Mabuhay Meets Avios: PAL’s Partnerships and the Alliance Question for Japan’s Foreign Residents
Philippine Airlines is steadily expanding its loyalty reach, linking Mabuhay Miles to Avios through Qatar Airways and strengthening ties with Qantas, Alaska Airlines, and ANA. For foreign residents in Japan, these moves mean more than codeshares—they open doors to global rewards. This article explores how PAL’s ventures benefit travelers in Japan, weighs the pros and cons of each major airline alliance, and asks the honest question: if PAL finally joins an alliance, which one should it be?
For many foreign residents in Japan, travel is a constant balancing act—whether it’s returning home to see family, hopping around Asia for work, or stretching miles for a long-haul adventure. Philippine Airlines (PAL), once seen as a regional carrier with limited reach, is now quietly reshaping that equation.
In the past, PAL relied heavily on codeshare agreements. ANA provided access within Japan, Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines extended reach across Asia, and American Airlines opened doors to the US. These partnerships gave passengers more destinations but often stopped short of full loyalty integration. You could fly, but earning and redeeming miles across networks was inconsistent.
That picture is changing. In just the past year, PAL has signed frequent flyer partnerships with Qantas, Qatar Airways, and Alaska Airlines. These aren’t just codeshares—they allow Mabuhay Miles members to earn and redeem miles directly on partner flights. The Qatar Airways deal is especially significant because it links Mabuhay Miles to the Avios ecosystem, the shared currency of Qatar Airways, British Airways, Iberia, and others. Suddenly, a flight from Tokyo to Manila can connect through Doha and open up redemptions to London, Madrid, or even further afield.
For foreign residents in Japan, this shift matters. PAL’s partnerships now act as bridges between Asia, Australia, North America, and Europe. Qantas expands access to Sydney and Melbourne, Alaska Airlines strengthens West Coast connectivity, and Qatar Airways unlocks Europe and the Middle East. ANA codeshares keep Japan well-connected, while Cathay and Malaysia Airlines extend reach across Southeast Asia.
But beneath these developments lies a bigger question: is PAL preparing to join a global alliance?
The Alliance Question
PAL has not formally joined any alliance, but its moves increasingly resemble “shadow membership.” Each of the three major alliances offers different opportunities:
Star Alliance would build on PAL’s strong ties with ANA and Singapore Airlines, and provide robust Europe and Middle East reach through Turkish Airlines. The drawback is that PAL’s unique value could be diluted by overlap with ANA, and its recent loyalty deals lean elsewhere.
SkyTeam could offer a niche through Korean Air and China Airlines, but PAL’s existing ties here are weak. Loyalty integration is limited, and the fit feels less natural compared to its current trajectory.
oneworld stands out as the most logical choice. PAL already has deep partnerships with Qantas, Qatar Airways, Alaska Airlines, Cathay Pacific, American Airlines, and Malaysia Airlines—all core oneworld members. The Avios integration through Qatar Airways is already giving Mabuhay Miles members indirect access to alliance-wide rewards. The challenge would be restructuring Mabuhay Miles to align with Avios and differentiating Manila’s hub from Cathay and JAL’s dominance.
From a practical standpoint, oneworld appears to be the best fit. It offers strong US and Australia connectivity, a growing Avios link, and a network of partners PAL is already working closely with.
Honest Take
For foreign residents in Japan, PAL’s evolving partnerships mean more redemption opportunities, more routes, and more flexibility. While PAL hasn’t officially joined an alliance, its loyalty program is already stretching into Avios territory. The reality is that PAL is testing alliance-like benefits without committing fully, giving travelers a chance to benefit from expanded networks without the airline losing its independence.
So here’s the question to end on: Should PAL decide to finally join an alliance, which one would you wish PAL joins?