If new transport minister Seiji Maehara has anything to say about it, Japan Airlines will not go bankrupt, but that doesn't necessarily mean the country's flaship carrier is out of the woods or won't someday merge with some other airline. Because of all the panicky speculation, no one had brought up the touchy subject of all those frequent flyer miles that JAL customers have socked away.
Is it possible they could be rendered useless? There are precedents. When it was liquidated in 2002 Australia's Ansett Airlines suspended its frequent flyer program and since no other airline came in to pick them up, all points that were accumulated completely lost their value.
In a recent article, Shukan Post offered some advice for JAL Mileage Bank members. For one thing, if you're planning an overseas trip any time in the near or even distant future, book it now and use your miles, since you're more likely to get the best value for them. You're allowed to book up to 330 days in advance for an international flight, and though you can change the date up to a day before you leave, you can't change the route.