PARSIPPANY, N.J., Sept. 9, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Budget Car Rental today announced a new partnership agreement with Japan Airlines (JAL) that will provide the more than 26 million JAL Mileage Bank members with travel offers and value-added membership benefits. Under the multi-year agreement, Budget becomes the only international car rental company to offer JAL Mileage Bank members rental savings and the opportunity to earn miles when they rent in Japan and abroad.
In addition, as an official partner, Budget's products and services will be promoted to JAL Mileage Bank members via the airline's official website, www.jal.com, and through member updates, including email and newsletters.
"We are focused on expanding our global footprint and driving international revenue," said Patric Siniscalchi, president, Latin America/Asia Pacific, Avis Budget Group. "We're proud to offer members of Japan's largest frequent flyer program another reason to choose Budget, while also raising our profile in this important market and delivering against our strategic initiatives."
Budget Japan offers a wide-range of late-model, well-maintained vehicles to serve the needs of business and leisure travelers. With friendly staff and more than 50 locations throughout the country, Budget is well-established in Japan to serve customers at convenient metropolitan locations as well as airports, including Fukuoka Airport, Matsuyama Airport, Nagasaki Airport, Naha Airport (Okinawa), Takamatsu Airport and Tokushima Airport.
Budget operates in Japan through a network of independently-owned and operated licensees. These licensees have the right to operate under the Budget Car Rental brand in accordance with Budget's strict brand standards.
About Budget
Budget Car Rental is one of the world's best-known car rental brands with approximately 3,150 locations in more than 120 countries. Budget is an industry leader in providing vehicle rental services to value-conscious travelers and also operates the second-largest truck rental business in the United States, through a network of more than 2,000 locations. Budget is owned by Avis Budget Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:CAR), which operates and licenses the brand throughout the world. For further information, visit www.budget.com.
About JAL Mileage Bank
In November 1983, JAL became the first Japanese airline to launch a frequent flyer program in the United States, under the name "JAL Mileage Bank USA." As it grew in scale and reach over the years, JAL aligned its overseas and Japan programs in 1996, collectively renaming it "JAL Mileage Bank." Since then, JAL Mileage Bank rapidly gained recognition and popularity, and membership numbers soared to 15 million in 2003 and to more than 20 million in 2007. Today, with the patronage of more than 26 million members, JAL Mileage Bank has become the largest frequent flyer program in Japan.