Japan Airlines (JAL) Mileage Bank miles expire 36 months from when you earned the miles.
Specifically, JAL miles expire at 10 AM (EST) or 7 AM (PST) on the last day of the 36th month following the month of the transaction.
For example, if you earned or transferred 10,000 miles on April 1, 2023, your miles would expire on April 31, 2026.
How to Keep Japanese Airline Miles from Expiring
Japanese Airlines Mileage Bank miles cannot be extended.
This is a significant disadvantage for frequent flyers since most loyalty programs typically allow you to reset the expiration clock by earning or redeeming miles, or by paying an extension fee.
The other Japanese carrier, All Nippon Airways, also has the same expiration policy.
Comparison of Mileage Expiration Policies
Below are the mileage expiration policies for the major points programs.
| Airline | Expiration |
|---|---|
AeroMexico
|
24 months after inactivity |
Air Canada (Aeroplan)
|
18 months after inactivity |
Air France (Flying Blue)
|
24 months after inactivity |
Alaska Airlines
|
24 months after inactivity |
American Airlines
|
18 months after inactivity |
ANA
|
36 months |
Asiana Airlines
|
10 years |
British Airways
|
36 months after inactivity |
Delta Air Lines
|
Never |
Emirates
|
3 years |
Etihad
|
24 months from inactivity |
EVA Air
|
36 months |
Iberia
|
36 months after inactivity |
Korean Air
|
10 years |
Lufthansa
|
36 months |
Qantas
|
18 months after inactivity |
Qatar Airways
|
36 months after inactivity |
Singapore Airlines
|
36 months |
Turkish Airlines
|
3 years |
United Airlines
|
Never |
Virgin Atlantic
|
Never |
Bottomline
Japanese Airlines Mileage Bank miles offer a lengthy three-year expiration period, which gives frequent flyers ample time to plan and take advantage of great deals.
However, it has one of the strictest expiration policies. Frequent flyers won’t be able to extend the validity of your miles beyond the expiration date.
Other programs like Singapore Krisflyer and Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles also have fixed expiration policies, but they offer the possibility to extend the expiration date by paying a fee.
But despite its expiration policy, Japanese airline miles still offer solid redemptions.
Plus, it’s a member of Oneworld Alliance so you’ll have access to a vast network of airlines and destinations worldwide.
