Have had JGC and SFC cards for a long time (these are credit cards that give you the equivalent of ANA gold and JAL sapphire status as long as you pay the card fees without having to qualify for them otherwise).
Recently I took a quick look at both programs again for the first time, and it seems there have been some big changes. JAL now has some kind of lifetime point system that allows you to get status based on your lifetime spend/activities. ANA now allows you to earn status through a combination of flying, activity, and spending on their credit cards etc.
For me the main benefit of focusing on these programs again would be to get a higher status so that miles no longer expire and it is easier to book award tickets.
Anyone highly involved with either program using these new(?) options? Any advice?
by sendaiben