 miles (effectively 3 points = 1.25 miles). Transferable to 40+ airlines including JAL.
- Book Marriott via the JAL site: 100 yen = 2 miles, stackable with the hotel’s own points.
- Pay with the Marriott Amex: 6 points per 100 yen at Marriott hotels, which you can route back to JAL miles via the conversion above.
Stacking these three layers is the well-known “triple-dip” — one Marriott stay earns flight miles, hotel points, and card points at the same time. Add the new FLY ON Points and status match, and the Marriott route just leveled up again for JAL fans.
What you can do now
On July 14, JAL only announced that the partnership was signed — the exact account-linking method and start date have not yet been released (more details to come). What you can do now is get the prerequisites ready so you’re set the moment it goes live:
- Register for both. Make sure you’re a member of both JAL Mileage Bank (JMB) and Marriott Bonvoy — both are free.
- For a shortcut, consider the Marriott Bonvoy Amex. Holding it gives instant Gold Elite — the entry ticket to the new “10,000 FLY ON Points a year on linking” (see the guide above and the button at the end).
- Link your accounts the moment it opens. Watch JAL / Marriott official announcements, and connect your accounts once linking becomes available to start the status match and FLY ON Points.
Things to note
- The exact start date and linking method are unannounced. The tier mappings and point figures here are compiled from the official release and reports — please confirm final details with JAL / Marriott officially.
- Status matches typically have “maintenance conditions” (e.g., a number of nights within a period). Follow the official rules.
- Credit card benefits, annual fees, and sign-up offers can change. Check the issuer’s latest page before applying.
FAQ
Can I earn JAL FLY ON Points without flying?
Yes. Under this partnership, Marriott Bonvoy members earn FLY ON Points every year based on their Marriott status simply by linking accounts (Member 2,000 to Ambassador Elite 40,000). FLY ON Points determine JAL’s annual status (Crystal, Sapphire, etc., which reset yearly), so you can move toward that year’s elite treatment without flying. Note: permanent JGC switched to Life Status Points (LSP) in 2024 and is a separate track from FLY ON. Confirm the start date with the official announcement.
How many FLY ON Points with the Marriott Bonvoy Amex?
The card grants Marriott Gold Elite while you hold it, and per the announced terms Gold Elite earns 10,000 FLY ON Points a year (you must link both accounts). Plus, the status match gives you JAL’s corresponding elite treatment, so without heavy flying you enjoy that year’s elite treatment and points. (FLY ON is an annual metric; permanent JGC is a separate Life Status Points track.)
How do I convert Marriott points to JAL miles?
Base rate is 3 points = 1 mile; convert 60,000 points at once for a 5,000-mile bonus, making 60,000 points = 25,000 miles. Transferable to 40+ airlines including JAL.
What should I do right now?
First, become a member of both JMB and Marriott Bonvoy (both free). The linking method and start date are unannounced, so watch the official announcements and connect your accounts once it opens. If you want the “instant Gold” shortcut, consider the Marriott Bonvoy Amex.
What’s the benefit of applying for the Marriott Bonvoy Amex via referral?
Applying via a referral link gets you up to 110,000 points in total (10,000 more than the standard offer; spending conditions apply). You also get automatic Marriott Gold Elite while holding it, plus 10,000 FLY ON Points a year under this JAL partnership. The “Marriott Bonvoy Amex” button in this article is the referral application link, and there is currently no fixed end date (offers may change; check the latest terms when applying).
※ This article is based on JAL’s official announcement of July 14, 2026 and various media reports. The exact start date, linking method, tier mappings and point figures for the status match, as well as credit card annual fees and benefits, may change, and official rules take precedence. Always confirm the latest information with JAL / Marriott Bonvoy / the card issuer. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation.