Hawaiian Airlines, JAL Expand Frequent Flyer Partnership

A full flight of passengers on Japan Airlines flight JL770 deplane in Kailua-Kona on September 15, exactly one year after the carrier restarted roundtrip nonstop daily service from Tokyo. Photo Credit: Japan Airlines

JAL Mileage Bank and HawaiianMiles members will enjoy reciprocal frequent flyer benefits effective Oct. 1 as the carriers grow their comprehensive partnership to offer more value to travelers.

Hawaiian Airlines and Japan Airlines announced the expanded frequent flyer program partnership today.

“With access to more than 800 daily flights, we’re pleased to offer HawaiianMiles and JAL Mileage Bank members the combined strength of Japan’s and Hawaiʻi’s best route network and frequent flyer programs,” said Bryan Kapeckas, managing director of loyalty and travel products at Hawaiian Airlines.

Under the enhanced program, HawaiianMiles members will be able to earn and redeem miles on all international and Japan domestic flights in JAL’s network, while JAL Mileage Bank members will earn and redeem JMB miles on Hawaiian’s neighbor island and international network. Until now, JAL Mileage Bank and HawaiianMiles members have earned miles on codeshare flights only.

The expanded frequent flyer program is the second phase of the carriers’ comprehensive partnership launched in March with the start of codeshare flights.

Airline executives say that in June, Hawaiian and JAL filed an application with the US Department of Transportation and Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism seeking immunity from antitrust laws to create a joint venture promising advantages to consumers.

More information on the HawaiianMiles program is available online. More information about the JAL Mileage Bank program is available here.