JAL USA CARD Basic
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How we calculate effective rate →
The JAL USA CARD Basic from FNBO earns up to 0.7% effective value on dining in Madeen's catalog snapshot. Its annual fee is $35.
- Top category
- Dining
- Effective value
- 0.7%
- Annual fee
- $35
Worth a look for dining spend if you need a business card and can use JAL Mileage Bank the way you redeem today. Best for spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 0.5x miles.
What does the JAL USA CARD Basic earn in each category?
Dining is the strongest category at 0.7% effective value (0.5x miles at about 1.3 cents each). That dining rate ranks higher than about 1% of the 2,850 cards we track in that category. The five-category effective-rate table on this page shows how JAL USA CARD Basic compares across dining, grocery, gas, travel, and other spend.
Dining is the strongest category at 0.7% effective value (0.5x miles at about 1.3 cents each). That dining rate ranks higher than about 1% of the 2,850 cards we track in that category. The five-category effective-rate table on this page shows how JAL USA CARD Basic compares across dining, grocery, gas, travel, and other spend.
| Category | Earn rate | Effective value |
|---|---|---|
| Dining Restaurants, cafes, takeout | 0.5x miles | 0.7% Top category |
| Grocery Supermarkets and grocery stores | 0.5x miles | 0.7% |
| Gas Gas stations and fuel | 0.5x miles | 0.7% |
| Travel Flights, hotels, transit | 0.5x miles | 0.7% |
| Other General everyday spend | 0.5x miles | 0.7% |
Madeen values JAL Mileage Bank at about 1.3 cents each. Madeen compares every card using this cash-equivalent estimate while still showing the raw earn rate for context.
Who should get the JAL USA CARD Basic?
The JAL USA CARD Basic fits spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 0.5x miles. Best for spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 0.5x miles.
JAL USA CARD Basic fits spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 0.5x miles. Madeen ranks its dining effective rate higher than about 1% of the catalog in that category. Compare it against cards you already carry with Madeen — no bank login required.
Best for spenders who put meaningful volume in dining and can earn 0.5x miles.
Less compelling if the $35 annual fee is hard to offset. Foreign transaction fees make it weaker for international spend. Mostly a flat base earn card without strong category bonuses.
Worth a look for dining spend if you need a business card and can use JAL Mileage Bank the way you redeem today.
Pros
- Strongest Madeen category is dining at about 0.7% effective (0.5x miles).
- Rewards post as JAL Mileage Bank; compare redemption paths before assuming cash-equivalent value.
Cons
- $35 annual fee requires enough spend in bonus categories to offset.
- Charges $3 foreign transaction fees.
- JAL Mileage Bank value depends on how you redeem, not straight cash back.
- Business card — rewards and liability rules differ from consumer cards.
Does the JAL USA CARD Basic have an annual fee?
The JAL USA CARD Basic has an annual fee of $35 and a foreign transaction fee of $3. Confirm current fees on the issuer page before applying.
- Annual fee
- $35
- Foreign transaction fee
- $3
What benefits come with the JAL USA CARD Basic?
The JAL USA CARD Basic includes 10% Off JAL Group In-flight Shopping, 10% savings on JAL International Wi-Fi Service, 10% sector bonus miles in our snapshot. Perks and benefits can change; verify coverage on the issuer site before you rely on them.
10% Off JAL Group In-flight Shopping
10% discount on in-flight purchases on JAL/JAL Group International and Domestic flights by making payment with JAL USA CARD
10% savings on JAL International Wi-Fi Service
10% discount on JAL international in-flight internet service by making payment with JAL USA CARD
10% sector bonus miles
An additional 10% sector bonus miles will be given every time the primary cardholder flies with JAL group.
5% Savings at "JAL PLAZA" Airport Shops in Japan
5% discount on purchases at "JAL PLAZA" Shops (for purchases of JPY1,000 or more).
5% Savings on Duty Free Shopping at Narita Airport
5% discount on duty free shopping at "JAL-DFS" and "JAPAN DUTY FREE" shops in Narita International Airport Terminal 2
Bonus Miles
5,000 bonus miles on your first JAL International Flight
Related encyclopedia topics
Common questions about the JAL USA CARD Basic
Does the JAL USA CARD Basic have an annual fee?
The JAL USA CARD Basic carries an annual fee of $35 in Madeen's catalog snapshot. Issuer terms can change, so confirm the current fee on the issuer's site before you apply. Madeen does not predict approval or prequalification.
What category earns the most with the JAL USA CARD Basic?
Dining is the strongest Madeen category for the JAL USA CARD Basic at about 0.7% effective value, based on our catalog snapshot and standard point valuations. Other categories are listed in the effective-rate table on this page.
Does the JAL USA CARD Basic charge foreign transaction fees?
The JAL USA CARD Basic charges a foreign transaction fee of $3 in our catalog snapshot. Check issuer terms before international spend because rates and fee waivers can change.
Is the JAL USA CARD Basic annual fee worth it?
Whether the $35 annual fee pays off depends on how much you spend in dining and whether you use the card's benefits. Compare effective rates across the cards you already carry in Madeen.
What credit score do you need for the JAL USA CARD Basic?
Madeen's catalog lists a typical credit range of Good to Excellent for the JAL USA CARD Basic. Issuers decide approval using their own criteria; Madeen does not predict approval odds or prequalification.
How do you redeem rewards on the JAL USA CARD Basic?
Rewards on the JAL USA CARD Basic post as JAL Mileage Bank. Redemption value depends on how you use JAL Mileage Bank (statement credit, travel, transfers, or issuer portals). Madeen shows effective cash-equivalent rates using standard valuations.
How does the JAL USA CARD Basic compare to similar cards?
Compare the JAL USA CARD Basic against Amtrak Guest Rewards Mastercard (5% on Dining, $0 fee); Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard (5% on Dining, $99 fee); Best Western Rewards Mastercard (4.6% on Dining, $0 fee). Madeen ranks effective value by category and annual fee using the same catalog snapshot dated 2026-05-01.
| Card | Top category | Effective value | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
JAL USA CARD Basic This card | Dining | 0.7% | $35 |
| Dining | 5% | $0 | |
| Dining | 5% | $99 | |
| Dining | 4.6% | $0 | |
| Dining | 4.6% | $0 |
Store-specific guides
Madeen publishes merchant guides that rank cards for specific stores and services. Browse guides for dining spend to see which cards win at checkout.
Related Madeen guides
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Madeen compares the cards you already carry for dining, groceries, gas, travel, and everyday purchases — free, no bank login required.
FNBO and related product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Madeen is not affiliated with, sponsored by, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of FNBO. Madeen is an independent credit-card comparison and education service. Issuer websites control current terms, fees, and eligibility.
Madeen compares cards you add to your wallet using published catalog rules — no bank login required. Issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility; Madeen does not issue cards, make approval decisions, or provide financial advice. Apply links are temporarily hidden on madeen.app. Affiliate disclosure