Thanks to 25 Million JMB Members Promotion. Image from Japan Airlines

As promised, Japan Airlines (JAL) has released the 2nd round of campaigns for the Thanks to 25 Million JAL Mileage Bank (JMB) Members! Promotion. Most of them are targeted towards the Japan region members. Only two hotel related campaigns are for overseas members. And even for the ones targeting the Japan region members are a bit disappointing to be honest. Below are the list of new campaigns announced today.

Instead of 300/600 miles per stay at Hotel JAL City/Nikko Hotels, now you will get 200-2,000 JAL Mileage Bank miles per night depending on your rate plan.

Also, you will be able to earn miles at participating hotel restaurants. 100 yen = 2 miles.

Details here (only Japanese page mentions restaurant miles):
English: http://www.jalhotels.com/jmb/reserve.html
Japanese: http://www.jalhotels.com/jp/jmb/reserve.html

Changes effective since April 1 2010

Japan Airlines (JAL) announced the decision to sell 79.6% of its share in JAL Hotels to Hotel Okura today. After the transaction, JAL will maintain 11.1% of stake in JAL Hotels. Both brands of Hotel Nikko and JAL Hotel City will be retained and JAL Mileage Bank (JMB) members can keep accumulating miles and using JAL Coupons at the JAL Hotels chain. JAL Hotels and Hotel Okura will cooperate closely to improve profitability. For details, you can refer to JAL Press Release.

According to nikkei.com, Hilton will take over the JAL Resort Sea Hawk Hotel in Fukuoka in June. The owner of the hotel, Singaporean sovereign wealth fun GIC, chooses not to renew the management contract with JAL Hotels Co when it expires in June. Possibly due to the recent brand image of Japan Airlines. The hotel will be rebranded but the good news is Hilton will retain the entire staff.

All of the hotels under the JAL Hotels Co. are actually owned by other people. JAL is just managing their properties and uses its brand to attract tourist bookings...So if this trend continues, we will be seeing more JAL hotels getting rebranded. Hopefully most their contracts won't expire any time soon :(

Japan Airlines once again issued a statements (Japanese only) on its website denying the latest rumors regarding its hotel business.